Marketing is all about getting people interested in the products or services of a company. The success of every business depends on the type of marketing strategy they deploy to their audiences. To accomplish this businesses first need to find their target audiences. Then they need to create a marketing management plan and wisely choose the marketing channels. With the final goal to increase sales.
One common way to attract people’s attention is by engaging third-party publishers to promote the company’s product or service in exchange for a commission. This is a great way to reach a relevant audience and get tons of sales-qualified leads. And that’s what affiliate marketing programs are all about.
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is an advertising model in which third-party publishers such as content creators or bloggers advertise or promote a company’s products or services. The products that are created by the company are called merchants. The third-party publishers that promote merchant’s products are also known as affiliates. The purpose of affiliate marketing is to increase sales and brand awareness. In turn, affiliates earn a commission from each of their sales or customer traffic due to their marketing efforts. These products or services can be promoted through an affiliate’s website, blog, social media accounts, podcasts, or other online platforms.
An easy way for an affiliate to connect to a suitable merchant is through a platform called an affiliate network.
What is an affiliate network?
After affiliates and merchants contact via an affiliate network they both have pros. This platform helps merchants to extend their reach and grow brand awareness in a competitive marketplace. Meanwhile, affiliates in turn may receive a commission for promoting other people’s (that is company’s) products or services that their audience may be interested in. Affiliate network works as a bridge between the two. Some big affiliate networks also offer extra features including a streamlined payment process, appropriate communication channels, and certain legal protections for both sides. In order for the affiliate to earn a commission for promoting a product or service he needs an affiliate link. When the user clicks on it and buys something, the person who shared the link earns a percentage of the sale.
Affiliate marketing is a great way of advertising for everyone involved. Companies get publicity, affiliate marketers promote affiliate links and get paid, and customers get to discover awesome products they might not have found otherwise.
