As affiliate programs are rapidly growing, it’s not that hard nowadays to join any affiliate program.
Now, back to the main point. How to join an affiliate program?
First, you need to decide on a niche. Once you’ve picked your niche, there are a handful of ways you can go about this.
One of the best ways is to run a simple Google, type in (Your niche + Affiliate programs) and you’ll discover some really great ones to join.
Or you can always start with some of the best affiliate networks like ClickBank or Amazon.
Once you’ve found the affiliate program of your choice, hover over to their website and sign up as an affiliate.
Mostly, to find where you can become an affiliate of the program, scroll to the footer section of their website.
On the footer section – you’ll find things like “Become an affiliate, “Partner Program’ and “Affiliate Program”
Then click on that and fill out the blank with your information, that’s it.
Table of Contents
What To Look For When Joining An Affiliate Program?
Are you asking how to know if an affiliate program is legitimate or not?
Since affiliate programs are free to join, many people don’t take the time to run thorough research about the program to see whether it is of good quality or not.
That said…
One of the main things to do when joining any affiliate program is:
- You want to take the time to run thorough research about the product before taking any further steps on it.
- Read reviews about the program to see what other customers are saying about it. If you see a ton of bad reviews about the program, definitely don’t join it.
- Carefully check the affiliate payout status of the program to see if they pay their affiliates on time for selling their product.
- Check to see how many affiliates are associated with the program, if the program is of good quality, there’s a high chance or possibility that there will be many affiliates promoting that program.
P.S. I have another post where I go more into detail on how to identify if an affiliate program is legit, safe, or not. Check it out!
Best Way To Join An Affiliate Program Step-by-Step For Beginners
Joining the wrong affiliate program could set you back for years whereas joining the right can set you up for success.
In this section, I’m going to walk you step-by-step on how to find and join affiliate programs the right way.
So, buckle up, and let’s dive.
Step #1. Choose Your Niche
Before you join any affiliate program, you need to first pick or decide on a niche.
So what is a niche? A niche is simply the main topic or industry you’ll focus on.
My recommendation – choose something you’re interested in and passionate about.
And more importantly, have knowledge of.
Why? Because it’ll be easier to create content and stay motivated about something you’re interested in, and know of especially when the going gets tough.
Also, your chosen niche has to have a good audience with potential buyers.
For example, if you’re into fitness, you could promote workout gear or nutrition products.
Make sure the niche isn’t too broad; instead of “health,” narrow it down to something like “weight loss for women”, men, or “home workouts.”
Having a clear niche helps you target the right audience and gives you a better chance of success.
Step #2. Research Affiliate Programs
Once you’ve decided or chosen your niche, topic, or industry, the next step is to find affiliate programs or networks that fit your niche.
I mean research or look for companies, brands, and networks that offer products or services related to your chosen niche.
One of the best ways to go about this is to start doing a simple Google search, like “best affiliate programs for [your niche].”
You can also check some of the popular affiliate networks like:
- Amazon Associates
- ClickBank
- ShareASale
- Commission Junction, etc
Before taking any further steps, make sure to compare what each program offers.
I mean, look for things like:
- Commission rates
- Payout methods
- And whether the products are things your audience would be interested in
Doing thorough research helps you find the best program for your audience or your desired goals.
Step #3. Check The Affiliate Program Requirements
Before signing up, it’s important to look at the requirements of the affiliate program (What they allow and don’t allow).
Some programs or networks might require you to have a certain number of followers, subscribers, a well-established website, or even proof that you can drive traffic to their product.
Others may be more flexible and open to beginners (they might accept you without asking you anything like that).
Also, you want to check if there are any fees to join, although most affiliate programs are free.
Furthermore, you want to make sure you understand the following rules, like:
- How often do you get paid
- What countries does the program operate in
- And if there are restrictions on how you can promote their products or service
Understanding these rules and requirements ensures you’re eligible and prepared before you apply.
Step #4. Sign Up for the Affiliate Program
Once you’ve found the right program that’s related to your niche and checked the requirements, it’s time to sign up.
Most affiliate programs have an online application form that you need to fill out.
They may require you to provide some basic information like your name, email, and website (if you have one).
Some programs may also ask you to provide your location and how you plan to promote their products.
When asked, please be honest and clear in your application because this helps you get approved faster.
After submitting your form, you might need to wait for approval, which can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the program.
Step #5. Receive Approval
After applying, you’ll need to wait for the program to approve your application.
Some programs approve you right away, especially if they have fewer requirements.
Others might take longer and review your website or social media profile to see if you’re a good fit for their program.
During this time, it’s important to check your email regularly in case they need more information or clarification.
Once you get approved, they’ll usually send a confirmation email with further instructions.
If for some reason you’re not approved, don’t get discouraged. You can either reapply later or try another program that better fits your current status.
Step #6. Get Your Affiliate Links
Once you’re approved or accepted into the program, you’ll receive your unique affiliate links.
These links are what you’ll use to promote the products or services.
They contain a special code that tracks when someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase.
You can usually find these links in the dashboard of the affiliate program you joined.
Some programs also provide banners, sales letters, and ads that you can use on your website or social media.
Make sure to store these links in an easy-to-access place and always use them when promoting the products so you can earn your commissions.
Step #7. Promote The Products or Services
Now that you have your affiliate links, it’s time to start promoting the products or services.
You can do this by creating blog posts, YouTube videos, social media content, or even sending out emails if you have a mailing list of targeted audience.
Make sure your content is helpful, informative, educational, and relevant to your audience, so they trust your recommendations.
You can write reviews about the product, how-to guides, or share personal experiences with the product.
Remember to place your affiliate links naturally in your content (don’t spam) and always disclose that you’ll earn a commission if they make a purchase.
Step #8. Track Your Performance
It’s important to monitor how your affiliate marketing efforts are doing.
Most affiliate programs provide you with tracking tools on their dashboard to see how many clicks your links are getting, how many sales you’ve made, and how much commission you’ve earned.
This data helps you figure out what’s working and what’s not.
If one product is doing well, you might want to promote it more.
If something isn’t getting much attention or performing better, you can adjust your strategy.
Tracking your performance regularly allows you to make smart decisions or changes to improve your results.
- RECOMMENDED READING: Important Of Tracking In Affiliate Programs
Step #9. Follow Program Guidelines
Every affiliate program has its own set of guidelines, and it’s important to follow them to avoid getting banned or removed.
These guidelines may include:
- How you can use affiliate links
- what kind of content is allowed
- And how you should disclose your affiliate relationships
Make sure to read and understand these rules before promoting products.
Violating these terms can result in losing your commissions or getting kicked out of the program.
Staying within the guidelines keeps you in good standing with the program and ensures your long-term success.
Step #10. Optimize And Adjust
As you continue with affiliate marketing, you’ll want to keep optimizing your strategy.
Pay attention to which products your audience responds to and focus on promoting those.
Update old content with new affiliate links or better products.
Experiment with different types of content like videos or social media posts to see what works best for your audience.
It’s also a good idea to stay updated on any changes to the affiliate program or trends in your niche.
The more you adjust and refine your marketing strategy or approach, the better your results you’ll get over time.
RELATED QUESTION
Question: How do I participate in an affiliate program?
Answer:
- Find a program: Search for companies or websites that offer affiliate programs. You can look online or check the websites you already use.
- Sign up: When you find a program you like, sign up on their website. You’ll usually need to fill out a form with your basic information and explain how you’ll promote their products.
- Get approved: Some programs will review your application before approving you.
- Receive your affiliate link: Once you’re approved, the company will give you a unique link to track clicks and sales.
- Promote the products: Share your link on your blog, social media, or through email to get people to click and buy.
- Earn commission: You make money every time someone buys through your affiliate link.
How do I become an affiliate member?
- Choose a niche: Decide on a topic or product area you want to focus on.
- Find an affiliate program: Look for companies or websites offering affiliate programs that fit your niche.
- Sign up: Visit the program’s website, fill out their application, and provide details about how you plan to promote their products.
- Wait for approval: Some programs might review your application before approving you.
- Get your affiliate link: Once approved, you’ll receive a unique link to track your referrals.
- Start promoting: Share your link on your blog, social media, or other platforms, and earn money when people buy through your link.
How do I find and join an affiliate program?
- Search online: Look for affiliate programs related to your blog niche or topic. You can search “affiliate programs for [your niche]” to get started.
- Check popular networks: Websites like ClickBank, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and Rakuten have a wide range of affiliate programs you can join.
- Visit company websites: Many companies, like Amazon, have their own affiliate programs. Check the footer of their website for a link to their affiliate page.
- Sign up: After finding a program, fill out the application form on their site and wait for approval.
How to join affiliate program with no money?
- Find free programs: Most affiliate programs are free to join. You don’t need to pay any fees upfront.
- Sign up for free platforms: Websites like Amazon, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate don’t charge to join their programs.
- Use free promotion methods: Share your affiliate links on your blog, social media, or through email without spending any money. You don’t need to pay for ads to get started.
How to join affiliate program for beginners?
- Choose a beginner-friendly program: Start with simple programs like Amazon Associates, which are great for beginners because they have low requirements.
- Sign up: Go to the affiliate program’s website, fill out their application form, and await approval.
- Learn the basics: Take some time to learn how to promote affiliate links and track your earnings.
- Start promoting: Share your links on platforms you’re comfortable with, like your blog, social media, or YouTube.
How to join affiliate program on Amazon?
Answer:
- Go to the Amazon Associates website: Visit affiliate-program.amazon.com.
- Sign up: Click “Sign Up” and create an account by entering your details, like your name, website, or social media profile.
- Fill in your information: Provide details on how you plan to promote Amazon products.
- Get your affiliate link: Once approved, you can find product links in your Amazon Associates account to start promoting.
- Promote and earn: Share your Amazon affiliate links on your platforms and earn commissions on qualifying purchases.
How do I track my earnings from an affiliate program?
- Log in to your affiliate account: Most affiliate programs have a dashboard where you can track your clicks, sales, and commissions.
- Check your reports: Look for a section labeled “Reports” or “Earnings.” This will show you how many people clicked on your links and how much you’ve earned from sales.
- Review your payment terms: Different programs have different payout schedules, so make sure to check when and how you’ll get paid.
Do I need a website to join an affiliate program?
- Not always: Some programs allow you to promote their products through social media, email, or YouTube, so you don’t necessarily need a website.
- Benefits of a website: Having a website can make it easier to promote products and gives you more control over how you share affiliate links.
- Choose the right platform: If you don’t have a website, you can still succeed by using platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok to share your links.
How long does it take to get approved for an affiliate program?
- Varies by program: Some affiliate programs approve you instantly, while others might take a few days or weeks to review your application.
- Automated approvals: Programs like Amazon Associates often have fast, automated approval processes, so you can start promoting almost immediately.
- Manual review: If the program does a manual review, it may take longer. Be sure to check your email for any updates.
