Let’s get practical: Affiliate Marketing During Coronavirus FAQ

Coronavirus news is everywhere. Living in the era of digital information is precious, but do you agree on that sometimes it doesn’t feel like bringing perks? There are definitely a lot of health issues we all should acknowledge and pay attention to, but panicking is not the best strategy.

Let’s start with numbers first.

According to Bloomberg, the coronavirus crisis could cost the global economy a massive $2.7 trillion. What portion of the assumed $2.7 trillion (in the most drastic case-scenario) will fall into affiliate marketing sector is yet to be seen, because as for now nobody is able to give not the exact, but even an estimation of how much the coronavirus outburst will cost the industry.

Luckily for the affiliate marketing industry, well-performing areas of traffic have already been observed thus giving advertisers a chance to keep their campaigns running and securing profits, even if a bit smaller than what we all expected at the beginning of 2020.

Is covid-19 affecting affiliate marketing?

Offers related to physical products are going to be affected, as there are going to be supply and fulfillment issues.

Lead generation offers might do better. However, remember that a lot of them get monetized from the advertiser through call centers which should be shutting down. The call centers could pivot to allow the agents to work from home.

The biggest impact will be on conversion rates. If people are losing their jobs or they are fearful of losing their jobs, then they’re going to hoard their funds.

But with every crisis, there is always opportunity.

1. Working from home is a trend for a whole year at least

2. Supplements and pharmaceuticals are on demand and will be most probably for a long run

3. Life insurance is something people are definitely people start considering

Will #stayhome movement bring marketers some advances?

Millions of people around the world ceased to leave their houses for everyday activities and stay home. It means online channels of communication, work, and entertainment are on fire, and it is obviously good for affiliate marketers. It gives our industry a unique chance (and many other businesses do not and cannot have) to grow despite the overall business decline and public madness.

Advertisers need to remember, though, that the situation is extremely dynamic and the digital sands are shifting unexpectedly. That is why constant vigilance and continuous monitoring of the market trends are recommended.

A good example here would be Facebook and the fact that although they’re experiencing through-the-roof traffic spikes, it does not bring direct profit. Have a look at their statistics talking about the countries worst affected by the coronavirus where:

• the total messaging with Facebook-owned apps rose up 50% over the last month,

voice and video calls have more than doubled on Messenger and WhatsApp.

And especially the Italy data where:

• people spend 70% more time using Facebook apps since the beginning of the crisis,

Instagram and Facebook Live views doubled in a week, time spent in the group calling increased by over 1,000% during the last month.

And especially the Italy data where:

• people spend 70% more time using Facebook apps since the beginning of the crisis,
• Instagram and Facebook Live views doubled in a week,
• time spent in the group calling increased by over 1,000% during the last month.

What types of offers are safe to run at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic?

Online services bring people joy and keep them busy these days, so here are the top offers categories for these turbulent times:

1.Antivirus and VPNs are rocking it right now. Given the rise in online entertainment traffic and spikes in Internet usage these seem to be an obvious demand. With most of our lives moved to online reality, app downloads are a great offer for promoting all kinds of offers: dating, gaming, sports, deliveries, news, communicators. Deliveries, Games, News, Health and Fitness, Communications, and Utilities.

2.Streaming offers, including mainstream VOD, gaming and adult cams are a sure-fire offer to try now. Anything related to self-development or work-from-home mode in the video form is also a good offer.

3.Online dating or simply adult content: having to stay home people are starting feeling lonely. Online dating websites are the hottest now.

4. run great at all times and seem to be stable even during such a turbulent time. They can be used to promote items most sought after at the moment like games, gift cards, adult content or home appliances and every-day use items.

5.Nutra offers, including health and self-protection offers, are sought after right now. Sanitizer, face masks, vitamins, supplements but also home-sports equipment. Anything to keep us healthy — both mentally and physically.

6.Online education offers. Some people are bored and just want to use this quarantine time effectively, some have lost jobs and are eager to learn new skills to get employed as soon as possible. So, online courses suit almost everyone.

7.Finance offers, including insurance and/or crypto offers, may be a good choice as well. With an unstable economy, people tend to look for safer solutions, want to take advantage of the momentary crisis or simply want to make a quick profit. 

8.Apps, apps and apps. With most of our lives moved to online reality, app downloads are a great offer for promoting all kinds of offers: dating, gaming, sports, deliveries, news, communicators. Deliveries, Games, News, Health and Fitness, Communications, and Utilities.

Wrapping it Up

Advertisers need to remember, though, that the situation is extremely dynamic and the digital sands are shifting unexpectedly. That is why constant vigilance and continuous monitoring of the market trends are recommended. Affiliate marketing in the age of coronavirus must be done the smart way — analyze, acknowledge, adapt!