Whether affiliate marketing is your main source of income or just an extra revenue stream, finding the right programs to promote is crucial for your success.
The decision is not always easy: there are practically hundreds of thousands of affiliate programs, in almost every imaginable category and every region.
So how should you choose the affiliate programs which suit you the best? Here is a checklist to help you make the right decision.
1. Sell What You Love
The phrase “do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life” is one of the cornerstones of long-lasting success in affiliate marketing.
Whether your main marketing channel is a blog, a social media page or a group or any other channel, it is hard to keep developing it for a long time, if it isn’t something you are passionate about.
It is a lot easier to write about and promote products and services you are passionate about, especially in the long run.
2. Sell Products You Use
One of the best ways to find the right products and services is to look around you and make a list of everything you see.
After that, go over the list and select the products and services that you would like to promote, and check if they are included in any affiliate program.
Your familiarity with that product or service will make it easier for you to write about them knowledgeably and truthfully.
3. Check What Other Affiliates Are Doing
It is usually much easier and cheaper to learn from other people’s experiences. Most chances are that some affiliates are already working in your desired niche. Check them out!
Learn what they do and how they do it, try to figure out why they picked these affiliate programs and strategies, and use all that knowledge to set your own affiliate marketing plan and choose your affiliate programs.
4. Listen to Your Audience
If you already have an audience, it can be a great source of ideas and inspiration.
Ask your audience for their favorite products and services, read their discussions and comments, and identify relevant affiliate programs which can answer their needs and wants.
5. Commission Rates
Some affiliates use commission rates as their primary parameter for choosing affiliate programs, but it is not always a good method.
In some cases, high commission rates are offered by brands and companies with less attractive products or services, in order to make up for their weaknesses.
It is often better to get a 5% commission from popular and well-known brands that sell a lot and have a great conversion rate, than getting 50% commission from unknown brands with poor customer service, which can harm your own reputation on the long run.
6. Expand Winning Niches
After some time of doing affiliate marketing, you will surely identify the programs and brands that work best for you and your audience.
Now is a good time to check the competitive landscape of these brands, and start promoting other relevant brands to your audience.
