subject: 5 Simple Branding Tips For Affiliates [print this page] 5 Simple Branding Tips For Affiliates 5 Simple Branding Tips For Affiliates
As the number of affiliate marketers continues to grow, it has become more and more difficult for them to distinguish themselves in an overpopulated arena. Not only are many affiliates marketing the exact same product, they are doing it with replicated websites provided by the company they are marketing for.
A reason affiliate marketing programs have become so popular is because of the free websites and marketing materials provided to the affiliate. Affiliates do not have to build a website of their own or come up with costly marketing material. They can simply sign up to a program and immediately be given a website and free online marketing material to use in promotion.
Unfortunately, these free affiliate websites do not do much to brand the actual affiliate who markets them. Often, the only difference between the affiliate websites in a given program is the unique affiliate id inserted at the end of the URL. While this may make becoming an affiliate relatively easy, it can present the new affiliate with a bit of an identity crisis.
Branding is critical to standing out in an increasingly competitive field. Fortunately, there are some pretty simple steps that can be taken to build an individual brand.
1. Setup a blog. Owning a blog is the best way to brand as an affiliate. A blog can be used to showcase the unique skills and knowledge of the affiliate (blog owner). Providing fresh, quality, and useful content will build trust amongst readers and visitors which makes selling to them a lot easier than simply guiding the masses to a replicated affiliate site.
2. Promote social networking profiles. Most who are promoting online have social networking profiles on sites like Facebook or Twitter (if you do not, you should). Social networking profiles are another tool that can be used to brand affiliates and set them apart from others who are marketing online. Of course, the profile must be complete with a bio (picture also recommended). A good way to get traffic to a social network profile is to provide a link to it on a blog.
3. Forum and blog commenting. Many internet marketers often turn to forums and blogs for affiliate marketing help or advice. Offering relevant and useful advice or comments (without spamming) in blogs and forums is a simple way to establish a self-brand. Online marketers who establish themselves as an authority in high ranking blogs or forums have a powerful online business brand.
4. Create an online video. Video marketing has become one of the most powerful forms of marketing online. People love to see and hear who it is they are dealing with, and nothing capitalizes on that innate human curiosity more than video.
5. Send newsletters to subscriber lists. Newsletters are a great way to keep in contact with prospects or customers. Being able to keep prospects updated and informed via a newsletter is a powerful branding tool for affiliates. Setting up a subscription form on a blog is suggested for building a list.
Affiliate marketing is one of the simplest ways to earn a passive income online and build wealth from home. However, its simplicity can often be its greatest challenge as well. Those who master the art of individual branding will have a leg up on the competition.
