Untapped Affiliate Opportunities

Affiliate marketing is now changing the landscape of industry. As markets expand and diversify, there is always an equal and opposite effect and this is particularly apparent where electronic products are replacing tangible goods. Consumers are choosing to accept their products in different formats, such as electronic, digital products.  Internet downloads, whether legal or illegal, have had a detrimental effect on certain industries, and has led to the downfall of many companies in the last ten years.  The way we choose to purchase and consume products is changing, our lifestyles encourage us to demand more efficient ways of satisfying our requirements.  We want our products quicker, easier, cheaper, immediately.  There is a need for companies to keep abreast of changing trends, and company websites are essential in order that customers are provided with as much choice to satisfy their purchasing habits.  Not having a company website means that the company is unable to tap into every available opportunity to sell their products.  It is estimated that the internet is growing by a million pages a day; this means that consumers are hungry for information, particularly information delivered digitally.  Companies cannot expect to survive if they are unable to provide information on their offer in this format.  Some industries that have been adversely affected by the growth of the internet are;

• The book industry. There is a definite decline in tangible book sales and book shops are being made redundant as customers utilize 'cutting edge' technologies to access products of their choice. I was employed by a major book distributor in my local area six years ago.  This book wholesaler specializes in printed copy and boasts the ability to supply any book printed.  During my time with this company, tangible book sales were on the increase and human resources were unable to keep up with the consistent need to employ more staff.  Six years down the road, this book distributor has cut its workforce by almost a third, and driving past the warehouse, staff are seen milling around outside the large industrial warehouse, smoking, chatting and looking bored.  This was unseen five years ago, at all employees were stretched to keep up with workloads.
• The music industry.  The internet is the medium providing sources of illegal downloads, file-sharing, piracy and free subscription sites streaming music, such as Spotify, available free through subscription.  This is a possible alternative to illegal downloads.  Since 2000, album sales have decreased by 52% and CD sales fell by 11% between 2005 and 2006 and are likely to decline further.  Digital music revenue has increased 40%.  iTunes, now the dominant force in online retailing.   
• Film Industry.  For the first time this year, 2010, the issues being discussed at the Cannes Film Festival will include "How has the internet influenced the film industry"; research shows that independent film success is influenced by internet critics.  The internet provides its users with the opportunity of voice for anything and everything.  Widgets, widely available, can be added to personal sites and social networks, encouraging consumers to provide their opinions on films, critics, filmmakers and box office and independent films.  Cineaste Magazine set up a symposium to discuss "Film Criticism in the Age of the Internet : A Critical Symposium".  The resulting article is worth a read; it discusses whether blogger-critics can influence the industry" 
• Newspaper sales.  News is available in many formats nowadays, with the availability of hand-held gadget, computers, mobile phones and palm-top devices, news is available 24/7 and it is free.  Newspaper sales have declined and this had led to many newspaper companies laying off journalists due to the financial crisis.  News via the internet is constantly updated and the content is current.  In 2009, total revenues declined 16.6% and online revenues declined by 8%.  In order for news reports to occur, journalists are needed; the fact that workforces are being downsized could lead to less diverse and independent reporting.
• Travel industry.  The internet is the portal to travel information and consumers are now taking advantage of lower fares, personalized itineraries, excellent customer service and better security.  The online travel market continues to grow as agents have invested in state-of-the-art online store, with Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) now available to customers,  targeting both leisure and business consumers.  However, as airlines and hotel companies are advertising on travel websites, the consumer is perhaps not getting the best value offer, as travel companies promote those companies providing their websites with increased advertising spend.  Consumers are able to use the services of travel planners to ensure that they are being offered the best travel value.

Affiliates are able to take advantage of the way the internet is changing the face of business and altering industry trends.  Amazon provides a unique opportunity for affiliates to promote products and the portfolio is second to none.  As the book industry suffers from online sales, it is possible to conduct research to find the books that consumers seek online and sell via Amazon.  This also applies to the music and film industry.  These are all not-to-be-missed opportunities so get promoting and selling today.