In the last 10 years, the world of affiliate marketing has evolved a lot. And just as with any other rapidly evolving field, the rules change as quickly as technology does.
Traditional affiliate marketing was focused on driving traffic to a single website, with the hope that they would make a sale. But the digital era has introduced a new way of thinking, where participants in an affiliate program exist in a multi-channel world, and drive traffic and make sales to multiple websites and mobile applications.
The internet has opened doors to a whole new way of earning a living, and while it’s never guaranteed to make you rich, it doesn’t hurt to explore alternatives.
The Rising Affiliate Marketing Ecosystem
Over the last decade, the affiliate marketing world has evolved from being dominated by large corporations to being a multi-billion dollar industry supporting thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The emergence of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, coupled with the increased security and ease of use offered by blockchain technology has enabled everyday people to engage in crypto-trading, opening up lucrative opportunities to earn a modest living online.
It is a well-known fact that blockchain technology drives cryptocurrency prices, and with the ability to rapidly switch between different coins being valued at hundreds or thousands of dollars, more and more people are getting involved, and taking the opportunity to make a buck or two.
The blockchain has also enabled the formation of decentralized marketplaces, like BitTorrent vouching for the safety and legitimacy of transactions, establishing trust in a way that previous generations of technology could only dream about.
The Affiliate Edge
Back in the day, if you wanted to be able to participate in an affiliate marketing program, you had to rely on a handful of big-name brands to do business with.
Thanks to the rise of tikTok, YouTube, and other streaming platforms, today’s generation of digital natives are more engaged with content than ever before. And with the ability to consume content on the move, via mobile phones and tablets, marketers have the opportunity to engage with customers wherever they are – whether that’s in the digital world or the real one.
It’s also important to note that more people are joining affiliate programs as a way to make money online than ever before, with the industry now supporting over 500 million active members. With more people than ever before participating in affiliate marketing, it’s an open invitation for entrepreneurs to jump in, and take advantage of this multi-billion dollar market.
Become a Digital Marketing Manager
If you’re looking to make serious money online, there are a number of lucrative paths to explore. One option is to become a digital marketing manager, a senior executive role responsible for overseeing and guiding all online marketing efforts across a portfolio of websites and digital channels.
As a digital marketing manager, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of a digital marketing strategy, including marketing research, analytics, and program execution. You will also be responsible for generating new business insights, and presenting them to senior management in a way that enables top decision-making. This is a high-level role, but if you want to be able to make serious money online, it’s an excellent option.
Become a Content Marketer
If you’re looking to make a quick buck or two, you could easily become a content marketer, creating content such as web articles, videos, or podcasts to promote a product or service.
Thanks to the increased demand for content with the rise of content marketing, entrepreneurship opportunities in this area have never been better – whether you want to start your own blog, or look for the best suited for you.
The advantage of being a content marketer is that you will be able to choose from a variety of platforms and programs, each of which offers different commission rates and bounties (i.e., fees paid to writers for promoting a brand or product)
If you want to make money online, content marketing could easily be the best option. But please note that most programs come with high freerise quotas, and heavy content creating responsibilities. If your primary purpose for getting involved is just to make some extra cash, you might want to consider other opportunities.
Start a Blog
Blogs are a fantastic way to establish yourself as an authority on a certain subject matter – whether that’s fashion, lifestyle, or business.
If you want to make money with a blog, the best strategy is to choose your niche, build your audience, and then monetize the blog with affiliate marketing. Building and monetizing a successful blog takes a bit of time, but you can easily find affiliate marketing programs that will teach you how to do it.
Do Some Reviewing For Small Business
If you’re a detail-oriented person, who loves to dive into the research phase of a new project, you might consider reviewing for small businesses.
The beauty of reviewing for a small business is that the owners of these companies are typically very open to new ideas, and more than happy to take part in product launch and growth strategies. If you can find a profitable niche, reviewing for small businesses can be an excellent way to make some extra cash.
Consultancy
If you’re looking to make some quick cash, you could easily become a consultant, offering your services to businesses looking to gain an extra hand with their marketing.
The job consultant’s role is to research and analyze marketing data, providing businesses with a blueprint for improving growth and revenue. You will carry out marketing audits, analyze traffic, and provide weekly and monthly marketing report s on your findings. The advantage of this job is that you get to test different marketing strategies, and see which ones work best for different types of companies.
Test Product Launches
If you’re a marketing genius, and have a deep knowledge of marketing, you could easily become a product launches manager, leading a dedicated team of marketers in the testing phase of new product launches.
The beauty of this job is that you get to test new products, and see how customers respond to different promotions and offers. As a product launches manager, you will be responsible for analyzing retail data, tracking orders, and initiating support dialogs with customers. The disadvantage is that you have to be comfortable talking to clients about their products, which some may see as a limiting factor.
Get Into Affiliate Marketing
If you’re looking for the best way to make money online, without having to worry about product testing, or retail, you could easily become an affiliate marketer. An affiliate marketer earns a commission when someone clicks a link or buys a product that’s been promoted on a website.
The advantage of being an affiliate marketer is that you don’t have to bear the financial responsibility of selling a product. Instead, you get a commission when someone clicks a link or makes a purchase. You don’t even need an active blog to earn commissions with affiliate marketing – all you need is a website.
The disadvantage of being an affiliate marketer is that you don’t have full control over the promotion of your products. You will be required to join an affiliate marketing network, and abide by their rules. Also, you have to keep up with all the trends in the industry, in order to be able to generate new income streams.
Get Into E-commerce
Another way to make money online is via e-commerce – the sale of products or services over the internet.