In our last blog, we discussed how to start affiliate marketing in Kenya. Today, we get to the nitty-gritty of how to start affiliate marketing on Facebook.
Thanks to its Halo effect, businesses in Kenya, and beyond, use social commerce to develop customer trust. When influential people talk about a product or brand, consumers are more likely to purchase or engage with the brand.
In this article, we reflect on our commitment to enable the youth and women to create a sustainable income without prior investment fees. You will learn how to start affiliate marketing on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp as we explore social commerce in Kenya.
3 Steps to Start Affiliate Marketing on Facebook
84-95% of businesses in Africa use Facebook to promote and sell, 72-75% use WhatsApp, and 51-63% use Instagram. And because it offers a ready-to-engage audience, Facebook presents an exciting opportunity to start a business.
Before we dive into the steps to start an affiliate marketing business on Facebook, let me explain how the whole concept works.
- An affiliate marketer (you) shares an affiliate link on Facebook (or any other channel)
- A customer clicks on the links that take them to the product page on the retailer’s store
- The customer purchases the time
- The retailer pays the affiliate marketer their commission per sale
However, the key to making money through affiliate marketing is building an engaged target audience. It goes beyond your friends and family.
How do you make money through affiliate marketing on Facebook?
- Create your Facebook Page/Group
- Build and grow your audience
- Promote your affiliate links
Step 1: Creating your Facebook Page/Group
Creating a Facebook page or group allows you to build a dedicated community with like-minded people. Both Facebook Pages and groups are free to create and get started building your audience.
When building an audience, consider the niche you chose when you agreed to start affiliate marketing. We discussed this thoroughly in our blog post here.
Your niche determines the kind of people you attract to like your page or join your group. For instance, if you promote a skincare product, it would be ideal to create an audience interested in beauty products.
Did you know that in 2023, 66% of beauty products purchased online were done through social media only?
How to create a Facebook page or group
Open your Facebook personal account and navigate to the left sidebar. Click on pages.
Click on Create New Page to complete the setup
Save and personalize your page
Alternatively, you can also build an audience by creating a Facebook Group. You can your target audience to join your group.
Facebook Groups bring together people with similar interests and are therefore excellent for sharing educational content. Essentially, having a Facebook group allows you to build a strong community and communicate with your target customers.
Pro Tip: Facebook groups are a great channel for SEO.
Here is how to create a Facebook group:
Click on “Groups” from your left sidebar.
Customize and add a description to let people know what your group is about. You can also personalize your group with rules, and make it a private or public group.
Now that you have one or both of these powerful marketing platforms, what next?
Step 2: Build and Grow your Audience
Growing your Facebook page or group will take time, effort, and sometimes money if you like paid advertising. Your audience is where most of your customers, and referrals will come from.
When starting a Facebook page, it isn’t easy to get people to like or follow you for the sake of it. However, with time and proper tactics, you will have an audience that resonates with your product offering.
Below are five tactics to grow your Facebook audience:
- Paid Advertising
- Invite people to like and follow your page
- Produce high-quality, engaging, entertaining, and educational content
- Post when your fans or target audience is online
- Interact with your fans
Paid Advertising
Investing in targeted Facebook ads can significantly boost your page’s visibility and attract more likes and follows from users who are interested in your niche.
Invite People you Know
Don’t hesitate to personally invite friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else in your network to like and follow your page. These initial connections will help kickstart your page’s growth and reach.
Produce Quality Content
Focus on creating content that is both valuable and engaging to your target audience. Quality content will keep your followers coming back for more, whether it’s informative articles, entertaining videos, or insightful infographics.
Post Strategically
Pay attention to when your fans or target audience are most active on Facebook, and schedule your posts accordingly. This ensures maximum visibility and engagement for your content. You may use social media management tools like Buffer for strategic posting.
Interact with Your Fans
Actively engage with your followers by responding to comments, messages, and feedback. Encourage discussions, ask questions, and make your audience feel heard and appreciated. Building a strong rapport with your fans fosters loyalty and encourages them to stay engaged with your page.
By implementing these tactics consistently and adapting them to suit your audience’s preferences, you can effectively grow and nurture a thriving community on Facebook.
Step 3: Promote your affiliate link
The only way to make money from affiliate marketing is to make a sale by sharing and promoting your affiliate links. Facebook has a dedicated page stating the terms of affiliate content for creators.
a) Join Relevant Groups
Engage with niche-specific communities on Facebook where your target audience is active. Share valuable content and subtly introduce your affiliate links within the context of helpful discussions.
For instance, we encourage our users to join our Facebook Group to learn more about affiliate marketing on Slyzed.
b) Utilize Facebook Ads
Leverage Facebook’s advertising platform to target users who are most likely to be interested in your affiliate products. Craft compelling ad campaigns that highlight the benefits and features of the products you’re promoting.
c) Engage with Your Audience
Foster meaningful interactions with your followers by responding to comments, addressing their concerns, and actively participating in discussions related to your niche. Building trust and rapport with your audience is key to driving conversions.
d) Offer Desired Products
Identify the needs and preferences of your audience, and promote affiliate products that align with their interests. By providing value and catering to their specific needs, you’ll increase the likelihood of generating sales and earning commissions.
e) Use Affiliate Disclaimers
Always disclose your affiliate relationships transparently by including clear and conspicuous disclaimers in your posts. This not only ensures compliance with regulations but also maintains trust and credibility with your audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, affiliate marketing on Facebook offers a lucrative opportunity to monetize your online presence. By following the steps outlined—creating a Facebook Page or Group, diligently growing your audience, and strategically promoting your affiliate links—you can harness the power of social media to generate passive income. Remember, success in affiliate marketing requires patience, consistency, and a genuine commitment to providing value to your audience. With dedication and perseverance, you can turn your Facebook presence into a profitable affiliate marketing platform.