Are you looking for ways to revamp your affiliate marketing strategy and take it to the next level? Look no further than social media. While some may see social media as a time-waster, it is actually a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes to increase brand awareness, capture future customers, and reap all the SEO benefits that come with it.
In this article, we’ll explore the top social media platforms and how they can be leveraged to boost your affiliate marketing strategy. From YouTube to Facebook, online forums to social media podcasting, we’ll cover it all.
YouTube and Other Video Sharing Sites
Video content is taking over the internet, and YouTube is leading the way. From informative how-tos to funny skits, YouTube offers a wide range of content for every interest. As an affiliate marketer, you can use YouTube to showcase your brand in creative, fun ways that encourage curiosity and engagement. Take Redbull’s “Stratos” jump, for example, which garnered over 50 million views and boosted the brand’s visibility tremendously. If humor is more your style, take a look at Binging with Babish’s comedic take on the Breaking Bad series, which has over 14 million views.
Facebook, Instagram, and that Ancient Thing Called MySpace
Facebook and Instagram are household names in social media, and for good reason. These platforms allow for interactive exchanges between posters and readers, which is a powerful tool for affiliate marketers looking to build relationships with potential customers. Facebook, in particular, has become a very powerful tool for affiliate marketers, with its targeted advertising capabilities and retargeting options. A simple post or video on Facebook can bring in thousands of views and social shares. And while MySpace may seem like a relic from a bygone era, it can still be a valuable tool for targeting specific niches or demographics.
Top Online Forums – Reddit, Quora, Yahoo Groups, Google Answer, AskuBuntu, and etc.
Online forums are a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and build a loyal following. Sites like Reddit and Quora allow users to post questions and engage with others in their industry, while also subtly promoting their own brand and services. Providing valuable advice and insights can lead to positive PR and a growing reputation as a reliable source. And since most responses allow for links to your business website, forum members may follow you to your site to learn more about your offerings.
Social Media Podcasting
Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. It offers a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience on a more personal level. By streaming audio presentations via social platforms like Facebook Live, PodBean, or YouTube, businesses can share valuable insights, tell their story, and start a conversation with their audience. Soundcloud is a great example of a platform that allows users to share and comment on each podcast, making it easy to engage with listeners and build a loyal following.
In conclusion, social media is a powerful tool for affiliate marketers looking to increase brand visibility and capture future customers. By leveraging platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and online forums, businesses can establish themselves as experts in their field and build a loyal following. And with the rise of social media podcasting, there are more opportunities than ever to connect with your audience on a personal level. Don’t miss out on the benefits of social media for your affiliate marketing strategy.
YouTube and Other Video Sharing Sites
Ever been lost down the rabbit hole of YouTube? These videos can be very amusing, severe, off the cuff and sometimes political in nature. You can reveal a lot about your business in creative fun ways to encourage curiosity about your company and your brand. Here is one such video from Redbull:
Now if surreal is not on the agenda, being silly and funny may be up your alley. Here is a cooking video from Binging with Babish with his comedic spin on the Breaking Bad Series:
Facebook, Instagram, and that Ancient thing called MySpace
These type of social networks are popular because it draws together multiple components of social marketing and makes them accessible to the masses. Many see this type of social networking as an online version of reality TV. The only twist is that it allows for interactive exchanges between the Facebook poster and the reader, a typical blog site (stand-alone websites) has been a lot less impact vs Facebook. Now take into consideration additional marketing (retargeting) and now Facebook has become a very powerful tool.
Top Online Forums – Reddit, Quora, Yahoo Groups, Google Answer, AskuBuntu, and etc.
Have an opinion? Are you an expert in your field? Then online forums may be the way to go for you. Social media sites such as Reddit and Quora allow users to post questions and allows its user base to reply. This question and answering platform allow you and your brand to become a leader in your field. Who doesn’t respect a professional who can offer advice on a difficult task or project? It is a great opportunity to garner positive PR while subtly promoting your business and services (ie most responses allow you to post a link to your business website). If you are viewed as a reliable source, you will likely discover forum members following you to your site hoping to find out more about you. (Reference Quora, Reddit, Yahoo Answers)
Social Media Podcasting
Podcasting is a method that allows a user to stream an audio presentation via a social platform to the public or end-user consumer. Many simply state that podcasts should be classified as a radio broadcast rather than a social media platform, but the whole point to social media is the aspect of social interaction. The whole intent is for the medium to convey action, stirrup action, and to start a conversation. Streaming services such as Facebook (Live), PodBean, Blubrry, Soundcloud, InstagramTV, or YouTube offer the function of interaction. So as our technology changes, so will the definition of our social engagement. Social is all about engagement. As in the example below, Soundcloud allows users to share and comment on each podcast. This PodCast is from WS11.
For an in more depth coverage including Social Media Platform Statistics can be found in my article:
