Let's face it! Starting your affiliate marketing journey can be quite thrilling, but it's the "getting started" part that stumps a lot people.

Whatever route you take, make sure that you're also building a business and YOUR brand around affiliate marketing. It's not just about throwing out links and hoping someone clicks. Take it a step further and add value as to WHY someone should click your link.

I have a friend who bakes custom cookies in her spare time. She has a small customer base and was wondering how she can incorporate affiliate marketing to create additional side income? Another colleague of mine knows a ton about wedding planning and was asking me how she can create a digital product that she can sell to her clients, and figure out how to marry her expertise with affiliate marketing. It's a lot easier than you think.

Even if you do not have an expertise or a side business and you're starting from scratch, you can do this too.

In this blog post I'm going to share some insights as to how you can use your current passions or hobbies as a base point to add on affiliate marketing.

Just keep in mind that with any new business pursuit, there's a mix of upsides and hurdles awaiting beginners (and seasoned pros too).

I'm going to delve into the realm of affiliate marketing, sharing some down-to-earth tips for those fresh to online marketing, aiming to transform their hobbies into a successful digital venture.

Let's do this!

Here are 3 Benefits as to why you should add affiliate marketing to your side hustle.

1. Low Entry Barriers:

Affiliate marketing is a fantastic solution for anyone trying to add an additional stream of income because it offers a low-cost entry point for beginners. Unlike traditional businesses that may require substantial capital, starting an affiliate marketing business often only requires a reliable internet connection and a computer.

2. No Product Creation or Inventory:

If you've ever tried your had at building a business online that required you to stock inventory, you will be excited to learn that with affiliate marketing, you are free from that burden. Affiliates don't have to worry about creating or stocking products. They simply promote existing products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through their unique affiliate link.

3. Flexible Schedule:

Affiliate marketing allows individuals to work at their own pace, making it an ideal option for those with full-time jobs. Whether you have a 9-to-5 or other commitments, you can manage your affiliate marketing business on your own time.

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Here are 3 Challenges you may face as you enter into the world of Affiliate Marketing.

1. Finding Quality Affiliate Offers:

Beginners often struggle to identify reputable affiliate programs. It's crucial to research and select products or services that align with your passion and have a good reputation in the market.

It's not just about finding any offer, it's about finding the right one. If you have no idea where to begin, I would highly encourage you to take this challenge.

2. Effective Promotion Strategies:

Posting affiliate links on social media without a strategy is not the best approach. Beginners need to learn effective promotion techniques, such as creating valuable content, utilizing SEO, and engaging with their target audience.

• Create informative blog posts

• Create engaging videos on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram. If you're too afraid to show your face, you might benefit from this 5-second silent video training.

• Curate social media posts that providing engaging and useful information

• Figure out the problems your target audience deals with and create content that solves them

3. Building a Unique Brand:

Standing out in a competitive market requires the development of a personal brand. Beginners should focus on creating a unique identity that reflects their passion and resonates with their target audience.

Remember, authenticity is key.

• Be willing to share your personal experiences, insights, and passions

• People connect with real stories, and authenticity builds trust, making your brand more relatable.

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So are you ready to get started?

Here are 6 practical tips.

1. Find a niche you love.

Identify a niche within your passion, sometimes this is referred to micro niche.

Here is an example.

My husband is a professional photographer and he knows a lot about lighting. He currently teaches a course to students who want to learn more about lighting for portraits. That is a micro niche within the gigantic world of photography.

Let's assume you are into gardening, is there a specific method that you like to talk about? What if you're into grooming or training dogs. Maybe there is a specific breed you work with or a particular style of training that you teach?

You get the idea.

2. Research and Select Quality Affiliate Programs

Take the time to research and choose affiliate programs that align with your niche. Look for programs with good commission rates, reliable tracking, and a positive reputation. I took this 15-day challenge that taught me how to do all this.

3. Create Valuable Content

Build a blog or website to share valuable content related to your passion. This could include how-to guides, product reviews, and personal experiences. This establishes you as an authority in your niche.

4. Utilize Social Media Strategically

Instead of simply posting affiliate links, engage with your audience on social media platforms. Share your content, answer questions, and foster a sense of community. This approach builds trust and increases the likelihood of conversions.

5. Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)

Learn basic SEO principles to ensure your content is discoverable by search engines. This can significantly increase organic traffic to your website.

6. Utilize Social Media Strategically

Instead of simply posting affiliate links, engage with your audience on social media platforms. Share your content, answer questions, and foster a sense of community. This approach builds trust and increases the likelihood of conversions.

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Need more examples? I got you!

I'm going to go back and use two examples that will help you get an out of box idea on how you can incorporate affiliate marketing into your business or side hobby.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXAMPLE:

Let's assume that Sarah is a photographer (novice or experienced) and she likes to do portraits and headshot photography and her key audience are women with families who are not interested in photography as a hobby, they just enjoy having their photos taken.

Adding on affiliate marketing to her business is easy. She can promote products or services that are relevant to her clients.

Here are some examples of affiliate offers that align with her photography focus:

• Family Photo Outfits:

  Partner with clothing brands that offer coordinating outfits for family photoshoots, providing her clients with stylish and matching options.

• Printable Family Planners:

  Affiliate programs for printable family planners or organizers, helping parents keep track of their schedules and plan for upcoming photo sessions.

• Personalized Photo Frames:

  She can collaborate with companies that specialize in personalized photo frames, creating a meaningful way for parents to showcase their family portraits.

• Family-Friendly Photography Locations:

  Partner with local venues, parks, or attractions that offer family-friendly spaces for photoshoots. This can include affiliate arrangements for location fees or services.

• Photo Session Props for Kids:

  Affiliate programs with businesses providing props and accessories suitable for kids during family photoshoots, adding a playful and charming touch to the portraits.

• Memory-Keeping Journals:

  Collaboration with companies offering memory-keeping journals or scrapbooking materials, allowing parents to document and cherish their family memories.

• Home Decor and Wall Art:

  Partner with companies that specialize in family-friendly home decor and wall art, giving parents options to display their cherished family photos in creative ways.

• Online Gift Shops:

  Affiliation with online gift shops offering personalized gifts and keepsakes, giving parents ideas for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries.

• Digital Photo Organization Tools:

  Partner with companies that offer digital photo organization tools or apps, helping parents manage their growing collection of family photos.

By incorporating these affiliate offers into her photography business, Sarah not only provides her clients with a seamless and enjoyable experience but also opens up opportunities to earn additional income through relevant and valuable recommendations.

GARDENING EXAMPLE:

Let's assume Alex is a gardening enthusiast and has a blog and social media where he shares his green thumb tips on how to keep plants alive. He can explore a variety of affiliate offers related to gardening.

Here's a list of potential affiliate programs and products that align with his passion:

• Seed Companies:

  Affiliate programs from companies that sell organic or heirloom seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

• Gardening Tools and Equipment:

  Affiliate partnerships with manufacturers or retailers offering gardening tools, such as pruners, shovels, watering cans, and more.

• Composting Products:

  Affiliation with companies that provide compost bins, composting accessories, and organic compost materials.

• Gardening Books and Educational Resources:

  Partnerships with publishers or online platforms offering gardening books, e-books, and educational materials.

• Planters and Containers:

  Affiliate programs with businesses that specialize in unique or specialized planters and containers for various gardening purposes.

• Outdoor Pest Control Products:

  Partnerships with companies providing organic or eco-friendly pest control solutions for gardens.

• Subscription Boxes:

  Affiliation with gardening-themed subscription box services that deliver seeds, tools, and other gardening goodies to subscribers.

• Local Nursery Partnerships:

  Affiliate arrangements with local nurseries or garden centers, especially if they offer online sales or have affiliate programs.

By exploring these affiliate offers, Alex can diversify his revenue streams while providing valuable recommendations to his audience of gardening enthusiasts. It's essential for him to choose offers that align with his niche and resonate with the interests of his audience.

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Now that you get the overall big idea on how this is done, what niche are you going to start with?

To find affiliate programs just open up a Google Search and type the following:

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS FOR [ INSERT KEYWORD]

And start searching through the suggested posts until you find an offer that fits your interests.

Make sure the commission is worth your time, they have a good reputation and offer affiliate support.

Wish you had help?

I know, I did too.

If you're still wishing you had someone who can help you paint a blueprint for how to set this up, I would highly recommend you take the 15-Day Business Builder Challenge. In this challenge you will walk away with the knowledge and tools that will help you build ANY business online, not just affiliate marketing. The best part, it's just $7. For what you get, this is a steal!

If you decide to join, message me and I'll send you some additional training and support so you feel like you have a partner by your side walking each day with you!