As we explained in Affiliate Marketing Basics for Bloggers, marketers and influencers can earn income be referring visitors to products. A brand will pay you a small commission for every sale made through your direct link. It may sound simple, but there are guidelines for selling online though affiliate income. To help boost your income, we’ll go over ways to maximize affiliate links without breaking the rules.
Affiliate Guidelines
Each affiliate program has its own rules and guidelines. What is allowed for Amazon Affiliates, may not be allowed by Share A Sale Affiliate. It’s important to know each affiliate program’s guidelines so you’re not kicked out of the program of penalized.
All affiliate programs require affiliates to disclose their links in posts and the Federal Trade Commission requires this, as well. You can disclose in copy for blog posts and use the #AD hashtag for social shares.
1. Write Comparison Blog Posts
Create a balanced product review comparing products you’ve used and know. Write about the pros and cons of the products Add direct links to affiliate products and banners within the blog post.
For example, compare an Instapot name brand cooker to a lesser known brand presser cooker.
2. Leave Links in YouTube description boxes
Some of your favorite YouTubers are affiliate marketers who refer viewers to the description box to purchase items seen or referred to in the videos.
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3. Share Links on Facebook
Per your affiliate network’s guidelines you can share referral links on Facebook. Be careful to use approved imagery or allow the affiliate link to generate it’s own image.
4. Social Media Bios: Twitter & Instagram
Your favorite fashion Instagrammer can refer you to their outfit of the day by placing a referral link in the Instagram profile.
5. Newsletter Links
Per your email delivery service’s terms of service, you can refer visitors to products you recommend with affiliate links and images.
6. Email signature
Link to a blog post that includes referral links in your email signature.
For example, write “Check out my latest post on packing for our Thanksgiving holiday road trip” in your email signature and link to your blog post.
RELATED TOPIC: How to Increase Blog Income by $1K a Month
Affiliate Marketing Tip:
Get to know the affiliate manager for programs and products. Ask them about promotions, discounts and coupon codes your audience can use. Many affiliate managers are responsible for coordinating product reviews and compensated campaigns.
Comment below: What’s been the most profitable place for you to share affiliate links? Have you considered ways to use affiliate links around the holidays?
Disclosure Resources:
FTC Reminders for Influencers to Disclose Clearly
Amazon Affiliate Influencer Policy
