As a book blogger, you’re doing something that you love. Sharing the word about exciting books is fantastic, but wouldn’t it be better to get paid for your work? You can get paid, through affiliate marketing. If you’ve never done it before, don’t worry. This guide will help you get started, and start earning today.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Firstly, to use affiliate marketing you need to understand what it is. ‘Affiliate marketing is essentially making commission on any sales made through your site’ says marketing blogger Annalise Peters, from Studydemic and EssayRoo. ‘Create links to the item in question, and place them within your copy.’
When readers read your blog, they can click the link to go to an online store front that’s selling the book. If they buy it through that link, then you’ll get a small amount of cash for directing them there. When using this style of marketing, you will need to make it clear that these are affiliate links to your readers.
Affiliate Marketing Vs. Other Marketing Types
As a blogger, you’ll probably be aware of other marketing styles, such as sponsored posts. It’s worth pointing out that affiliate marketing is somewhat different to other styles. For example, a sponsored post is an example of active income, as you’ll be hired to make specific posts. Affiliate marketing is passive income, as you’ll be making money through those links without making extra posts.
Why Affiliate Marketing?
Why should you try out affiliate marketing on your blog? If you’re already using different income streams, such as sponsored posts on Instagram, then it’s a good idea to try affiliate marketing as well. As in most businesses, diversifying your income streams always makes sense. Even if something goes wrong with Instagram in this instance, you have money coming in from your affiliate links.
Also, as a book blogger you’ll know it’s actually rather difficult to get money through sponsored posts. Opportunities can be few and far between, so you want to keep that money coming in through other ways. You can sign up for affiliate marketing yourself, so you don’t have to wait for marketing opportunities to come to you.
Finally, it’s one of the easiest ways to make money through a blog. Once you’ve set your links up, you won’t have to do a thing. You’ll just see the money come in as readers click your links. What could be better than that?
How To Integrate Affiliate Links On Your Blog
If you’re going to use links on your blog, there are actually several ways you can do it. This gives you some flexibility, so the links will look natural on your site. Here’s how you could use those links:
Deep links: This is something you’d do in the body of any book review you write. Typically, bloggers add their links to the book’s product page every time they mention the title in their copy. It works as it’s not disruptive to the reader.
If you’re writing about several books, such as in a listicle, then you can add links to each book’s product page in the title of each point.
Links to buy: At the end of any blog post, you can add a line of text that encourages readers to buy the book. For example, you can write ‘If you want to check out Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan, then you can buy it here.’
There is the option to use widgets for this, depending on the affiliate program you’re using, and the blogging platform you’re publishing on.
Banner ads: This is the option that’s used least, and it can be disruptive and annoying for readers. They can be placed anywhere, such as at the top of a page, at the end of the post, or even throughout the post itself. It’s recommended you only do this if the ad is for a store that your readers like to shop at already.
Finding The Right Affiliate Program
If you’re interested in getting started with affiliate marketing, then you’ll need to find the right program to sign up to.
Before you sign up to one, you’ll need to ensure your blog is as good as it can be. Firstly, it does need to be relevant to the product in question. In this instance, you need a blog that’s about books and book reviews. It also needs to be as high quality as you can make it. That means excellent copy, useful information, regular updates, and more.
‘A good blog should always be your top priority’ says writer Bali Kingsley from Assignment Help and Best Essay Services. ‘You need to be putting out top quality writing every time, before you think of monetizing your writing.’
This is because most affiliate programs are going to check your blog, before you get started with them. Ensure they’re going to find a high quality blog to work with.
Next, you need to decide which program you want to go with. There are lots out there, so you’ll be able to find one that works for your needs. Here are some of the most popular ones out there:
Amazon: This is probably the most popular program out there. They’ll pay you 5% on books, but up to 10% on some other products. It’s a good idea for you, as it’s where most people buy their books.
AWIN: This system allows you to run links to several different advertisers, such as WHSmiths and Book Depository. It also works well if you have international readers. They offer 5% on all sales.
Blackwells: Many readers like this site as it offers a good range of books, with free shipping. You’ll need to sign up directly with them, and meet the minimum threshold of £20 sales here. It sounds difficult, but it can be done if you have a big readership.
That’s the basics of how to use affiliate marketing as a book blogger. If you have an excellent blog, it’s a great way to make a passive income through it. Check it out now and see if it’s right for your blog.
Emily Henry is an experienced writer, and works with Assignment writing service and Student writing services. She also works as an editor with Top Canadian Writers. Emily focuses on helping her readers know their rights, and helps them find representation. When not writing, she loves to read and travel.
