If you’ve started monetizing your blog, chances are you’re using some sort of affiliate links or have thought about using them.
If not, it’s a great way to organically add links that make sense for your content and let you earn commission from clicks or sales.
There are a bunch of different networks available to you, and you can literally find an affiliate link for any item you want! It’s pretty incredible.
If you’re at a loss for where to start, a few networks we’ve used and had good experiences with are: RewardStyle (invite only), ShopStyle Collective, Commission Junction, and Amazon Affiliates.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, just a few that we’ve had positive experiences with! Even if you’re new to the blogging scene, you can use affiliate networks to start making money—even with a small readership.
When I first started using affiliate links, I would only link to the few items I was wearing.
It’s a good start, but I’ve since learned how to use my affiliate links more strategically to boost commissions and make my blog more profitable. Here are my top tips for making affiliate links really work for you:
1. Use more links
The more links you use, the more opportunities you’re putting out there for someone to click, embed a cookie and give you a potential commission.
You don’t want to go overboard and link everything, but I always recommend using as many links as you can naturally work into your post.
2. Link to retailers
Instead of linking to specific items, link to a specific retailer that converts well for you. Plenty of the time people will click on a link, but won’t actually buy that item, linking to a retailer lets you make a commission on any sales made from that click-through—pretty sweet, right?!
3. Link to product category pages
This one is similar to the above, but you can get a little bit more specific. Let’s say you mention sneakers in your post. You might link to the women’s sneaker page on Nordstrom, instead of one specific pair of sneakers.
Again, you’re embedding a cookie that lasts 30 days, so even if they don’t buy that day, there’s a chance they’ll come back within the next 30 days and buy something and you might still be eligible to get that commission.
4. Mention other products in the copy
Many times I’ll talk about an item and also mention another item that I love to peak interest in other products. I included an example below of how to use this tip and the previous two in one sentence—4 powerful affiliate links in a quick blurb!
“I just picked up a pair of black pumps (category page), but also have my on these leopard flats (exact product) & these velvet mini heels (exact product)-all available at Nordstrom (retailer link)!”
(Psssttt…we also made a handy video to help you create those beautiful ‘Shop the Post’ widgets! Click below to watch it!)
5. Add similar product carousels
This is something I’ve started doing more and more recently and find that it’s super helpful! When I feature an outfit post, I’m usually wearing 3-6 pieces max, but I’ve been adding a shop the post carousel widget (learn how to add one by clicking the box above!) to include similar pieces to what I’m wearing to give readers more options and price points.
I find that doing things like More Shirts Under $75” grabs readers’ attention and promotes click-throughs!
There you have it, five tips to help you better use your affiliate links to boost your commissions this year. Just make sure that you don’t overwhelm your readers—you don’t want to come across as unauthentic or spammy!
What tips do you have for using affiliate links in a smarter way to make more money?
I used them but got no hit. I used Amazon Affiliate program but I don’t have the audience
it’s not only enough to have audeinces but targetted. it’s a big game – You must learn all the ins and outs.
Agreed. I think jumped in too quick without even understanding the whole program.
yes – the first is to select a low and high volume niche then cover that with tons of content.
once you started real people to your blog then you can monitize and can earn.
But it’s best to have own products – and it’s worth the efforts.
I’ve 8 blogging books and to really help others – I’ve made it free.
So think again .
Will surely use them. Thanks