Although affiliate marketing is often considered one of the easiest ways to make money online, finding quality affiliate programs is not always as simple as it could be. The process involves finding the right products as well as programs that offer terms and conditions that meet your approval.
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Getting Started
The truth is, finding the right affiliate programs is the hardest part of affiliate marketing. The first step in the process is identifying the niche you want or should work with. Ideally this will be a niche or industry that will give you an advantage in some way.
For instance, you may have extra skills, knowledge, or expertise in an area or field that allows you to create fabulous content about a particular subject. That content will help you persuade readers to click on links you add to the content and sidebars at your site. At the same time, you can build a great online reputation and become a respected authority in your field.
But not everyone is quite so lucky to have a blog in a niche they are knowledgeable about. That’s okay. Quality content can be written by freelance writers. The effect will be the same. You will have great information on your site that pulls in targeted traffic, and that traffic will convert to sales.
First Things First
If you are totally new to affiliate marketing, it’s a good idea to invest in a quality course or to find a mentor who can help you through the early phases of your venture. This will streamline the learning curve, and you will be making money sooner.
Keep in mind that the Internet and strategies used online are constantly evolving. This means affiliate marketing courses from five years ago will not be as helpful as those offering current information about marketing strategies in use today. In the online world, you have to keep up to compete.
A course that provides clear, easy-to-follow techniques is best. Ideally you should read information from several sources before deciding to start affiliate marketing. This will help you see the big picture, and you will then be able to set reasonable goals; this will also make it easier to develop real marketing strategies.
Which One’s Right?
The next step is finding the right affiliate program. Some affiliate programs pay much more than others — but that doesn’t mean those programs are right for your site. The program should complement your own products and services.
A quick way to find affiliate programs is with a Google search. Just type in any topic and add the term ‘affiliate program’ afterward. You can also visit your competition’s sites and see what affiliate programs they are promoting. This is a quick way to find programs that are related to your niche.
Always Explore How You Will Get Paid
Payouts are another important consideration. Some programs have very good payouts, and others do not offer much of an incentive. With that in mind, it is worth the effort to explore the options available before you settle on an affiliate program to promote.
Every affiliate marketer is different. Some are concerned about the banners and other promotional material offered, and other marketers are not. Whether you are concerned with how the program tends to processing credit cards or other particulars, all affiliate marketers have at least one thing in common: They want convenient commission payments.
The complications associated with checks and money orders can make some affiliate programs seem too troublesome. After all, most people want their money as soon as possible. In most instances, if the program makes payments online, especially if the process is automated, everything is streamlined. This means you don’t have to wait weeks to receive your commissions.
Online payments are fast and convenient.
Another advantage of automated systems is that they are usually more accurate than manual payment systems. In other words, you can trust in the fact that you will get paid quickly and relax in knowing that your payment will be accurate. The affiliate programs described below offer convenient online payments:
SFI Affiliate
SFI Affiliate is an affiliate program that has stood the test of time. The program offers a generous way to build your affiliate business. With a full 45% commission that can go 12 levels deep, it is a wonderful opportunity. Payments are made via Payoneer.
Click2Sell Affiliate Network
If you want choices when it comes to products to promote, then you might want to check out Click2Sell. This affiliate network offers a wide selection of products, and affiliates can choose to receive payments in a variety of ways, including PayPal and Payoneer.
Clickbank
With well over 10,000 quality digital products for you to promote and make money with Clickbank has been a leader in the affiliate marketing game since 1997.
Fun Fact: Clickbank has paid out close to 3 Billion dollars since 1997 to affiliate Worldwide in affiliate commissions.
How Your Paid: Affiliates who successfully generate affiliate sales through Clickbank are paid bi-weekly by check, or weekly directly into your bank account, if you are in a country where this payment method is accepted.
It’s your choice!
Rapbank
Earn up to 100% affiliate commissions with the Rapbank marketplace directly into your Paypal account instantly after you successfully sell one of the affiliate products that you are promoting.
Tip: Only promote 100% affiliate products on Rapbank so you are paid on each and every sale that you generate through your affiliate links, or banner ads.
Tip: Must setup a free business account with Paypal to use Rapbank so you can get paid your instant affiliate commissions.
JVZoo
Jvzoo is a big player in the affiliate marketing industry these days and also pays you instant commissions directly to your Paypal account like Rapbank.
JVZoo Tip: Once you get approved by a vendor to promote an affiliate program they will either put you on delayed commission which means you will be paid after the refund time has passed on the affiliate product that you successfully sold. Ask the vendors if you can get paid instant commissions:) Some will approve you, and some will not, depending on how many sales you have made etc…
JVZoo Tip: If your knew to affiliate marketing and have not made any sales yet it is still in your best interest to ask the vendor if they can approve you for instant affiliate commissions. The worst that can happen is they approve you for delayed commissions which isn’t so bad if you can wait a few weeks to get paid.
Get the word out — we want to be paid online!
The reality is, many affiliate programs offer payments via direct deposit or check. However, it seems that the trend is beginning to change. As new programs are starting, they are making the effort to be more user-friendly. That is, more and more affiliate programs are beginning to offer online payments.
If your preference is to be paid online, then make your voice heard; let affiliate programs know that is what you want!
Debbie Allen is a blogger, online marketer, and a content writer. Besides writing about online marketing strategies and reputation management, Debbie also likes to write about home and garden issues and self-development.