Everyone wants to make money online these days, but not all paths are created equal. Sure, you can become an affiliate marketer for a company that sells shoes online, or whatever the opposite of affiliate marketing is. You get a commission when someone clicks a link or buys a product that’s promoted on your website. Sometimes this can be a passive income stream, which isn’t bad.
But what if you want to be your own boss, work your own hours and be able to choose what products to promote? Wouldn’t it be better to take the high road and become a freelancer, providing value-added services to businesses online?
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can make money online without being an affiliate marketer, what sort of work you’ll need to be doing, how much you’ll need to charge, and how you can start your own freelancing business, all from the perspective of an affiliate marketer currently working for a company.
The Low Road
As the name implies, the low road doesn’t exactly lead to high earnings. You’ll find a lot of affiliate marketing jobs that allow you to promote products on behalf of others, often without having to create your own content. The great thing about this sort of job is that you can get started making money quickly, even if you’re just starting out. You don’t need much money to get started, and you won’t be able to make much money unless you have a lot of people to promote products to.
You may wonder, is affiliate marketing a legitimate way to earn money online? In most cases, the answer is yes. While there are companies out there that scam people, the vast majority of affiliate marketers work within the confines of the law. They try to be as ethical as possible and make sure their interactions with customers are fair and above board. In most instances, the answer is also yes, as long as you do your research beforehand.
The High Road
What if you’re looking to take the high road and become your own boss, working your own hours and being able to choose what products to promote? If this is you, then you’re probably wondering what sort of work you’ll need to be doing and how you’ll be able to generate revenue. Let’s explore.
Like with the low road, the path to riches via the high road doesn’t necessarily have to be direct. You have a couple of options here. One option is to become a freelancer, which we’ll discuss below. A second option is to become an independent contractor for a company that offers SEO, content creation or social media marketing services. Depending on your qualifications, you might be able to negotiate a higher rate and work less hours.
The Pros And Cons Of Being An Affiliate Marketer
Although there are pluses to being an affiliate marketer, there are also some definite cons to the job. The first con is that you’ll have to learn how to sell, which can be difficult. Even if you enjoy talking to people, being a salesperson isn’t a job you’d want to rush into. The second con is that you’ll have to learn how to navigate the legalities of affiliate marketing. You’ll need to understand laws such as the FTC Guidelines and the Dot Com Commission’s Primer on Internet marketing practices. Finally, the last con is that the income can be quite low. You might only be able to make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month, if you’re lucky.
On the positive side of the equation, being an affiliate marketer can allow you to work remotely, which you might not be able to do if you’re employed by a corporation. You can also set your own hours, which you might not be able to do if you’re an employee. In most cases, you’ll also have the ability to choose the products you want to promote, which can be a perk.
In the end, it comes down to this. Is signing up for an affiliate marketing program right for you? The answer will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to, your skills, experience, and interests. If you’re looking for a way to make quick money online without having to start a business or take on any sort of extensive training, then by all means, sign up for a marketing affiliate program. Otherwise, you may want to consider exploring other options.