I started Disabled Disney in January of 2019. I started this as a way to help people with disabilities see they can do these things and to show abled people the struggles of disabled people when traveling (so hopefully they can be educated about it and the struggles of disabled people). Along the way, I have discovered the joys of being an influencer (technically I am a micro-influencer) and affiliate marketing!
When I was first researching how to do all of this ...I kept reading...you need to do affiliate marketing and you need to pitch to brands. I was thinking "wow this seems overwhelming" and the first time I was told I was considered an "influencer" I was like but I don't influence. I educate! But that is what brands call us...bloggers, vloggers, Instagrammers.....it doesn't matter what your platform is...they call us influencers!
The first program I got into was being an affiliate partner with a travel agency. I thought it was a good fit for us! We loved using them and we continue to use them! I applied through their application and got that amazing congratulations email!!! So I started putting my link and promo code out on blogs, social media posts, and amazingly I started making the small commission we make from them. It wasn't a lot of money but it showed me that people found them through us!!!!
So I found another website for affiliate marketing that helps you apply to brands that is a marketplace. I have applied to a few brands and started posting links for them. I haven't made very much from them either.
I also applied to a few other brands and was turned down or ignored completely and that is ok! It wasn't the right time or fit.
The one resource I have made the most off of is Intellifluence! They have been amazing in getting me opportunities for making money off of affiliate marketing. Sometimes I also get paid in free items from the brands. These can seem like it's a waste of time, but the time you spend perfecting your techniques for photography, writing, and everything else you do to promote a brand or item is a positive in my opinion. Each is an opportunity to learn with this journey. If you want to get started with Intelliflunce use my link!
With Intellifluence you go on their marketplace and apply to the brands and offers listed. Some of them have requirements for certain domain authority, type of followers or numbers. But it will tell you. Then you tell them why you would be a good fit and wait to hear back! Sometimes you get approved and sometimes you don't. That's life! Overall I loved utilizing Intellifluence with being an "influencer". (I still use the quotes because I don't think of myself or us in that way!)
When you develop content for the brands you represent it does take time and effort. You have to decide what you are doing. Is it a photo, video or something else? Do you need to type out a description? Do you need to edit the photo, video or whatever? That all takes time.
Since influencer marketing has become so prevalent brands are developing strategies that include influencers! According to Oberlo's 10 Influencer Marketing Statistics the influencer marketing industry is set to hit $15 billion by 2022! They also state that 8 out of 10 consumers have purchased something after seeing it marketed by an influencer!
Say what you will about it just being people who are taking advantage of businesses or users, but influencer marketing is here and it will just explode! Especially with everyone being home due to COVID. People are on social media more than ever and ready to spend that money!
If you take away anything from this post, I hope it is that influencers take time to produce their content and posts. It may seem like they are just having fun (and yes it can be) but it is also a lot of work. If you are just getting started on your journey, don't be afraid, research, breathe, and go for it!
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