Skepticism isn’t a bad thing in itself. It’s what got us science and technology, in the first place. Skepticism is the very basis of what’s called the scientific method — the idea that nothing’s acceptable without concrete proof — hard evidence, in other words.
The last post introduced the 80/20 principle with the caveat: find out for yourself if it works; if it doesn’t, chuck it. That advice still stands.
In the meantime, however, I rustled up some concrete evidence — just to whet my appetite, being such a scientific method buff myself. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, after all.
The Research On The 8020 Principle
A word or two before we get down there, let me point out that there are few more hard-nosed players than affiliate marketing platforms themselves. Simply put, they won’t buy it if doesn’t work — they are in the business of getting results. They measure and monitor obsessively in order to stay relevant — something, we as affiliate marketers need to adopt as part of our best practice.
Now jump in.
“Affiliate programs often see a small number of affiliates driving the majority of sales. Our research indicates that the top 10% of affiliates can account for more than 80% of a program’s revenue, emphasizing the need to nurture and support these high performers.”
Forrester Consulting, “Affiliate Marketing’s Evolving Role In Driving Business Growth,” 2021
“Our global survey revealed that 20% of traffic sources contribute to 80% of conversions in affiliate marketing campaigns. Identifying and optimizing these high-performing channels is crucial for maximizing return on investment.
Rakuten Marketing, “Affiliate Marketing Global Survey,” 2020.
“Analysis of our top affiliate success stories shows that promoting the top 20% of high-converting products consistently leads to 80% of the total sales. This highlights the importance of focusing on proven, high-demand products for affiliate marketers.”
ClickBank, “Top Affiliate Success Stories,” 2019.
The Upshot
Notice something? — the 80/20 relationship runs through consistently. Does this make a case for the 8020 principle in affiliate marketing? Find out here.