It is possible to lose stubborn belly fat, but you may need to go about it in more than one way. On their own, diet alterations or exercise might not be enough. Instead, you have a better chance of burning belly fat successfully by increasing the amount and intensity of your exercise routine; cutting excess sugar from your diet; and ensuring that you get enough sleep at night. Although these changes can target belly fat specifically, they can also help you lose weight overall.
Exercise can help reduce belly fat, which is sometimes referred to as visceral fat. However, you cannot target belly fat with a specific exercise; rather, you simply need to burn more calories than you take in.
Photo Courtesy: Anupam Mahapatra/Unsplash
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise at least five times a week. That's a total of 150 minutes per week. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to take up running or renew your gym membership. In fact, incorporating a brisk walk or bicycle ride into your day are good places to start. Changing your habits in small ways, like parking further away from your office or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, can help reshape your lifestyle.
However, if you enjoy going for a jog, it is important to note that running (or other vigorous exercise) for 25 minutes a day at least three days per week can yield similar results in half the amount of time. The general rule is that the harder you exercise, the quicker you'll chip away at that visceral fat.
And don't forget strength training: Try to get at least two sessions in per week of strength training using either free weights or machines. According to the lead author of a 2018 study in the journal Cell Metabolism, "regular exercise training reduces abdominal fat mass and thereby potentially also the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases."
Watch Your Diet
You don't have to change your diet drastically to cut down on belly fat. In particular, cutting back on your daily sugar consumption can reduce belly fat, even if you start by reducing sugary beverages.
Photo Courtesy: Travis Yewell/Unsplash
Sugar increases belly fat — even when it's coming from fruit juice. This is because the juicing process removes fiber and leaves just the sugar behind. Soluble fiber can reduce belly fat, which is why you should opt for whole fruits instead of juice. Eliminating sugary drinks, such as sodas, can also decrease belly fat. Replace that can of soda with a glass of water and reap numerous benefits. Additionally, try replacing a high-fat, sweetened dessert with an assortment of your favorite fresh berries.
For your belly's sake, focus on reducing carbs more than just counting calories or fat. Research suggests that incorporating monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oils, olives, nuts, and avocados, can help fight belly fat.
It may seem counterintuitive, but the experts at the American Heart Association agree that the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in "good" fats, can help lose weight and keep belly fat at bay. These foods are often higher in unsaturated fats, and they're also lower in calories and rich in nutrients. The Mediterranean diet largely consists of legumes, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables — and derives most of its healthy fats from food sources like olive oil, fish, and nuts. Aside from potentially helping to reduce belly fat, this type of diet can also lower the risk of heart disease.
Monitor Your Sleep
Research has shown that not getting enough sleep can cause abdominal fat to accumulate, especially in younger individuals. According to the Sleep Foundation, researchers have discovered that getting even an extra hour of sleep can make a big difference. The study in question showed that those who slept less than 5 hours per night were more likely to gain abdominal fat over a 5-year period compared with those who slept 6 or 7 hours each night.
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Mars/Unsplash
Additionally, a 2019 study published in the journal Medicine showed that adults and children who got less sleep were more likely to be obese or overweight. These folks were also more likely to exhibit disordered eating behaviors and experience metabolic changes and a decrease in physical activity.
Stay Active Beyond Working Out
Staying active doesn't necessarily mean working out. Taking small breaks during the day can be crucial, especially if you sit for a large portion of the day. Research has shown a direct correlation between sitting for prolonged periods ― 30 minutes or longer ― and an increased risk of health problems, including obesity.
Photo Courtesy: Roman Bintang/Unsplash
A 2017 study in the Annals of Human Biology showed that participants who sat for at least eight hours a day had 62% higher odds of obesity compared to those who sat for less than four hours a day. If your job involves sitting at your desk for eight hours a day, set a timer and get up for a few minutes every hour. This could involve taking a short walk, refilling your water glass, or simply standing and stretching. As an added bonus, this helps refresh your brain.
Resource Links:
"Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" via U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
"Taking Aim at Belly Fat" via Harvard School of Medicine, Harvard University
"Women's Health" via Mayo Clinic
"Effect of diet with or without exercise on abdominal fat in postmenopausal women – a randomized trial" via BMC Public Health
"8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life" via John Hopkins Medicine
"Abdominal fat and what to do about it" via Harvard School of Medicine, Harvard University
"Soluble fiber strikes a blow to belly fat" via Science Daily
"How Do Monounsaturated Fats Help You to Lose Belly Fat?" via LiveStrong
"Factors Associated with Visceral Fat Loss in Response to a Multifaceted Weight Loss Intervention" via U.S. National Library of Medicine
"How exercise reduces belly fat in humans" via Science Daily
"Exercise-Induced Changes in Visceral Adipose Tissue Mass Are Regulated by IL-6 Signaling: A Randomized Controlled Trial" via Clinical and Translational Report (Cell Metabolism)
"What is the Mediterranean Diet?" via American Heart Association
"Sitting time and obesity in a sample of adults from Europe and the USA" via Annals of Human Biology
"Diet and Exercise and Sleep" via Sleep Foundation
"Assessment of sleep and obesity in adults and children" via U.S. National Library of Medicine
Everyone has loyalties to their favorite brands, but there's a good chance your favorite products are the result of two separate brands working together.
Interested in knowing what's nearby when you're traveling? Or curious if there are specific types of stores or restaurants in your area? If so, Google Maps is a great resource. You can do a variety of searches that allow you to see if specific stores are near you. No need to use an Apple repair store locator or Applebee's store locator – just use Google Maps.
Finding a Specific Business Near You
Do you already know exactly what you want? Instead of going to a website to find a Battery Plus store locator or a Kinkos store locator, you can enter the business' name on Google Maps. Simply open the app on your phone or go to Google Maps in your web browser. Type in the business name and search. You'll be shown all of the locations near you, sorted by which ones are closest. No more using a Coldwater Creek store locator or Advance Auto Parts store locator. Just look in Google.
Finding Restaurants Near You
If you're traveling or you are in an unfamiliar area, you may wonder where you can eat. Of course, if you know the specific restaurant you want, just search for it using the method already mentioned.
If you'd rather look for cuisine, however, you can use Google Maps for that as well. For instance, type in "Chinese food near me," and you'll be shown restaurants that fit that description.
You don't need to download a Ruby Tuesday store locator. You just need to look for American food in your area.
Finding Clothing Stores
What do you do if you need clothes but aren't familiar with shopping in the area? No need to look for a Joseph A. Banks store locator. Just search for "clothing near me," in Google maps.
You'll be shown a variety of clothing stores, starting with those that are closest to your actual location. Of course, Google Maps will need your location turned on.
If you'd rather not share that information, search for "clothing in Toledo, OH" or whatever area you are in. That will get you a broad range of options.
Finding Repair Shops and Hardware Stores Nearby
Sometimes you need a small tool, DIY supplies, or a way to fix something. Instead of downloading a Lowe's store locator, simply search for "hardware store near me," and you'll see a list of options.
Do you have something specific that's broken and needs repair? You can find even less common repairs shops on Google Maps. Look for "tailor near me," "computer repair near me," or "watch repair near me."
You'll discover shops that you didn't know about – and you'll get your problems solved at the same time.
Google Maps Can Help You Find Any Business
No matter what business you're looking for, you can find it on Google Maps. Skip the Sherwin Williams store locator and all the other specific apps and finders.
Instead, load up the Google Maps app and look for any category of business or restaurant. Use the specific name or the category. You can even filter by price or stores that are currently open. Regardless, you'll find exactly what you need.
Marvel is looking to replace Iron Man in its current run of comics. The character has been a mainstay in the Marvel Comics for decades, and fans are eager to know who will be taking his mantle in the near future. While fans continue to speculate about who will replace Tony Stark, Marvel may have revealed who will be the next Iron Man.
Marvel's Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. |Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images
Marvel kills off Iron Man
Several characters have taken Iron Man's mantle over the years, but in all of those instances, the transformation was temporary. No matter what came his way, Tony always found a way to come back.
That, unfortunately, has changed in the Marvel comics now that Iron Man has officially been killed off. To be fair, this is not the first time Marvel has featured Tony's death in a story arc, but this time could be more permanent.
As a side note, Tony has faked his death a number of times in the comics, including in The Armor Wars, written by Bob Layton, Mark D. Bright, David Michelinie, and Barry Windsor-Smith, and in Iron Man #243.
If Tony really is dead in the comics, then the next big question is who will be replacing him moving forward. After all, Marvel would not be the same without somebody in the Iron Man suit.
Is this Marvel character will be the new Iron Man?
New cover art may have revealed which character is set to replace Iron Man. According to Screen Geek, Marvel gave fans a huge clue about the new Iron Man on the cover of Daredevil #22.
The cover shows Daredevil wearing the Iron Man helmet, only the color has been changed to crimson red and it features a pair of devil horns. If the clue is genuine, it looks like the Man Without Fear will be the next Iron Man.
Unfortunately, Marvel has not commented on the cover art, so it is difficult to say what is going on. The cover has also raised questions about how Daredevil might use the suit and whether or not the technology will restore his sight.
It is also possible that Daredevil only uses the suit for a brief amount of time before passing it on. The issue is set to hit stores in June, so we will find out for sure then.
What about Iron Man in the MCU?
While Iron Man is undergoing changes in the comics, the same could be said of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As fans will recall, Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) gave up his life in Avengers: Endgame to save the entire universe.
Tony's sacrifice appeared to be the end of his journey in the MCU, but that might not be the case. An inside source told We Got This Covered that Downey has agreed to a new deal with Marvel to return to the MCU in a big way.
Per the source, Downey will be lending his voice to Marvel's upcoming series, Ironheart, which is set to premiere on Disney+.
Details of the agreement have not been announced, but if the rumors are true, then it could open the door for Downey to return to the MCU in a larger capacity at some point down the road.
Iron Man will return for 'Black Widow'
In the meantime, Marvel fans will get to see Downey reprise the role of Iron Man in Scarlett Johansson's upcoming film, Black Widow. Downey's involvement in the movie is expected to be brief, though we may have just learned why he is making an appearance.
In a trailer for Black Widow, which is set before Tony's death, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova is shown strapped to a cart of some sort. On the wall next to her is what appears to be the letters, AIM.
This is a reference to Iron Man 3 and Aldrich Killian's (Guy Pearce) company, Advanced Idea Mechanics. Marvel has not said anything about AIM popping up in the film, but it looks like Yelena got mixed up with them.
Black Widow was scheduled to open in theaters in May, but Marvel has since postponed the date because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The pandemic spurred interest for affiliate marketers in 2020, and the effects are still with us today.
The rise in ecommerce brought people online and buying from a range of brands. It also created a new legion of ecommerce shoppers.
Research from Awin's 2021 affiliate marketing report revealed an interesting fact: these new shoppers are relying on affiliates to guide them toward purchases. At the start of 2020, one in four shoppers who were new to brands bought through affiliate links.
By April 2020, that number surged to 37% and has remained above 30% since.
The decline of traditional advertising to promote your business, coupled with the rise of social media, is giving new life to affiliate marketers. But how can you tap into this opportunity?
This beginner's guide will walk you through how to set up and manage an affiliate program for your online store.
What is an affiliate marketing program?
Affiliate marketing is a reward-based system that encourages partners to promote your products in exchange for a commission.
A customer, advocate, or industry marketer signs up for your affiliate program and sends visitors to your Shopify store through their special referral link, and any sales that you make as a result of their promotion earns the marketer a reward.
An affiliate program will pay via a flat dollar amount or a percentage of the total sale, but incentives could also be free or discounted products. It's a win-win for both parties. Target, for example, gives affiliates 8% commission on every qualifying purchase made through an affiliate link.
The affiliate marketing strategy is used both in business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) campaigns, with over 80% of brands using affiliate programs to promote their products. Recent data from IAB UK also shows that the two biggest sectors for affiliate operations are retail and travel.
Affiliate programs remain a cost-effective and diverse way to find new customers and help a broad range of marketers—including bloggers, publishers, retailers, and rewards sites—make money online.
What's the purpose of an affiliate program?
Recent data from Statista anticipates affiliate marketing spending will reach $8.2 billion by 2022, up from $5.4 billion recorded in 2017. Marketers surveyed by IAB UK agreed that affiliate marketing performs very highly for customer acquisition and ROI compared to other activities, ranking 7.83 and 7.6 out of 10, respectively.
And there's real-world evidence that affiliate marketing is effective: Wirecutter, a consumer site owned by The New York Times, runs exclusively off affiliate commissions and subscriptions. Wirecutter's affiliate income is part of the Times' "other" revenue category, which generated $42.8 million revenue in the second quarter of 2021, up 8.7% from a year earlier.
At the end of 2020, the Timesstated in a press release that other revenues decreased 12.1% in the fourth quarter, primarily as a result of lower revenues from live events and commercial printing. However, the declines were partially offset by higher Wirecutter affiliate referral revenues.
But affiliate marketing isn't just for third-party publishers. Ecommerce brands like Healthish use affiliate marketing to build brand awareness, launch products, and generate sales. When launching its keystone product, the WB-1 bottle, Healthish worked with Instagram influencers to create content and sell the bottle at scale.
Learn more by reading The Pre-Launch Strategies of a Million-Dollar Brand.
Is affiliate marketing right for your business?
Affiliate marketing isn't right for every business. If you have small profit margins, for example, it may not make sense: it would be difficult for a business owner to pay affiliates and also turn a profit.
Affiliate programs need to pay a portion of each sale in order for it to be worth the promoter's effort and money, depending on their approach to promoting your products. One of the best ways to find out if an affiliate program is a good fit for your business is checking to see if other companies in your industry have created them.
For instance, BarkBox has been running a successful affiliate program for nearly 10 years now.
A program with that kind of longevity implies it's working and is producing solid returns on time invested for BarkBox. If you dig through popular dog accounts on Instagram, many will have a BarkBox affiliate link or code in their bio.
That's meaningful reach and entirely built on the existing work BarkBox does to keep its affiliate program running. It's a nice win for both BarkBox and the Instagram account owners.
How can you see if other businesses in your niche have successfully learned how to create an affiliate program? A simple Google search targeting competitors can dig up sites that have affiliate referral programs of their own. Your searches could be:
"(your competitor) affiliates"
"(your competitor) affiliate program"
"(your competitor) affiliate marketing"
You can also look at relevant hashtags on social media. A search for hashtags related to your industry will reveal influential users. You can check out their profiles to see if they're promoting your competitors via affiliate marketing.
Now that you've determined that it's a route you'd like to explore, let's take a look at how to create an affiliate program for your Shopify store.
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How to create an affiliate program, step by step
1. Choose high average order value (AOV) products to promote
Your first step is to choose which products you want to include in your affiliate program. You can include all your products, but it's smart to focus on high AOV products to increase revenue and affiliate earnings per click.
Think: a 10% commission on a $80 product is more attractive than a 10% commission on a $5 one. Tell affiliates exactly which products to advertise and offer them a few promotional tips like:
Promoting free shipping on orders over $50. Nine out of 10 shoppers say free shipping is the number one incentive to shop more online.
Offering a first-time buyer discount. Give new customers an extra discount for their first purchase. You can then remarket to them through email and Facebook ads.
Buy more, save more discounts. Offer a scaled discount sale to increase average order value. For example, save 20% when you spend $50, or 25% when you spend $100.
Offering affiliates valuable products and promotional tips can help them sell more, which, in turn, leads to more sales for your business. You can always add or remove products from your affiliate program and tweak your messaging if your strategy isn't working.
2. Decide your affiliate pricing and commission
Once you've chosen your products, you'll want to decide on a commission package. Ideally, cash is the most appealing reward. Some ecommerce brands can get away with giving free products or offering store credit. But aim for cash if possible.
The next step is setting the rate. There are two routes here:
Percentage commissions, or a percentage of each affiliate sale
Flat-rate commissions, or a set dollar amount for each sale
According to ReferralRock, the most common is percentage commissions in affiliate programs, with the average commission being between 5% and 30%.
Shopify experts HeyCarson breaks affiliate commissions down by category, with commissions ranging between 10% and 40% of sales.
For comparison, the typical Amazon commission income rate ranges between 1% and 20%, depending on what products you're promoting.
Choose a rate based on your category listed above to start. You can always raise or lower your pricing if it's not a good fit for your business. Or create different offers using multiple commission types.
3. Choose an affiliate management app
Thanks to Shopify's partners and app developers, figuring out how to create an affiliate program for your Shopify store is easy, as you can start by simply installing an affiliate app of your choosing.
From there, each app will take you through an onboarding process that will get you up and running with an affiliate program catered to your online business.
It's up to you which app you want to use, but here are a few examples of some of the affiliate marketing apps available in the Shopify App Store. And if you need help installing an app on your site, head over to our official documentation to learn more about the Shopify App Store.
1. Refersion
Refersion is an incredibly powerful affiliate platform. With over 879 reviews and a five-star rating, it's certainly one of the apps you'll want to check out. It offers a fully loaded affiliate and influencer marketing platform so you can launch a program in minutes.
Refersion makes it easy to recruit, track, and pay affiliates. All Refersion customers also get access to a marketplace with over 5,000 potential partners to take advantage of your offer.
Features include:
Quick start up
Easy to find new affiliates and influencers
Quickly sign up affiliates on your registration page
Affiliate dashboards to track performance
Coupon code conversion triggers and tracking
Product level commissions
Best of all, Refersion scales with your business. Start out with a free trial of its professional plan, and as you see the need to expand your affiliate offerings, upgrade to an Enterprise plan.
2. LeadDyno
Another popular affiliate marketing plug-in is LeadDyno. LeadDyno processed over $200 million in affiliate sales in 2020 and offers top-notch customer support through live chat, email, and phone. You can easily track orders from affiliate links and coupons and access tools to engage, reward, and pay affiliates.
LeadDyno integrates with your Shopify store with just a few clicks and is highly customizable. Pay your affiliates automatically or with one-click approval using PayPal, Dwolla, or even Coinbase. LeadDyno totals and pays out affiliate commissions for you on the fly.
Features include:
Simplified affiliate management tools
Personalized dashboards for each affiliate
Digital marketing tools to engage affiliates and grow your program
Automated outreach programs
Ability to create affiliate groups, commission tiers, and more
Robust tracking system without third-party cookies
Excellent customer support
Start using LeadDyno with a 30-day free trial. The Starter plan begins at $29 per month.
3. UpPromote
UpPromote is the top-rated affiliate marketing app in the Shopify App Store, with over 1,270 reviews. UpPromote is an automated, all-in-one influencer and affiliate marketing solution where you can build a professional affiliate campaign easily.
You can manage your affiliate program in just a few clicks. Create default commissions, customize registration forms, and set up payments with ease. It also offers tools to convert customers into affiliates and a robust tracking system to keep track of clicks and conversion rates.
Features include:
UpPromote Marketplace, where you can find potential ambassadors and influencers
Reliable tracking process with various click tracking methods
Customizable management platform to match your brand
Dedicated support team ready to assist you
Ability to sync affiliate contacts with Shopify customers
Advanced offer options to attract more affiliates
UpPromote offers a 14-day free trial, plus a free plan with unlimited affiliates. Paid plans start at $21.99 per month.
4. Recruit your affiliates
After you've figured out how to create an affiliate program, you'll need to recruit the right kind of affiliates to join it.
Some affiliate programs, like the one used by Twitch, a video-game-centric streaming platform, only accept especially noteworthy applicants. For affiliates in those programs, acceptance is akin to a badge of honor and something to brag about.
But not all brands have the luxury of Twitch's status. That being said, there are a few ways to attract affiliates to join your program and promote digital and physical products.
Social media
Announce your affiliate program on your own social media marketing channels. Vianetic announced its affiliate program on Instagram, encouraging followers to learn more and apply. It reiterates the benefits of being an affiliate to draw more interest.
Email marketing
If you have an email list, use it. Requests over email have the greatest impact on affiliate engagement compared to all other channels. Tell your subscribers about the affiliate program and encourage them to apply and help spread the word to others who may be interested.
If you have specific affiliates you want to reach out to, you can send them a personal email. Use the following outreach template to make contact with them.
Hi [affiliate name],
I am with [your company], and we're interested in working with you on a marketing campaign. The campaign would be centered around [describe what the campaign will look like and what the affiliate would do], and we think you would be a perfect fit.
We're targeting a kick-off date of [target date] for the campaign, and I wanted to see if this opportunity is something you would be interested in. Our commission rate is between [your rate range]. I would love to discuss this in greater detail and answer any questions you may have.
Thank you,
[your full name]
[your phone number]
[your company with link to your website]
Your website
Visitors to your website are already familiar with your brand to some extent, making them potential candidates for your affiliate program. Plus, this is where affiliate marketers can find out about new programs.
Promote your affiliate program on your site with a link in an out-of-the-way but still easily accessible place, like your footer. You'll want to create a landing page dedicated to the program and highlighting the benefits of joining. Fill your website with high-quality content so that when affiliates come looking for partnerships they know you're a legit company to work with.
Remember that after an affiliate joins your program it's their job to promote your products, but it's your job to promote your program. Make a compelling offer and make it easy for them to apply. Katari Skin Care, for example, has a simple Google Doc that those interested in joining its affiliate program can submit to get started right away.
When promoting your affiliate program, make sure you're including information that potential promoters want to know. Generally, the most influential parts of your program are the product/service relevancy, affiliate program reputation, and affiliate network or tracking platform. Make sure you include that information when you promote your program.
Affiliate sites
Join affiliate networks like ShareASale or Rasuren Marketing. These networks give you access to millions of established affiliates for your program. They are low-barrier entries for entrepreneurs and small businesses and can help you build an affiliate marketing program easily. Plus, they often offer training resources to become an affiliate marketing pro in no time.
Retailers like Blume use ShareASale (alongside other networks) to promote its program online.
Blume's listing is simple and concise. It tells potential affiliates a bit about the brand and its products, the program benefits (like a 30% commission rate), and directions for how to get involved.
5. Manage affiliates
Once you've recruited your affiliates, you'll want to keep tabs on them and the performance of your program. Regular communication is essential to establishing a strong affiliate program, and this can happen via email, as that's the preferred method of communication for most affiliate marketers.
Make sure your affiliates know the rules of the program and become familiar with your brand. Creating a stable of content that they can use, including tutorials, webinars, graphics, pre-written social posts, and a list of approved (or even mandatory) hashtags will keep all of your affiliates on the same page.
Understanding the effectiveness of your affiliate program is crucial for sustainable success. Identifying your top-performing affiliate marketers, for example, can help you double-down on what's working.
Why are they so effective? Were they very loyal to your brand before becoming an affiliate? If yes, then maybe you need to contact your most frequent shoppers about joining the program.
Some metrics you'll want to consider paying extra attention to:
Total affiliate sales
Sales per affiliate
Average order size (especially compared to sales not attributed to affiliate marketing)
Total payout
Payout-to-sales ratios
Gross margin
Total number of affiliates
Number of new affiliates
Number of affiliates who've left the program
The affiliate management apps mentioned above have excellent tools to manage affiliates. With features including custom registration pages and onboarding, affiliate tracking, and analytics, you can find and manage affiliates quickly and easily.
Building your own affiliate program
Now that we've taken a look at how to create an affiliate program for your Shopify store, it's your turn to get started! Head over to the Shopify App Store and find a solid app to build a creative, professional program today. It's quick and easy, and many apps offer a free trial.
Illustration by Martina Paukova
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Affiliate program FAQ
How can I create an affiliate program?
Choose high AOV products to promote.
Decide your affiliate pricing and commission.
Choose an affiliate management app.
Recruit your affiliates.
Manage affiliates.
What's the difference between a referral and an affiliate?
Referral marketing involves rewarding customers when they invite friends and family to try your product or service. Affiliate marketing refers to third-party brand ambassadors who send customers to your business for a fee.
What is a good strategy for recruiting affiliates?
Capterra
