Affiliate Marketing Tips for Creators
Affiliate marketing is an unsung revenue stream for the smaller creator. If you haven’t been able to secure brand deals yet, there are other ways you can make money through content. Affiliate marketing is sharing a product related to the content you create and receiving a commission from the sale. When people use your unique link to buy a product, you get money for driving traffic to that site. Affiliate marketing can be a great tool. That's why we have compiled some of the most helpful information you should know to get started.
Getting Started with Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing differs from brand sponsorships because influencer payments are based on commissions for products sold rather than large sums for promoting future sales. This difference means there is a lower barrier to entry for influencers participating in affiliate marketing. You don’t have to have everything figured out. However, you should have a clear niche and a following of at least 1,000 people. These will help you choose which affiliate programs to join and give you potential customers for these companies. Making money from affiliate links won’t happen overnight. The larger your following, the more likely you are to see sales from your promotions. You should also be aware of the two main ways to interact with affiliate marketing. These ways are through the company making the sale, like Amazon, and through the social media app, like TikTok Shop. Setting up an affiliate relationship through a company has been around longer and requires fewer qualifications to join. In-app stores can be easier for shoppers to use, but it can take longer to qualify. We’ve laid out the essential information for both affiliate marketing methods, so you know when and how to use each.
Getting Affiliate Links through Companies
While in-app affiliate marketing is more efficient for users, you may choose to work through companies before you are approved for a TikTok Shop or on apps that don’t have this feature worked out. Instagram and Pinterest are the best places to use this form of affiliate marketing because they do not have in-app shops. Long-form YouTube videos also have space in their caption that is great for clickable affiliate links.
@meghan.kimberley This used to take me FOUR MONTHS to make …. #affiliatemarketing #affilaitemarketingforbeginners #howtomakemoneyonline #howtomakemoneyfromhome #workfromhome #howtoworkfromhome ♬ original sound - Meghan Kimberley 🇨🇦
There are many companies you can search for to set up affiliate marketing. Depending on your content, you might gravitate towards places like Amazon, which have broad appeal, or towards companies that specialize in the niche you are creating content for. To find specialized stores that have affiliate programs, look up “[your niche] stores with affiliate marketing.” Instagram and Pinterest have both adapted to affiliate marketing in different ways. Instagram can be seen as a more difficult website because of the number of clicks required to reach the product. Some people have figured out how to make Instagram work by consistently using the links in their bio and activating automated DMs that share a link with followers when they comment a specific phrase under a post. Modern Millie has found and shared a bunch of ways to maximize the impact of affiliate marketing on Instagram. Pinterest has streamlined the process of adding affiliate products for users and creators. When creating a post, there is a section to tag products featured in the images where creators can add their affiliate links. On a social media platform like Pinterest, which has large communities of DIY, design, and craft projects, having a simple way to add more than one product to each post lets you maximize potential sales. Binta Komma has had success selling through Pinterest and shares the process of posting affiliate links through the app.
@bintasbudget Idk why my audio was off at the end lol but hopefully this helps! #blackgirlbudget #passiveincome #affiliatemarketingforbeginners #affiliatedmarketingfordummies #pinterestaffiliatemarketing #sidehustles #underconsumptioncore #fyp #blackgirlfinance ♬ original sound - Binta Komma
In-App Affiliate Marketing
A significant move for social media apps was the creation of a commerce platform within the app. This not only simplifies the process of getting something but also keeps people on their app. This makes it easier for users to keep scrolling after completing their purchase. TikTok pioneered this method, and it has since become popular on YouTube Shorts. While the process can result in more revenue because it is easy for users, it will take longer to enter these programs than it would to enroll in affiliate marketing programs offered by companies. It can be challenging to figure out precisely what you need to do to join the TikTok and YouTube shops. However, the consensus is that you need at least 1,000 followers and be engaged on the app. These parameters are to ensure that you enjoy using the app and that you have a base you can influence to buy from them. On YouTube, once you are accepted to the program, you can add links retroactively to videos that you put out before you were accepted. Some people have found ways to boost their chances of being accepted into the TikTok Shop. Anna Salley was successful after posting about how much she enjoyed the TikTok Shop and engaging with videos explaining how to become part of the program. One person even found a potential loophole in the process by talking to a live agent to get into the program without any followers.
@shestarter Replying to @PlayHouse Clothing in this case, you would be joining YouTube’s affiliate program for shoppable videos. In that case, once you’re approved, you’ll make the video, then browse for a product link. You’ll find a product that is listed in their approved merchants. It will tell you what your commission rate is going to be. Your partnership is with YouTube. You won’t add another link to the description of the video that would take them somewhere else. Until you’re approved, keep doing what you’re doing with adding links to the description. I’m sure we will learn more as this program evolves about how to combine description links with the shoppable video links. #AffiliateMarketing #Marketing #YouTube #DigitalMarketing ♬ original sound - Lori ❤️
SheStarter was especially happy with the news that YouTube launched its own shop format, as it is another way to diversify revenue streams. She explains how this new form differs from the older form of affiliate marketing on YouTube. However, simple monetization and joining the creator fund are great ways to continue making money through these apps. If you are already growing a following to become part of the affiliate shop features, you should also apply for monetization. The qualifications also center around follower count and engagement.
@moneywhileyousleep Replying to @Nina B this is how I got into the YouTube Partner program. Please note, it’s always important to stay in compliance with all social media rules and regulations. If you want to be a YouTube Partner in 2024, here’s what required and what help you get there. Let me know what questions you have. #socialmediamarketing #youtube #justgettingstarted ♬ original sound - Michelle | Growing & Glowing💙