3 Top Considerations In Joining Affiliate Networks

Since I have joined three affiliate networks I want to share some lessons learned. There are 3 areas you need to address that are in my humble opinion the most important ones. Let me ask this question first.

Why should you join an affiliate network like Clickbank, ShareASale and CJ Affiliate to name three of the highest profile companies? These are the ones I have joined just in case you may be wondering.

The answer is like DOH! It is an easy way to have access to thousands of companies who offer affiliate programs in one place. It saves time compared to applying to each one independently. So let me respond to what are the 3 top considerations?

Consideration #1 - Website

Yoiu need a website. And it must have a substantial number of quality posts already written. Without meeting this requirement, there is no need to apply. The chances are you will be declined.

May I suggest working hard to fill out your website before applying to these affiliate networks. There are many companies who offer affiliate programs by themselves. I recommend starting with them first before thinking about affiliate networks.

Consideration #2 - Traffic

Think about it. The affiliate companies do not intend to do you a favor. The only reason why they want you to promote their products is they are looking for SALES! Makes sense doesn't it. And you will have to convince them that you can deliver.

What is a good benchmark for traffic? This is usually 1000 visitors a day. It's a numbers game. Most visitors will not click your affiliate link, Out of 1000 you will be fortunate if even one does that. What should you do if you do not have the traffic? Is it worth applying anyway?

The answer is YES! This is a 2 step process. Your first application is to join the affiliate network itself. It is much more easy to be approved by them compared to their affiliate partners. Only when you become a publisher as a marketer is called, will you be able to find out what affiliate partners the company has.

If you apply and get declined, do not give up. Contact the affiliate manager for that company and tell them what strategies you will be using to generate sales. You will find their information on the companies page within the affiliate network.

One of the points you can make is that your training is coming from Wealthy Affiliate. Our company carries a lot of clout as it is well respected in the industry.

Mention that a few of the major lessons you are learning are how to use On Page and Off Page SEO effectively as well as all supporting steps to attract traffic to your posts.

The worst thing that could happen is you will still not be approved. Follow up with another message asking what were the reasons. Consider this a learning experience.

Remember, there are thousands of affiliate companies in these networks so you will never run out of opportunities to pursue.

Consideration #3 - Conversions

In the final analysis conversions is what matters. You must generate sales. Conversions is just another word for sales. It may be possible to find people who are interested in the products you're promoting with less than 1000 visitors a day. It all depends on WHO you reach.

Therefore, knowing your target market intensely is crucial. That knowledge will help you promote your posts most effectively on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram and other social media platforms to audiences who are interested in what you are promoting.

Wealthy Affiliate has a wealth of training, especially in the webinars to help you learn the skills to do that.

Once again, what happens if you still struggle with sales. The worst that will happen is after about six months if you do not meet the requirements of the Terms & Conditions, you will be dropped.

Why Did I Join These Affiliate Networks?

My website traffic is extremely modest. Definitely much less than 1000 visitors a day. After all, I am still a relative newbie. I only have 52 posts published. Until I have at least 100, I do not expect to see much traffic.

littlemama aka Grace just wrote a WA blog post where she stated that the magic number is 400 posts. And most of hers were reviews. The Affiliate Bootcamp training also recommends reviews if you are promoting the Wealthy Affiliate affiliate program. Perhaps it needs to be less for other products.

The bottom line is one needs to have a boat load of posts in order to generate significant traffic.

I joined affiliate networks for two reasons. First, I wanted to get familiar with how these affiliate networks work. And the best way to do that is to join. I was fortunate to have been approved. That told me my website and my marketing strategy met their publisher standards.

The second reason was I wanted to write reviews on these networks for my website. I didn't need to be approved by their affiliate partners to write reviews.

Of course, I am also applying to their affiliate partners, called advertisers, to have the option of earning commissions. I have had modest success in this area. Now I have to deliver. And this is another learning experience.

Should You Join?

I recently wrote a review about CJ Affiliate by CONVERSANT called:

CJ Affiliate by CONVERSANT - Is It Right For You?

For the first time I created a graphic suitable for Pinterest. After I published this post, I immediately created my very first new pin for my new Pinterest business site. And I also wrote a post with a link on my Facebook business site.

This CJ Affiliate review post also fulfilled one of the requirements in the Bootcamp lesson.

I considered this another learning experience.

Hence, by all means join one or more affiliate networks if you have published over 30 posts on your affiliate marketing website.

Closing Thoughts

When we read about the success stories of well-established members like Eddy Salomon, Nathaniell and Robert (boomergp08), they started out at Wealthy Affiliate when they didn't have as much of the training and tools like we have today.

We have more leverage than they had. Doesn't it make sense that if we use what we have effectively we can be the amazing success stories like they are in a couple of years from now?

One of the messages I learned over the years that has been ingrained in my mind goes like this.

If it's to be, it's up to me!

Let's do it guys!

All the best in your affiliate marketing journey.

Cheers!

Edwin