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Everyone has something to sell. Asking for a raise? Convincing someone to exchange their book for a sweatshirt? Getting people to click on ads on your website? It’s all sales.
Sales are a fact of life. But how do you make those sales? What is the reasoning behind the pitches and the promotions? There’s a psychological angle to affiliate marketing, and all marketing in general, that may seem unintentional but is fully planned and deliberate. And the goal is to make a profit.
As intermediaries and not the actual merchants, affiliate marketers have to be especially creative in getting people to buy what they’re selling. If they can’t convince the customers to go to the merchants, they don’t make any money.
Fortunately, there are several psychological tactics you can use in your affiliate marketing endeavors. And these five tricks, if used properly, will be effective in boosting your sales as an affiliate marketer.
Psychological Tactics To Use In Affiliate Marketing
#1 Reciprocity
Reciprocity works based on the notion that, if you give someone something of value for free, people will be obliged to give you something in return. So, you give your visitors something of value at no cost whatsoever, and see them return to do business with you.
For example, you could advertise that customers will get the first newsletter in a series for free when they sign up for newsletters. The content on your site should give the customer an idea of what to expect in the newsletter, i.e. valuable information, which should entice them to sign up for the newsletter.
#2 Priming
The placement of your ads and the look and feel of your site can also have an effect on whether your visitors will click your links. By priming your customers with subconscious cues, you can increase the likelihood they will make a purchase.
Priming focuses on the use of associations, memory, and color to inspire action. We recommend you check out this informative article by Neurofied Brain & Behavior Academy on the subject to get started with this very powerful marketing tool.
#3 Scarcity
Scarcity is one of the oldest tricks in the book. There might not actually be a lack of a product or service in the market, but making it seem that way creates a sense of urgency, pushing customers to get the product or service before it runs out.
Limited-time offers are based on the concept of scarcity. A much sought-after product is sold at a huge discount for a limited time, customers feel that they must have that product, and they rush in to purchase it before the time is up.
#4 Authority
People have more faith in a product or service if a noted figure or authority in the product’s niche endorses it. Teachers, health practitioners, and celebrities are all authorities. Vetting your product or service by aligning it with an authority gives it a seal of approval that gives customers confidence and garners trust.
As an affiliate marketer, you can search the internet for articles, blog posts, or reviews or references to your product or service. You can then use this information to promote your product or service, increasing your chances of making a sale. You can also reach out to influencers who might be interested in promoting your product or service.
#5 Testimonials
People respond to stories of other people’s struggles, trials, and journeys, and how a particular product or service helped them to get back on track or achieve success. People are inspired by these stories to make a purchase if they can relate to the stories personally.
Make it a goal to collect testimonials, reviews, and comments about your product or service, and place them where visitors will see them — in your ads, in you blog posts, or even on a dedicated testimonials page on your website.
Conclusion
These five psychological tactics are used by marketers everywhere to drive sales and make profits. Always remember, affiliate marketing is a way to make a profit while giving customers value for their money. If used ethically, these psychological tactics are great for business bring satisfaction to you and your customers alike.