Small Business Websites
How to Increase Your Affiliate Income
Written by Charles Mburugu for Gaebler Ventures
When it comes to affiliate marketing, focus is very important. You want to draw visitors to your site, tell them how your products can help them, and why they need to order right away. This process should be kept very simple and straightforward. What strategies can you use to increase your affiliate income?
The following are tactics you can use to increase your affiliate income.
Offer an incentive or bonus for each subscription or sale
You could give away e-books which are related to your subject and insert your affiliate links. You could also find other affiliate programs that offer free gifts and that will pay you for each lead. In addition, you can create your own Resource Guide or Tip Sheet to give away that has your affiliate links. However, do not 'bribe' your visitors, but instead offer great value for your price.
Follow-up with special offer
You should configure your website to send automatic confirmation emails to all those who subscribe or purchase something. This is an excellent place to offer bonuses, as well as mention a special offer. The special offer could be an item that will complement the product purchased, or that will be of interest to your target market.
Put special offers on download or confirmation pages
When a visitor subscribes, downloads or orders a free report from your site, they should be directed to a 'thank you' or confirmation page. Never direct them back to the main page. From the confirmation page, you can direct the visitor to view other offers and products via your affiliate link. Don't confuse your visitors with many banners. Select a program you think would interest them and recommend it in a professional way.
Offer great deals or resources to your newsletter subscribers
Research several merchants and offer your subscribers a great deal or inform them of a current promotion or contest via your affiliate link. You could also offer product reviews, how-to articles or free resources. These tactics are more effective than direct advertisements. Don't hesitate to promote your products to subscribers. Just makes sure you go about it in a way that grabs their attention, and serves their needs and interests.
Use a Hover Ad or Exit Pop-up to offer an alternative choice
The exit pop-up can be set to open only when the visitor does not subscribe or order from your site. If they leave the site without taking any action, you can use the chance to offer a free resource, or direct them to an alternative website via your affiliate link. This would be an excellent place to offer a Tip Sheet or free Guide that you have created on your topic.
Follow up with bidders on eBay
If you trade on eBay, you can easily insert your affiliate links in various locations such as your 'About Me' profile page, your email signature, and even in the package you are shipping. You could also follow up by postal mail or email to confirm receipt and ensure the customer is satisfied with the product. At the same time, you can take the opportunity to offer a 'great deal' or special offer as a way of saying 'thank you' for their business. Remember that those who have ordered from you previously are more likely to make another purchase, which means that your mailing list or customer database is very important.
Charles Mburugu writes for us from his home in Nairobi. He has a graduate degree in Business Management from Kenya Institute of Management. He is interested in writing about branding, CSR and intellectual property.
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