6 emerging affiliate marketing trends for 2021

 To be an affiliate in 2021 – what is essential and what are the perspectives?

Affiliate marketing is a major trend in 2021. And although it isn’t a novelty, the core concepts of the trade have evolved over the past few years. As consumer tastes and demands shift over time, affiliate marketers must learn to adapt to stay at the top of the game, and this is no different for iGaming affiliates.

Casinobee is one of the leading affiliate sites in the online casino industry, and here, Filip from the team shares some of his observations on the 6 biggest shifts in affiliate marketing that are happening in 2021. 

Technological advancements, evolving social connections, and uncertainty of regulations continue to impact marketers in 2021. Grasping the core concepts behind new affiliate marketing trends can help you prepare for the future. And here are the six trends that influence affiliate marketing strategies in 2021, according to Filip-

Localisation is more important than you think

It’s not just translation – localisation is also the process of understanding your audience’s culture, heritage, and lifestyle and moulding your marketing efforts around those boundaries. As brands begin to expand beyond international borders, identifying potential affiliate channels and partnering with trusted names becomes crucial.

The shift towards video content

Video content marketing is swiftly gaining prominence across affiliate marketing channels globally. According to Wyzowl’s Video Marketing Statistics, 84% of buyers claim to be influenced by a brand’s video while making a purchasing decision. YouTube influencers are a great example of this trend. Affiliate marketers can follow the lead and use explainer videos to educate customers about the products/services.

Focus on influencer marketing

Trust is a major factor in the purchasing process. Modern consumers prefer a non-intrusive marketing approach. Hence, educating and informing the audience works wonders in comparison to aggressive sales pushes. Teaming up with influencers with a loyal following can lend their credibility to your product. Find influencers within your niche who produce content related to your products for an instant connection with the viewers.

Mitigate uncertainty with diversification

With markets rapidly adapting to the changing situation in the world, the old adage of “never put all your eggs in one basket” is more true than ever. Always keep a lookout for brand new channels to reach your audience, so you will not be left behind when everyone moves over to the new hot thing. Diversify your communication channels, so you can capitalise on new channels while still reaching the existing ones.

Understanding the global regulatory landscape around iGaming

Briefly, the iGaming industry is fragmented when it comes to regulations. The rules for gambling affiliate websites vary according to your target market. And most of the regulated markets in Europe and America have strict rules around promotion.

While certain countries have inadequate laws around advertising online gambling services, several nations prohibit iGaming altogether. Affiliate marketers must keep these regulations in mind while promoting online casinos.

Several regulated markets have rules laid down for affiliate marketers. If you find yourself catering to the local crowd, it’s best to abide by the regional laws to avoid a confrontation later on.

Catching up with emerging markets

When it comes to online gambling in developed nations, the USA is the leader. The scope for affiliate marketing in the United States is a recurring topic at industry-level discussions. And several reasons justify the trend.

For Filip, scalability is a major question in the US, as every state has a set of unique regulations. Familiarising yourself with the nuances is tedious, and affiliate marketers must deal with every state like they would an individual country. In that sense, running an iGaming affiliate in the States is more complicated than in Europe.

Sub-Saharan Africa is next in line and shares several traits with the European market. For starters, apart from focusing on different countries, marketers must educate themselves on the minor nuances and cultural differences between each community even if they don’t fully understand each one individually.

That way, marketing in sub-Saharan Africa is just like running an affiliate channel in Europe. A one glove fits all approach simply won’t work here. And marketers must understand the local communities and tailor their approach for individual countries.

Conclusion

With the demand for online gaming increasing and the governments start to set more  regulations for it because of the pandemic, affiliate marketing has become an essential part of maintaining a good online presence. 

According to Filip from Casino Bee, 2021 has been a solid year for affiliate marketing in the iGaming industry. Following the new trends and not being left behind is the tricky part, but they also give you the opportunity to leap ahead of the competition.

Next up: Malta Week

Don’t miss out on amazing networking opportunities and exclusive industry insights at Malta Week. Four leading shows will bring the best of the business back-to-back to a first-class meeting point. Malta Week will consist of SiGMA, AIBC, Med-Tech World and AGS, each presenting the top developments of their focal industries.

The cross-collaboration of each brand makes Malta Week the number one destination for leading think-tanks of the gaming sector, emerging tech, digital health, and digital marketing. The middle of the Mediterranean is the perfect place for multi-faceted business deals and face-to-face conversations with leading affiliates, policymakers, and thought leaders.