Step-by-step affiliate program evaluation checklist

Here is a simple step-by-step checklist for evaluating an affiliate program and choosing products to link, review and promote.

When looking for affiliate programs that you could join,

• take a look at the product and
• ask yourself these 3 questions (in order of importance):

1. Does it meet the needs of my followers?

This is the first step and the most important one too. You'll see much better results when you choose a handful of products that

• benefit your following
• complement what you already offer
  • other affiliate products, or
  • your own products and services

Whether you are doing an review, a larger promotion or just linking to a a product, ask

• is it something that will actually benefit your following?
• does it meet their needs?
• does it fit in with other products you recommend?

If the answer is no. You should look for better options.

2. Have I used or tested this product myself?

Every affiliate promotion you do, you put your influence and trust on line.

Trust is equally powerful currency to money.

• pick only the ones you really KNOW, TRUST and HONESTLY can recommend.
• concentrate your effort into those

For best results, choose the products you have used or are using yourself.

3. Is it worth my time?

You will invest time and possibly money to market this thing, so it should be worth it.

• you want to know what the payout is.
• make sure the money is worth it.

Does the ROI make sense? Will you end up making a profit from the product?

When evaluating whether or not it's worth it, try to think of the indirect benefits as well.

• is the product so good that recommending the product will increase your influence?
  • it is worth investing some time to recommend the best of the best, if that increases your credibility and trust, even if you very little or no money directly.
• a product that rounds up your affiliate marketing portfolio can be good, even if the direct payouts are small.

Summary

Use the 3-step process as a checklist to choose affiliate programs and products to link, review and promote to your following.

• you want to find great product that
  • benefits your following,
  • is something you are using or have used yourself, and
  • is worth your time to start marketing it.
• if the affiliate program meets all three criteria on the list, you have a winner.

Note that the criteria is not just tied to products, use it to evaluate sellers as well

• if multiple sellers (with affiliate programs) offer the same product, choose a trustworthy and well-known seller over higher payouts
• if the quality of service is the same, check if one of the sellers is offering the same product on a cheaper price (= beneficial for your following)

Keep in mind, whatever affiliate programs you choose - do not market something just for the affiliate commission. There is no affiliate commission big enough that compensates the loss of trust you have built with your following if the product does not deliver and does not benefit them.

As always, comments are welcome and encouraged. How do you choose affiliate programs to promote?

p.s. This post was inspired by the Internet Business Mastery podcast, episode 86, 6 secrets to choosing an affiliate program. "IBM" is one of my favorite podcasts, so check it out if you're interested in listening to Sterling and Jay and their #1 Internet business and marketing podcast.

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3. Affiliate Marketing Explained