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Education

Affiliate marketing 101

(or in some cases lose), you typically don't have funds to
spare. But when you're concerned about doing the best
work for your customer and you focus on others rather
than yourself, you can earn barrels of money.

The revenue you generate is dependent on your business
model and the number of products you offer. Partners that
understand their affiliates' products make a ton more than
those who just go through the motions. Have a plan of
action before asking how much you can make.

If this sounds good to you, you're in luck, because there are
clear steps to take to become an affiliate partner: decide on
a product and/or platform; choose your vertical(s); conduct
research and select a company that fits your needs; create
compelling content; and drive clicks and sales.
Nicholas P. Cucci, C.F.E. Choosing your platform or product
Fluid Pay LLC
Picking a platform is a crucial step. When selecting a
platform or product(s), keep in mind the complexity of what
imply put, affiliate marketing is when you are you are trying to do. Find an industry or company that can
promoting products from one or more compa- help you navigate the waters for your future clients. For
nies and making commissions off the sales. As example, in the payments industry, most merchants aren't
S a "partner" you're essentially a sales represen- capable of navigating the complicated nature of industry
tative for the company. You make a sale; the company and are unable to determine which products to use to
rewards you. One of the attractions of affiliate marketing maximize efficiency, security and growth. The penalty
is how scalable it is. You can promote the products of one for not knowing the industry is significant—and for some
company or many companies in a bundle when necessary. companies, disastrous.

Given the current state of the economy and COVID-19, I To decide a platform in the payments space, whether it be
believe we will see a spike in affiliate partner programs. underwriting, gateways, risk, etc., look for an organization
Why? Look at the large shift already happening to that doesn't compete with its partners. Find a partner-
ecommerce platforms during this pandemic. Terminal- centric company that lets its partners take the applause.
based companies have taken a decent hit with low-risk If you are an affiliate partner, you should have no
merchants (mom-and-pop shops); other merchants, competition from the source and should be the only one
grocery stores for example, are experiencing a surge. in front of your clients. This will enable the company to
focus on priorities like developing new exciting products,
However, people have even begun to order household for you to offer.
items like groceries online. This is a shift I don't see going
away anytime soon. What is someone's most valuable After you have found the company, figure out if co-branding
asset? It's not money, but time. Time is something you can your product/service makes sense versus managing your
never get back. People can set up and generate a revenue own brand. This will depend on your available resources
stream from affiliate marketing with relative ease and and how much time you have to devote to a brand. If you
speed. Small drops fill up a large bucket rather quickly. are OK with sharing the spotlight with said company then
co-branding may be your option.
How much can you make?
Finding your niche
When it comes to how much income you can generate
through affiliate marketing, the honest answer is it Evaluate the products and services offered on a specific
depends on you. Nothing comes easy. The payout will criterion. How does each product solve the challenge you
equate to the amount of work you put in. In the payments selected? Also, never choose a product or company before
space, many opportunities enable you to""white label" or you try it out. Get a live demo, and learn about the people
privately brand certain products to fit your brand. behind the product. Who are they? What type of experience
The amount you make depends 100 percent on how much do they have? Most importantly, after researching, can
value you provide to your customers. It seems when you're you truly believe in the product? Consider commissions as
worried about how much money you're going to make well. Will you receive a percentage or flat rate? And how

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