I received a number of questions last week after posting my September blog stats and income and I’ll be tackling some of those questions in upcoming blog posts. Today, I wanted to dig into affiliate programs for bloggers and share some basics about what an affiliate program is, what affiliate programs for bloggers do, and some affiliate programs for bloggers that I am a part of.
What is an affiliate program?
An affiliate program is a program offered by a business to reward and offer incentives for others to share products or information about that business. In a typical affiliate program, the business will offer a percentage of sales for a referral or an agreed upon amount per referral.
What affiliate programs for bloggers do?
Affiliate programs for bloggers operate in the way I described above. A blogger will be given an unique code and will receive a referral fee for everyone who uses that code to make a purchase. Often, when you see links to products in a blog post, those are affiliate links.
What affiliate programs am I a part of?
I am a part of both Bluehost (my hosting server) and Amazon affiliate programs. That means that if you were to click on this new Fire HD 6
There are so many affiliate programs out there! One way to find a good one is to join an affiliate network. One that I’ve recently joined is Mom’s Affiliate – obviously you don’t have to be a mom to join. I joined because I wanted to see a bunch of different affiliate programs and then choose if I wanted to join any more. There are seriously tons. Right now I’m happy with the ones I’m using, but Mom’s Affiliate does have a few for things I’ve been meaning to try like the website Zulily. That site keeps popping up when I’m on facebook so I think their algorithm knows something I don’t and I need to check it out!
Whew. Felt like that was a mouthful.
Are you a part of any affiliate networks? Any suggestions of great ones other readers might want to check out?
note: there are affiliate links for some of my favorite affiliate networks in this post. I never recommend or link to something that I don’t love!
So, here’s my question: What are the disclaimer requirements for affiliate links? I’m always afraid I’m not following the rules and making it clear enough that something is an affiliate link, so I often don’t include them…
MCM Mama recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Where has my running gone?
i am not an expert in this, but from my understanding i have both a static page noting my disclosure policy AND i note any affiliate links or if a post is sponsored in the individual post. i think the important thing is that you DO disclose (i see a LOT of bloggers using affiliate links that don’t disclose).
Yeah you do have to disclose in each individual post and I think it’s even supposed to be before the links (like “affiliate links coming up!”) but I almost NEVER see that. I do get annoyed when I click a link and find it’s an affiliate link and it’s not noted in the post. Feels sneaky lol
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Did You Know Link-Up #9
Good info as usual. I’ve been wondering about the amazon affiliate program myself so I am going to check it out. I’m probably ordering something from there everyday.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Learn How Elite Athlete, Tina Muir, Fuels for a Marathon
hey – so i just updated the post to note that you can’t use your own affiliate link to make purchases – it’s against the rules and amazon will kick you out of the program if you do so. so definitely sign up, just don’t use your own link! 🙂
So glad you said something bc I accidentally did that and then thought “why don’t I do this all the time?”
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Did You Know Link-Up #9
I signed up for amazon’s program. I have not heard about mom’s. Will check it out. Thanks!
Christine recently posted…13.1 Reasons Why I Love Running
i actually can’t remember where i found them, but they have a TON of programs!
I’ve been looking into affiliate programs recently so this post is really timely 😀
I recently signed up for the bluehost affiliate program and I’m looking into a couple others. Thanks for sharing!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…Gym selfies, social media, pumpkin and more
oh great — you should definitely check out mom’s affiliate because they have SO many different options for programs!
As usual, great info Courtney. I’m starting to highly consider making the jump to self hosted, and if/when I do I’ll definitely consider Amazon affiliate. Correct me if I’m wrong, Amazon affiliate is a violation of the Word Press terms of agreement if you aren’t self hosted, right?
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Our Race Medals on Display
you are right — you’ll need to be self hosted in order to take part in that program. do it, kathryn! bluehost is the way to go – i just re-upped with them 🙂
I’ve had the most success with shareasale (I make $1 if you signup using my link –> http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?B=70&U=718134&M=47&urllink=)
But once you sign up there, you can become an affiliate for multiple sites, like Reebok, Adidas, ProCompression, Bioskin, and Zulily. Then if you link to something on your site from one of those sites, you can go to Shareasale and get a special link that will give you credit when someone makes a purchase.
Plus, I’ll get an email a couple days ahead of a sale so that you can prep your social media to share. Recently Reebok had a huge sale and I made more money from one sale than I did in probably six months of affiliate sales elsewhere!
jennifer recently posted…Even people without body images issues can still have body images issues
thanks for sharing – i’ve heard that share a sale is great 🙂
I’m signed up for Bluehost and amazon but need to be more proactive about the links. I think it helps to write a blog post about Bluehost..did you do that? I haven’t checked your income post but I’m curious how successful you are with Amazon because I’ve heard mixed reviews.
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Did You Know Link-Up #9
yep – see my tab “how to start a blog” 🙂
Very interesting! I have seen disclaimers on blogs but never really knew what they were talking about. Geez, I promote fitness clothes so much on my blog that I should look into this!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Running the Race in My Mind
you really should since you share so much about the cute clothes you wear! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your tips (and the income report!)! I LOVE reading these kinds of posts because I have no idea what I’m doing here haha
Carmy recently posted…Inside My Mind: THE TAPER HAS STARTED! How to Stay Motivated!
happy to help! i’m learning as i go!
I’ve just started using affiliate links. I’m really liking them so far!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Sharing Photos with the Seahorse App
glad to hear it’s working well for you!
Sure, I am apart of a ton of affiliate groups but they do nothing for me, so I really don’t bother. I only really do Amazon…… I don’t really care all that much about making $ through blogging, it’s a blessing that I do, but I more just blog because I LOVE IT and love “meeting” new people – and making friends like YOU! 😀
GiGi Eats recently posted…Good Mood Food: We Could All Use Some
Lol I wish I could accidentally make money like you girl!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Did You Know Link-Up #9
i agree — i love connecting and meeting fun people who crack me up (like you, friend!!) xx
Do you find that most readers will buy the amazon product by clicking on the link on your blog? I know I very rarely purchase something online the very first time I see it. If I saw it on your blog, I would probably think about it and then go to Amazon directly when I am ready to buy it. Thanks for letting me know this because in the future if you post something I would want to buy, I will make sure I come back to your page and click the amazon link through you!
with amazon they don’t have to buy the linked product – it can be any product as long as they reach amazon through the blog. so i don’t think people have often bought what i’m linking to but just something they needed. thanks, meranda!
Great info. I need to check out the Amazon affiliate. I spend so much there already.
steph recently posted…Body After Baby: 4 week update
you should check it out! 🙂
Thanks for the sharing the info about Mom’s Affiliate. Always looking for other affiliates…
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…A Group Run, Fat Bastard, And Katy Perry
they have links to a ton!
I am part of an affiliate program – heck MANY but they don’t really work for me. I forget to add links to my posts so I guess I just stink at it. It isn’t authentic for me.
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…Women Who Box – Dara Shen
i’m usually adding a link to a product i’m raving about anyway – to make it easy for my readers to find it so it was something i was already pretty accustomed to!
Once again thank you for this information!! How do you sign up for Amazon? Eventually I would definitely like to sign up for affiliates. Right now though I need help with Web design. Any tips?
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Virtual Races…The Perks of Running At Your Own Pace
honestly i don’t remember but if you google amazon affiliate it will pop up! it’s a great program – i recommend it. as far as web design, that is an area in which i know pretty much nothing 🙂 good luck!
This is a part of blogging I haven’t even dug into yet. Add it to my to-do list!
Alyson recently posted…Road ID App Review
Always great info! Ahhh can’t wait to redesign my blog 🙂
Jennifer recently posted…NYC Marathon Countdown – Logistics
Yes. I am a part of the ejunkie affiliate… and I get random emails from others. I just forget to use those codes in my posts/reviews. 😉
Rachel recently posted…30 Minute Lower Body Workout
I just signed up for Linkshare, and always use shopstyle for clothes that I post. I haven’t heard of the mom one- def going to check that out!
Lindsay @brokeandbougie recently posted…Wednesday Workout: Favs Right Now
GAH! OMG! Forget affiliate links, look at this new blog design! This is beautiful, Courtney! I love it! Okay, I do have one affiliate link and that is with RoadID, because I think everyone on the planet should have a RoadID and I am a huge supporter of their products. Thanks for the post and I LOVE YOUR NEW DESIGN! 🙂
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Speak Out
hahaha thank you so much. still working on and changing a lot of things! but it’s a good start 🙂
I have been a part of the Amazon program for a long time. I do have a general disclosure but I’ve started adding a note at the bottom of the post too that the post contains affiliate links. I was thinking of just putting one in my footer so that it covers me that links may be affiliate links.
I had Zulily on my shareasale account but it didn’t really “go” with my fitness theme, although they have fitness items sometimes and I love Zulily. They may have come out with more targeted banners by now. I have a Knuckle lights ad where it’s affiliate now since I love them! I only want to do this for things I believe in anyhow. Like RoadID – I’m an affiliate. I almost never get anything for it but I believe in the product so I keep the link/ad there to spread awareness of the product.
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Friday Five: Favorite Fitness Tunes
Great post