How to properly write articles for affiliate marketing campaigns?
I recently conducted a test that gave me a very interesting piece of information.
This test showed that many Amazon Associates struggle with one thing in particular – knowing what and how to write the content they know they need in order to publish something online with their affiliate links embedded.
They’d love to make money, they’re motivated, they work hard, they’re eager to get going but then they put their fingers on the keyboard and everything comes to a grinding halt.
It’s not just a bad case of writer’s block – it’s literally a case of not knowing what to write at all.
That’s a giant roadblock to success. If you can’t figure out what to write then moving forward is like slogging your way through a lake of molasses.
This article is going to remove all those roadblocks. I’ve put together a set of writing templates that you can use to format content that fits this strategy.
By trying different templates you’ll be able to mix up your work, try new things, test new strategies, and learn techniques that you can adapt to fit your personal style.
Each model provides an outline to follow, tips for completing the outline and suggestions for starting sentences for the opening and closing of your content – the lead off sentences. Those are like writing prompts to get your juices flowing when you start writing those sections. You still have to write the content for each section but following an outline will be much easier than starting from scratch.
Model One
When to use: Keywords where the product options are so wide that you couldn’t pick just a small number of items and be sure to present something for everyone.
Example keyword: black and white pillow cases
Challenge: The keyword has 110 searches a month, 7 pages on the first page of Google with a page rank of 0
If you’re shopping for black and white pillow cases to replace an old set, let me give you a few pointers I’ve learned over time.
- Buying new black and white pillow cases online can be a hassle if you’re trying to match prints but I’ve come across a few tricks I want to share.
- After a day browsing online, I’ve come up with some tips for anyone looking for new black and white pillow cases.
- The only way to find the right black and white pillow cases to match an existing sheet set is to make sure you have them handy so you can match prints.
Lead off sentence ideas for the Closing:
- With these tips in mind I’m sure you’ll have an easier time finding exactly what you need.
- Make sure to check out some of the deals I found. I don’t know how long they’ll last!
- Hoping you’ll get to save some time and find what you need more quickly with these shopping pointers.
- If these tips helped you find what you’re looking for I’d love to know. Leave a comment below!
Images and Affiliate Links
You can still link to a couple of example products in your content but also include text link to a search results page on Amazon showing a selection of products matching the keyword.
A search results page on Amazon is any page that shows a number of products – not the single product pages.
To link to a search results page click the “Link to this page” option in the Amazon Associates Site Stripe while on a search result page and copy the text link for that page.
You can use bold text, enlarge the font or make the link stand out by highlighting it in order to draw your reader’s attention to the link.
You can use phrases like these to bring attention to your text link:
- Click here to see the best selection on Amazon
- Finding color choices on Amazon can be a pain so follow this link to a special results page to speed up your search
- See the best deals on Amazon today on [your product niche]
Model Two
When to use: Keyword includes the word “best”
Example: best convection toaster oven
Challenge: The keyword has 480 searches a month, 6 pages on the first page of Google with a page rank of 0,
Instructions
- Find 3 great products on Amazon that would meet the meaning in the keyword.
- Compare the 3 products and note their differences. Are they different sizes, prices, come with different features, handle different tasks? Come up with 3 differences.
- Write the opening using your keyword in the first sentence or two.
- Write a paragraph about product #1 and explain what makes it stand out from the other two. When is this product the best choice?
- Write a paragraph about product #2 and explain what makes it stand out from the other two. When is this product the best choice?
- Write a paragraph about product #3 and explain what makes it stand out from the other two. When is this product the best choice?
- Write a closing paragraph
Lead off sentence ideas for the Opening:
- The best convection toaster oven for you might not be the one everyone else is buying. Circumstances and needs are different person to person.
- Let me save you some time and show you which I think are the best convection toaster oven choices on the market today and why.
- After some initial research I’ve found the three best convection toaster ovens and some great bargains in the process.
- Choosing between so many options to find the best convection toaster oven can be confusing but I’ve narrowed it down to these three for some very specific reasons.
Lead off sentence ideas for the Closing:
- Take a look at the products I outlined above and I’m sure you’ll find one that perfectly fits your needs.
- If you’re buying one of these as a present for a loved one this Christmas make sure to check out the low price option noted above. It’s a great deal and highly rated, too!
- I included links above to the lowest priced listings I found for each item on Amazon. If you follow those links it will lead you straight to those pages so you won’t have to hunt around for them.
- Having my own [product] has been a real timesaver and I’m glad I finally got one. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way!
Images and Affiliate Links
Insert a text and image link for each product.
Model Three
When to use: Keyword describes a product for which there are limited choices and not much difference between the 3
Example: bunny slippers for women
Challenge: The keyword has 590 searches a month, 6 pages on the first page of Google with a page rank of 0
Instructions
- Come up with 3 reasons the searcher might want this product
- Write the opening using your keyword in the first sentence or two
- Show all 3 product choices at once with image and text links
- Write a paragraph about reason #1
- Write a paragraph about reason #2
- Write a paragraph about reason #3
- Write a closing paragraph
Lead off sentence ideas for the Opening:
- I’m not embarrassed to say I own the coolest pair of bunny slippers for women. I don’t go wearing them in public but I’m not ashamed to say I have them.
- I finally found a great pair of bunny slippers for women that I’m thinking of getting for my sister.
- There are only 3 color options for bunny slippers for women but I think the best are the ones that have extra cushion.
- Just had to share these adorable bunny slippers for women. I never had a pair myself but it is that time of year again where I need to find something for the colder months and my kids would get a kick out me wearing these.
Lead off sentence ideas for the Closing:
- There might not be many to choose from but it’s still nice to know your options before you buy.
- The one thing I’d consider when choosing between these slippers is whether or not you prefer white (which might show all the dirt) or pink.
- Don’t miss the specials I marked above – I made sure to find the ones that had the best prices.
- You might have hoped to find there were other options and if you find one let me know but so far this seems to be the best selection.
Images and Affiliate Links
Instead of mixing your three products in so there’s one with each subsection just present the selection towards the top of the post with image and text links under your opening content. If there are limited choices you might as well show them all at once so people can choose.
Model Four
When to use: Keyword includes the word “ideas” in the phrase
Example: dining room table centerpiece ideas
Challenge: The keyword has 320 searches a month, 6 pages on the first page of Google with a page rank of 0,
Pinterest boards do rank very well for many of these phrases, though, and since that’s part of our strategy there’s a way to use it to our advantage.
We could do multiple posts on the subject by finding closely related keywords that each fit the desired criteria and mixing in more than one post on the same Pinterest board. That would give us multiple text images we could use on the board to get a visitor’s attention and more posts showing our affiliate links on Blogger blogs.
Since it’s hard to tell exactly what someone is looking for when they want “ideas” attacking the phrase from multiple angles is a good idea. It also helps to add in a couple of links to search results pages on Amazon as mentioned in Model One.
Instructions
- Come up with 3 different categories or options for the product. There must be 3 different colors, sizes, or purposes that people might have in mind for these products. If it’s party ideas the different categories could be age groups: teens, kids, adults. If it’s centerpiece ideas the different categories could be sizes: small, medium, large. If it’s floral vase ideas the categories could be: glass, china, ceramic.
- Write the opening using your keyword in the first sentence or two
- Write a paragraph about idea #1
- Write a paragraph about reason #2
- Write a paragraph about reason #3
- Write a closing paragraph
Lead off sentence ideas for the Opening:
- Need some great dining room centerpiece ideas? I’ve come across some beautiful options in a variety of sizes.
- My mother and I put together a list of great dining room centerpiece ideas for a friend who just moved into her new home.
- I think these dining room centerpiece ideas have something for everyone.
- Struggling to find the best dining room centerpiece ideas for your new table?
Lead off sentence ideas for the Closing:
- It always helps me to choose when I at least settle on a couple of points first – maybe the size or color of the centerpiece – and then I can just focus on a smaller selection and make my decision more quickly.
- Hope you found a few wonderful ideas to help you choose the perfect centerpiece for your table.
- Take a look at some of the pages linked to above and I’m sure you’ll find something that sparks further ideas and helps you find the best centerpiece.
- Sometimes I’ll print out the ideas I find online so I can prop them up on my table and see how they’ll look. You might try the same with the items I pointed out above.
Images and Affiliate Links
Include an image and text link for each of the three ideas noted in the subsections. In addition, include a text link in each subsection that links to a search results page on Amazon that shows a broader selection of products matching the category described by that subsection.
To keep these models from becoming stale rewrite some of the pre-formatted sentences in your own words, use synonyms to change up the phrases, and start to develop a list of your own lead off sentences you can refer to regularly for the opening and closing sections of your content.
Soon you’ll be writing off the top of your head as soon as you have a keyword to target.
When you’re ready to take your Afiiliate commissions to the next level you might be interested in more advanced strategies.
Use Your Own Words – Despite all of Google’s algorithm changes, keywords are still extremely important. They help you shape content that resonates with your reader and attracts your target audience.
However, figuring out what to do with all the keywords you find when building a single site can be consuming.
Promote on Social Media– Facebook presents mind-boggling potential for affiliate marketers. You can target an audience without ever having to worry about Google, backlinks, or keywords. Or – couple Facebook with an existing site and have multiple traffic sources and methods for promoting your affiliate links.
Build Backlinks – The safest way to acquire natural backlinks in accordance with Google’s Quality Guidelines. You’ll open new traffic sources as well as improve your rankings in Google without risking a penalty for unnatural links. It’s easier than you think and my time-saving tools and tips will boost your performance.
