Is affiliate marketing worth it?
Lots of brands and affiliates wonder if affiliate marketing is worth their time.
Well, it’s not a simple yes or no. People have different opinions.
Here’s the deal: Affiliate marketing is about promoting stuff, and when you make a sale or get leads through your promotions, you earn a commission.
It can be a good way to make money and feel satisfied, but it’s not a quick fix. Your success depends on a bunch of things.
Let’s break it down and see if affiliate marketing is right for you.
Table of Contents
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Think of it like this: You tell your friends about a toy store. They go, buy stuff because of your recommendation, and the store gives you a thank-you gift or money.
That’s how affiliate marketing works.
In it, affiliates (that’s people like you) promote products from a company’s website. When someone buys because of the affiliate’s recommendation, the company shares some of the money with the affiliate.
Here’s the process:
- An affiliate talks about a product on their website or social media.
- Someone clicks the special link the affiliate shares.
- That person buys something from the company’s website.
- The company sees it’s thanks to the affiliate.
- The affiliate gets a cut of the sale money.
It’s a great way to make extra cash, and companies dig it too because it boosts their sales. Some folks make a little, others rake in a lot.
You don’t pay to start, and you can promote all sorts of stuff, from toys to clothes to games.
Now you know what affiliate marketing is. Next up: Is it worth it for you? Keep reading to find out!
Is Affiliate Marketing Worth It?
Yes, but it depends on how you approach it. If you promote products or services that your audience finds useful, it can be worth it. Some top affiliates make over $100,000 monthly, but it takes time, effort, and consistency.
To succeed, you need to pick a niche you’re passionate about and where there’s room for affiliate sales. More sales usually mean more money in your pocket.
Still, many factors come into play when determining if affiliate marketing is worth it:
1. You’re a Niche Expert
Being seen as an “expert” in your chosen niche can give you a leg up. Whether you’ve studied it extensively, made it a lifelong hobby, or worked in the field, having unique insights makes your content more compelling.
When people trust your knowledge, they’re more likely to follow your recommendations, boosting your chances of success as an affiliate marketer.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to be an industry pro to succeed. Many have thrived in niches they knew little about. So, even if you’re just a passionate amateur, there’s still plenty of opportunity.
2. You Got an Engaged Audience
Search engines and social media can be unpredictable.
One algorithm change and your traffic could plummet.
That’s why having an engaged audience already in place is a huge advantage for affiliate marketers.
Where can this audience come from?
- Email marketing: A big email list ensures your content gets seen (check out our guide on how to build an email list).
- Social media: Even with declining organic reach, a large and active following on platforms like Instagram or YouTube boosts your affiliate sales.
- Search traffic: If your website already attracts lots of visitors, you’re primed for affiliate success.
Remember, these aren’t must-haves for success.
But they definitely give you a head start.
3. You’ve Tried Your Affiliate Products
Having personal experience with the products you promote is key.
Sure, you don’t have to be an expert, but it’s tough for new affiliates if they haven’t actually used what they’re promoting.
Why is hands-on experience so crucial?
- You can give honest reviews based on real use.
- Your opinions are original, not just borrowed.
- You come across as more trustworthy and ethical.
- Video reviews of you using the product are super effective.
- You can ask insightful questions for detailed reviews.
- Owning products might even get you into exclusive user groups.
It’s all about making your content stand out as unique and helpful.
4. High EPC in Your Niche
Earnings per click (EPC) is a big deal for affiliate marketers.
It tells you how much you’ll make, on average, for each click on your affiliate link.
Here’s the simple math:
EPC = Commission from selling a product / Number of clicks on your link
A high EPC means you can invest more in promoting the product, using tactics like paid search and social media ads.
But watch out: Some affiliate programs don’t allow paid search, so read the fine print.
5. You’re Owner of a Complementary Product
Promoting products that align with what you already offer can be a smart move.
For example, if you sell fitness equipment, promoting supplements or workout gear could be a natural fit. Your customers are already interested in staying fit, so they’d likely be interested in these complementary products too.
Similarly, if you run a cooking blog and sell your own line of spices, promoting kitchen gadgets or cookbooks could enhance your offerings and appeal to your audience’s interests.
When Is Affiliate Marketing Not Worth It?
While we’re big fans of affiliate marketing and earn from it ourselves, we recognize that it’s not always the best option. Here are some reasons why:
1. You Want To Get Rich Quick
Don’t fall for the hype—affiliate marketing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme.
It takes time and effort to see results.
Just check the stats:
- Only 0.3% of pages rank in the top 10 for high-volume keywords in under a year.
- Even for mid-volume keywords, just one in five pages make it to the first page of search results within a year.
Sure, search isn’t the only traffic source, but building strong rankings takes time.
It might be weeks or months before you see big commissions. Make sure you have the time, resources, and determination to stick with it.
2. You Only Care About Revenue in Affiliate Products
It’s crucial to pick a niche you genuinely care about.
Affiliate offers can change suddenly. Take Amazon Associates, for instance—they cut their commission rates in 2020.
If you’re only in it for the big commissions, what happens when rates drop?
Start over from scratch?
Change is normal in affiliate marketing.
Jumping around for quick cash won’t give you a stable income.
Focusing on a niche you love ensures you stick with it, even through commission changes.
That way, you’re still making money doing something you’re passionate about.
3. You Always Promote Low-Quality Affiliate Products
It’s tempting to push a product just because it offers a big commission.
But trust me, it’s better to think long-term.
If you promote products with bad reviews, it’ll damage your reputation.
Sure, you might make a few quick sales, but you’ll lose your audience’s trust.
That’s why it’s essential to try out products yourself before recommending them.
If you wouldn’t buy it, don’t sell it, no matter how high the commissions.
And watch out for scams—especially if a product promises huge commissions but looks sketchy.
Plenty of legit affiliate programs offer great products, so there’s no need to push low-quality stuff.
4. You Work With Vendors Who Don’t Follow FTC Guidelines
Since 2009, the FTC has required affiliates to disclose when they make money from promoting products.
This means being upfront about earning commissions.
If your vendor doesn’t follow these rules, it’s a red flag.
They could get shut down by the FTC or affiliate platforms.
And if that happens, you’ll lose out on your commission payments.
5. Lack of Critical Skills for Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is all about digital marketing. So, having strong digital skills is key. But the skills you need depend on your platform.
For bloggers, it’s about writing, SEO, and web design. YouTubers need scripting, video editing, and graphic design. They also need to master YouTube SEO to rank high in searches.
Creating content—like reviews, tutorials, videos, or social media campaigns—is a big part of affiliate marketing. And you’ll need to keep churning out new stuff regularly.
If you’re lacking skills, don’t worry. You can always check out affiliate marketing courses to level up.
Pros and Cons of Affiliate Marketing
Although we’ve earned a significant amount through affiliate marketing, it’s not smooth sailing all the time.
We’ve encountered setbacks, particularly when competing against major players in the industry.
Here’s a summary of the positive and negative aspects we want you to be aware of:
The Pros
Low Cost to Start: You don’t have to make products or pay for inventory. Running an affiliate business can cost less than $100 a month.
No Customer Hassle: The company you’re affiliated with deals with customers, handling questions, complaints, and refunds. You focus on creating content and bringing in customers.
Potential for Growth: You can expand your business by making more content and promoting different products, which could mean more money for you.
Flexible Work: You can work from anywhere with internet. If you want to take time off, you can do so without any trouble.
Income Depends on Your Efforts: The more you promote products effectively, the more money you can make. It’s all about how well you do your job.
Lots of Options: There are many affiliate programs on popular networks like Impact, CJ Affiliate, and others. They cover various categories like fashion, travel, and software, so you can find something that fits your interests.
The Cons
Learning Curve: If you’re new, it takes time to learn effective marketing methods and how to improve your content.
Limited Control: Your success depends on the quality of the products you promote, how well the merchant converts traffic, and changes in the market. These things aren’t in your hands, but you can adjust your strategies based on monthly reports.
Unpredictable Commissions: Commissions can change, affecting your income. Sometimes, companies cut commissions, impacting your earnings. Also, merchants might end their programs if they don’t meet sales targets.
- Competition from Big Names: Affiliate marketing used to be smaller, but now big websites like Forbes and BuzzFeed are into it. If they start targeting the same customers as you, it’s going to be hard to stand out.
Delayed Payments: You get paid after sales are finalized, which can take 30 to 60 days. Plus, some programs have minimum payment thresholds, like $50 or $100, so you might have to wait longer to get paid.
Disclosure Can Hurt Earnings: While it’s important to be transparent with your audience, disclosing affiliate relationships might make people less likely to buy, affecting your earnings.
Read more: Pros and Cons of Affiliate Marketing
Final Words
Affiliate marketing is worth it if you’re passionate about a specific topic, want to share information, teach, or entertain others.
It’s a legitimate way to earn money online without the hassle of running a business or freelancing.
But if you think it’s an easy way to make quick cash without much work, you’ll likely be disappointed.
Success in affiliate marketing takes time and effort, so patience and persistence are key.
Jack Davis is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Affiliate Marketing Masterclass and offers personal coaching on affiliate marketing. He has been featured in major publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and CNBC for his achievements in online marketing. He owns more than 10 niche websites and has made millions of dollars from them. So, he’s the guy you can trust when it comes to building niche sites and SEO.