Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns

Are you looking for ways to make passive income in 2023? What if we told you you could make money anytime and from anywhere, even in your sleep?

If you own a website or are active on the internet and social media, turn that into a lucrative side hustle by working with companies running affiliate marketing campaigns.

This particular gig is what we call affiliate marketing, and we’re covering all you need to know about this online opportunity below.

An Overview of Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns: A Primer

If you plan to increase your internet presence by starting a blog or becoming a content creator for niche audiences, signing up for an affiliate program would be an excellent consideration.

Affiliate marketing campaigns are partnership programs initiated by companies to generate exposure and drive affiliate sales. In a nutshell, companies hire people to market their products to their respective target audiences.

The affiliate partners pick the products they want to promote on their websites or social media sites. They then receive a commission for every product sold using their referral or affiliate links.

For example, if you own a blog and post an affiliate link directing people to purchase an Amazon product, you’ll get a portion of the profit for each product sold through that link.

How Much Can Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns Earn You?

Affiliate marketing is an excellent side hustle for people looking for a low-cost, high-revenue, passive affiliate income source that doesn’t require much technical knowledge.

According to Glassdoor, the average income for successful affiliate program marketers can go over $56,000 per year in affiliate income alone. Specialists in this trade, such as affiliate managers, earn between $60k to $80k per year.

Affiliate commission rates depend on the conversion rates of your referrals. So, the more clicks and purchases you get on your promoted links, the more you can earn.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns?

Affiliate marketing is an opportunity for content creators and influencers to diversify their sources of income. This gig is different from dropshipping in that you won’t necessarily need to spend money to start your job as an affiliate marketer.

Partnering with companies running digital marketing campaigns poses no financial risk as well. There’s no payment involved in joining affiliate programs, and you can immediately start earning affiliate commission without upfront investment.

But there’s a small catch.

First, you need to lay the groundwork for your affiliate marketing career. As the gig relies on referrals, you’ll have to build and expand your internet and social media presence.

You also need to research the type of products relevant to your content and target audience. Maintaining traffic volume by making high-quality content is essential in this side hustle, which requires considerable audience size.

Where Can You Find Gigs Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns?

Working with brands running affiliate campaigns can be a lucrative gig for influencers and content creators. So, how can you start your affiliate marketing career?

Where to Independently Find Gigs Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns

If you’re working independently, you can begin by finding and joining affiliate or associate programs. These are third-party platforms where affiliate marketers and brands find and work with each other.

Aside from offering a platform, these programs also help vendors and promoters by providing affiliate marketing tools and essential services for affiliate program transactions.

Search for trusted associate programs and brands—most are accessible through Google. The best examples include Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and eBay Partner Network.

Create an account and fill in the information required for your chosen affiliate platform. Profiling can take several days and may involve proof of your internet or social media influence.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Gigs Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns

Another method is to tap into gig economy companies for a referral program. These are typically online platforms where independent contractors and freelance workers meet and transact.

Unlike the associate programs offered in product-based companies like Amazon, gig economy companies seek affiliate partnerships to promote services. So, instead of affiliate products, your referral links will promote services offered on the platform.

Examples of gig companies offering affiliate marketing gigs are Fiverr, Freeup, SolidGigs, and 1840 & Company. Some gig economy companies pay as much as a thousand dollars for affiliate sales.

Why You Should Consider Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns As a Side Hustle

Affiliate content marketing offers a wide range of benefits. Here are some advantages why you should consider signing up for an affiliate marketing program:

• Low ongoing cost: Unlike other gigs, you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars to start operating and earning through affiliate links.
• Low financial risk: The gig doesn’t require financial investment, so joining an affiliate marketing program involves minimal risk.
• High investment return: With low start-up costs, promoting affiliate products offers a high return on investment.

Problems With Running Affiliate Marketing Campaigns As a Side Hustle

As with all types of work, becoming an affiliate marketer also has drawbacks. Thus, avoiding affiliate scams and ensuring the products you’re promoting are legit is crucial.

Below are some other drawbacks when participating in an affiliate marketing program:

• Requires patience: As a marketer, you’ll need a loyal and consistent online audience, which requires time and patience to build.
• Lack of control: Associates and affiliate partners have no control over the rules set by the brand or gig economy company.
• High competition: The decentralized nature of affiliate marketing means you’ll deal with increased competition and low conversion rates over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about affiliate networks and marketing that might help you.