8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Promoting a niche online course

by prezzz
7 replies
Hello everyone,

within next few weeks I'll be launching a new website, which will feature a parent-oriented course on a specific topic related to school age children (with plans to expand the website with new courses every couple months). We put a lot of effort into professional presentation of materials (videos and printables) and the overall production quality of the website.

I'm looking to join an affiliate program as a merchant/advertiser to get some traction with the course. I did some extensive research and so far ShareASale looks best to me - acceptable entry costs, large base of affiliates, and good history.

My biggest concern is, with a niche product like mine, will I be able to find affiliates with enough targetted traffic to actually bring some sales? Do you think I might be better off setting up my own affiliate program with something like iDevAffiliate and try to contact affiliates/influencers directly?

I will appreciate any advice. I'm an experienced web developer, but I don't have much knowledge in the merchant side of affiliate promotion.

Thanks,
Prez
#aff #idevaffiliate #marketing #niche #online #promoting #shareasale
Avatar of Unregistered
  • Profile picture of the author SiteNameSales
    Why not try all of the above if you have the resources. I see many businesses using multiple platforms. In some instances, the business includes a page specifically for affiliates with links to one or more options. Over time, you can weed out the ones that prove to be unsatisfactory.
    Signature
    Borrow my Business!...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11300591].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by prezzz View Post

    We put a lot of effort into professional presentation of materials (videos and printables) and the overall production quality of the website.
    How much effort did you put into niche selection, figuring out what these parents really want, and finding the exact places online to reach them at?
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11300823].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Derek S
    Hey Prez,

    This is the exact space I'm in now and am a top affiliate vendor. Let me check out your marketing material and see if there is a chance for any cross promotion!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11300923].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author prezzz
      Thank you for your replies everyone.

      I've decided to go with ShareASale and ClickBank as well as set up my own higher tier aff program with iDevAffiliate for invite-only bloggers/influencers. I'll make sure to look into the coupon deal sites as well, thank you for the advice!

      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      How much effort did you put into niche selection, figuring out what these parents really want, and finding the exact places online to reach them at?
      I did quite a lot of research when it comes to the topic of the course. There are free materials available, but very scattered. I made sure to make the course in form of workshop with a lot of additional materials, I hope it'll work well.

      Originally Posted by Derek S View Post

      Hey Prez,
      This is the exact space I'm in now and am a top affiliate vendor. Let me check out your marketing material and see if there is a chance for any cross promotion!
      Sounds good, I'll make sure to hit you up once the website goes online!

      Best,
      Prez
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11301971].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Do blogger outreach

    Hire a cheap VA to do this

    Setup an affiliate program and you're set

    Pretty quick and straight forward

    I'd use DISCOUNT CODES though
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11301009].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by prezzz View Post

    My biggest concern is, with a niche product like mine, will I be able to find affiliates with enough targeted traffic to actually bring some sales? Do you think I might be better off setting up my own affiliate program with something like iDevAffiliate and try to contact affiliates/influencers directly?
    Since you posted this, you've already announced you will be going with multiple platforms, including your own.

    Regardless how many platforms you use, you can't count on the platform to find the affiliates you want. You will want to recruit them just as you would your own sales force or distributor network.

    My first thoughts for finding these people are to look for influential 'mommy bloggers' and legit expert authors in the space, particularly on the Kindle marketplace. The former already understand affiliate marketing and would likely promote for you if you can show them a reasonable EPC ($1.00+). The latter may be open to a joint venture where they include your course link as a bonus for buying the book (the course might need a steep discount, depending on the full price), or maybe even a branded JV.

    Bottom line -- seek out people who already reach and influence your prospects, and make them an offer.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11302270].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dmrson
    I would intergrate as many of the affiliate networks as you can (clickbank, shareasale, jv, cj, etc), it means your listed on their sites and more potential affiliates will see your offer.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11302422].message }}
Avatar of Unregistered

Trending Topics