Affiliate Marketing vs Influencer Marketing: Here’s What You Need to Know
Wondering, What is the difference between affiliate marketing and influencer marketing? Then you’re in the right place!
As a multiple six-figure earner from affiliate marketing and a travel blogging influencer, I’m going to break it down for you in this article. By the end, you’ll have all the Affiliate Marketing vs Influencer Marketing answers you need.
I made $333,619 from affiliate marketing alone in 2023 🤯 What’s even better? YOU can have success like that, too.
In this post, I’ll cover what influencer marketing is and how influencer marketing works, the basics of how affiliate marketing works, why use affiliate marketing programs, and the differences and similarities of each.
The pros and cons section and a quick start guide will help you decide between affiliate vs influencer marketing strategies for yourself.
What is influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing involves brands partnering with prominent online figures to promote products, leveraging their influence to drive brand engagement.
But before we go deeper into influencer marketing, let’s dive into what an influencer is.
Basically, an influencer 🤳🏻 is a person who has built an engaged and enthusiastic online following in a specific niche.
Influencers have reputations for being experts in their field (i.e., for having influence). They may answer people’s questions, create engaging social media posts, film hilarious videos, and/or hold vibrant online discussions.
🤔 So, how does marketing come into play?
Influencers can leverage the power of their position, knowledge, and relationship with their following to impact their audience’s purchasing decisions.
While influencer marketing predominantly occurs on social media, it shouldn’t be confused with general 📲 social media marketing.
It specifically involves companies partnering with these influencers to amplify brand visibility, increase brand awareness, and foster engagement.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a strategy where individuals earn commissions by promoting and driving sales for other companies’ products or services.
Have you ever recommended a product or service to a friend?
If so, you’re already halfway to becoming an affiliate marketer. All that lacks is getting a commission for the sales you help generate.
The most common form of affiliate marketing is when businesses pay affiliate partners a commission from a referral program to help them make sales. These sales are tracked through unique trackable links, called affiliate links.
Other companies reward affiliates for leads, app downloads, clicks, and free-trial users.
Unlike successful influencer marketing, you don’t necessarily need a big following. For example, making affiliate sales with a relatively new website is possible — All you need is the right kind of traffic.
So, what can affiliate marketing be used for? Making money 🤑
In fact, affiliate marketing is how I have made the bulk of my income as a multiple six-figure travel blogger. It’s one of the best ways to make money with a travel blog.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
How is affiliate marketing different from influencer marketing?
Affiliate marketing and influencer marketing are two popular online promotion strategies, each with its unique approach and purpose. While they share some similarities, several key differences set them apart in digital marketing.
1. Purpose
Influencer marketing primarily aims to boost brand awareness, using the influencer’s big and engaged audience. However, influencers often work with brands in various ways, including affiliate marketing.
Influencer affiliate marketing examples include affiliate marketing on social media, where brand partnerships enhance brand visibility while rewarding influencers with a commission on sales.
On the flip side, affiliate marketing aims to drive sales. Traditional affiliate marketing doesn’t require a big following or a visible online persona.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
2. Identity/Branding
When it comes to influencer marketing, it’s all about the personal touch. Influencers often put themselves front and center, sharing snaps, stories, and slices of their life.
Their face becomes their brand, and their followers feel like they’re connecting with a friend. It’s this personal connection that gives influencers their unique edge in promoting products or services.
However, affiliate marketing can be a bit more behind-the-scenes. In fact, you don’t even need to show your face to earn money with affiliate marketing.
For affiliates, it’s not about building a personal brand; it’s about sharing valuable info and getting those affiliate clicks.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
3. Audience Type
Influencer marketing thrives on trust and personal connection. When influencers recommend a product, their followers listen because they feel like they “know” the influencer.
They’ve seen their daily routines, their ups and downs, their personal stories. It’s almost like getting advice from a friend. The bond is personal.
Affiliate marketing, on the other hand, operates on a different level of trust. People might not know the face or story behind an affiliate link, but they click because they trust the information provided.
Maybe it’s a well-researched article, a thorough review, or a helpful guide. The connection is less about personal bonding and more about the value of the content.
⭐️ Affiliate marketing campaigns create trust built on expertise and information, not personal rapport.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
4. Platform
According to Awin, 65% of affiliate marketers use blogs to generate traffic.
Although influencers may have blogs, they usually prioritize social media engagement. Influencers often hang out on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
5. Company Collaboration
When it comes to affiliate marketing, it’s often a hands-off relationship between the affiliate and the company. Once they sign up and get unique referral links, they’re on their own.
Sure, there are rules to play by, but companies aren’t usually checking in daily. Affiliates can weave those products into their content as it suits them.
Contrast that with influencer marketing campaigns. Here, it’s more of a two-way street. Brands don’t just hand over products and hope for the best. They collaborate, brainstorm, and plan with influencers.
Whether it’s a product launch or a promotional campaign, there’s often a lot of back-and-forth. It’s about aligning the brand’s vision with the influencer’s unique voice.
The relationship is deeper, with both parties working together to create content that resonates.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
6. Traffic Sources
Influencers have a built-in audience. Their followers, whether on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or any other platform, eagerly await their next post or story.
This direct, often daily engagement provides brands an instant channel to a captive audience. It’s about leveraging existing relationships and trust.
Affiliate marketers, in contrast, can’t always bank on a ready audience.
They typically rely on people finding them, often through search engines. So, their strategy leans heavily on SEO (which stands for search engine optimization).
They craft content to be discoverable. For them, visibility is often earned through search rankings, not followers.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
7. Measuring Return on Investment
Measuring the return on investment with affiliates is easier because they don’t get paid unless they’ve generated a sale. Affiliates often get tracking data, like the average order value.
Influencer marketing is more challenging to measure because it’s primarily concerned with generating brand awareness.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
How is affiliate marketing and influencer marketing similar?
Both influencer and affiliate marketing thrive in the digital realm. They’re modern avenues of online marketing tailored to today’s internet-savvy consumers.
At their core, they’re about forming partnerships. Whether it’s an influencer collaborating on a brand campaign or an affiliate promoting specific products, the goal is to spark interest, be it for brand awareness or direct sales.
A key strength of both approaches is their ability to target audiences. They’re not just shouting into the void; they’re speaking directly to people who care about what they’re promoting.
And, of course, both influencers and affiliates get paid for their efforts 💰. It’s a win-win, really. Many companies should invest in both strategies, maximizing their online reach and impact.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Should You Become an Influencer or Affiliate Marketer?
So, which one wins out for you in the affiliate marketing vs social media marketing battle? It should come down to what you like to do, your talents, and your goals.
✅ for influencers
Do you have a large following on social media? (Or, are you willing to invest time and effort to build one?)
Do you enjoy engaging with people, creating great content, and being in the spotlight?
If so, influencer marketing could be a perfect fit.
✅ for affiliates
Are you primarily focused on blogging and want to monetize your website?
Do you enjoy SEO and drawing organic traffic?
Are you willing to put in time and effort over the long haul? (As they say, “blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.)
If so, affiliate marketing is a great choice.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Influencer Marketing or Affiliate Marketing?
Let’s look at the top affiliate marketing influencers pros and cons. Next, we’ll dive into how to get started with affiliate promotion and/or influencer marketing.
Influencer Marketing Pros and Cons
🏆 Pros of Influencer Marketing
Being an influencer means you get to monetize 💰 what you love. Whether it’s fashion, tech, or travel, you’re getting paid to share your passions.
Plus, let’s not forget the perks! Brands often shower influencers with freebies, from the latest gadgets to luxury getaways. It’s not just about the money; it’s about experiencing the best of what brands offer.
👎🏻 Cons of Influencer Marketing
Starting out, the climb to influencer status can feel steep. Growing that follower count takes consistency, creativity, and many posts.
And even when you’ve got the followers, it doesn’t always mean instant cash. Brands might be hesitant to invest in newer influencers, or they might play hardball during negotiations.
Not to mention, the influencer world is competitive. Standing out and securing those brand deals requires strategy, persistence, and sometimes a little luck.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons
🏆 Pros of affiliate Marketing
One of the benefits of affiliate marketing is that it is a form of passive income.
Although it takes work to set up, you can continue making sales from affiliate links long after you’ve published them on your blog.
There’s no cap on how much you can make on affiliate income. Personally, I’ve made hundreds of thousands of dollars 🤑 from affiliate marketing (and you can too).
Another pro of affiliate marketing is that it is easy to get started. Once you have a working blog, you can join an affiliate program or two.
You can also promote multiple brands within your niche, increasing your chances for a livable income.
Lastly, you don’t have to be an expert to get started — you can learn as you go or take a course if you need extra help.
👎🏻 Cons of affiliate Marketing
The main disadvantage of affiliate marketing is that it takes time to generate traffic and the corresponding commissions. It could take 6 months to a year to start earning anything.
Since you are only paid when a lead buys a product or service from your affiliate link, there is no guarantee you’ll make money.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Getting Started with Affiliate Marketing
Want to know how to start affiliate marketing? Follow these steps to get started as an affiliate marketer:
- Choose a platform and niche for your blog
- Build an audience through SEO content
- Sign up for an affiliate program or two
- Choose products to promote on your site
- Create top-notch content that promotes your affiliate links
- Optimize and track your progress
- Get paid. Woo hoo 💸
I made $333,619 from affiliate marketing alone in 2023 🤯 What’s even better? YOU can have success like that, too.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Getting Started with Influencer Marketing
Follow these steps to get started as an influencer marketer. They’ll help you with how to do affiliate marketing on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and/or other social media platforms.
- Identify your “Secret Sauce” niche
- Decide which platform to focus on
- Create amazing, engaging content
- Interact with your audience
- Power-up with hashtags
- Post consistently
- Do collaborations with other influencers
- Put together a media kit
- Host Ask Me Anything chats (AMAs), contests, and giveaways
- Reply to your fans
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Affiliate Marketing vs Influencer Marketing: FAQs
Do influencers use affiliate marketing?
Yes — Affiliate marketing for influencers is possible. As long as a brand’s affiliate guidelines allow it, they can share affiliate links through various spheres of influence, including social media and blogs.
Just remember to be transparent about which links are affiliate links and what you get if someone clicks on the link and buys something.
In fact, under most circumstance, it’s illegal if you don’t disclose that a link is an affiliate link — so don’t risk not disclosing your aff links.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Is an influencer and affiliate the same?
No — Influencer vs affiliate marketing is not the same. Although both are online digital marketing strategies, they have different key performance indicators, or KPIs.
With influencer marketing, the primary goal is to increase brand exposure and brand engagement and generate website traffic to a brand.
Affiliate marketing, on the other hand, is usually meant to drive direct sales.
Influencers and affiliates are also compensated differently. Usually, influencers are paid a flat rate, while affiliates are paid commissions after making a sale.
⭐️ Influencers and affiliates can have overlapping roles.
Influencers can use affiliate marketing, and affiliates who gain a significant following or authority in their niche can become influencers.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Can you do affiliate marketing without being an influencer?
Yes — You can do affiliate marketing without being an influencer. You don’t need a massive following or social media presence to run a successful affiliate marketing campaign.
For example, you could have a relatively small blog in the travel niche and still make money from affiliate commissions.
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Can you make money on affiliate marketing without showing your face?
Yes — Many affiliate marketers earn money without ever showing their face. They create content, such as blog posts, reviews, or even anonymous social media accounts that drive traffic to their affiliate links.
The focus in affiliate marketing is typically on the product or service being promoted, not on the individual doing the promotion.
As long as the content is valuable and effectively encourages sales, personal visibility is not a necessity.
If you don’t want to use your name and face, I suggest creating an online persona or avatar to stand in for you. Think of this as your version of the GEICO gecko 🦎
Affiliate marketing vs influencer marketing
Is affiliate marketing worth the hype?
As a six-figure travel blogger who has made a ton of moola from affiliate commissions, I absolutely think affiliate marketing is worth the hype.
It is relatively easy to add an affiliate marketing strategy to your blog, as it’s low-risk and it’s scalable.
Sure, it takes time and effort, and there are no guarantees you’ll make money affiliate marketing, but that’s true of most things that are worth doing!
Final Thoughts: Affiliate Marketing vs Influencer Marketing
Both affiliate marketing and influencer marketing are lucrative online avenues to explore if you want to collaborate with brands and earn.
You might be weighing the benefits of starting an affiliate marketing blog vs website. Both can be rewarding, depending on your content strategy and audience engagement.
As you delve deeper, especially into influencer marketing, you must learn how to find influencers for affiliate marketing.
Networking and aligning with the right influencers can amplify your efforts, especially if you tap into platforms with robust IG affiliate programs.
While the goals, methods, and platforms may differ, both roads can lead to success. Whether you lean towards affiliate or influencer marketing hinges on your aspirations and skills.
If you’re inspired by my success in affiliate marketing, there’s no better time than now to start your journey.
I’ve achieved a lot of success as an affiliate marketer, and I’ll teach you everything I know about affiliate marketing so you get started the right way (and avoid all the foolish mistakes I made 🤦♀️).