Understanding the different types of marketing is important when you’re trying to identify the best way to promote your business. Not only do you need a thorough understanding of your product and your target market, but also what these people want to see from you.

However, with so many marketing strategies available today, how do you know which one is right for your audience? To help you decide, read on to find out more about the differences between affiliate marketing and influencer marketing.

Why is it important to know the differences between the two types?

It can be easy to mix up affiliate marketing and influencer marketing since there is some crossover between the two. Both types of marketing are excellent ways to reach new audiences and expand the reach of your business, but they are different techniques and have varying strategies, so it’s important that you understand how they differ from each other.

What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is an online marketing strategy that allows businesses to promote their products and services through independent people or companies. The affiliates are rewarded with a commission based on the sales they generate. Affiliates can use a variety of methods to promote the products, such as blog posts, reviews, email campaigns, and social media posts.

What is influencer marketing?

Influencer marketing, meanwhile, focuses on utilising key leaders to drive a brand’s message to a larger market. Rather than marketing directly to their consumers, a business works with influencers who have a large following (e.g. on social media) and can drive their message to a more targeted audience. Influencers can range from celebrities to social media personalities, journalists, and bloggers. Influencers are usually paid via commission, gifted products or a flat rate fee, or even a combination of all three.

What are the main differences between affiliate marketing and influencer marketing?

The main differences between affiliate marketing and influencer marketing are:

• Affiliate marketing focuses on generating sales, while influencer marketing is focused on creating brand awareness and engagement. As such, affiliate marketing typically reaches a wider audience, while influencer marketing may not reach as many people.

• Affiliate marketing is generally conducted through tracking links and cookies, while influencer marketing typically involves creating sponsored content with influencers.

• Affiliate marketing involves paying an affiliate based on each sale that is made, while influencer marketing typically involves paying influencers a flat fee for their services.

• Affiliate marketing requires a long-term commitment to see results, while influencer marketing is often a short-term solution.

Which is better for you?

The best option for you depends largely on your business goals and whether you have a clear target market. If you have been able to establish a niche demographic, and you have found an influencer to work with whose audience matches this, then you would benefit much more from working with an influencer. Doing this means you will be able to build credibility with the influencer’s audience and over time are more likely to gain sales.

However, if you have a wider target market or haven’t been able to find the correct influencer to match your audience exactly, then opting for affiliate marketing may be the better option for you. Affiliate marketing gives you the chance to work with multiple people and continually put your product or services in front of new potential customers with each agreement.

Need help?

Working out what the best marketing strategy is for your specific circumstances can be difficult, especially if it’s something you are new to. Deciding between not just affiliate marketing and influencer marketing but also between the many other options for your business can be intimidating. So, if you have any questions about what the best choice for you is, make sure to get in touch with us at Adzooma.

Our experts will be able to help you to find the marketing option that suits your business the best, so if you’re struggling with advertising your services or products, simply fill out our contact form or sign up for one of our services today. Get ready to reach hundreds of new customers!