I. What is Affiliate?

1. How Affiliate Marketing Works

1.1. The Product Provider (Merchant) Sets Up the Affiliate Program

• The provider creates products or services (such as clothing, household items, software, online courses, etc.) and develops an affiliate marketing program.
• The Merchant offers a system to track marketing activities (such as clicks, purchases, sign-ups, etc.).

1.2. The Affiliate Marketer (Publisher) Joins the Program

• The Publisher registers for the Affiliate program through platforms (e.g., Shopee Affiliate, Lazada Affiliate, or AccessTrade).
• Once approved, the Publisher receives a special link (Affiliate Link) to start promoting the product.

1.3. The Publisher Creates Marketing Content and Promotes the Product

• The Publisher uses channels such as:
  • Blog or Website: Writing product reviews, sharing experiences.
  • Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc., to post or create promotional videos.
  • Email Marketing: Sending emails to potential customers.
• The Affiliate Link is embedded in the promotional content so customers can click and make a purchase.

1.4. Customers Click the Affiliate Link and Take Action

• When customers click the link, a cookie (tracking code) is stored in their browser.
• This cookie helps the Merchant track the customer's actions (such as making a purchase, filling out information, downloading an app, etc.). Example: If the customer does not buy immediately but returns to purchase within 7 days (within the cookie duration), the Publisher will still receive a commission.

1.5. The Merchant Pays the Publisher a Commission

• When the customer performs the required action (makes a purchase, registers, downloads the app, etc.), the Merchant verifies and pays the commission to the Publisher.
• The commission can be paid via bank transfer, PayPal, or other payment platforms.

2. Benefits of Affiliate Marketing

2.1. For Publishers (Affiliate Marketers):

• No need to own products: You only need to promote other people's products without worrying about production, storage, or shipping.
• Low startup costs: Affiliate marketing doesn’t require much initial investment. You can start with a free blog, website, or social media account.
• Passive income: Once content is created and receives steady traffic, you can earn money continuously without investing too much additional time.
• Flexibility in time and location: You can work from anywhere, at any time.

2.2. For Merchants (Sellers):

• Reach new customers: Through Publishers, their products will reach a broader audience of potential customers.
• Optimize advertising costs: You only pay commissions when there are tangible results, such as sales or specific actions.
• Boost revenue quickly: Affiliate marketing is an effective channel to drive revenue growth without the need for a large sales team.

3. Payment Models in Affiliate Marketing

• Cost Per Sale (CPS): The Publisher earns a commission when a customer makes a purchase through the affiliate link.
• Cost Per Action (CPA): The commission is earned when a customer completes a specific action, such as signing up for an account, filling out a form, or downloading an app.
• Cost Per Click (CPC): The Publisher gets paid when a customer clicks on the product promotion link, regardless of whether a purchase is made.
• Cost Per Lead (CPL): The commission is based on the customer providing contact information, such as an email address or phone number.

II. Affiliate Guide for Beginners

1. Choose the Right Niche and Products

2. Register for Reputable Affiliate Programs

2.1. Directly from the Product Provider (Merchant):

2.2. Through Affiliate Networks:

3. Build a Marketing Platform

3.1. Personal Blog or Website

• Create a website using platforms like WordPress, Wix.
• Share product review articles, comparisons, or usage guides.

3.2. Social Media

• Create video reviews of products or share tips and tricks.
• Use hashtags and trends to increase reach.

3.3. Email Marketing

3.4. Other Platforms

• 3-5 Facebook pages: Decor1, Decor225, etc.
• 2-3 Instagram accounts
• 3-4 Threads channels: This platform is currently performing well for Affiliate marketing, you can clone posts from other users and publish them, adding Affiliate links in the comments.

• Additionally, if you're creative with content or video, consider building a YouTube or TikTok channel.

4. Create Valuable Content to Promote Products

4.1. Share Helpful Content

• Focus on solving customer problems. Example: "How to choose the best laptop in 2024?"
• Write honest reviews with clear evidence.

4.2. Use Videos and Images

• Review and tutorial videos help increase conversion rates.
• Create engaging, creative content on TikTok or YouTube. You can either create your own videos or borrow ideas from popular social media platforms like Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels, TikTok, Douyin. You can download videos from those platforms and edit small details or directly Reup them to your channels.

4.3. Optimize SEO

• Include keywords related to the product.
• Create compelling titles that attract users.

5. Track and Optimize Performance

• Use analytics tools: Track clicks, actions, and revenue through platforms like Google Analytics or tools from the Affiliate network.
• Measure content effectiveness:
  • Identify which types of content generate the highest revenue.
  • Focus on promoting products with high conversion rates.
• Continuous optimization:
  • Improve titles, images, or promotional content if they are not performing well.

6. Be Persistent and Scale Up

• Build Long-Term Credibility:
  • Focus on providing value to customers rather than just pushing sales.
  • Build strong relationships with customers to gain their trust.
• Develop Multichannel Strategies:
  • Combine multiple marketing channels to increase income (blog + YouTube + social media).
  • Learn more about paid advertising to expand your reach.
• Invest in Knowledge:
  • Take courses on Affiliate Marketing, SEO, and Content Marketing.
  • Stay updated on new trends to avoid falling behind.

7. Tips for Beginners

• Start Small: Choose 1-2 products or specific niches to focus on before scaling up. Build a multichannel strategy to ensure your Affiliate links reach more customers.
• Be Persistent: Success in Affiliate Marketing doesn’t come overnight, but you’ll reap the rewards if you stay on the right path.
• Choose the Right Products: High-quality and reputable products will help you build trust and increase conversion rates.

Conclusion