By reading Commission Junction's web site, it came to my mind that affiliate marketing could be implemented in the golf industry as well. For those who are not familiar with this marketing tool, here is a brief explanation:
Affiliate marketing is an online advertising channel in which advertisers (online merchants that sell products or services) pay publishers (independent parties that promote the products or services of an advertiser on their Web site) only for results, such as a visitor making a purchase or filling out a form, rather than paying simply to reach a particular audience. This "pay-for-performance" model is in essence the modern version of the "finders'-fee" model, where individuals who introduce new clients to a business are compensated. The difference in the case of affiliate marketing is that advertisers only pay their publishers when the new client introduction results in a sale or a lead, making it a low-risk, high-reward environment for both parties.
Affiliate marketing industry is expected to continue to grow at an annual rate of 13% between 2007 and 2012, where it’s expected to reach the $3.3 billion mark. At the same time, I see many examples how companies and brands are utilizing Social networking portals to boost their affiliate marketing programs. The simple reason behind it that it increases buzz, leading to increases in traffic and sales for affiliate marketers. And, affiliate marketers are capitalizing on it – using social networking communities by creating their own brand pages, groups and blogs around their products and services. This is especially challenging in light of the fact that average American spend at least 2-3 hours a day on Facebook.
Well, did you get excited? Next to co-branded credit cards, loyalty cards, affiliate program can help both golf equipment manufacturers and golf courses as well. As I expected, there are very few golf affiliate programs:
- GolfGods: www.golfgods.com – Commission 6-8%; Professional 3rd party tracking and stats by Commission Junction
- GolfDrivenAffiliates: www.golfdrivenaffiliates.com – Here if you do not have a website you can still utilize their services, but I think it is not relevant to golf courses/clubs.
- GolfNow.com – (a Golf Channel web site) operates an affiliate program for golf related web sites and blogs, but not for golf courses/clubs. 🙁 (https://www.golfnow.com/affiliate-program)
I could not find any affiliate marketing opportunity at leading golf portals like www.golfchannel.com or www.golflinks.com. This could be a new source of revenue for them as well.