Affiliate marketing is a partnership where influencers, bloggers, etc. get paid for sending customers to a brand. You pitch a product, folks click on your link, buy something, and you earn a commission.
When deciding whether to zero in on a single niche or go with multiple, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Niche affiliate marketers become authorities in a specific field, building devoted, trusting audiences. On the flip side, going multi-niche can mean more products to promote and potentially more streams of income.
Affiliate marketing comes in several types, each catering to different strategies, niches, and levels of involvement.
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So, let’s jump into – What are the different types of Affiliate Marketing? Here are the primary types:
Related Affiliate Marketing
The affiliate has a relevant presence or niche but does not directly use the product or service. The affiliate markets products they believe are relevant to their audience, without guaranteeing personal experience.
Example: A fitness blogger promoting workout supplements they’ve researched but haven’t used.
Involved Affiliate Marketing
This is when the affiliate personally uses and endorses the product or service. The affiliate shares personal experiences and testimonials to establish credibility. This type of marketing is best for Individuals or brands that want to build trust with their audience.
Example: This is the type of affiliate I am doing with this site- NicheProfitPro.com, I am promoting Wealthy Affiliate. A product/service that I highly know and trust! I have been involved with this company since 2019 and it has been the best move I ever made.
Pay-Per-Sale (PPS)
Affiliates earn a commission for each sale generated through their unique affiliate link. Often involves higher commissions but requires conversions.
Example: Amazon Associates program where affiliates earn a percentage of sales.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
Affiliates earn commissions based on the number of clicks their links generate, regardless of whether a sale is made. This works through driving traffic to the advertiser’s site. Pay-Per-Click is best for those affiliates who are skilled in generating high traffic.
Example: Affiliates running ad campaigns that drive users to an advertiser’s landing page.
Pay-Per-Lead (PPL)
Affiliates earn commissions for driving leads, such as sign-ups or inquiries. This works through encouraging users to take specific actions.
Example: Affiliates promoting free trials, newsletter sign-ups, or account registrations.
Two-Tier Affiliate Marketing
Affiliates not only earn commissions on their sales but also on the sales generated by sub-affiliates they recruit. This is a form of multi-level marketing (MLM) in affiliate systems.
Example: A marketer recruits other affiliates, earning a percentage of their earnings.
Coupon or Deal Affiliate Marketing
Affiliates specialize in promoting discounts, coupons, or deals. This type of marketing typically involves websites or apps dedicated to sharing promo codes.
Example: Sites like RetailMeNot
Review Site or Blog-Based Affiliate Marketing
Affiliates create content-rich platforms reviewing and recommending products. This type of marketing relies heavily on SEO to attract traffic and is best for creators who like to write longer content that is engaging and has good optimal SEO Skills.
Example: A food blogger writing about and linking to their favorite cooking tools. My site, NicheProfitPro.com would also fit into this category. I write about affiliate marketing and I also promote Wealthy Affiliate through my content.
Social Media Affiliate Marketing
Affiliates promote products or services through social media platforms. This works through using affiliate links in posts, stories, or bios. This type of marketing is best for influencers or content creators with engaged followers.
Example: An influencer sharing a fashion brand’s affiliate link on Instagram.
Unattached Affiliate Marketing
In this type of marketing, the affiliate has no connection or authority in the niche related to the product or service being promoted. This is often done through pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns. This type of affiliate is best for those who prefer not to establish a personal brand or niche.
Here’s an example of Unattached Affiliate Marketing:
Scenario:
A digital marketer runs a Google Ads campaign promoting a weight loss product through an affiliate program. The marketer has no personal connection to the product, doesn’t use it, and doesn’t create content related to weight loss or health.
How It Works:
- Ad Campaign:
- The marketer creates a Google Ads campaign targeting keywords like “best weight loss supplement” or “how to lose weight fast.”
- The ad includes a direct link to the product’s sales page through the marketer’s affiliate link.
- User Action:
- When users click on the ad, they are taken to the product’s website.
- If a user makes a purchase, the marketer earns a commission.
Characteristics:
- No blog, social media, or personal branding is involved.
- Success relies entirely on paid traffic and high-performing ads.
- The marketer’s focus is purely on conversions and return on investment (ROI) from ad spending.
Example in Practice:
Suppose the marketer is promoting a weight loss product that pays a 20% commission per sale. If the product costs $50, the affiliate earns $10 per sale.
They invest $200 in Google Ads and generate 50 clicks, out of which 10 result in purchases.
>>>Earnings: 10 sales x $10 = $100.<<<
Profit (if ad cost exceeds commissions): $100 – $200 = -$100 (loss) OR adjusts campaigns for positive ROI.
This method is attractive for those who want to scale quickly without creating content or engaging with a niche but requires expertise in paid advertising and cost management
In summary, there are many different types of affiliate marketing. By understanding each one, you can choose the one that aligns best with your skills, niche, and marketing goals. What types of affiliate marketing are you doing? Please leave your comments below!