Many people imagine that they need to have a website if they are to engage in affiliate marketing. It is this belief that keeps so many individuals from pursuing this line of work. After all, websites can be expensive and difficult to build. Not to mention, you have to then maintain it as well.
The good news for you, however, is that you can do affiliate marketing without a website. In fact, there are many different routes that you can take to still make a significant profit. If this is something that you are interested in, here are your top options:
Social Media Platforms
Even if you do have a website, you are still going to have to create a social media account for it. This is because in this day and age, you can’t actually engage in affiliate marketing without an online presence. After all, most of your target audience is on social media and can be actively engaged this way.
Fortunately for you, you can simply cut out the middle man and set up a social media page for your affiliate marketing. Facebook and Instagram are particularly useful platforms. However, you do have to pick the one that is best suited to your demographic. If you are targeting an older demographic, then Facebook is a better option. Younger audiences are more likely to use Instagram.
Of course, you can’t just set up a profile and start posting affiliate links – this will get you nowhere. Instead, you have to build up a following by producing high-quality content that is directly related to your niche. Then, it is a matter of continuing this trend until you have reached enough people to start slipping in your affiliate links.
Keep in mind, though, that your affiliate links shouldn’t be the focus of your page. Rather, your goal should be to offer up excellent content. It is only then that your followers will put your affiliate links to good use.
Forums and Online Communities
Online communities are a dime a dozen. Furthermore, they let people post about a wide variety of topics. This makes it far easier to find a niche that is related to your affiliate links. In turn, you can add links in a more natural and organic manner.
Your first order of business is to find a forum or online community that allows you to post affiliate links. Once you have done this look for discussions or queries based on your affiliate links. However, don’t add the affiliate links just yet.
First, you need to establish yourself as an authority on the subject. So, make sure that you answer questions or add to discussions in a meaningful way. Make points that will interest other readers and make them come back for more.
After you have built up your reputation, you can go ahead and add affiliate links. Even then, though, make it a point to make it look organic. It shouldn’t look like overt advertising or you may not engage as many people.
YouTube
Most people imagine that they have to have hundreds of thousands or even millions of followers on YouTube for affiliate links to work. However, this isn't the case at all. You simply need a decent and loyal following. This should be enough for you to start making money.
Once again, though, you do have to establish yourself on this platform. This means creating content that will appeal to your target audience. Needless to say, the content should be focused on your affiliate marketing niche.
The videos that you create should be useful and informational. They should promote you as an expert on the platform and help to increase your number of viewers. Once you have a comfortable number of subscribers and viewers, you can begin to include your affiliate links.
Content Publishing Platforms
If you feel more comfortable with working on websites, but don’t want to go through the trouble of setting up your own, you can turn to content publishing platforms. These include sites such as Medium. Here, you are able to sign up and publish your own articles. Many platforms will let you add affiliate links as long as you are transparent about them.
What's great about this route is that these sites have already attracted numerous readers. This makes it a whole lot easier to find and engage your target audience. Nevertheless, you still need to make an effort.
To begin with, you need to pick the right topic. Not only does it have to relate to your affiliate link, it must also refer to a frequently asked question. This will ensure that a greater number of people will search up and come across your article.
You also have to write a high-quality article as you do need to present yourself as an authority on the subject matter. Make sure to back your information up with facts and to add plenty of explanations and examples.
The more that you are able to publish, the greater your visibility will be.
Publish an eBook
If you don’t mind putting in the work, then creating a publishing an eBook is something that you may want to look into. Now, the goal would be to create a viral eBook that is eagerly read by hundreds or thousands of people. However, even having a moderately successful eBook that you can add affiliate links into can be useful.
To increase the popularity of the eBook, check out Google Trends to determine what the most popular topics are these days. Look for one that fits your niche. Then, write a well-researched, interesting, and entertaining eBook.
With an eBook, you have to do a great deal of research. It is important to create content that is well thought out and that contains reputable information. What's more, you also have to ensure that the eBook is carefully proofread and edited.
The advantage of an eBook is long lasting results. Long after the book has been published online, you could continue to see interest and revenue from it.
Email Marketing
If you are looking to market to people directly, then email marketing is one of your best options. Your first order of business involves compiling a list of individuals who would like to hear from you. The best way to convince people to give away their email address is to offer something in return.
This is often in the form of a free guide, resource, or similar option. Once you have found something to exchange, look up vendors that will create sign up forms for you. Then, use social media to direct traffic towards this order form.
If your offer is tempting enough, people will provide their email addresses. Then, you can send them affiliate links. Of course, you do need to ensure that the content of the email is informational and engaging. Otherwise, your efforts will simply come across as spam.
It doesn’t matter which idea you go with, effort is required. While you can do affiliate marketing without a website, you do have to put in some hard work. It is only then that you will be able to see these efforts translate into profits. Once you have gotten the hang of these avenues, they will be a lot easier to manage.
