When it comes to affiliate marketing, there are plenty of bloggers and publishers who are doing it successfully. But what exactly is affiliate marketing, and how can you start doing it yourself?
Affiliate marketing is when a blogger, publisher, or influencer sends customers to a product or service that isn’t their own. In return, they get a commission for every purchase, referral, lead, or subscription from their site.
This guide will show you several affiliate marketing blog examples to show how it works.
Note: Many affiliate bloggers use Thirsty Affiliates to create custom affiliate links on their domain and index and track affiliate links. Thirsty Affiliates is the tool I use on this website.
The Food Blogger
According to SEMrush: “Bloggers who make between $7,500 and $25,000 per month get 42.2% of their revenue through affiliates.”
Lauren is a food blogger.
On her blog, Cafe Deluxe, she offers recipes and kitchen tips. In addition, as an affiliate partner with Amazon Associates, Lauren reviews top kitchen appliances and links back to products that are sold on Amazon. (Like I did just there).
She then earns a small commission if someone clicks on her link and purchases within 24 hours.
See the example: https://www.cafedeluxe.com/crock-pot-with-timer/
The Travel Blogger
If you’re a travel blogger, there are several affiliate programs that you can promote. A few of my favorites include Expedia, Booking.com, and TravelPayouts.
When promoting travel affiliate programs, write about your own travel experiences. These personal stories will help build trust with your readers and make them more likely to click on your links. You can also create videos, social media posts, and even e-books about your travels.
In this Example, TheCultureTrip features Vermont’s top 20 things to do. Their affiliate offers include experiences and tours.
Check out Viator’s affiliate program if you want to offer tours on your travel blog.
See the Example: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/vermont/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-vermont/.
The Parenting Blogger
As a parenting blogger, you can promote many different affiliate programs. Some of my favorites include Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
When promoting affiliate programs as a parent, be sure to write about products that you’ve personally tried and liked. These personal product reviews will help build trust with your readers and make them more likely to click on your links. You can also create e-books and videos that highlight your favorite products and encourage parents to give them a try.
In this Example, Susie of BusyToddler.com features the best baby activity toys for toddlers. In addition, their affiliate offers include parent-approved products from Amazon.
https://busytoddler.com/2018/08/best-toys-for-toddlers/
The Fashion Blogger
As a fashion blogger, you can promote some different affiliate programs. Some of my favorites include Kate Spade, RewardStyle, and Nordstrom.
When promoting affiliate links as a fashion blogger, write about products you already love. Then, when you show yourself in the outfits you suggest, you will help build higher interest with your readers and make them more likely to click on your links.
You can also create banner ads or text links that link back to specific products sold through the program.
In this Example, The Everygirl features a roundup of popular holiday outfits. As an affiliate partner for stores like Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Zara, they make money when someone purchases through one of their affiliate links.
See example: https://theeverygirl.com/affordable-holiday-outfits/.
The Tech Blogger
As a tech blogger, you can promote any number of affiliate programs. Some of my favorites include Canva, Jasper, Grammarly, and Teachable.
When promoting affiliate links as a technology blogger, it’s best to create product comparisons, product reviews, or teach someone how to use the product. Youtube is a popular platform for affiliate marketers that teach software or demonstrate how to use products.
In this example, on my website BallenBlogger.com, I compare Ezoic vs. Monumentric, two ad services for bloggers. As an affiliate with Ezoic, I can earn recurring commissions when someone signs up as a user and makes money on the platform.
The Gardening Blogger
As a gardening blogger, you can promote several different affiliate programs, from plants to the soil to planters.
Your conversions will be higher if you can demonstrate how to use the products in your blogs.
One example of an authoritative website about Gardening is Common Sense Home. In this example, the blogger links to Amazon and websites that sell gardening products.
See example: https://commonsensehome.com/start-a-garden/.
The Fitness Blogger
As a fitness blogger, you can promote any number of affiliate programs. Some of my favorites include Savage Barbell, Bowflex, and Fitbit.
When promoting affiliate links as a fitness blogger, it’s best to create product comparisons or teach someone how to use the product. Videos are one example where an influencer could promote a fitness-related product.
In this example, on The Gym Lab, the blogger compares Bowflex vs. Total Gym. In addition, they have included affiliate links to earn commission from each of the brands, as well as Amazon.
Some affiliates will include Amazon links even though the commissions are lower due to the high conversion rates.
See example: https://thegymlab.org/total-gym-vs-bowflex-home-gyms/.
The Lifestyle Blogger
A lifestyle blogger generally blogs about a mix of things from beauty to fashion, travel, and finance.
According to her income report, the Professional Hobo earned $23,337 in affiliate sales in one year.
Affiliate marketing is no different for this type of blogger. Popular affiliate offers with lifestyle bloggers include Cruise Direct, Beachbody, and eHarmony.
When promoting affiliate links as a lifestyle blogger, it’s best to create product comparisons or teach someone how to use the product. You can also make money by connecting an influencer on Instagram with a product they might be interested in.
In this example, on Sincerely Jules, Jules shares her favorite boots to toughen up a look along with reward style links to her outfit choices.
The Craft Blogger
As a craft blogger, you can promote affiliate programs for Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Joann Fabrics.
One excellent example of a craft blogger that makes money with affiliate marketing is Jamie from C.R.A.F.T (Crafting Really Awesome Fun Things).
In this example, she links to multiple products from Amazon that help make a fun Halloween customer at home.
The Beauty Blogger
@mikaylanogueira I AM LIVING FOR THIS LOOK! #makeup #beauty #MakeMomEpic #IFeelWeightless ♬ original sound – Mikayla Nogueira
As a beauty blogger, you can promote affiliate programs for Sephora, Ulta, and Glossier.
Many beauty bloggers create “looks” and then promote the makeup they use. One famous beauty blogger is Mikayla Nogueira.
Today, Mikayla earns money from sponsorships and many beauty perks like free products.
Mikayla also has a Linktree, a page of sponsored and affiliate links from which she benefits financially.
https://linktr.ee/Mikaylanogueira
The Home Improvement Blogger
As a home improvement blogger, you can promote affiliate programs for Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Amazon.
In this Example, Kris from Driven By Decor provides a tutorial on painting a bathroom vanity. While this website is also monetized with ads, she has many affiliate links to Amazon.
https://www.drivenbydecor.com/painting-bathroom-vanity/
The Pet Blogger
As a pet blogger, you can promote Chewy.com, Petco, and Amazon affiliate programs.
In this example, the blogger, The Dog People (powered by Rover.com) shares tips on keeping a dog cool during a heatwave.
The blogger links to products like screens and wading pools from Amazon.
The Outdoor Blogger
Today, a popular niche for bloggers in the affiliate marketing space is the outdoor niche. The outdoor niche includes hunting, camping, boating, fishing, and other outdoor influences.
You can earn money with affiliate programs from Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, and Sitka Gear if you blog about the outdoors.
In this Example, Cool of the Wild covers top tents for camping in cool weather. In addition, there are affiliate links that go to camping gear websites in which the blogger earns a commission.
Example: https://coolofthewild.com/cold-weather-tents/
No matter what type of blog you have, there are likely affiliate programs that you can promote. By creating great content and building trust with your readers, you can make money by sending them to products and services that you believe in.
One of the best ways to get started in affiliate marketing is to find a program you believe in and promote it on your blog. There are many great programs, but some of my personal favorites include Amazon Associates, ShopStyle Collective, and Awin.
Once you’ve chosen a program, make sure you’re familiar with its terms and conditions. Each program has different rules, so be sure to read them carefully.
Then, it’s time to start creating content. For example, when you write about a product or service, include links to the affiliate program so your readers can learn more. You can also create banner ads or text links to make it easier for your readers to find what they’re looking for.
Many affiliate bloggers use Thirsty Affiliates to create custom affiliate links on their domain and index and track affiliate links.