Affiliate marketing has come a long way and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a type of marketing that benefits everyone. Marketers extend their reach to broader audiences through affiliates, affiliates earn income by promoting products, and consumers enjoy the perks of well-informed recommendations and exclusive discounts.
However, just like any other marketing approach, we might fall behind if we don't stay updated with emerging trends. Here's what we believe will occur in the future of affiliate marketing, and we’re here to enlighten you so you can start getting ready for it now! You’re welcome!
Partner with Influencers
The growth of social media influencers has had a big impact on affiliate marketing. In fact, influencer marketing has grown to become a $21.1 billion industry, marking a substantial 29% increase from the $16.4 billion reported in the previous year.
Based on these stats, we'll most likely see more brands teaming up with influencers in a smart way. Influencers can use their dedicated followers to endorse affiliate products, making campaigns that are more focused and personalized. This trend creates fresh opportunities for affiliate marketers to work with popular figures and connect with specific groups of people.
Niche and Micro-Influencer Marketing
Now, when we mention influencers, we don’t mean those big shot influencers. The future looks like it's changing course towards niche and micro-influencer marketing.
Did you know that four out of five influencer marketers prefer to team up with small creators and influencers, those with less than 100,000 followers? In contrast, a mere 16% opt to collaborate with celebrity influencers boasting over 1 million followers.
A lot of people tend to think that if an influencer has a massive following, it means big money for businesses. But what if we tell you that it's not just about the size of the crowd; it's about how much they care about what the influencer is saying.
Micro-influencers might have fewer followers, but these followers are super loyal and engaged. They have a higher engagement rate compared to bigger influencers.
The real magic is that they're often experts in a specific topic. Whether it's makeup, gaming, or healthy living, they really know their stuff. So when they talk about a product related to their niche, it's not just a sales pitch; it's like getting advice from a pro. People find these endorsements more believable.
Micro-influencers also keep things personal. They can chat with their followers, answer questions, and build a friendly community. This makes their recommendations feel real and genuine. People like that—they're tired of polished, paid-for ads.
Their honesty, niche knowledge, and personal connections often mean better results for businesses. That's why more and more folks are turning to micro-influencers.
Affiliate marketers can team up with these influencers who really know their niche, and that leads to more genuine recommendations and more people getting interested in what's on offer.
Incorporate AI into your Strategies
AI is quite the talk of the town these days. It can be a bit intimidating with all its advancements, but it's also got some pretty great benefits! Marketers are already using AI in their strategies, and we think you should jump on that train too, while there's still room.
AI can help marketers and affiliates understand how people behave, group them into different categories, and create content that speaks to them personally, increasing the chances that they'll make a purchase. Predictive analytics can also make ads target the right people more effectively, making marketing campaigns work better overall.
Take Advantage of Micro-moments
When was the last time you sat down on your computer or laptop to order something online? Probably not too recently, right? These days, everyone's on the move, and when they want something, they want it right then and there. It's what we call 'micro-moments.' People spot something they like, and bam, they order it in an instant.
Based on a study by Google, 62% of smartphone users tend to act quickly when they face an unexpected issue, and this opens up opportunities for brands during these "micro-moments.
These micro-moments can pop up anytime. Let's face it, no one carries their laptop around 24/7, but what they do have glued to their side is their mobile phone. So, if you're in the marketing game, you've got to make the most of that mobile action.
If that isn’t convincing enough, 50% of all affiliate traffic originates from mobile devices! Now imagine in those moments when people are all set to make a purchase on your affiliate site, it starts lagging or the link isn't working. You may have just lost a potential customer, and that's a missed opportunity.
Affiliate marketers need to make sure websites and content work great on mobile, load fast, and give users a smooth experience. This is key to staying successful in the times to come.
PRO TIP: Use mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay to offer secure and easy payment options.
Utilise Video Content
A good old blog post works, but you know what's even better? Videos. Think about it, would you rather read a 1000 word blog about a product, or just kick back and watch a 5-minute video that tells you everything you need to know? Exactly!
Video content is starting to be a big deal in affiliate marketing strategies. Using videos in your affiliate marketing content increases your conversion rate by 38%.
Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are booming, and videos like reviews, how-to guides, and showing off products have a big impact on getting people to buy stuff through affiliate links.
As more and more people get into watching videos, affiliate marketers will have to put effort into making top-notch videos that really grab their audience's attention.
Voice Search Optimisation
Voice-activated helpers like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are finding their way into more and more homes. They're kind of a big deal now.
The voice search trend is going to change how affiliate marketing works. Every month, there are more than 1 billion voice searches, and it's predicted that people will spend over $40 billion on shopping through voice searches.
To keep up, you've got to make your content friendly for voice searches. Use longer, chatty keywords, and keep your data organized the right way. This helps you show up when people ask questions using their voice, and that's how you get more customers.
What we're talking about here is using everyday words and phrases, like how people chat, instead of a formal language. For instance, if you sell medications, instead of using "Best ways to improve cardiovascular health." Try "How can I keep my heart healthy?"
The second option sounds more like how people naturally talk and is something they'd probably use in a voice search.
Final Words
Affiliate marketing's future is full of opportunities for those who adapt and innovate.
Staying ahead means trying new things and being valuable to customers and partners. If you follow these trends, you too can thrive in this dynamic landscape.
SO, WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS PARTNER?
Well, aren’t we glad you asked! We at DigiCom are obsessive data-driven marketers pulling from multi-disciplinary strategies to unlock scale. We buy media across all platforms and placements and provide creative solutions alongside content creation, and conversion rate optimizations. We pride ourselves on your successes and will stop at nothing to help you grow.
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