2022 is here, and affiliate marketing is more popular than ever. As companies launch new initiatives, it’s crucial to examine emerging affiliate marketing trends in the new year to ensure success for your brand.
According to Statista, affiliate marketing spend in the US is projected to reach $8.2 billion in 2022, which is up by $5.4 billion compared to 2017. Retailers turned to ecommerce during the pandemic, therefore expanding possibilities for affiliate marketing as a whole. Even with constant changes in the digital atmosphere, the affiliate model will continue to grow and develop alongside the evolutions of the digital world.
Affiliate Marketing Trends for 2022
To run a successful affiliate program, it’s important to stay on top of emerging trends. Pay attention to these six trends to optimize your affiliate channel in 2022.
1. Artificial Intelligence is Evolving
Artificial intelligence (AI) deserves a lot of the credit for recent changes in the digital landscape. Marketers utilize AI to streamline conversion optimization, content creation, and customer engagements. Although there’s a variety of ways to incorporate AI, insightful data is a driving reason to get on board.
AI collects data in meaningful ways providing insight on consumer behavior and how brands should operate. By integrating artificial intelligence into your business model, employees save time and unlock results in a more efficient way.
Recommendations
Leverage different ways you can incorporate AI into your business strategy. Identify areas where AI can reduce workload, optimize conversions, and enhance customer engagements.
2. Consumers Will Expect More From You
Due to the accessibility of insightful data, the bar is high for affiliate marketers in 2022. Consumer attitudes have changed, and they now expect extremely personalized engagements from every brand. Creativity is at the forefront of business models as competition rises and brands need to stand out amongst the rest.
Use the data you’ve collected to create personalized campaigns based on demographics, geography, and user behavior. Implement seasonal and localized campaigns to speak to your niche and build long-lasting relationships.
Recommendations
Consider a technology partner like UpSellit. Through one-to-one personalization, UpSellit’s AI technology intelligently monitors shoppers’ behavior resulting in higher conversions, average order value, and new-to-file leads.
3. Partnerships are More Important Than Ever
With the growing expectations from consumers, utilize multiple partnerships to strengthen your affiliate strategy. Consider what resources you have to expand your network and identify where new partnerships can fit into your sales funnel.
Traditionally, affiliate publishers were known to drive traffic. UpSellit expands opportunities by engaging with users on-site, opening the door to optimize conversions and enhance customer experience through the power of AI and a managed partnership.
Recommendations
Analyze where you can fill in the gaps to ensure your buyer’s journey is complete from start to finish. Consider all types of affiliate partnerships from influencers to technology partners to ensure your bases are covered.
4. More Emphasis on Omni-Channel Experiences
Consumers are constantly in motion. Make your presence known across multiple channels to expand your reach. This doesn’t mean your brand needs to be active on every channel, however, you should be present on relevant social platforms so your brand is accessible past your website.
Recommendations
Engage with your target audience where they’re most active. Analyze your competitors, and keep an eye out for new communication channels to stay ahead of the game.
5. Influencers’ Popularity is Rising
Influencer marketing plays a large role in affiliate marketing and will continue to dominate the industry. Trust holds power in purchasing decisions. When influencers promote your product or service to their loyal audience, you’re automatically gaining credibility from their audience in return.
A major trend in 2022 is to partner with micro-influencers who have a smaller following within a specific niche. Their following is often more trusting compared to influencers with 10,000+ followers. Social media platforms support this trend by opening specific ecommerce features to all users, therefore allowing for more affiliate partnerships on a smaller scale.
Recommendations
Partner with micro-influencers that align with your niche and brand values. Monitor their engagements and reach so you can ensure it’s a worthwhile partnership and your brand will get the attention it deserves.
6. Video Content Will Continue to Command Attention
Social media has changed the way users interact online, and it’s more fast-paced than ever. Tik Tok and Instagram created a movement prioritizing videos over text. Providing value through video allows for a deeper, more personal connection with your audience.
A study by Wyzowl discovered 84% of people have been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a brand’s video. Consumers want to know what they’re purchasing, and videos communicate the value of a product in an engaging, informative way compared to text.
Recommendations
Utilize videos in your content marketing to support your brand identity, describe products, and educate your audience. Partner with influencers who will make videos themselves and promote your products in a unique way.
Adapting to Emerging Affiliate Marketing Trends
It’s important to align your data and shoppers’ behavior with these new affiliate marketing trends to make the best decisions for your brand. The digital age moves fast, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to keep up. Utilize your network to expand partnerships and integrate new technology to ensure this year is the best yet.
Partnering with UpSellit in 2022
Interested in adding UpSellit as your technology partner in 2022? Go live in less than two weeks. Email us at hello@upsellit.com or download UpSellit’s Advertise Purple Case Study to learn how UpSellit can help your affiliate program succeed.
