Table of Contents
Quality Content
So, your affiliate marketing training has told you that content is king and that more is better. How do you turn your writing efforts into money?
All affiliate marketing training tells you to pick a niche that you have an interest in because it will be easier to write about what you know or what you like.
However, I discovered that just writing quality content about a niche might not be enough to actually monetize the site. You have to also write about the niche in a way that gives your visitor some sort of value or incentive for them to stay on.
There are basically 5 different post types that work well to bring traffic to an affiliate marketing site. I definitely saw more traffic to my own site when I added the different types of posts. Looking at different affiliate marketing sites, you notice the site menus categorize certain post types. It wasn’t until I focused my writing efforts to a few specific types, that I was able to see more return for my efforts.
Top affiliate marketing sites, use the following posts to pull site visitors, no matter what niche they’re working with. Consider adding a few of the following categories as a way to provide value for your visitors.
1) PRODUCT REVIEW
This is probably one of the most popular post types that affiliate marketers like to use. As you might guess, it involves sharing your thoughts on a particular product.
You want to tell your reader what you liked or didn’t like, what worked or didn’t work, and so forth, and basically let them know what your experience is with the product.
Because of the developed trust with your reader, they will respect your opinion and consider the product, via your link.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a positive or negative review, both will build that trust to have them return for another review. If you write a positive review, you’ll hopefully get the affiliate sale right then. However, if it’s a negative review, you probably wouldn’t get an immediate affiliate sale, but you are providing appreciated value. In terms of pointing out scams, negative reviews are great!
The reader will get into a habit of checking anything you review because, in their eyes, you are honest enough to give a bad review. Keep in mind, if you do a negative review on something, you can attempt to direct them to another affiliated product.
When doing a review, be as detailed as possible, in order to provide good information and value.
2) PRODUCT COMPARISON
In the same vein as a product review, a comparison post, gives your opinion of 2 or more similar products. You let the reader decide which would be better for them. What’s good about comparisons, is that the visitor is probably ready to buy. After considering your comparison, they can make their purchase from your affiliate link.
Comparisons work because of the convenience for the reader to look at different product information in one place.
It’s also great to compare products when you are affiliated with each one. So, as you make the comparison, no matter which product the reader decides on, you’ll make an affiliate sale. In such a case, you would clearly want to favor the product with the highest commission if at all possible.
The effectiveness of comparison posts boils down to the fact of what people do searches on. Most searches are based on comparative words, such as, “best”, “which is better” and so on. Therefore, using phrases like those would be good SEO optimization, bringing that desired traffic to your website.
3) LISTS
Keep in mind, every industry utilizes some sort of service or tools designed to help those within that industry. If you can list those tools to help your readers understand what’s available, you will be providing them value. As mentioned earlier, value is what visitors are looking and hoping for when coming to a particular website.
Making a list of things within the niche will give your visitor value, while also providing you the opportunity of affiliate sales by including affiliated products within the list. Just don’t overdo it with a bunch of affiliate links.
You want to provide a list of what’s available, and why the particular items are useful. Consider this post for instance!
4) RESOURCE PAGE
While a resource page is not actually a blog post, the idea is to blog about those items featured on your resource page. You should want to update the page every now and then, as a way to increase your affiliate sales.
Several top affiliate marketers, like Pat Flynn of SPI, readily admit that having a resource page on their site provides for a large percentage of their affiliate sales. That page should show the products that have helped you, saved you time, saved you money and basically have gotten you to the level you are.
They do recommend that you list products or tools that you have actually used, to add credibility.
5) TUTORIALS/HOW TO’S
A “how to” post is effective because you are providing an answer of how to do something. In essence, they can be about anything related to your niche.
Your goal would be to include an affiliate link to something associated within that “how to” activity.
As you write a “how to” or “tutorial” post that teaches something, think about your related affiliate products that can be used and link to them.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As an affiliate marketer, you want people to come to your website on a regular basis. So, creating the types of posts that will do that should be something you seriously think about. It doesn’t matter what your niche is, if you incorporate the above types of posts, you will begin to retain the traffic that will generate your desired affiliate sales.
Fortunately, they are not difficult to create, nor do they require you to become some sort of salesperson. Your objective to create quality content can still be maintained, but in such a way as to truly provide value to your audience and give you a better chance to earn a little extra income. They can be done with any niche.
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Yvette,
This is great information. Would you suggest that people that blog, should stick with just these types of posts? I’ve been blogging on my Pet Apparel site for about 8 months now. I have to admit, I haven’t made much money from it. I’ve simply been writing about items that pertain to pet apparel and accessories. On my main page, I’ve made drop down menus that take people to where they want to go.
For instance, I have, “Everything Dog” and from there, clothing, accessories, food, treats, training, etc.
Then the same for Everything Cats.
I suppose I wanted a website that directed people to different topics based on what they’re looking for. I’ve done a lot of product reviews, but often hidden as “The best cat trees” for example. Not labeled as, “Best Cat Trees – Review”
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Katrina
Thanks for asking. I think your type of posts are fine…as long as your including personal perspective and affiliate links! If you’re telling about clothing, accessories, etc. I would consider that a type of product review, so make sure you’re including affiliate links. I believe I mentioned “best of” or “list” posts should work well. If you’re not getting the “click throughs” make sure you sort of telling the reader where to go by giving your personal opinion. Tell them what you like and why. Keep doing what you’re doing, with a little more personalization! Good luck~
Thanks for the value. Really appreciate. That’s what I call providing value.
I just started a blog and was looking for the type of content I should be writing. Right now my focus is on writing informational posts. Now I guess I should also start reviewing products.
Do we necessarily have to purchase a product before reviewing it?
Those are probably the 5 best blog post types for affiliate marketing I could have thought about. Is there any other type of post you know about?
And among those 5, which one is the most powerful one?
Sorry, I know I’m asking too many questions. Just trying to know more.
Thanks again for the value.
Hey, no problem with the questions, thanks for reading the post. Congrats for getting started with a blog. First, you absolutely don’t have to purchase a product before reviewing, you can google other reviews and pull the information together for yourself. There are other good post types, like “interview” or “business opportunity” for example. I feel the most effective for affiliate marketing is a product review. Because, as an affiliate marketer, you can review products that you are actually affiliated with, sending readers directly to the product through your affiliate link. Keep writing and good luck!
Great reminder, thanks for this list. As a newbie (half a year of learning to be an affiliate now) I am still looking for the best ways to come across. So far the one I have used the most is the How To article. And on second place is the Review article.
For some reason I find Comparing Products difficult. I either love a product – and usually I am ravingly enthusiastic then – or I hate it. And in the latter case, I would never want to know about it again. Not a very practical attitude when I want to be an affiliate marketer, I know. 🙂
Do you have a tip for me how I can get over my aversion and set up a framework to write articles about comparing?
Congrats on getting started. As far as getting over your aversion, I would suggest that you make sure you’re comparing products where you are affiliated with at least and then you can steer the reader towards that product and get an affiliate sale. It would be even better if you were affiliated with both, so that either way, you get an affiliate sale! Hey, I find it easier to write about a product if I know I will make money if the reader likes the product! 🙂 Good luck!
Hi Yvette
Many thanks for this. I had a resource page on my last website but really must get round to doing one for my current site – thanks for the reminder. (I love Pat Flynn btw.)
I must admit I do like list posts. The only thing is that they take so much time to compile, but they do offer good value to the reader. I like to do ‘Best…….’ as people searching for these sorts of things (and product reviews) usually have purchase intent.
‘How tos’ are great as well – I did lots of those then realise product reviews are maybe better for purchase intent but at the end of the day we are aiming to help people and how tos are great for that.
Kind regards,
Jean
I agree with all you say! I find that product/opportunity reviews work well. The list posts are definitely time intensive to construct. As you said, “Best of” definitely work well because that’s how people search for things. Thanks and good luck!
1
Hi Yvette,
Thanks for sharing this article on 5 different types of blog posts of affiliate marketing. This is exactly what I need for my website, so I can see you provide great value to me and, of course, your readers.
I would add the resources that I used to build my site, which might help my readers looking for the same tools to build their own websites. This sounds like a good strategy for me, so thanks a lot for pointing that out.
Cheers,
Matt
Matt,
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I have found that if you focus on one to three types, it will make it easier to write each time. For affiliate marketing, creating content is important, so the faster you can create, the better. I think eventually you should want to offer all the types to also create variety! Thanks and continued success!
Hi Yvette.
I see, you wrote a list type post here 🙂
Very well done and nice compilation of blog posts that work for pretty much any affiliate marketing business. I like it a lot because it rembers me how likely it is to forget about these “core principles” when you write blog posts on a daily basis. I tend to think about WHAT to write about and then actually doing it, but keep forgetting about the form I would want to put it in; at least every now and then a “strategically planned” list type or comparison post would be great! Thanks for reminding me!!!
I also like the idea of the resource page a lot. Did I get it right? The idea is to create one page where you collect all the tools, training and services that you as the blogger actually use on a daily basis?
Cheers,
chris
Chris,
You’re right, this is a list post. You seem to have the gist of what should be done, plus your thought on a resource page is correct. You absolutely want to continue with “regular” informational content, but adding the other types will help to draw in more visitors. Thanks for taking the time to read this and good luck!
Hi Yvette,
Creating an online business is extremely hard work, turning out, posts and reviews day after day.
It takes time and for many, this can be too much.
I have been going to create a resource page for a while now and just don’t seem to be able to get around to it, but now I have read this post, is now at the forefront of my mind so hopefully, I will get around to it soon.
Thank you for sharing
A resource page can only help your website, it would be worthwhile to get started. I know it’s a lot of work, but just start one resource at a time!
Hi Yvette,
Truly amazed by the value you provided to all affiliate marketers by this article.
Tips provided are so accurate it’s all the quality we provide, so visitors come back to read articles, content should create a brand value in minds of readers that gives them a positive push to read our articles and will give a competitive edge.
Content being the mainstay it should include all key elements like you mentioned- reviews, product comparisons, tutorials, landing pages, guides, videos, real-life examples, etc.
Every successful affiliate marketing has incredibly valuable content behind it. Without providing valuable content it’s difficult to capture the attention of visitors, trust factor should be built in order to convert the site visitor into an affiliate sale.
Thanks
Cheers!
Thanks. You want to keep in mind that you need continual traffic, so providing the type of content that people will come back and look for should be a priority. Much success to you!