Affiliate marketing – How to monetize your blog

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small amount of money if you decide to use my link for any purchase. Of course, there is no extra cost for you, the price remains the same.

Affiliate marketing is one of several ways to start monetizing your blog.

But how does it work and where can you find programs?

Before starting my blog, I decided to find an activity that would bring me both: happiness and a little money. I love searching the web and learning new skills so I decided that blogging would be one of the best opportunities. I would be self-employed with no schedule obligations, I would become a writer (I love writing :)), I would still be a stay-at-home-mum, I could do it from anywhere and I would expose my personal experiences to help others.

With absolutely no geek skills, I started my blog! And what a great experience!

You can find the very first important steps to start with, in my post the truth about starting a blog. It is a very helpful post for those who want to start blogging but aren’t too sure where or how to start. This post will save you loads of time searching the web for different basic information.

Through my journey, I have learned other important steps when it comes to monetizing your blog. Affiliate marketing isn’t the only way but I chose this one. I felt it was the best way for my blog growth and that it would be the one that would fit the best to my content.

There are some steps before entering the process of an affiliate program that you will need to execute. It is better to do it the right way because it is possible to fail for entering an affiliate program when steps are done in the wrong order and too quickly.

The website, the blog and the content

Before thinking of any affiliation, is your blog already running?

This is an important part because it will be the window of your business. You will need to have something to show to your potential associates. Even if it’s only the beginning, some content is needed. You won’t need dozens of posts but a few with relevant content is necessary.

Relevant content is also the key for any kind of niche you choose. But how to write a good post with relevant content when it’s only the beginning? This is a good question and this post may help you.

Coming back to our affiliate marketing tips, keep in mind you need a nice blog already running with a few posts with relevant content.

Affiliate programs

What is an affiliate marketing program?

Affiliate marketing is one of several ways to earn money on the internet.

To make it short, you will promote a product by recommending it on your website. As you will do a great job promoting the product because you actually really like it, your readers will click on the link. This action will then insert a cookie in their browser for a certain amount of time, depending on the affiliate program and your readers’ internet activities and habits. At this point, there are two options to earn money through you link: per lead or per purchase.

Per lead

In my opinion, this is the most simple one. But it is also the one that has a lower price rate.

You earn a little commission when your readers click on your affiliate link and that you lead them to your associate website.

Per purchase

For this type of commission, you will have to promote even better the product.

To earn your little part of the money, your readers will have to purchase the product through your link. This is where you will learn the value of having a relevant content.

Finding affiliate programs

The Internet is, of course, the place you will have to search for some affiliate programs.

Some well-known ones like Amazon affiliates or Share A Sale. Also web hosting ones such as SiteGround or WP Engine.

There are many more that I could recommend, but the point here isn’t to provide you with a list of affiliate programs available. Every blog has different topics, so the list would be crazy long and not useful to everybody 😉

You also have to understand that there is no point of promoting everything and anything. It may be easy to feel if you can be trusted or not. Depending on what you promote, if your website content is relevant to the product you are promoting.

Search for affiliate marketing programs that interest you and that are relevant to your content. Big companies often mention affiliate marketing on their website or are part of programs like Share A Sale.

Affiliate marketing application

This is kind of the stressful part, you will have to apply to the affiliate marketing program and promote your way of working. Just as in a job application.

My tip here is to really take your applications seriously. Take your time to write a nice application text and be patient. If by any bad chance your application is denied, do not hesitate to write a more detailed explanation on why you were applying to their affiliate marketing program and ask why did they decline.

I had the chance to experience more than once the situation of being denied and after writing a second time to ask why and give more details on my expectations, being accepted in the affiliate marketing program. So don’t give up and stay positive!

Affiliate marketing disclosure

This is an important part because it is the law.

You have to add a disclaimer for all of your affiliate marketing links. The disclaimer has to be visible and clear for all of your readers. I decided to add my disclaimer in every post, even if there aren’t any affiliate links on the page. This is to simplify my work, to be sure I won’t forget to add the disclaimer if I add a link later in the post.

It is the law, so be sure to have it done the right way.

What’s next?

When your application to affiliate marketing programs is accepted, another type of work is starting.

Your affiliate work will begin! And that’s all another story 🙂

Adding plugins to your WordPress, adding links to your content, promoting your blog on social media and increase your views to increase your affiliate income.

Small recap

1. Have your blog running with already a few posts with relevant content
2. Search for appropriate affiliate marketing programs that match your blog’s content
3. Apply conscientiously to the affiliate marketing programs
4. Don’t hesitate to give a second explanation if denied on your first application
5. Put in place visible and clear disclaimers for your affiliate links
6. Add your affiliate links to your content
7. Promote your business 🙂

Sounds easy when putting it down this way 😉

It isn’t difficult but it takes some time to have all the affiliate marking process done. As I always say, it is always best to do it properly the first time and in the right order to have all the luck on your side.

What I personally love about affiliate marketing is that there are absolutely no additional costs for your reader that has a look by clicking on your affiliate link, nor for the one that purchases a product through your link.

You also won’t need to manage aftersales service as you aren’t the seller. You are only one blogger recommending something you like and find useful. This is an undeniable extra point for affiliate marketing.

Are you thinking of using affiliate marketing for monetizing your blog?
What are your experiences with affiliate marketing?

Don’t forget to Pin it 🙂