What should I consider when being an affiliate? 

Perhaps the first thing that comes into your mind when deciding to become an affiliate is earning some extra money, but there are more advantages than that when you sign up as an affiliate. Becoming one is probably a lot easier than you think.

These blogs are directed to those thinking about becoming an affiliate but haven’t decided yet if it’s right for them.  I try to set out some of the key benefits. Affiliate agreements vary business to business and as a precursor and a disclaimer, in addition to this information I would suggest you do your own additional research and read any agreement carefully before joining one.

Joining a program is usually free and can be done quickly and easily through an online registration process. Businesses will usually ask you to agree to their terms and conditions to sell their products on their behalf through an Affiliate Agreement.

If you have read my previous blog on the advantages of becoming an affiliate and are interested in knowing more, you are probably now asking whether I am suited to working as an affiliate. You may be asking can I sell, what sort of business would suit me and more.

Can I sell?

Begin by dispelling the selling myths

People only buy what they need. Untrue. They buy what they want.

I can’t sell because I am too shy or fear rejection. Untrue. Anyone can sell. This is because even if you’re shy, a little practice selling to a member of your family can resolve most fears. Sales rejection is experienced even by the most successful salespeople. You won’t sell everything to everyone all the time. Once that is understood any fears about selling will pale.

Only experienced salespeople can sell. Untrue. Experienced salespeople perhaps can sell more, but this usually down to learning on the job and many years of practice. You can sell and improve your skills at it by learning on the job.

Anyone can sell. There’s lots of online information out there on how best to sell and who will buy, but in my view, there are just four golden rules that will help yield that sale. Here’s what they are:

Rule number 1:  Believe in what you do. Sales are driven through trust in the main. That might be trust in the individual selling or a trust in the brand itself. If you’re selling over the Internet that is likely the brand, but If you are selling face to face that trust is mainly placed directly with you. If you are passionate about what you do that will rub off on your customers as well. People don’t buy what you do they buy why you do it. Showing your belief in your product through knowledge and attitude builds trust.

Rule number 2:  Product knowledge. Know the product back to front inside and out. A great way to instil confidence for a customer is product knowledge. This again builds both rapport but importantly trust. The time spent learning about the product and demonstrating passionately is priceless. Trust is being built at this time.

Rule number 3:  See yourself as a customer. You are probably on the defensive when someone tries to sell you something who you have never met before. That’s human nature. So what is going to change that? Are you able to empathise with your prospects? The better you are at doing so, the more likely you will gain trust and get closer to a sale.  Remember rule no. 1 and that people don’t buy what you do they buy why you do it. If you understand your customer’s thinking, are knowledgeable and are passionate about your product, you will get their attention and trust and consequently make that sale.

Rule number 4:  Closing a sale. Face to face sales are more than likely achieved in your presence not when you have left. Plan for that. If you leave a business without the sale, you’ve significantly reduced your chances of getting it – no matter what the customer tells you there and then.  Without being too pushy, think diplomatically on how you can achieve the sale before you go. That might be suggesting a price break or discount or other incentive near the end of your presentation. That might be that gentle push to get the sale over the edge.

What kind of business suits me?

This question is perhaps more easily answered when you ask what kind of selling will I be doing? This can be from simply promoting a product or business on your own website, social media or going into the field and knocking on doors. Think about what you are promoting. Would you buy it yourself? Do you think the price point is correct? Is the product itself reliable and does it add real value to the consumer?

Sales commission

The payment of sales commission varies from affiliate business to business. Taking into account a variety of factors, an average affiliate commission rate should be somewhere between 5% to 30%. Some businesses offer incentives such as break points for sales numbers achieved per month. You should read your agreement carefully so that you understand fully their commission payouts.

Is a marketing plan necessary?

As an affiliate creating a marketing plan early on could help you successfully target sales. There’s a lot of information already our there on the Internet on how best to do this online, but not much if you want to make sales face to face. Whilst it’s not completely necessary to complete a plan for the latter, knowing where best to place your efforts could help you achieve results. You might decide for example to target a certain industry or type of business first, where there has been evidence of higher prospect and or sales. You may consider geographical space and look for areas where there is a higher density of prospects. With a clear marketing plan, you can manage the resource of time more effectively. Be realistic about your costs. If you are travelling for example keep these costs in mind when you calculate your ROI.

We hope that you have found the content of these two blogs useful and inspired you to join a scheme that best suits you.

Interested in the Waahelay affiliate scheme? Get in touch by sending us an email at affiliates@waahelay.com  and we will write back with more information or click here if you’re ready to apply

Email me at blogs@waahelay.com