If you’re looking for a new job, you’ve probably considered the lucrative world of online affiliate marketing. You’ll find lucrative employment opportunities in this area, and if you’re qualified and prepared to work hard, you have a good chance of earning a high income. Let’s take a look at what to expect from an online affiliate marketing job description, shall we?
The Basics
Before you start your new job, you’ll need to understand the basics. What are affiliate marketing programs? Why do they exist? How do I get started with one?
An affiliate marketing program, also known as a performance-based commission program or a marketing program, is simply a type of business arrangement where a company pays you for promoting their products or services. Essentially, you promote a product and when a customer purchases that product, you earn a commission. There are many pros and cons to this type of business plan, but one of the biggest pluses is that since you’re not directly employed by the company, you don’t have to worry about earning a paycheck every month. Instead, you’ll receive compensation based on how many people you bring in to purchase a product or service of the company’s choice.
You’ll typically find four types of affiliate marketing programs:
- CPA (Cost per action)
- CPV (Cost per view)
- CPL (Cost per lead)
- CPM (Cost per million impressions)
The Good
Nowadays, the internet is full of lucrative opportunities, but it takes a lot of work to make money online. You’ll need to develop key skills, learn how to effectively utilize online forums and communities, and navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of online marketing. Once you develop these skills, you’ll be able to work independently or in teams to maximize your earnings.
The vast majority of the jobs available in this space are commission based. That means you won’t necessarily be earning a set salary, but instead you’ll be relying on your sales to generate income. Since the demand for online marketers is high, and the possibility of earning large sums of money is abundant, you may find it difficult to settle for something less than what you’re really worth.
The Bad
Not every career in online marketing is going to be fun and profitable, and that’s a fact. The stigma that surrounds online marketing, along with the general unpredictability of the industry, means that you may have to endure some degree of dissatisfaction if you choose to work in this field.
Some of the things you’ll need to look out for:
- the nature of the products you’ll be promoting (Make sure they’re something people want or need)
- finding affiliate marketing programs that work for you (This is especially important if you’re looking for CPA, CPL, or CPM affiliate marketing programs because you’ll need to find the right offer)
- learning how to effectively market products (You’ll need to learn how to use social media, optimize banners and blog posts, develop web content, and more)
- negotiating with large affiliate marketing networks for better rates (This can be tough, but if you choose an in-house or a private affiliate marketing job, you may have someone who can help you with this)
- finding a mentor (You’ll need someone who’s been there and done that to help you navigate the ups and downs of this new and sometimes overwhelming field)
Additional Considerations
It’s important to note that there are a number of additional considerations that come with a career in online marketing. For example, you’ll need to be comfortable dealing with the uncertainty that comes with being your own boss. You may also need to consider whether or not you want to work for yourself or a company.
Since you’re not bound to a specific employer, you have the opportunity to change jobs often. This is great if you’re seeking a more stable career, but if you’re looking for a more adventurous lifestyle, you may want to consider a corporate job.
Also, you may have to deal with extreme competition. Like any other job market, getting a foot in the door can be difficult, but ensuring that you stand out from the crowd is the key to career success.
And last but not least, it’s important to consider what you’re really looking for in a job. While the income can be good, if you’re looking for personal satisfaction, you may want to look elsewhere.
To help you navigate the world of online marketing and decide which opportunities are right for you, let’s take a look at what you should know and expect:
Expected Pay
When you begin your new job, you’ll need to decide how much you’re willing to earn. Before you do this, it’s important to consider what you’re really looking for. Are you looking for a way to earn a quick buck? Or are you seeking a stable career that allows you to provide for your family?
If you choose to work in a corporate environment, you may find that your pay is determined by the number of hours you work. For example, hourly employees typically earn $15-$20 per hour, and will often times be required to work overtime (60+ hours per week). Bonus and commission based employees often earn a bit more. You may also be required to undergo extensive training before you’re able to start earning a significant income, but once you’re trained, you can typically expect to earn at least $25-$30 per hour depending on your performance.
Working Environment
Another important factor to consider when choosing a job is the working environment. In the beginning, you’ll need to get your feet wet and develop a good working knowledge of online marketing, but once you’re up and running, you can typically expect to work in an office setting. While this can be a fun and stimulating environment, if you’re seeking a more stable career, you may be better off seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Depending on your experience, you may be asked to work from home a couple of times per week, and remotely take part in conference calls or webinars. For the most part, you’ll need to get used to working independently without being in a physical office. Since this is such a fast-paced industry, you may find that it’s difficult to get everything done without leaving a digital footprint, but this is part of what makes it interesting.
Flexibility
One of the biggest attractions of an online marketing job is the flexibility. You may find that there are a number of options available to you, depending on your experience. For the most part, you’ll need to possess a good knowledge of HTML and basic marketing. Since the industry is constantly evolving, you may be required to undergo continuous education in order to maintain proficiency.
Some of the things you’ll need to look out for: