How Do I Start Affiliate Marketing? 4 Key Steps
Now that you know that affiliate marketing is a very profitable online business, it's time to take the first step, or rather the first 4 steps.
In this article I will explain the 4 major steps you should take. They are things I wish I had done from the beginning. I hope it'll save you some time. Indeed, as affiliate marketing is not rocket science, you can easily be overwhelmed and get stuck in a routine of ineffective actions.
So, let's get started, shall we?
For all of you who are asking "How Do I Start Affiliate Marketing?", I'd like to give you a first bonus advice: KISS. Yes, Keep It Simple Stupid (or Keep It Simple and Straightforward, as you want)! In a word, keep in mind that affiliate marketing is a simple scheme with logical principles. Do not look for complications that may slow you down.
What are the 4 Key Steps I have To take?
1) Find a product to promote and find a niche to promote that product to. The product can be physical (an object) or virtual (an ebook). For physical objects, you can create an affiliate account with Amazon. For virtual products, you can do the same with ClickBank.com.
How do I start affiliate marketing? By learning to target, target, target. Do not go for a broad niche, it's a waste of time. Narrow it down. If you promote a weight loss product, target women wanting to lose their double chin before their wedding rather than … just overweight women. You can pick even more targeted niches with products for a small but hungry group of people.
2) Build a website or blog (using WordPress) or just a lens (on Squidoo.com) about the product (s) you're promoting. Give valuable content. Do not push people to buy. Write in the first person but do not talk too much about yourself, talk about your readers, what the product you're promoting can bring to THEM. It's all that really matter to them. Be friendly, write as if you were writing to a friend, use your personality. Oh, and put pictures too. People love them!
3) Build a list (with Aweber.com) if you have your own website or blog. Give something of value to your visitors in exchange for their email address. So that you'll build a list of subscribers that are potential buyers. Contact them by email (like a newsletter) from time to time. They probably did not buy the first time they saw the product (s) you are promoting so it's an opportunity to promote to them by email. Find the right balance between free valuable content and promotion. Remember they can unsubscribe at any time. Make them stay. I learned that pretty late. I wish someone had told me "Build a list!" when I first asked "How do I start affiliate marketing?"!
4) Drive traffic to your website with PPC advertising (ads on Google) or article marketing (write and post articles targeting keywords that people search a lot and put a link to your website at the bottom of each article).
These 4 steps are essential and I think they provide a short good answer to "How Do I Start Affiliate Marketing?". Do things at your own pace but DO them. The lack of consistency will be your worst enemy. Break the all thing down in simple daily tasks and stick to them.
Is That Really All It Takes?
No. Creepy, right? I'm kidding, doing these 4 steps are a sure way to get started without wasting time. Of course, there are other affiliate marketing aspects and things to know but just like any business or any activity, you'll learn them in situation.
Do not worry if you come across something you do not know yet. Keep a clear mind and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the fancy words and different techniques you'll hear about. Remember that your mindset is also a very important part of the success you can get as an affiliate marketer.