When you think of affiliate marketing, what’s the first brand that comes to mind?
You thought of Amazon, right? Most people do.
And while Amazon is great, it’s not the be-all, end-all of affiliate marketing. There are more options out there for affiliate marketing, and you should explore them all!
In this blog, we’ll discuss how you can make more in affiliate marketing in addition to Amazon. But first, let’s get into the Amazon Influencer Program and why creators flock to it.
What is the Amazon Influencer Program, and why is it so popular?
For some quick background, the Amazon Influencer Program allows qualifying creators — they must have followings on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok — to choose from Amazon’s products and services, recommend them to followers, and earn a commission when followers make a purchase.
Ever heard other creators mention their Amazon storefront? That’s part of this program.
When it comes to why most creators start with this program as their entry to affiliate marketing, the answer is simple: It’s Amazon.
It’s no secret that Amazon has taken over the world. Consumers trust it. They’re used to buying from it and using its checkout process. They most likely have Prime, so they get same day shipping, free shipping, and easy returns.
All of this means consumers are likely to click on an Amazon affiliate link, resulting in high conversion rates for creators.
In short, Amazon’s an easy brand to promote as a creator.
Don’t put all your eggs in the Amazon Influencer Program basket
One problem creators that are strictly part of the Amazon Influencer Program run into is they risk turning away other brands. Brands want to see diverse partnerships in a creator’s portfolio. Only sticking to one brand may not be the best strategy if you want to secure more brand deals in the future.
Solely partnering with the Amazon Influencer Program may also limit how much you make from affiliate marketing. Different brands and creator networks offer higher compensation rates for their affiliate programs. Exploring them all and making them part of your affiliate marketing mix is how you can ensure you’ll maximize your earnings and make more!
Finally, depending on what sellers you promote through Amazon, you may unintentionally promote a product or service to your followers that ends up falling short of your quality standards. Be cautious when promoting refurbished or used goods, or if you’ve never heard of a seller before. Remember to do due diligence on seller quality before sharing products with your community.
Affiliate programs you should use in addition to the Amazon Influencer Program
So what’s out there for aspiring affiliates in addition to Amazon? We thought you’d never ask!
As a creator network, BrandCycle offers hundreds of direct partnerships through the brands we work with — and many pay out commission rates of 11% or higher. This means more money for you!
Additionally, when you work directly with household name brands like Under Armour, Michael Kors, adidas and Nordstrom through BrandCycle, you’ll rest assured that your followers are receiving high quality products, which means fewer returns. This also means if any of your followers have issues with the product, the process of getting those issues resolved is streamlined.
Wrapping up
If you want to get into affiliate marketing, it’s tempting to go all in with Amazon, but you should explore all options available, like working directly with brands or with us! Amazon should be part of your affiliate marketing mix, just not the only part. When you diversify your affiliate marketing mix, you’ll maximize your earnings in no time!
