How to Use First Party Data for Affiliate Marketers [7 Tips]

First party data: It sounds as intimidating as a blind date, but don’t worry

—we won’t let you go at it alone.

And unlike first dates, learning to use first-party data won’t cause night sweats!

We live in a world of crumbling cookies and data privacy as see-through as lace, we needed a change.

The good news: First-party data is like having all the answers to the test. (I wouldn’t dare do that 😎)

Our guide shares a fresh approach to using first-party data to win with affiliate marketing. You’ll go from OMG to WOW!

Ready to learn how to use first party data to grow your affiliate program, outperform your rivals, and end the guesswork?

First-party data is your secret weapon.

Let’s get started.

Mastering First-Party Data: Crushing the Affiliate Game

So, if you’re an affiliate marketer ready for the next level, read on.

 Suppose there was a way for you to read your potential customers’ minds, that’s not intrusive, illegal, or unethical.  That reality isn’t too far off with first-party data.

But before we deep-dive further, let’s talk about why we’re talking about first-party data – that’s because of the fall of third-party data.

 Google has set its intentions in stone, 2024 third-party cookies are gone, for good.

 As you can imagine marketers are scrambling looking for practical options.

Regardless of whether you are swimming in millions or need a magnifying mirror to spot your scents, first-party data starts everyone at square one.  

How to Use First Party Data and Why Should You, Immediately?

 First-Party Data Basics

First things first—what exactly is first-party data? Well, the name is a hint, first-party. It’s the information you collect directly from your audience.

The data can be retrieved from your website, email subscribers, or social media followers. Straight from your customer’s lips, even better, you own the rights to the data 100%. Instead of third-party data.

 Data Privacy Change: Why First-Party Data Is Essential to Get Right, Now!

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last 6 months or more, you’ve heard about the “crumbling “cookie.”

Comparing Data Types: First-Party vs. Third-Party Data

Here’s a quick comparison to help you see the value:

• First-Party Data: Collected directly from your audience (e.g., website behavior, purchase history).
• Second-Party Data: Another company’s first-party data is shared with you (e.g., data partnerships).
• Third-Party Data: Collected by external sources, often less accurate and less relevant.

Underestimated Benefits of First Party Data

It’s not uncommon to overlook the obvious. While the name is the ‘first hint’.

Remember the game whisper down the lane.

Here’s how it’s played.

There is a line of people and the first person whispers to the person behind them, then on and on. By the time, the message gets to the last person, the message is extremely altered.

Well, with first-party data the same principle applies. Since you are the first person, you retrieve the data without alterations. From your customer to you, no go-between.

7 Ways to Use First Party Data in Affiliate Marketing

1. Enhanced Targeting: Hitting the Bullseye Every Time

Have you ever dreamed of sending out a marketing message that lands with a bang every time? First-party data can make that happen.

How?

Remember us discussing what the first party meant… Yep… your customers are telling you exactly what they want…. No playing games or guesswork.

For example, if your ideal audience is health-conscious, you can create the most relatable health-related content and promotions just for them.

This targeted marketing can lead to:

• Higher conversions: Think of personalized calls to action that hit the mark.
• Improved customer retention:  Satisfied customers equal repeat business and recurring income.
• Increased profits: Make smarter decisions and see better results.

 Driving Conversions with First-Party Data

Learning to use first-party data correctly is like having the answers to your marketing quiz.

This data helps you:

• Optimize your ad spend: Focus on the folks most likely to buy.
• Serve up relevant content: Give your audience what they want.
• Reduce churn: Keep your customers happy and coming back.

Think about it: People expect companies to understand them. First-party data can exceed expectations and save wasted time and resources.

2. Building Trust: The Power of First-Party Data

Online users are super cautious of their privacy, especially since the increase of hackers and data breaches, (And rightfully, so)

Building trust is key for ‘big businesses.

Since your target audience trusts you, they will share their private info.

When you explain why and how you’re using their information, it lessens their apprehension.

73% of people reported being happy to share more personal info if companies are upfront about how they’ll use it, Nielsen reports.  Transparency builds trust.

Now that you understand the importance of First-Party Data, how can you collect it?

Collecting and Organizing First-Party Data

Gathering Data:

Listed are 4 simple ways to collect first-party data:

• Website Analytics: Track and monitor, follow your customer footprints.
• Email Promotions: Send helpful content and watch CTR.
• Customer Engagement: Ask for customer feedback it’s a great way to collect data.
• Social Listening: Take note of what people say about you online.

Organizing Your Data:

Collecting data is good but it’s only the beginning. Segmenting and organizing it makes it useful.

Here’s how:

• Group your audience: Cluster users based on similarities.
• Keep your list clean: Make sure your data remains up-to-date.
• Use a CRM: Customer relationship management helps you manage and monitor customer interactions.

Now on to the tools …

3. Tools and Technologies: Powering Up with the Right Stuff

Alright, you’re armed with first-party data, Now What?

Think of it like having a new tool – you need to know how to use it correctly for the best impact.

Consider these three options:

• CRM Systems: We talked about this in an earlier section. A CRM will keep everything nice and neat and on one platform. Picture a digital filing cabinet for all your customer info. Tools like GoHighLevel help you keep track of everything and can help you with compliance issues too.
• Data Management Platforms (DMPs): If you have stuff all over the web and want to streamline all your content and data, DMPs will do that. They can collect all your first-party data from different sources and put it in one place, making it easier to analyze.
• Analytics Tools: Lastly, old faithful, Google Analytics. Your analytics follows the user’s footprint, leaving trails you can decipher. Which pages are most popular, or have a high bounce rate, meaning users are reaching a page at once leaving?

4. Implementing First-Party Data: Personalization Powerhouse

Today is a new day and even Beyoncé said, say my name, “This is the era of personalization. Personalization is all about adapting your marketing to individuals or clusters of customers.”

 Why?

Mary Kay said it best.  Everyone wants to feel important.

Follow the below tips to personalize your affiliate marketing:

• Active Content: This is when you show different content to different people depending on their interests – called dynamic content, and it’s a revolutionary shift.

For example, a customer who loves traveling will be shown traveling ads and a customer who enjoys cycling will see what’s relevant to her, cycling.  

• Customized Email Campaigns: One-size-fits-all is good for outfits, but not for, email marketing. Remember the adage; Feed a fish what they like, not what you eat. Fish don’t like filet mignon, regardless of how you cook it.
• Personalized Product Recommendations: Use your customers’ history to suggest products or services that align with them. This way they’re getting what they need while building trust and loyalty.

5. Real-Time Analytics: Seeing the Big Picture

Real-time analytics is like seeing your business through a crystal ball.

 You can:

• Track daily performance: View your campaigns in real time.
• Make data-driven choices: Adapt your strategies based on real data.
• Increase revenue: Improve returns using targeted promotions.

Brands that personalize content using real-time data see a 10-30% increase in revenue, stated McKinsey

6. Protecting Your Customer’s Business: Data Privacy and Security

Let’s talk about keeping our digital info safe, okay? It’s getting harder by the minute. If your data is leaked, the problem can be a nightmare, taking time and resources away from business as usual.

So, how do you put your data on lock?

First off, you gotta play by the rules. Those data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA?

Yeah, who likes rules and they’re a pain, but necessary and needed. Here’s a tip: don’t be greedy with data. Only get what you need now. It’s like cleaning out your pantry – keep what you use, and dump the rest.

 Now, about security – although we aren’t hackers try thinking like one. I even read one of those books written by a former hacker.

His overall sentiments weren’t positive, but here’s my resolution, I can’t outsmart hackers, but I can minimize the risk.

Put your Data on Lockdown… like Fort Knox

When possible, opt for two-step verification. Don’t use names or familiar words to create your passwords. eg. Deb1234. Get selective about who gets access.

Silimar with checkups, we don’t like going to the doctor, but security check-ups can catch a problem before it escalates. And like life, things happen.

 Have a contingency plan. Like fire- drills we hate the inconvenience, but it could save lives if a fire broke out. Lastly … The most important but often overlooked is training your team.

Keep them updated with the dos and don’ts of data security, we’re only as strong as our weakest link. Do this, and the hacker may decide to go elsewhere.

This also shows your customers you’re serious about keeping their data safe.

7.  How to Transform First-Party Data into Strategy

Initially, it can seem challenging to integrate first-party data into your existing marketing strategy.

But now we don’t have a choice. Google has changed the rules that we must abide by.

Follow the three tips below for starts:

1. Goals alignment: Your data should support your overall business and marketing goals.
2. Date organization: Use a single platform like a CRM to manage your data, making it easier to analyze and organize.
3. Train your team: Ensure your team understands how to use first-party data effectively and ethically.

As an example:

Let’s say you run an online T-shirt clothing store.

To sell your merchandise you must know your customers’ size, preferences, gender, and purchase history.

Consider this:

On your website create a page on your blog discussing 7 creative ways to style your T-shirt or how to decide which color looks the best on your skin tone.

Create posts and guides to address feedback, reviews, and comments. This gives your customers insights that are relevant to them.

These strategies keep current customers engaged, increase conversion, and improve customer satisfaction.

FAQ:

1. How can marketers use first-party data, at once?

There are simple ways marketers can use first-party data. They can personalize every stage of their customer’s journey. Using their purchase history to recognize more likely options. This is also called data-driven decision-making which cuts guesswork. This saves time and money.

2. How do you collect first-party data?

 First-party data can be collected in various ways. The most prevalent way is through website interactions. Other ways are through product or service purchases, surveys, and feedback.

3. How to use first-party data in marketing?

First-party data can be used in marketing to craft personalized content. From data collection, you know your audiences, challenges, and preferences. This leads to more relevant marketing, avoiding what used to be called spray and pray marketing.

Conclusion

Why First-Party Data Is Your Secret Weapon

 To wrap things up:

• It’s accurate and reliable because it comes directly from your audience.
• You can create hyper-personalized content because you know your customers’ preferences.
• Potentially, it helps to resolve compliance with privacy regulations. Mainly because they use CRM systems that help with this process

If you enjoyed this article on: “How to Use First Party Data for Affiliate Marketers” tell a friend.

Learning new concepts doesn’t set you back in time… the newfound strategies will exponentially affect your conversions.

Commit to using at least one of these strategies today, and please comment on how it worked out for you.

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Because all we do is share small business marketing solutions to help you grow your brands; with speed and ease.

Thanks for reading and expect more helpful tips and tricks.

I’ll keep posting if you keep reading.