With influencer marketing on the rise, affiliate marketing programs are now one of the most popular methods of making money online. The lucrativeness of each campaign differs depending on a number of factors including follower count, engagement levels and niche. But aside from generating a sizable income, they can also be a great way to establish long-lasting partnerships with well-known brands. Continue reading to find out how influencers use affiliate marketing programs to make money.
By incorporating hashtags
When it comes to building an online presence, hashtags are one of the most important factors to consider. This is especially the case when trying to market goods and services to the masses. Hashtags are searchable. By incorporating them into social media posts, influencers can reach their intended target audience in a fraction of the time of traditional methods and convert leads to sales in a matter of seconds. Hashtags also generate organic traffic which is much more likely to attract consumers interested in the wide range of products on offer.
By building a strong following
The key to a successful affiliate marketing program is a strong following. With a meagre following, brands will continue their search for an influencer that will drive traffic and sales elsewhere. On the other hand, some brands are only interested in influencers that engage with their followers on a personal level as this is more likely to increase profits over time. This suggests they know exactly how to pique their followers’ interest and maximise their follower count regardless of how big or small it may be.
By sharing genuine recommendations
If an influencer markets a product that they are genuinely interested in or one that conforms to their niche, their followers are likely to have similar interests and make a purchase. For example, if a health and beauty influencer promotes a brand-new skincare brand, their followers, who are also interested in health and beauty, may be pleased with the results and also make a purchase. The influencer in question will then earn a generous commission and the brand will benefit from a sale as well as the potential for repeat custom. This is a great way to guarantee long-term success and build a strong relationship between you and your loyal following.
By optimising busy traffic sources
By tapping into their busiest traffic sources, influencers can market goods and services to their intended target audience in little to no time at all. For example, if their Instagram posts attract more engagement than their Instagram stories, they may post a series of images and include the relevant affiliate links in the description or comments section. Knowing how to analyse traffic sources can be the difference between an affiliate marketing program failing or succeeding. Influencers may also incorporate affiliate links in their bio, IGTV description, or stories to find out which traffic source is likely to generate the most income in the long run.
By thinking smart
Aside from curating content, influencers must be well informed when it comes to encouraging their audience to make a purchase. Whilst they must ensure they are honest and truthful with their audience at all times, there are a number of tactics they can employ to drive sales. By understanding what motivates their followers to make a purchase, they can take steps to ensure this process occurs on a regular basis. For example, if an influencer notices an increase in sales during a promotional sales period, this can be aligned with an upcoming affiliate marketing campaign. Explaining why they love a product and how it fits into their lifestyle can be all it takes to convince their followers to make a purchase. Calls to action must also be clear, legible, and stand out from the crowd.
By directly communicating with their followers
Whilst most affiliate marketing programs are successful with no communication between influencers and their followers, it can make a dramatic impact. Some influencers even communicate directly with their followers to build a sense of trust and form a personal relationship with their loyal consumer base. By engaging in personal correspondence with their followers, influencers are much more likely to generate sales and earn a commission. For example, TikTok tends to recommend a similar product to followers before directing them to a trackable link to purchase the item. Texting has also become a common method of affiliate marketing for a growing number of influencers online.
Influencer marketing has revolutionised the different ways in which brands market goods and services to the masses. By tapping into affiliate marketing programs, they can establish a secondary or primary income stream in a matter of days. In order to do so, they are incorporating hashtags, building a strong following, sharing genuine recommendations, optimising busy traffic sources, thinking smart, and directly communicating with their followers.
