Some Ridiculous Examples of Affiliate Marketing I Noticed Last Week

Why is everyone affiliate marketing these days?

Because it’s an awesome low-budget way to make cash online.

Are they doing it the right way?

I dunno.

But in this post I’ll show ya a few interesting examples of affiliate marketing I’ve noticed lately on television and social media.

It may surprise you who’s making a passive income while you hit your day job, coffee in hand — and how.

Note: Let me know in the comments if you have seen any other ridiculous ways to affiliate market because I’m sure I’ve missed a ton / have questions on how to start affiliate marketing / have any concerns at all!

Affiliate marketing on television

There are countless examples of huge companies that affiliate market to us on television, sometimes providing us with real value, other times not. This is besides the big dogs like Retail Me Not. I should note that I find all these interesting and they probably do this properly – meaning having clear disclosures and that sorta stuff – but also I’m annoyed.

Poker broadcasts advertising DraftKings.com: It’s not uncommon for The World Series of Poker to mention how we should sign up and draftkings.com to bet on Fantasy Sports. This isn’t affiliate marketing however – it’s the same as WSOP advertising beef jerky – because there’s no way to track whether we signup (tho I have, it’s super fun even when unprofitable). The tracking does come in tho if a coupon is advertised, where either the network or perhaps the poker company earns kickbacks. It’s cool, they show us awesome poker action, and the coupon probably gives a signup bonus, so why not.

Hotel review sites are seriously everywhere: From kayak.com to trivago.com, hotel review sites are seriously everywhere. Often times the smaller sites will just link you to a bigger review site, too! Just click on the book now links and watch as you’re redirected via tracking link and a redirection page. The review service here is awesome IMBO. It lets the review sites handle marketing, stats, customer reviews, web design and all that while the company itself can spend it’s time and money on great service.

Some big networks plugging VistaPrint: I don’t really know who stands to earn here but VistaPrint.com ads are seriously always on my TV with coupon codes too. I used VistaPrint for my the corny business cards that fueled my short-lived web dev business but really, can they please pick NEW CUSTOMERS to showcase?

Coupon codes are everywhere, why do I not see yours?! This last points is just to highlight how if you’re trying to grow as an affiliate marketer you should be getting exposure for your coupons. It’s a tough came in the SEO jungle but there are better ways to promote affiliate coupons…just ask!

Affiliate marketing on social media

And then of course, social media celebrities have figured out how to provide us with content while subtlety or not subtlety strategically (or not) affiliate marketing to us too. Here are those examples. Again let me know if you see more because I find it really cool!

Instagram models aff marketing? Soo bad: There is always this girl doing butt crunches on my Instagram wall. Seems err-ridiculous but you be the judge. Arrows show aff marketing and share stats I can only dream of.

My news channel of choice stealing HostGator referrals! Then here is PhilDefranco who does awesome short videos covering news on social media, the world, nature and other interesting categories in order to “Phil us in”. I was watching with my buddy the other day and we had to laugh when he dropped a HostGator pitch (and a 30% off coupon). I’d be curious so see how many referrals Phil gets considering we watch his video to get funny news and not usually while credit-card-ready to make a website, but I still hope it’s a lot.

Is Facebook a place for affiliate marketing? This is more just a general discussion question (I’d say NO) but there are always those friends who pitch Lyft.com coupon codes, gym discounts, and junk like that in order to get a kickback. Helpful? Yes, but we all know you just want that kickback.

Affiliate marketing for beginners

An affiliate marketing how-to video with 300 likes and only 4 dislikes? That’s right! (still got it, raise the roof, air first pump)

Enjoy! 🙂

Discussion stuff

Let me know on these questions to help out other readers…

a. Have seen other odd examples of affiliate marketing?
b. Are you curious how I or any other bloggers affiliate market?
c. Are you earning $1000/month or more thru affiliate marketing? (and want to drop of a hint)!

Thanks for reading!