What is Affiliate Marketing? A Guide for Kenyan Hustlers

First, utahitaji kutafuta products na services zenye wasee wanauza na unaweza sell – in Kenya or to international audiences. Then, utadescide unadai kuziuza wapi: a website, YouTube, TikTok, Insta?

And that’s just the start.

So, kwa this guide nitaexplain how to successfully do affiliate marketing in Kenya. We’ll look at:

• How affiliate marketing works

• Vile unaweza recognise affiliate marketing scams

• What you can sell as an affiliate marketer.

• Nani anaeza kua affiliate marketer.

• How to start affiliate marketing.

• Finding affiliate marketing programs in Kenya.

If you need more inspiration, join our community of 150,000 Kenyan hustlers. We’ve got experienced biz owners who offer the latest, honest advice in every situation.

But for now, let’s talk about how affiliate marketing actually works.

Affiliate marketing ni a way to make money online in Kenya by promoting other people's products or services online. Uki-sign up as an affiliate for a business, una-get a unique link or code yeneye ina-track any purchases made via your promotions. Unaeza earn acommission for each purchase.

Ushai skia an influencer, podcaster, or YouTuber say, “click the link in the description” or “type this URL for an exclusive discount”?

You’re following an affiliate marketer.

Popular influencers, creators, and websites in Kenya who do affiliate marketing include:

• Money254: The financial advice website earns a commission for every loan or similar product their readers purchase. They are negotiated directly with the providers.

• Steven Bartlett (Diary of a CEO): The popular podcast host recommends many lifestyle brands to his audience, earning a commission every time someone makes a purchase.

The world of affiliate marketing is full of scams promising you easy money. Don’t let scammers take your hard earned cash!

If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. If you are asked to pay money to become an affiliate marketer, it’s probably a scam. Never pay unless you have done good research.

Do you want to know how you can spot affiliate marketing scams? Check out this video by David Chege.

Ku-join the right affiliate programs is crucial to ensure your new biz succeeds.

Affiliate marketing programs aren’t common in Kenya, and international affiliate programs will have many rules and payment processes that complicate signing up from here.

So, unaeza follow these basic rules to start right from day 1:

• Read Lists of the Best Affiliate Programs: This list by Authority Hacker has lots of information about global affiliate programs in various niches.

• Research Popular Networks: Start with well-known affiliate networks like the Jumia Affiliate Program, which offers a variety of products suitable for the Kenyan market.

• Check Local and International Brands: Some local brands and many international companies offer affiliate programs. Check their websites for an “Affiliates” section or inquire directly.

• Join Affiliate Marketplaces: Platforms like ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and Impact provide access to multiple brands and products you can promote.

• Check Online Forums and Reviews: Learn from other affiliate marketers' experiences by joining forums and reading reviews about different programs. Authority Hacker and the r/Affiliatemarketing subreddit are good places to start.

Stick to Software: Software-focused affiliate programs will be easier to access because they're not impacted by your physical location, unlike affiliate programs for things like electronics. Keep reading for my experience recommending VPNs as an example.

Warning: There’s one problem with affiliate marketing in Kenya.

Most Kenyan businesses hu-ignore affiliate marketing as a promotional channel. So, you unaeza struggle ku-find local insurance companies or software providers offering affiliate commissions.

You’ll probably need to recommend international products and services to your audience.

But before signing up to international affiliate programs, make sure you can get paid via PayPal, Payoneer or another platform available in Kenya. Check the terms on their website or Google “[your affiliate program] PayPal” and the relevant text will display.

Mimi hu-work remotely, so natumia a lot of software, like a VPN. A VPN inanisaidia ku-hide my location and online activity. No one, including Safaricom, anaeza ona what I’m doing online. VPN yangu pia inanipea access to the internet anywhere in the world, so naeza watch Netflix shows za US zenye haziko available in Africa from Nairobi.

My favorite VPN inaitwa Surfshark.

Kubuy subscription ya Surfshark inani-cost up to KES 15,600 ($129.72) per year, na hua nai-recomend to all my friends. If any of my friends buy a Surfshark subscription, I get paid a 40% commission (~ KES 6,800 in 2024)

If 10 people sign up to Surfshark because of my recommendation, I earn 68,000 bob.

If 1,000 people sign up to Surfshark from my link, I earn 6,800,000 shillings. Crazy amount right?

Bonus tip: Business software products often pay recurring commissions to affiliates. Azn I get paid again and again every time my friends renew their Surfshark subscription.

Hii ina-create a steady stream of “passive income” every year. So, tunaeza sema I get paid in my sleep. It’s sweet.

Check out this list of recurring commission affil... for more examples.

Affiliate marketing ni fantastic coz you don’t have to handle the product ama ku-deal with customer service; job yako ni simply ku-connect wasee wanauza vitu na wasee wanadai kununua vitu. Ama kwa kilami people selling something with potential buyers.

Even better, kuna-massive “affiliate networks” that act as marketplaces connecting you with 100s or 1,000s of global companies selling products or services online. You can sign up once and apply to any affiliate program that takes your fancy.

However, you need to be careful. So, let’s look at common affiliate marketing scams in Kenya.

The world of affiliate marketing is full of scams promising you easy money. Don’t let scammers take your hard earned cash!

If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. If you are asked to pay money to become an affiliate marketer, it’s probably a scam. Never pay unless you have done good research.

Do you want to know how you can spot affiliate marketing scams? Check out this video by David Chege.

Wanaeza uza literally anything.

Okay, anything that can be bought online. Which, in 2024, is basically anything and everything.

Some popular examples:

• Digital Products: E-books, software, ma online courses, and digital art. Hizi items huwa na higher commission rates due to lower overhead costs.

• Physical Goods: Vitu kama clothing and beauty products to electronics, home appliances, and groceries.

• Subscriptions: Streaming platforms, software as a service (SaaS) products, and membership sites. Subscriptions pia inaeza provide recurring income as long as the customer remains subscribed.

• Travel and Experiences: Hotel bookings, tour packages, pia adventure experiences. Travel affiliates wanaeza earn by recommending destinations and travel services.

• Health and Fitness Programs: Workout programs, diet plans, supplements, and fitness apps. Hii niche ni hugely popular na it continues to grow.

• Financial Services: Insurance, loans, and investment products. Financial affiliates hu-earn substantial commissions juu ya the high value of the products.

• Event Tickets: Concerts, festivals, sports events, and theater shows. Promoting events is a dynamic way to engage with audiences interested in entertainment.

• Pet Products: Not just dog and cat supplies. Items for less common pets like reptiles and birds.

• Art: Help artists and creators reach wider audiences. Write about art and creativity and recommend unique pieces your audience can buy.

• Luxury: High ticket experiences, products, and services for the top 1%. Commissions are high, but the content needs to speak to a demanding audience with high standards.

Just remember to check that you can promote a product and get paid in Kenya before signing up and creating content. Otherwise, you might waste your time.

If you want to get started in affiliate marketing, you’ll need the following:

• A stable, fast internet connection

• A laptop and/or smartphone

• An audience or network

• Basic understanding of using media on the internet (like, uploading text nad video files)

Msee hahutaji special certifications ama fancy equipment. The ability to create content (writing, videos, etc.), connect na audience, and build trust is far more critical.

Unaeza fanya hii ikue your full-time gig ama do it as a side hustle.

Also, unaeza choose any of the following career paths:

• Social Media Influencer: Build a following to start making money on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube by promoting products in your posts, stories, or videos.

• Website Publisher: Create a website where you write about your favorite products. This can be a personal blog, a business website, a dedicated review site, or anything else that interests you.

• Email Marketer: Start a weekly newsletter and insert affiliate links to relevant products within your content, similar to a website.

• Podcaster: Mention products during your episodes and include affiliate links in your episode descriptions or podcast website.

• Educators and Course Creators: Offer online courses or workshops with recommended tools, books, or materials for your students.

The common thread?

Developing the skills to produce high-quality, engaging content that provides value to your audience. If you can build trust with your followers and recommend relevant products... you'll be rewarded.

So, you’re ready to become Kenya’s biggest affiliate marketing superstar?

Follow these four steps:

Find something that aligns with your interests, passions, and expertise. Hii itakusaidia by creating authentic content that resonates with your audience much easier. But make sure there’s an audience for your niche, too.

For example, kama uko into fitness, there are affiliate programs for workout apps, supplements, gym equipment, and more. If you're a tech enthusiast like Roy Kanyi, or Duncanzz unaeza focus on reviewing and comparing the latest smartphones, laptops, or other gadgets.

Both niches have big audiences in Kenya, Africa, and around the world.

Make sure there are products and services in your niche that have affiliate programs. There are a few main ways to discover programs:

• Search for "[Your Niche] affiliate programs" to find lists of opportunities

• Check if brands you already use and love offer an affiliate partnership

• Browse affiliate marketplaces like ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and Impact

• Sign up for affiliate networks like Jumia and Kilimall

Most affiliate programs will have an application and vetting process before approving you as a partner. Be prepared to share details on your platform, audience, and marketing plans.

Next, decide where you want to build your affiliate marketing business: social, website, WhatsApp, or somewhere else your friends hang out online.

Consider your strengths, resources, target audience behavior, and platform pros/cons carefully. If you’re comfortable on video and have good equipment, YouTube might be the most engaging option. But, if you don’t like being on video, a newsletter is a good place to start. The audience might be smaller in the beginning, but you can build a direct connection, too, because you’re not depending on a platform’s algorithms to get seen.

Once you’re established and making money, you can take a “multi-channel” approach, like a podcast that’s on Spotify and YouTube and includes a newsletter. This means you can connect with your audience and promote your affiliate products in numerous ways, depending on their preferences.

Don’t just sell!

Create high-quality, educational, and entertaining content that somehow improves your audiences’ lives or businesses. Publish regularly and experiment with different kinds of content, like:

• Product reviews and comparisons

• Tutorial guides and how-to videos

• Product use-case examples and solutions

• Case studies and personal stories

• Curated lists of recommendations

Quick tip:

To start afffiliate, you’ll still need equipment: a smartphone or laptop, backup power, and props.

If you need help buying your affiliate marketing tools, check out our guide to the best loan apps in Kenya to start a biz.

We also regularly post opportunities with partners like 0% interest loans on laptops and other devices.

No gimmicks. No hidden fees. And we’ll never harass you if you miss a payment.

This guide is just the beginning.

I’ve given you the blueprint to start your affiliate marketing – but now, it’s up to you. Take everything I’ve taught you here and get hustling.

Oh, and share your journey with the MESH community! We’re 165,000 Kenyan hustlers figuring out this biz thing in 2024. We’ve got the knowledge you need to succeed.

(BTW, it’s free to sign up)