So, we’ve walked through the process of becoming a successful affiliate marketer. Now let’s step through some real-world affiliate marketing program examples, walking through four different types of products you can promote and make a tidy profit.
Usually, most of your affiliate income will come from one or two “ringers” — core products that just about everyone in your audience needs and which also pay a good commission.
As you progress, you can add complementary products to round out your offerings and help your audience in new ways, but identifying your core earners is an essential first step.
Option #1: Digital Downloads
Digital downloads are online resources that your readers can access instantly, without having to wait for a package to come in the mail (as is true for physical products).
They could be audio or video files, PDFs, ebooks, or even links to webpages where the content lives online.
Examples:
Books or ebooks — Books that are either self-hosted on your merchant’s website or downloaded from Amazon, iBooks, or other online sellers.
Backlinko hosted ebook
Software — Downloadable programs, games, apps, plugins, and cloud services.
Mobile applications — Some of the hundreds of apps that are available through the iTunes Affiliate Program and other mobile app affiliate networks.
iTunes affiliate program
Music, movies, TV shows, and more — Media offered through Amazon as well as the iTunes Affiliate Program and others.
Advantages
Digital downloads are an easy way to get started and help your audience with pressing problems.
There are no overhead costs of production, shipping or storage.
Your buyer can access and begin benefiting from their digital product immediately.
Disadvantages
Many ebook, software, or other download products are relatively inexpensive. You’d have to sell a lot of them to make any significant money.
Our Recommendation?
Do it! But expect higher earnings from other options on this list.
Option #2: Online, Hosted, and Professional Services
When it comes to selling services as an affiliate, it’s important to concentrate on those which will be accessible to your entire audience no matter where they’re located (as opposed to service providers who serve local customers only).
In other words, don’t limit your earning potential by geography.
Your best bet is to represent online, hosted, or professional service providers/influencers you’ve worked with in the past and have full confidence in.
Examples of professional services:
Designers (99 Designs, Zazzle, Designmodo)
BusinessDesigner Services Screenshots
Media or creative businesses (Media Content Advantage, John Melley Voice Overs & Production, Music Radio Creative)
Content marketing services (Sprout Social, Hootsuite)
Hootsuite Affiliate
Masterminds and membership sites (Serious Bloggers Only, Freelance Writer’s Den, Digital Marketer)
Research or consulting services (Questia, Touchstone Research Store, Snow Consulting)
Accounting, finance, or legal advice (as permitted by law) (Find Legal Forms, Motif Investing, Greatland)
Motif Affiliate Program
Niche specialties – pop culture, travel, tourism, nightlife, crafts/artisans (Pet Care Supplies, zChocolat, Silvercar)
Examples of online/hosted services:
Website platforms (Wix, Squarespace)
Lead generation services (Thrive, Elementor [affiliate link])
Email service providers (AWeber, Constant Contact, ConvertKit [affiliate link])
Email Service Providers - affiliates
Website services (e.g., hosting, anti-spam, security, etc.)
Media (Wistia, Vimeo, Telestream, various WordPress plugins)
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