Image Source: Flickr
With the rise of social media and digital marketing, anyone with a computer and internet connection has the potential to make money online. Since there are so many options, it can be challenging to know where to start. However, affiliate programs—or partner programs—are a great place to begin. These types of programs allow businesses to promote another company’s products or services (typically in an niche market) and receive a commission for any purchases or sign-ups that result from the blog post or social media campaign. Whether your readers are fashionistas, dog lovers, home cooks, nature enthusiasts or fitness fanatics, there’s an affiliate program out there waiting for you! Read on for our list of the best affiliate programs for bloggers and entrepreneurs…
Bloggers: Start with a small blog ad program before you build content partnerships.
With all the programs available, it can be overwhelming to select the right ones to partner with. To help you narrow down your options, start small with a blog ad program. They typically don’t require a long-term commitment and can be scaled up or down based on current needs. The good news is that most blog ad companies are open to suggestion, so you can choose the ad program that best fits the type of content you publish. Most blog ad programs offer CPM—or cost per thousand impressions—which means you earn money each time your ad is displayed 1,000 times. The amount you earn depends on how much the advertiser is willing to pay per impression.
Entrepreneurs: Consider ad programs first and foremost when monetizing your app or platform.
Ad programs are the most common way for bloggers to monetize their content. However, if you’re building an app or platform, ad programs may not be the most effective method for you. The reason is that the app or platform is selling one product: You. Ad programs typically involve banner ads or some other type of display ad. In contrast, monetizing your app or platform will require you to create a product of your own. Most ad programs that are specific to apps or platforms are CPA (cost per action) programs, which means you’ll earn money each time your app or platform directly leads to a sale. For example, if a user downloads your coupon app and uses it to purchase a pair of shoes, you’ll earn money from the sale.
Fiverr: A great opportunity for quick, short-term income.
Fiverr is the internet’s go-to marketplace for quick, short-term income opportunities. This is a great option for people who don’t want to commit to one program. Some of the most popular gig ideas on Fiverr include social media promotion, content creation and website design. Fiverr also allows you to create packaged deals. This means you can offer a “bundle” of services for a specific price. For example, you could offer to create five different social media posts for $5. You’ll earn a commission for each of those posts. Many Fiverr users also have a “Gig extras” tab on their profile. This is a great place to look for opportunities to earn even more money. You can choose from the most popular or you can use your creativity to find an idea that’s more specific to your interests.
Amazon Associates: An oldie but a goodie!
The Amazon Associates program is one of the oldest and most recognized affiliate programs in the world. The program works by enabling you to add links to your blog posts that will lead to products sold through Amazon. Any purchases made through those links will earn you a commission. Amazon has a vast selection of products to promote, making it a great choice for bloggers who are passionate about fashion, health and beauty, home improvement, children’s toys and books, and more. The program is open to all types of bloggers, and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
Audible Partner program: For audiobook lovers!
Audiobooks are more popular than ever. Many people listen to them while driving, jogging or doing other activities that would otherwise require their full attention. This makes the Audible affiliate program an ideal choice for people who want to earn money blogging. The best way to earn money through this program is to create a detailed review of a specific audiobook. You can then post the review on your blog, share it on social media and leave it as a comment on other blogs that feature the audiobook. You can also use our Audible Affiliate Program Quick Start Guide to get started quickly.
Wrapping up
Affiliate programs are a great way for bloggers and entrepreneurs to earn extra money by promoting other companies’ products. The best programs for you will depend on your interests and expertise. You can begin with a small blog ad program and work your way up from there!