No Ads? Okay! Paid Ads for Affiliate Marketing
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about paid ads for affiliate marketing.
Lots of beginners ask: “Can’t I just pay for ads to my affiliate links?” The short answer is often… no! Let’s see why, and what works better.
Lots of programs say no
Paid ads usually aren’t a good idea in affiliate marketing, and lots of programs don’t allow them at all. Brands don’t want affiliates competing with their OWN ads!
A common rule: no search ads with the brand’s name. Why? If your ad shows up above the brand’s own ad, the brand pays you thank-you money for a customer it would have gotten anyway! Always read your program’s rules before any ad.
Why brands say no
Without rules, you could become MORE visible in ads than the brand itself! And brands don’t really know their affiliates, because joining is automatic. Letting strangers make ads with the brand’s name would be risky. Saying no protects their brand.
Free visitors: the real engine!
So free visitors are what really make affiliate marketing grow. It’s hard at first, because you need to post regularly before you see results. But over time, it gets more steady!
Free visitors come from content people find on social media, Google, Pinterest and recommendations. Traffic methods for beginners explains the free ways!
Email to the rescue!
Email lets you talk again to people who said yes to hearing from you. If an app changes its rules, your email list is still YOURS!
When ads ARE allowed
Some programs do allow ads! Then they often want the ad to go to a little page of yours first. Your ad goes to your page, and your page goes to the brand.
And you can add something useful, like a comparison!
Ads and your money
Even when ads are allowed, they’re risky for beginners. Thank-you money is often small, so an ad can easily cost more than it earns! Build free visitors first, and test ads only with a teeny budget, if at all.
Before trying ads
Still want to try? Check these first:
- Does your program allow ads? On which apps? Can you use the brand’s name or logo?
- Do the math. How much do you earn per sale, and how many clicks does a sale usually take? If a click costs more than you earn per click, the ad loses money!
- Start teeny. Use a tiny budget and your own little page. Stop fast if it doesn’t pay for itself.
For most beginners, that money is better spent on making better content!
Small and private
Free content and email cost little or nothing to start. You’d be surprised! No monthly payments before you have visitors. And free affiliate content works great without your face!
What’s next?
That’s the end of the affiliate marketing module! Yay! The next article starts the third of the ten ways to earn, freelancing, with five example characters. The whole module is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help bring free visitors? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
Can I boost a post with an affiliate link?
Boosting is a paid ad, so the same rules apply. Check first!
Are free visitors really free?
No ad money, but they take time and steady work.
Can I use paid ads?
Sometimes. But lots of programs don’t allow them.
Why do programs say no to ads?
Brands don’t want affiliates competing with their ads, or making ads they can’t control.
Where do most affiliate visitors come from?
Free content on social media, Google and recommendations.
Why is email useful?
Your list stays yours, even if apps change!
Are there step-by-step lessons for starting each of the ten ways cheaply?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
What is a little in-between page?
Your own page people see before the brand’s page.
Where can I learn about emails?
Audience retention methods explains them!
Is there a cheap way to start?
Yes! Lynnaider shows you how to start affiliate marketing for free, or for very, very little money. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step!
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
