Affiliate marketing and creating content are one in the same thing. Affiliate marketing is simply one of the five main revenue streams for any YouTuber,streamer, podcaster, blogger, or content Creator.
The main ways creators are paid are:
- Google Adsense Revenue via YouTube Partner Program
- Affiliate Revenue
- Sponsorships/Product Placements
- Merch Sales
- Paid Members
Since the word “marketing” is in the term itself, we’ll explore the revenue from a marketing standpoint. If you are planning to sell online through affiliate links, your revenue depends on targeted traffic.
You’re also referring to content marketing, because the best ways to earn affiliate revenue is by embedding affiliate links into content that fits contextually. Basically, you want to provide more information without being salesy.
Many big YouTubers and bloggers (even media websites) implement affiliate programs. This is basically a commissioned based way to divert marketing spend.
Like if I read your honest review of a professional Nikon mirrorless camera then chose to buy it, you deserve that commission. But if you’re too hard on the sales pitch, you’ll end up nowhere.
That’s why you should sign up for a ton of affiliate programs, like Amazon Associates, Rakuten Linkshare, and a few others. Those are the catch alls, but you can also write content arrive apps and games you already use.
I have a ton of Dropbox space and in game currencies in a few games I love because I pasted their referral codes into in-depth blog posts and streaming footage of me playing.
Individual companies often have their own affiliate programs, so feel free to check brands websites, they pay more than a retailer like Amazon because they cut out the retailer and have better margins. Basically, you take Amazon’s cut.
The answer is you should set up your affiliate programs before you build an audience. That way you won’t wake up one day to find your content blew up without you getting paid.