Affiliate marketing has been around since the dawn of the internet…
Which to a Gen Z might seem like prehistoric times.
But affiliate marketing is still brand spanking new when you look at it through the lens of human history.
It’s not like I left high school in 2001 determined to one day become an affiliate marketer.
It just wasn’t a career choice back then.
I didn’t know what affiliate marketing was and neither did my career guidance counsellor.
Most people still don’t.
Ask anyone in the affiliate marketing game and they’ll tell you this is something they accidentally stumbled upon. That’s exactly what happened to me.
But as it turns out, it’s a highly rewarding career in the information age.
Affiliate marketing is booming in the 21st century. Let’s look at the reasons why.
1. We All Buy Stuff Online Now
Did you know 70% of Americans do their shopping online?
We spend a gargantuan $730 billion online each year.
We’re booking flights and hotels, buying clothes, comparing car insurance, finding places to live – we’re shopping for everything online these days.
And it’s easy to see why:
You can order your groceries on Amazon and have them delivered to your door the same day.
- It’s cheaper
- It’s quicker
- It’s more convenient
- And there’s way more choice
You don’t need to find parking.
You don’t need to stand in line.
Heck, you don’t even need to get dressed!
And guess what?
16% of all online purchases are made through affiliate links.
That means for every 16 out of 100 times someone buys anything online, there’s an affiliate out there somewhere earning a commission.
I think this huge shift we’ve seen in consumer behaviour is the single biggest reason affiliate marketing is booming in the 21st century. Now let’s take a look at the second biggest reason.
2. Google Is Our Main Source Of Info
Google performs 9 billion searches each and every day.
That’s 100,000 searches per second.
And we’re not just asking academic questions like “How does photosynthesis work” – we’re googling terms with commercial search intent like:
- Best headphones for running
- Best copper pans for under $1,000
- Product X review
- How much does product X cost
- Product A vs product B
- Best places to stay in Rome
Without even realising it, Google has become the ultimate go-to and one-stop shop for all our consumer queries.
95% of customers read online reviews before buying a product or service.
And 49% of customers say they trust a review as much as a personal recommendation from a friend.
So all it takes is for an affiliate to come along with a solid product review that catches people at the end of the customer buying cycle and bag the sale.
3. 83% Of Brands Have Affiliate Programs
Another reason affiliate marketing is growing in popularity is that 83% of brands worldwide now use affiliate marketing to help spread the word about their products online and increase sales.
And it makes perfect business sense:
Rather than spend a shedload on advertising, big-name brands like Apple, Walmart and Louis Vuitton can simply open up an affiliate program and pay a percentage to the affiliate once they’ve received an order.
It’s a total win-win:
Affiliates recommend their products to their audience for a slice of the pie, consumers find great products and once high street-only brands stay profitable and relevant.
4. You Can Get Filthy Rich Working From Home
Never before in the history of mankind could you earn 6 figures from the comfort of your own home.
Affiliate marketing continues to thrive because it’s hands-down the best business model for everyday people like you and me to leave the office politics behind and become self-made entrepreneurs.
Affiliate marketing works for anyone looking to earn online because it’s:
- Easy to start
- Something anyone can do
- Highly profitable and scalable
And because it’s all commission-based, you never have to worry about buying or shipping products.
You simply send people to online stores and collect a check each month for the sales you generate.
That’s why 84% of content creators like bloggers, YouTubers and social media influencers use affiliate marketing as their primary source of income.
So Now What?
Affiliate marketing is booming in the 21st century and now you know why.
Not only is it here to stay, but the best is absolutely yet to come.
So what are you going to do about it?
Are you going to let this modern-day gold rush pass you by or are you going to get in on the action?
Join the Academy (it’s free) to learn the exact, step-by-step system to grow a massively profitable affiliate marketing in months, not years.
Even if you’ve tried and failed or have zero experience, we’ll show you how to make real passive income in 2024 and beyond.
It’s my and Dale’s personal mission to help you become a massive success story.
If you’re willing to put forth the effort, we’ll do whatever it takes to get you there.
