I think one of the most fundamental questions that most people interested in becoming
affiliates ask is about where to find products to promote. There are several affiliate
programs available but it’s always advisable to choose what would best work for you. That
increases the possibility of becoming successful in the venture because it reduces the
strain caused by pushing brands that you are not comfortable with. These are some of the
best ways to find a suitable affiliate program for beginners and even for those who are
already considered veterans in the sector.
Well established affiliate networks
This would be the most ideal place to start because such networks are usually well
organized and trusted. Well established networks are typically large and have existing
relationships with some of the biggest brands. Chances are that if you are searching for an
affiliate program to drive the sales of a common brand, you’ll most likely find it being run
through established affiliate networks. Some of these networks include but not limited to:
- 1. Linkshare
- 2. Commission Junction
- 3. Shareasale
- 4. Pepperjam Network
- 5. Google affiliate networks
- 6. JVzoo
- 7. Warriorplus
Such networks are great because they have a well established working relationship with
the big companies that pay good money. It’s a safe place for a beginner to start his or her
affiliate marketing career. They charge the merchants commissions for linking them up
with affiliates which means that your pay as a publisher will be relatively reduced to carter
for their commission payment.
Familiar product
You can always start by promoting a brand that you use yourself or are well aware of. It’s
always easy to sell what you already believe in as opposed to just trying to convince
customers to buy a product that you’ve never even used before. You can check the sites of
your favorite brands and see if they have affiliate programs. It’s a safe bet and somehow a
familiar ground even for beginners.
Independent affiliate programs
These are programs that are run by the merchants themselves using affiliate software to
take care of the technical aspects of the system. In some cases, they may outsource
program managers to manage the affiliate program as they concentrate on core business
functions. The advantage of independent affiliate networks is that the pay is much better
since they don’t use middle men. However if the program is not properly managed it can
be a disaster due to lack of creativity and delayed payments. They are still the best though
especially if you find one that is well managed and pays attention to the needs of the
publishers. They are not easy to find but you can use keywords on search engines to find
them.
e-product networks
These promote products that are downloaded rather than shipped like e-books and other
programs. Some of these networks include Clickbank, e-junkie and Avangate. Just make
sure that the product you are promoting will give customers value for money and it’s not
just some way to mint cash out of them through false advertising. Most e-products have
this issue.
These are some of the ways in which you can find and join an affiliate program. They are
not exhaustive but they are among some of the best options.
