After studying and learning SEO for 2 years and working with clients, I decided it was sensible to start building up my own portfolio of money making websites.
I've now earned thousands of dollars through affiliate marketing (and made plenty of mistakes along the way!), so I thought it might be useful to share some of this knowledge on Steemit!
So without further ado, here are 3 essential ingredients for affiliate marketing content that converts...
1. Always Give a Preview of the Buying Process
This is especially important if you are selling a product that comes from anywhere other than a well known source (e.g. Amazon).
When a potential customer clicks your affiliate link they will be taken to a new website which will look unfamiliar to them.
To increase your conversions at this point, you have to make sure you have told them exactly what to expect when they click on the link BEFORE giving them the link to click. This helps to 'warm up' potential customers and build trust, because when they click on your link and find exactly what you told them they would find, they feel more comfortable and there is less chance of confusion.
A confused person does not buy.
2. Give an Alternative to Buying
This may sound counter intuitive, but hear me out.
If, for example, the product you are an affiliate for is a guide to help with weight loss, make sure you give your readers lots of great content that helps with this issue, or provide links to helpful articles. Yes this may mean that a person won't immediately buy through your link as they check out all the content, BUT it means you have provided value for them and they will remember this.
Most people do not buy in the first instance.
If you provide value they will come back for more, have more trust in you, and are far more likely to buy from you on a return visit.
3. Keep the 'Yes'
As an affiliate marketer, it's your job to help your potential customers understand and know whether the product you are selling is right for them. (It's not your job to be pushy and try to sell to as many people as possible). One way to do this is to be very aware of creating 'yes' pathways.
What is a 'yes' pathway?
A 'yes' pathway is a kind of funnel throughout which the reader/potential customer is saying 'yes' to you. If you get enough 'yes' from them they will happily click through your link and begin the buying process.
You gain a 'yes' from your reader every time they agree with what you've said, or when you give them information that they accept as true. Or even if you make them laugh or smile.
You need to produce informative content, personal content and opinionated content so people can get to know who you are and why you are promoting a product. You need to give your readers plenty of opportunities to say 'yes' to you BEFORE you give them the link to buy.
People need to be able to say 'yes' to what you are doing before they will trust you enough to buy through your link.
Bonus Tip: Know Your Audience
This may be a tip you've heard before.
It's so essential because when you are writing your content you need to know who you are speaking to.
What are the pains and fears of your potential customers? What solution are they looking for? What would it mean to them to get the solution?
I like to start my research by using Facebook Insights. This is an invaluable (and free) tool that will help you really get know the people who are most interested in your niche and the products you are promoting. The more you know your audience, the more value you can provide to them.
I hope these are useful tips! Let me know what you think in the comments and have a great day. :)