The recent 6.05 billion dollar settlement involving some of the largest credit card issuers and banks in the world have left many consumers and the retail stores they regularly patron at a bit of a standoff. Considering these results empower stores to charge consumers the “swipe fees” they’ve had to pay themselves for years, many establishments are wary of collecting a few cents per transaction in lieu of essentially inciting riots at their registers.
Fear not, affiliate marketers, as this is not the death knell of credit cards. Even though cardholders may be understandably angry at the possibility of having to pay up to an additional 3% for the very same products they were purchasing a short while ago, there are card benefits that can offset the pricing shift. You just need to know what to look for when promoting to a cynical online audience whose calm has been damaged.
No Annual Fees
Something as simple as having to pay for the privilege of using a card can be the difference for traffic with an itchy trigger finger, ready to close web pages on a whim. Promote cards with no annual fees if you find your audience to be rather fickle, or cards with low annual fees if accompanied by other equally enticing benefits.
Sign-up Bonuses
Speaking of enticing benefits, sign-up bonuses are an effective way of drawing in new card applicants. Instantaneous in a few cases, though sometimes awarded after spending a predetermined amount within a short time of the card’s issue, sign-up bonuses can be used in conjunction with other loyalty point programs available on cards to rack up to hundreds of dollars (if not more) in savings.
Loyalty Rewards
As mentioned above, some credit cards sometimes have loyalty programs built into them, which can perpetuate spending for the promise of future savings even in a time of economic turmoil. When the potential earnings of these programs are promoted to consumers on a budget who are eager to travel, want to have an extravagant family outing, or even just need to make a few purchases to liven their homes for a stay-cation, they will realize themselves how their everyday needs can build up to some extraordinary experiences.
Business Rewards
Every entrepreneur from Jersey to Jamestown knows how a few pennies can make the difference between a profitable quarter and barring the doors to a business. Even the businesses themselves that have chosen to shift swipe fees onto the consumer’s tab have to buy supplies to maintain their operations, so why not reach out to them as an affiliate marketer? After feeling the direct wrath of bumping up their costs, they can probably use all of the discounts and purchasing bonuses they can get with business credit cards – a perfect opportunity for you.
You Can’t Stop the Signal
Even with a change in retail purchasing processes and a trend of downtrodden consumer spending, there are still a few certainties to help you push forward as an affiliate marketer. Consumers, by nature, will need to keep spending to survive- no matter how they manipulate their funds in order to meet a budget. Cards are safer and more convenient to carry around than cash, and often more widely accepted than personal checks. Combine those certainties with the many credit card benefits that can help the average consumer save hundreds to thousands of dollars each year, and you’ll find you’ve not lost your audience- you just need to bring the best of what you can offer back into the light.