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Show Notes:

Types of Affiliate Networks

• Networks: ex. ShareASale
• In-House: Amazon
• Custom Arrangements: Set up custom landers or some other tracking
• Local Lead Gen:  Make a deal with any brick and mortar

3 Criteria

• Chance of approval
• Chance of success
• Ease-of-use

6 Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners

1. Shareasale

• Chance of approval:  High
• Chance of success: Reasonably good – although it varies by merchant.  The plus side is you have 1,000s of merchants to choose from.  That said, you are approved on a merchant-by-merchant basis.
• Ease-of-use: Very easy to use. It’s by far my favorite affiliate network user interface.

2. Skimlinks

• Chance of approval:  Good
• Chance of success: Very good – although again it varies by merchant.  The plus side once approved with Skimlinks, you are approved with every merchant.  That means you have a lot of promotional opportunities at your disposal.
• Ease-of-use: Very easy to use. It’s a very slick and easy-to-use interface.

3. Amazon

• Chance of approval:  Good
• Chance of success: Very good.  If you can send visitors to Amazon, you can generate commissions.  Of course, the more aligned your content with the products, the better you’ll do, but even sending people there randomly will result in commissions.
• Ease-of-use: Very easy to use.  In fact, there are many plugins that help promote Amazon.  Amazon also offers many tools you can use as well.  All-in-all, it’s a dead-simple program to use.

4. Software

• Many offer recurring commissions,
• Software converts well,
• If you choose the right niche, there are many with low competition.  That said some have high competition such as email software and website hosting. I stear clear of those. I look for super niche software that most people have no idea exists.
• Relatively easy to get approved.  If your site aligns with a particular software, they’ll approve you.  I seldom get rejected.  Most are very happy to get affiliates on board and are willing to work with you.

5. Custom affiliate arrangements

• “No or little competition!”
• ‘Nuff said

6. Clickbank

• Chance of approval:  Very good
• Chance of success: Moderate.  I say this because it’s mostly info-products and it must align very tightly with your audience.  If you do successfully sell CB offers, you can make a lot of money because the commissions are high.
• Ease-of-use: Very easy to use.  You can get affiliate links with a few clicks of the mouse.  It’s a well designed affiliate portal.

Difficult Affiliate Programs for Beginners

Most of the following are in this list because they are difficult to get approved for.  They should not necessarily be avoided!!!

• CJ.com
• Viglink
• Credit Cards
• Lead Gen
• Impact Radius
• Walmart
• Finance Offers

Don’t forget about display ads

• Affiliate marketing rocks, but so do ads
• Ads make it possible to monetize almost any content - not just “buyer intent” content.
• If you’re a newbie - try Ezoic.

Learn more by getting my free 6-Figure Blogger Course.