Reading serves various purposes for individuals, catering to both entertainment and academic needs. Parents also pass down the tradition of reading to their children, just as it was once done for them. The enduring truth is that the written word maintains immense significance globally.
Given this, it’s no wonder that the book industry boasts an impressive annual value of $119 billion.
However, creating a profitable affiliate website solely focused on books can present challenges. Yet, by adopting an Authority Hacker approach, you can uncover strategic avenues to address this matter. The key lies in selecting a variety of book affiliate programs to endorse, which can pave the way for success.
Top Book Affiliate Programs
1.Barnes & Noble
Another contender in the digital reading revolution that managed to adapt is Barnes & Noble. Their response was the Nook e-reader, a direct competitor to the Kindle.
However, Barnes & Noble didn’t just focus on the digital realm; they’ve maintained a strong presence in the analog book business. In fact, they proudly claim the title of the #1 bookseller in the United States, boasting an inventory of 1 million titles at any given time. Their success is also attributed to their offering of not only novels and children’s books but also textbooks for students.
Despite the prevailing notion, there’s still a robust market for printed books.
While the commission Barnes & Noble offers for referring new customers might not be enough to make you wealthy (they pay a 2% affiliate commission), their Earnings Per Click (EPC) is far from extraordinary. However, a couple of factors tip the scale in their favor:
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- Brand recognition – Their name carries weight, making promotion relatively easy.
- Positive ‘Network’ Earnings score – This indicates that their affiliates are indeed making money.
In summary, promoting Barnes & Noble through their affiliate program is worth considering, but it might not be the only program you want to focus on exclusively.
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- Commission: 2%
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- EPC: $4.77
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- Cookie duration: 1 day
2. Bigger Books
Bigger Books had established itself as a prominent e-tailer of both new and used college textbooks since 2001.
In 2014, they took a significant step by introducing a textbook rental option. This move was prompted by the fact that many students were struggling to afford the required textbooks for their upcoming semesters.
In addition to textbook rentals, Bigger Books also offers a comprehensive collection of eTextbooks, providing students with the convenience of digital reading materials and alleviating the burden of carrying heavy physical books.
Furthermore, Bigger Books provides an option for students to sell their used textbooks, which can help offset the initial investment in purchasing these materials.
The affiliate marketing program associated with Bigger Books offers an enticing 5.5% commission on all textbook sales and rentals. On average, affiliates can expect a payout of around $4.98 per transaction.
Highlighted by their impressive ‘Power Rank’ score and Earnings Per Click (EPC), it’s evident that many affiliates are successfully earning income through this program.
Additionally, the remarkable 18% conversion rate adds another appealing dimension to Bigger Books’ affiliate offering.
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- Commission: Up to 6.5%
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- EPC: $90.42
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- Cookie duration: 30 days
3. Thrift Books
Around a decade ago, I developed a strong affinity for purchasing used books, especially after accomplishing a significant goal on my bucket list: dedicating a year to reading. The allure of used books stemmed from the fact that I could acquire an entire box of books for the same price as a single new hardcover novel.
Regrettably, I hadn’t yet discovered ThriftBooks during that period, even though they have since evolved into the largest online retailer of used books in the United States.
As of my last update, ThriftBooks boasts a staggering inventory of 7 million books. This collection spans a diverse range, encompassing everything from beloved children’s classics to the latest gripping fiction releases. Additionally, the catalog features rare and collectible items that cater to a wide spectrum of literary interests.
Curious about how to position the sale of used books to your audience? Consider emphasizing the eco-friendly aspect by highlighting that reading previously-owned books contributes to reducing one’s carbon footprint – a factual point.
For affiliates, ThriftBooks extends a 5% commission for each purchase made by your site visitors. However, the incentive increases to an 8% share if your referrals generate over $10,000 in sales per month.
The approach of offering a tiered commission structure for top-performing affiliates is commendable, as it encourages others to strive towards reaching the next level of achievement.
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- Commission: 5%
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- EPC: $21.85
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- Cookie duration: 7 days
4. Second Sale
Upon arriving at the homepage of Second Sale, a used book specialist, a couple of noteworthy elements immediately caught my attention:
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- Their header design is among the most unattractive I’ve encountered in years.
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- They proudly boast an inventory of over 10 million used books.
However, it’s important to remember that appearances can be deceiving, as I’ll explain in just a moment.
Second Sale offers books to your audience at prices as low as $3.78, catering to budget-conscious readers. Additionally, they are equally enthusiastic about purchasing used books from your visitors or anyone else looking to sell. Furthermore, they sweeten the deal by providing free standard shipping for nearly every book in their extensive inventory.
While criticism might be directed towards their less-than-appealing header design, it’s remarkable that this aspect doesn’t seem to deter customers. In fact, Second Sale achieves an extraordinary conversion rate of over 30% from their traffic into affiliate sales. For context, this is an exceptionally high rate and speaks volumes about the satisfaction of both new and returning customers.
Ultimately, the customer experience and contentment take precedence over minor design flaws.
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- Commission: 5%
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- EPC: $81.03
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- Cookie duration: 90 days
5. Calendar Club
Absolutely, I’m aware that it’s called Calendar Club, but don’t be fooled by the name alone.
Calendar Club offers much more than just calendars. In fact, they serve as a family-oriented bookstore, catering to both entertainment and education needs for children. However, they also provide a variety of lifestyle and motivational books aimed at adults.
Their book selection is thoughtfully categorized, allowing customers to choose from specific authors, bedtime books, or even the genre they’re interested in—ranging from humor and sports to travel and entertainment.
One impressive aspect is their dual presence with both US and UK stores, making them versatile for either regional or international audiences.
In terms of the affiliate program, you’ll earn a 5% commission on all book sales. Moreover, any incidental purchases of calendars will get you a higher 10% commission. It’s worth mentioning that they extend a generous 45-day cookie duration, which significantly exceeds the industry standard of a 7-day cookie window.
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- Commission: Up to 10%
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- EPC: $26.81
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- Cookie duration: 45 days
6. Eagle Saver
Eagle Saver isn’t focused on selling products; their main interest lies in buying from you. They’re ready to purchase your used books, CDs, DVDs, and games, offering cash in return. Whether you have a single book or multiple copies of the same title, they’ve got you covered—there’s even a special “bulk checkout” option for the latter.
Payment is quick, with funds deposited in your PayPal or checking account just 24 hours after Eagle Saver receives your items. Worried about shipping costs? They’ve got that covered too—select either FedEx or UPS, and they’ll foot the shipping bill.
While the website might appear a bit outdated, their affiliate program is thriving. With a remarkable 28% conversion rate, a 5% commission, and a generous 45-day cookie window, their affiliates are enjoying substantial benefits. It’s hard to ask for much more from an affiliate program, except perhaps getting paid for doing absolutely nothing, though that’s highly unlikely!
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- Commission: 5%
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- EPC: $78.70
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- Cookie duration: 45 days
7. Vital Source
When it comes to college course materials, you have choices: you could amass a pile of traditional paper textbooks, or you could opt for a greener alternative by purchasing eTextbook versions from Vital Source.
The expense of acquiring textbooks can lead some students to forgo them, impacting their academic performance. Vital Source offers a solution by allowing students to select the exact eTextbooks they need at discounts of up to 80% off regular prices.
This affordability is made possible due to Vital Source’s partnerships with 7,000 educational institutions, 500 stores, and 1,000 publishers. These collaborations enable them to negotiate better prices on behalf of students worldwide.
To make the most of this offer, your audience should primarily consist of students. If that’s the case, you can earn a 3% commission for every customer you refer to Vital Source. You have a 30-day window for turning an interested visitor into a paying lead.
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- Commission: 3%
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- EPC: $53.28
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- Cookie duration: 30 days
8. Premier Collectibles
Concluding this compilation, we present an intriguing enterprise – Premier Collectibles, a source for diverse and sought-after books, including rare and collectible editions.
If you’re a book enthusiast (much like myself), you might envision stumbling upon a signed first edition of “The Hobbit” while browsing in a secondhand bookstore. While that might be a distant fantasy, Premier Collectibles could have something equally enchanting: a signed first edition of a book you desire, or a signed copy from the favorite author of someone dear to you.
This affiliate program is truly distinctive, offering a blend of enjoyment and earning potential. Autographed books and initial editions can hold substantial value, ranging from hundreds to even tens of thousands of dollars. Regardless of the book’s worth, you’ll receive a generous 15% commission for each completed transaction. This could amount to hundreds of dollars earned from a single book sale.
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- Commission: 15%
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- EPC: $34.25
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- Cookie duration: 60 days
Over To You
As evident from the array of book affiliate programs, there’s quite a range in terms of offerings.
On one side, you have major corporations providing a 2% commission rate and a mere 1-day cookie duration.
On the other hand, lesser-known book companies, which might be new to your radar, are stepping up their game by offering 2 to 5 times higher commission rates, a 45-day cookie period, and significantly better performance metrics.
To ensure diversity and provide you with a selection of lucrative affiliate programs, we’ve curated a mix of offers that cater to different preferences.
If you’re interested in delving into the mechanics of profiting from these programs, we have a special treat for you. You can register for our complimentary training webinar, where we’ll guide you through the process of setting up your first affiliate site. In just two hours, you’ll gain insights distilled from two decades of industry expertise. To receive your invitation, simply provide us with your contact details, and we’ll handle the rest.
