I was recently diagnosed as a “go-it-alone” kind of person that doesn’t ask for help – based on a personality test I completed. This was done in preparation for a new leadership mentoring program at work. In order to grow as a leader I need to work on my deficiencies, so I’m here today to ask for your help. The good news is that it takes almost zero effort on your part.
Over the last couple of articles I told you all about my plans and goals for 2019. A large part of that is income generation and diversifying our revenue streams. While our Youtube channel is still in its infancy, I do believe that by posting more regular content (especially the projects that we have upcoming) our channel will continue to grow.
I’ve already identified an area where I can improve in our business growth, and that’s by successfully employing affiliate marketing as a revenue stream. I’ve attempted this channel in the past, but because our website does not generate enough organic traffic yet I have never been very successful.
What Is Affiliate Marketing
First, before we get too far ahead, let me quickly explain what affiliate marketing is. Say you want to buy a fancy dog bed, and I just so happen to know of a great dog bed to recommend. I give you my recommendation and you go off and happily purchase the bed. The seller gives me a percentage of the sale to compensate me for my recommendation. Think of it as a digital “finder’s fee.”
It doesn’t cost you as the buyer anything extra. There are no additional fees to be paid as the seller compensates the affilate for their recommendation. In order for the affiliate to be credited for the recommendation, the buyer must click a link with the affiliate’s special code in it.
Here’s the best part of what I’m about to ask you – you’re probably already doing it. Shopping on Amazon. You may have noticed a few Amazon ads on this site and notice on my disclaimer page. That’s because I have signed up as an Amazon Associate (what they call affiliates).
In order to help us out, all you have to do is click on one of the banner ads or links that will take you to Amazon. The best part is that you don’t even have to buy the specific item I have recommended. That’s because Amazon rewards affiliates with almost any purchase made within 24 hours of the referral.
So let’s say I have a book linked to Amazon and you click on it. You don’t want to buy the book, but you do want to buy a digital kitchen scale. If you purchase that scale within 24 hours, we still get credit for the recommendation.
Here’s the Caveat
Now I mentioned that I have tried this, unsuccesfully, in the past. And that’s because Amazon has deleted my Associates account – twice. You see, Amazon requires that you have three verified “sales” within a period of time or they will deactivate your account. Both times prior I have failed to reach that benchmark.
Here’s How You Can Help
I’m not asking you to buy something you don’t want. If I offer you a link to a product and you’re not interested, please don’t purchase it. All I ask is that if you’re going to buy something on Amazon anyways, please consider clicking on one of our links before you do. That will allow us to earn credit for a “sale” and help to keep our account active.
As I mentioned, we need to complete three verified sales in order for our account to stay active. You can help us reach our long term goals, but we need it most desparately in the beginning to help our account stay active.
Again, please don’t feel like I’m asking you to buy something that you don’t want. I’m not. I’m just asking for you to use any of our links if you were planning on purchasing something from Amazon anyways.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Most importantly, THANK YOU!