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Think about riding a wave of excitement right before a product goes viral—without creating the product yourself. That’s called launch jacking. It’s a strategy where digital marketers capitalize on the buzz around a product launch by promoting it just as it’s about to hit the market. It is a proven affiliate marketing strategy, especially if you’re looking to start with minimal investment and resources. As the product gains momentum, you, as an affiliate, ride that wave to earn commissions.
Launch jacking is an ideal strategy for beginners because it introduces them to a guide to affiliate marketing. With little to no upfront costs and no product development needed, you focus on content creation and promotion to leverage the traffic around product launches in this modern marketing space. It’s perfect for those who want to dip their toes in digital marketing without a complex investment.
As Reddit user AffiliateKing mentioned, “I started with launch jacking as a complete newbie, and now it’s one of my main income streams.”
Key Takeaways Launch jacking involves promoting a product just before launch to capitalize on early excitement and low competition. This launch jacking guide walks you through each step so you can make commissions and build a profitable online business with this method.Successful launch jacking relies on identifying high-commission products and producing content with excellent timing and SEO optimization . Platforms like JVZoo, MunchEye, and ClickBank can help you get started by providing opportunities to find upcoming product launches for promotion. Building trust through authentic, genuine content is crucial for long-term success in launch jacking as a powerful affiliate marketing strategy . Does Launch Jacking Still Work in 2024? Does Launch Jacking work? Many would ask this question wanting to get the affirmation if this strategy is still effective. With the rise of eCommerce, influencer marketing, and AI tools, launch jacking in 2024 continues to thrive.
Launch jacking continues to thrive because of its low-cost and efficient approach, especially when buzz around a new product is at its peak. Most marketing courses explain how affiliate marketing using a product launch strategy helps generate traffic at a lower cost than traditional methods. Building trust through authentic, genuine content is crucial for long-term affiliate marketing success.
Here’s why:
Early Market Advantage: As more products flood the market, getting in early before the competition builds gives you a clear edge. Low Competition: By targeting products before they become mainstream, there’s less competition in the early phases. Access to High-Quality Content: Product creators often provide you with sales materials (videos, images), making content creation easier. Many even supply pre-made sales page content that you can adapt for your promotions. Increased Product Launches: Due to the explosion of eCommerce and SaaS products, launches are more frequent, which opens more opportunities. The Basics of Launch Jacking What is Launch Jacking? So what is product launch jacking? Launch jacking is a form of affiliate marketing that captures the buzz around a new product launch through effective content strategies. Traditional affiliates promote products that are already established, while launch jacking is a form of affiliate marketing that gets in before the product becomes mainstream. By creating content that ranks quickly in search engines, launch jackers drive traffic to their affiliate links, allowing them to earn commissions from sales.
The key to this method is timing—marketers leverage the period just before a product is released when anticipation is high and competition is still low. It centers on using launch jacking 101 techniques to capture early interest. How do you Launch a Software using this method? It centers on using launch jacking techniques to capture early interest. Identifying the right growth marketing strategy, creating informative content, and leveraging platforms like MunchEye can help you promote software effectively before its market release.
How Is It Different from Traditional Affiliate Marketing? Launch Jacking differs from traditional affiliate marketing in two ways: Timing and Content Focus.
1. Timing Unlike traditional affiliate marketing, which promotes products that are already established, launch jacking focuses on upcoming launches. Traditional affiliates often promote products that have been in the market for a while and have already built a reputation.
2. Content Focus On the other hand, launch jacking is all about creating content during the pre-launch On the other hand, launch jacking is all about creating original content during the pre-launch phase, generating interest before the product hits the market. This allows launch jackers to benefit from the initial wave of excitement surrounding the product.
It’s Core Concepts At the heart of launch jacking are two main concepts: the first-mover advantage and product hype. By creating content early, launch jackers position themselves before the market becomes crowded, allowing them to capitalize on search engine traffic. Additionally, they tap into the natural curiosity of early adopters and those eager to learn more about the product, effectively driving traffic and conversions.
Why Has Launch Jacking Gained Popularity? Launch jacking has rapidly gained traction in recent years, fueled by the intersection of digital marketing trends and the rise of influencer culture. As more tools and platforms are developed to support affiliate marketing, launch jacking has become an accessible and highly effective strategy for marketers.
Influencer Success Stories Moreover, many influencers have shared their experience with launch jacking, proving it’s an effective strategy for affiliate marketing that generates substantial results. The success stories of well-known influencers have contributed to launch jacking’s rising popularity. Influencers like Pat Flynn and Miles Beckler have leveraged this technique to scale their businesses. They quickly grew their influence in the space, starting with small affiliate promotions.
Pat Flynn Pat Flynn, for instance, has often shared in his podcast how launch jacking provided him with a fast track to establishing credibility in the affiliate marketing world. These influencers have built large, engaged audiences and lucrative income streams by tapping into the excitement surrounding new product launches. Their success is a testament to how powerful launch jacking can be, especially for beginners looking to break into the digital marketing industry with minimal risk.
Pat Flynn mentioned in his podcast that “Starting with launches is an easy way to build credibility fast in the affiliate space.”
Trends & Statistics This surge in popularity is also driven by the ever-evolving landscape of online product launches, where timing is everything. With a growing number of products being introduced into the market—whether digital courses, software, or eCommerce goods—launch jacking provides a way to seize the early momentum and position oneself as a key promoter before competition heats up.
According to Meetanshi , affiliate marketing spending is expected to reach $12 billion by 2022, and launch jacking contributes significantly to this growth. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are filled with reviews of products even before they hit the market, further fueling the trend. Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying Profitable Launches The key to successful launch jacking is finding profitable product launches and evaluating their potential. To identify successful launch jacking campaigns, start by researching products with high commission rates. Also, ensure the description contains affiliate links to maximize earnings. This step-by-step guide outlines how launch jacking works.
1. Using Tools & Platforms Identifying profitable product launches is essential to successfully capitalizing on launch jacking . This process starts with leveraging the right tools and platforms designed specifically for affiliates. Once you need to sign up for an affiliate program, they’ll send you promotional materials. Here are key platforms where you can find calendars of upcoming product launches that often contain affiliate links within their product review pages.
JVZoo : JVZoo is an affiliate marketing platform specializing in digital products. It makes it easy for affiliates to promote upcoming software, and provide leaderboards, courses, and services while earning commissions.ClickBank : ClickBank is a global affiliate marketplace offering various digital and physical products. It provides affiliates with opportunities to promote and earn commissions across diverse industries.MunchEye : MunchEye is a platform dedicated to listing upcoming product launches in the affiliate marketing world. It helps marketers discover and plan promotions for high-demand products before they hit the market.Warrior Plus : Warrior Plus is an affiliate network focused on digital products and online marketing tools. It offers affiliates a platform to promote software, courses, and services in the Internet marketing niche. These platforms streamline the search process by showcasing products about to hit the market, allowing you to plan your promotional content in advance.
Other Notes: JVZoo and ClickBank help affiliates find product launches worth promoting, allowing affiliates to earn a commission on sales. Email lists also become essential when managing high affiliate program promotions, ensuring you stay on top of every launch period. Start a profitable affiliate venture by focusing on launch contests and identifying offers to promote around an upcoming product. Online Community Platforms Beyond these specialized platforms, active communities on Reddit and Quora provide valuable real-time discussions about new products. In these forums, marketers, and enthusiasts often talk about upcoming trends and products well before they are listed on mainstream affiliate sites. By participating in these conversations, you can get a feel for what’s generating buzz and what could potentially be the next big thing.
2. Evaluating Launch Potential Commission Rates When it comes to launch jacking, evaluating a product’s potential before investing your time and resources is crucial. One of the first factors to consider is whether the product is high-potential and offers a strong commission rate. Once your readers click on one of your links, you’ll receive a small commission.
Generally, products offering a commission of 5 to 30% are ideal, as they ensure that your promotional efforts yield a substantial return. The higher the commission, the more worthwhile it becomes to invest in creating high-quality content and marketing campaigns around the product. The higher the commission, the more worthwhile it becomes to invest in creating high-quality content and marketing campaigns around the product.
Product Quality Next, it’s essential to assess product quality. Promoting a subpar product can harm your credibility with your audience, so always research products thoroughly before promoting to ensure long-term launch jacking success. Take the time to read reviews, watch demo videos, and, if possible, get hands-on experience with the product.
This will give you a better understanding of the product’s value and how it solves a specific problem, allowing you to create more authentic and compelling content. Products with higher demand often generate stronger affiliate earnings, making it easier for you to make money online consistently.
Market Demand Finally, the market demand for the product should be considered. Tools like Google Trends and AnswerThePublic are incredibly useful for gauging interest in the product’s category.
Google Trends: Google Trends is a free tool that allows users to analyze the popularity of search terms over time, providing insights into current and historical trends in various topics, industries, and regions. AnswerThePublic: AnswerThePublic is a search listening tool that visualizes common questions and phrases people search for online, offering insights into what audiences are curious about in specific topics or niches. By analyzing trends, you can determine whether the product addresses a growing need or is part of a declining market.
3. Spotting Launches in Niche Markets Spotting profitable launches in niche markets is an effective way to succeed with launch jacking, especially if you want to avoid heavy competition in mainstream categories. Niche markets, such as eco-friendly technology or mental health apps, typically attract a more targeted audience. While these markets may not have the massive scale of broader categories, they often have high demand and a more loyal customer base.
Successful launch jacking campaigns make money with affiliate marketing when targeted to high-demand, niche audiences.
Eco-friendly Technology Eco-friendly technology, or green tech, refers to innovations designed to reduce environmental impact, including solar panels, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient appliances. This market has seen rapid growth as more consumers prioritize sustainability and are willing to invest in products that align with their values. Many individuals and businesses actively seek green alternatives in today’s sustainable living and climate-conscious trend.
Example: Tesla’s Solar Roof
Tesla’s Solar Roof, a groundbreaking product in renewable energy, generated significant buzz even before its release. Affiliates who created early content—such as reviews and comparisons with traditional solar panels—could rank well and drive traffic as interest in sustainable energy solutions surged.
Mental Health Apps Similarly, mental health apps cater to the growing demand for accessible mental health solutions. Mental health awareness has become mainstream, especially following the effects of global events like the pandemic, and individuals are more open about their mental well-being. These apps provide tools for stress management, meditation, therapy, and overall mental health improvement, making them particularly attractive to users looking for convenient, personalized support.
Example: Calm
The Calm app, launched during a growing focus on mental health, became a prime target for affiliates. By producing early reviews and SEO-optimized content on meditation apps, affiliates successfully capitalized on the rising demand for mindfulness and stress relief solutions.
Building a Winning Launch Jacking Strategy Building a successful launch jacking strategy requires careful planning and execution to stand out. Crafting a detailed launch jacking tutorial roadmap ensures you make the most out of the launch period. Here’s how to structure your approach effectively:
1. Choosing the Best Content Format The content format you choose can significantly generate traffic and affect how you reach your audience. Each format serves different platforms and user preferences:
Video Reviews: Creating engaging video reviews and transcript videos is highly effective for platforms like YouTube, where people prefer visual content. Videos allow you to showcase the product in action, build trust with your audience, and quickly rank well in search results. Detailed Blog Reviews: Writing in-depth blog reviews is key for those focused on SEO and long-term traffic. Blogs allow you to discuss the product’s features, pros and cons, and value proposition in detail, which helps in ranking on Google and capturing search traffic. Product Comparisons: Comparison content can be precious to your audience. By comparing the product to its competitors, you offer readers a broader perspective and help them make an informed decision. This type of content also tends to rank well for keywords like “Product A vs. Product B,” which are often searched by people at the buying stage. 2. Creating a Launch Timeline Timing is crucial in launch jacking. A well-structured timeline ensures you’re prepared to capitalize on the product’s momentum. Planning your launch jacking step by step involves anticipating early engagement to capture initial interest. Here’s a breakdown of what you should be doing in the weeks leading up to the launch:
4 Weeks Before: This is your research phase. Start gathering keywords relevant to the product and industry and plan your content strategy. Look into potential buyers’ questions and what topics you need to cover to rank early. 3 Weeks Before: Begin creating content drafts—whether that’s blog posts, videos, or social media posts. This stage involves outlining your reviews, comparisons, or promotional material so you can refine and optimize them in the coming weeks. 2 Weeks Before: Now, it’s time to optimize your content for search engines. Focus on on-page SEO tactics like incorporating keywords, using appropriate headings (H1, H2, H3), adding alt tags to images, and ensuring your content is structured so search engines and readers can easily digest it. Also, start planning how to promote the content once it goes live. Launch Day: This is when all your efforts come together. Publish your content across all platforms—on your blog, YouTube channel, and social media. Engage your audience through email marketing, share your reviews on forums, and use social media to generate buzz. Monitor your content’s performance, adjust where necessary, and engage with any comments or questions from your audience to maintain interest. 3. SEO Tips for Early Visibility Long-tail Keywords Mastering SEO is essential to ensure your content ranks high and gets early visibility. The key is to focus on long-tail keywords specific to the product launch. Keywords like “Product Name Review,” “Product Name Discount,” or “Product Name Features” are common phrases people search for before deciding on a purchase. These long-tail keywords have less competition and are more likely to bring targeted traffic to your content, especially in the early stages of the product launch.
Long-tail keywords, such as “click on your ‘affiliate link’”, can be highly effective for link building and increasing visibility. transparency and clarity for readers are obtained as your description contains affiliate links, ensuring you maintain audience trust.
SEO Tools Using powerful SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest are going to show the best keywords and can help you find the best-performing keywords in your niche.
Ahrefs: Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool that helps marketers analyze competitors, track keyword rankings, and discover content opportunities by providing in-depth data on backlinks, organic search traffic, and keyword performance. SEMrush: SEMrush is an all-in-one digital marketing platform that offers insights into keyword research, competitor analysis, and SEO audits. It helps users optimize their content and improve their online visibility. Ubersuggest: Ubersuggest is a user-friendly SEO tool that provides keyword suggestions, content ideas, and SEO audits. It enables marketers to find opportunities to improve search rankings and drive more organic traffic. Be sure to use these tools as they allow you to analyze what terms your competitors are ranking for and uncover keyword gaps you can target. By optimizing your content around these keywords and refining on-page SEO elements such as title tags, meta descriptions, and internal linking, you’ll have a better chance of ranking your launch-jacking content at the top of search results when the product goes live.
4. Building Trust with Authenticity In digital marketing, Authenticity is everything. People trust real experiences and insights more than overly polished sales pitches. To build trust with your audience, incorporate user testimonials, case studies, or demo videos so they’re more likely to buy the product you recommend. Demonstrating real-life use cases or providing genuine feedback from users who have tested the product offers valuable insight to potential buyers.
As Neil Patel famously points out, “Authenticity in marketing trumps all. People trust genuine experiences, not polished sales pitches.” The more authentic your content appears, the more likely your audience will engage with and trust your recommendations. Whether it’s showing a video and description of the product in action or sharing a personal experience, transparency helps build long-term relationships with your audience, which is key to successful launch jacking.
Maintaining Authenticity in product review content helps build trust, enhancing long-term passive income from affiliate marketing.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid While launch jacking can be an effective strategy for affiliate marketers, many beginners fall into some common traps that can hinder their success. Understanding these pitfalls can help you navigate the process more smoothly and maintain trust with your audience.
Over-Promising on Bonuses: Ensure your bonuses are relevant and valuable to the audience, but avoid over-hyping. Neglecting Audience Engagement: Ignoring comments or feedback on your posts can lead to a loss of trust. Skipping Product Research: Always vet the product thoroughly before promoting it to avoid recommending low-quality items. Reddit users often stress the importance of not promoting “shiny object syndrome” products, which is essential for long-term affiliate success. As user WiseAffiliate mentioned, “Your audience will remember if you recommend junk.”
Conclusion Launch jacking remains one of the most effective ways for beginners to break into affiliate marketing, offering minimal risk with high potential rewards. The key to success lies in identifying the right product launches, crafting genuine and informative content, and continually analyzing your performance to improve with each campaign. Influencers like Pat Flynn and Miles Beckler have proven that, with the right effort, launch jacking can be a lucrative venture for anyone willing to dive in.
Ready to get started? Platforms like JVZoo or ClickBank offer great opportunities for your first launch jacking campaign. For even more guidance, Softlist.io is here to help you build your knowledge about affiliate marketing.
Thanks for reading this comprehensive guide and check out our extensive blogs on affiliate marketing to deepen your understanding, discover actionable strategies, and learn how to master techniques like launch jacking. With Softlist.io, you’ll have the resources to navigate your way to success in the affiliate marketing world!
FAQs How Long Should I Wait Before a Product Launch to Start Creating Content? Ideally, about four weeks before the launch period. Make sure your content ranks higher by preparing early. This gives you enough time to conduct keyword research, plan content, and optimize it for SEO before publishing, just as the buzz around the product begins.
What Are the Best SEO Tools for Identifying Keywords in Launch Jacking Campaigns? Some of the best SEO tools for launch jacking include Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Ubersuggest. These tools help you find long-tail keywords, analyze competitor content, and identify gaps in the market to target with your promotional efforts.
Is Having a Large Social Media Following Necessary to Succeed with Launch Jacking? No, having a large social media following isn’t necessary to succeed in launch jacking. What’s more important is creating well-optimized, valuable content that ranks in search engines. Early ranking content can drive significant traffic without a large social media presence.
How Do I Avoid Recommending Low-Quality Products When Launch Jacking? To avoid recommending low-quality products, thoroughly research them by reading reviews, watching demos, and, if possible, testing them yourself. Vet the products’ features, value, and reputation to ensure they meet your audience’s expectations. Always wait until the product is vetted. Avoid recommending low-quality products; make sure any product you want to promote is valuable to your audience.
Can I Use Launch Jacking for Physical Products, or Is It Mainly for Digital Products? While launch jacking is more familiar with digital products like software and courses, it can also be used for physical products, especially in niche markets. The key is identifying upcoming launches and creating timely, relevant content that captures early interest.
