Is Affiliate Marketing Possible Without a Following?
Since most of us are not influencers. A lot of people are asking, "Can you do affiliate marketing without a following?"
The short answer is yes.
If you’re interested in the affiliate marketing business, let’s get started.
A Brief Overview of The Affiliate Marketing Model
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business rewards affiliates for each customer brought to the business through the affiliate's own marketing efforts. Affiliates are typically individuals or companies that have a website or other online presence and are interested in promoting a business's products or services in exchange for a commission on any resulting sales.
In affiliate marketing, affiliates typically promote a business's products or services through a variety of methods, such as writing product reviews, creating banner ads or text links, or posting social media posts. When a potential customer clicks on one of these promotional materials and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission on the sale.
Affiliate marketing can be an effective way for businesses to reach new customers and for affiliates to earn income. It allows businesses to tap into the reach and influence of affiliates, while also providing affiliates with an opportunity to earn money by promoting products they believe in. Additionally, because affiliates are only paid when a sale is made, it can be a low-risk way for businesses to acquire new customers.
Don’t Worry if You Don’t Have a Following
Having a large following can be beneficial for affiliate marketing in a number of ways. First and foremost, a following provides a ready-made audience to promote products to. This can be particularly useful for affiliates who are just starting out and may not have a large network of potential customers. In addition, a following can also serve as social proof and help to increase trust in the affiliate's recommendations, as people are more likely to trust the recommendations of someone they follow or admire.
However, it is important to note that it is possible to succeed in affiliate marketing without a following. While a following can be a valuable asset, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to an affiliate's success. These may include the quality and relevance of the products being promoted, the effectiveness of the affiliate's marketing efforts, and the overall demand for the products in the market. By focusing on these factors and utilising techniques such as targeted ads, SEO, and email marketing, it is possible for affiliates to achieve success even without a large following.
Your Potential For Success Without a Following
Here are some more specific examples of successful affiliate marketers who have achieved significant results without a large following:
Email marketing: Some affiliates have had success promoting products through targeted email campaigns. By building an email list and sending targeted emails to potential customers, affiliates can effectively promote products and drive sales without relying on a large following.
Pay-per-click advertising: Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising allows affiliates to place ads on search engine results pages or other websites and only pay when a user clicks on the ad. This can be an effective way for affiliates to reach potential customers and promote products without a large following, as the ads can be targeted to specific keywords or demographics.
SEO: Building a website and ranking it high in search engine results can be an effective way for affiliates to promote products without a large following. By creating valuable and relevant content and optimising their website for search engines, affiliates can attract organic traffic and promote products to a potentially large audience without relying on a following.
Influencer partnerships: Partnering with influencers or other affiliates who have a large following can be a effective way for affiliates to promote products without a following of their own. By cross-promoting products and leveraging the influence of the other party, affiliates can reach a larger audience and drive sales.
These are just a few examples of the many ways that affiliates can promote products and achieve success without a large following. By utilizing a combination of tactics and focusing on the quality and relevance of the products they promote, affiliates can effectively reach potential customers and drive sales even without a large following.
Here are some more specific examples of techniques that affiliates can use to promote products without a following:
Targeted ads: Creating targeted ads on social media or other platforms can be an effective way for affiliates to reach potential customers and promote products without a large following. By targeting ads to specific demographics or interests, affiliates can increase the chances of their ads being seen by people who are likely to be interested in the products they are promoting.
Influencer partnerships: Partnering with influencers or other affiliates who have a large following can be an effective way for affiliates to reach a larger audience and promote products without a following of their own. Influencers may be willing to promote products in exchange for a commission on any resulting sales, and can provide valuable exposure to a potentially large audience.
SEO: Utilizing SEO and other forms of digital marketing to drive traffic to their websites or landing pages can be an effective way for affiliates to promote products without a large following. By creating valuable and relevant content and optimizing their website for search engines, affiliates can attract organic traffic and promote products to a potentially large audience without relying on a following.
Paid traffic: Using paid traffic sources such as PPC advertising or sponsored content can be a way for affiliates to promote products without a large following. By placing ads on search engine results pages or other websites, or by creating sponsored content on social media or other platforms, affiliates can reach a larger audience and drive traffic to their website or landing pages.
Content marketing: Creating valuable and engaging content and promoting it through social media, email marketing, or other channels can be an effective way for affiliates to promote products without a large following. By providing valuable information or entertainment to potential customers, affiliates can establish themselves as experts in their field and build trust in their recommendations, which can lead to sales.
These are just a few examples of the many techniques that affiliates can use to promote products without a large following. By utilising a combination of tactics and focusing on the quality and relevance of the products they promote, affiliates can effectively reach potential customers and drive sales even without a large following.
Why Have a Following in Affiliate Marketing?
Here are some more specific advantages of having a large and engaged following for affiliate marketing:
Ready-made audience: A following provides a ready-made audience to promote products to, which can be particularly useful for affiliates who are just starting out and may not have a large network of potential customers. By promoting products to their followers, affiliates can potentially reach a large number of people who are already interested in their content and more likely to be receptive to product recommendations.
Social proof: A following can serve as social proof and help to increase trust in the affiliate's recommendations. When people see that an affiliate has a large and engaged following, they may be more likely to trust the affiliate's opinions and recommendations, as they assume that the affiliate must be an expert or have some level of influence in their field.
Increased credibility: Having a large following can also increase an affiliate's credibility and perceived expertise in their field. When people see that an affiliate has a large and engaged following, they may be more likely to view the affiliate as an authority on the products or services they are promoting, which can help to increase trust and conversions.
Greater reach: A large following can also provide affiliates with greater reach and exposure. By promoting products to their followers, affiliates can potentially reach a much larger audience than they could through other marketing efforts. This can be particularly useful for affiliates who are promoting products that have a wide appeal or that are targeted to a specific niche.
These are just a few examples of the advantages of having a large and engaged following for affiliate marketing. By building and engaging with a following, affiliates can potentially reach a larger audience, increase trust in their recommendations, and establish themselves as experts in their field, which can all lead to increased sales and success.
How to Build a Following For Affiliate Marketing [Correctly]
Here’s how to build a following for affiliate marketing. Here are some specific strategies for building a following for affiliate marketing:
Create valuable and engaging content: One of the most effective ways to build a following is to create valuable and engaging content. This could include blog posts, videos, podcasts, or other forms of content that provide value to the audience and help to establish the affiliate as an expert in their field. By consistently creating high-quality content, affiliates can attract and retain a following of people who are interested in their expertise and insights.
Build relationships with other industry influencers and affiliates: Building relationships with other industry influencers and affiliates can be a effective way to build a following. By collaborating with or promoting the work of others, affiliates can potentially reach a larger audience and expose their own work to a new audience. In addition, building relationships with other affiliates can also help to create mutually beneficial partnerships and provide opportunities for cross-promotion.
Utilise social media and other platforms: Utilising social media and other platforms to connect with potential customers can be a effective way to build a following. By consistently posting valuable and engaging content and interacting with followers, affiliates can build a community of people who are interested in their work and more likely to follow their recommendations. In addition, social media and other platforms can also provide affiliates with the opportunity to connect with potential customers and promote their products in a more personal and interactive way.
Engage with your audience: Engaging with your audience is an important aspect of building a following. By responding to comments, answering questions, and interacting with followers, affiliates can build stronger relationships with their audience and encourage more people to follow their work.
These are just a few strategies for building a following for affiliate marketing. By consistently creating valuable and engaging content, building relationships with other industry influencers and affiliates, and utilising social media and other platforms, affiliates can effectively build a following and increase their reach and influence in the market.
Final Thoughts on Affiliate Marketing Without a Following
While it is possible to succeed in affiliate marketing without a following, it is important to note that it may require more effort and creativity to promote products without the benefit of a built-in audience. Affiliates who do not have a large following may need to rely more on techniques such as targeted ads, SEO, and email marketing to reach potential customers, which can require more time and resources. In addition, affiliates without a following may need to work harder to establish their credibility and expertise in their field, as they do not have the benefit of social proof provided by a large and engaged following.
However, it is important to note that the lack of a following does not necessarily mean that an affiliate will not be successful. By focusing on the quality and relevance of the products they promote, utilising effective marketing techniques, and building relationships with potential customers, affiliates can achieve success even without a large following. Ultimately, the key to success in affiliate marketing is to find the approach that works best for an individual's goals and resources and to consistently put in the effort and dedication required to achieve success.
It is important for affiliates to consider both options and to find the approach that works best for their specific goals, resources, and target audience. Some affiliates may find more success with a large following, as it can provide a ready-made audience to promote products to and can also serve as social proof and increase trust in the affiliate's recommendations. However, building a large following can take time and may require a significant amount of effort, particularly for affiliates who are just starting out.
On the other hand, some affiliates may be able to achieve significant results without a large following, by utilising techniques such as targeted ads, SEO, or email marketing to reach potential customers. This approach may be particularly useful for affiliates who have a limited budget or who are targeting a specific niche, as it can allow them to reach a highly targeted audience without the need for a large following.
Ultimately, the best approach to affiliate marketing will depend on an individual's specific goals, resources, and target audience. Some affiliates may find more success with a large following, while others may be able to achieve significant results without one. It is important for affiliates to consider both options and to find the approach that works best for their specific situation.