Running a successful blog means making the most of any opportunities that come your way. For example, this could include finding your niche so that you’re able to grow your audience and connect with the people who are most likely to enjoy your content. However, you should also keep an eye out for ways in which you can monetize your blog.
While there are many ways you can earn money while blogging, one of the most effective methods used by top bloggers worldwide- is affiliate marketing.
In this guide, we’ll help you to understand exactly what affiliate marketing is, alongside discussing which are the best affiliate programs for bloggers in 2022.
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is probably best described as a partnership between yourself (your blog) and a brand. As an affiliate, you’ll post content to your blog that advertises products/services on behalf of a company, which will include a link back to their site. This link will be personalized so that whenever a purchase is made by someone that has followed your link, you’ll earn a commission.
To put it simply, you’ll earn money whenever you send traffic to the company’s website or boost sales. This process can prove to be incredibly beneficial for both the blogger and the company in question, with a recent study finding that “affiliate marketing is responsible for 16% of global ecommerce sales.”
How do I get started in affiliate marketing?
The easiest way to get started in affiliate marketing is to simply sign up for one of the many affiliate programs for bloggers. However, to secure the best opportunities, you must ensure that your blog is up to scratch. For example, you must be able to prove that your blogs receive high levels of engagement (views, likes, comments, and shares).
You should also ensure that you only choose to align yourself with companies that match your personal brand. For example, you should not advertise products to your readers that you would not use yourself. This will help you to establish a sense of trust, which means they’re more likely to click on the affiliate links you do share.
What are the best blogger affiliate programs?
As there are many affiliate programs out there to choose from, you must do your research ahead of time. After all, it’s crucial that you recommend only the best products/services to your readers, while also optimising your earning opportunities.
With that in mind, here are the eight best affiliate programs for bloggers in 2022 (and beyond).
- Quickbooks
- Amazon Associates
- Trip Advisor
- Etsy
- Kinsta
- Like To Know It
- Fiverr
- SemRush
- Adobe
1. Quickbooks
What is Quickbooks?
Quickbooks is a platform that provides customers with business and financial management tools and is used across a wide range of industries. It can make the lives of small business owners much easier, especially when it comes to carrying out financial tasks such as tax filing and invoicing. This means this affiliate program is well suited to entrepreneurial or financial blogs, especially those that offer advice to budding entrepreneurs.
How can I earn money through Quickbooks?
Quickbooks provides bloggers and affiliates with the chance to earn up to 10% in commissions on sales originating from their websites. This means that the more traffic you send their way, the more money you can earn. Even better, when you become a Quickbooks affiliate, they do much of the hard work on your behalf. For example, they’ll help you figure out how to add content, banners, and links to your site – and each time one of these ads, banners, or links is clicked, you’ll start to earn money. This money can be withdrawn monthly.
2. Amazon Associates
What is Amazon Associates?
According to a recent study, Amazon is the biggest e-commerce market in the world. In 2021 alone, it brought in a revenue of $131,019 million. There are millions of products on sale throughout the site, meaning you’re sure to find products that align with your brand. For example, should you run a lifestyle blog, you could share links to your favourite beauty and lifestyle products. Or, if you run a fitness and exercise blog, you could share links to products you use in your workouts. Either way, it’s easy to find products that match your blog – which is perhaps why the Amazon associates program is so popular.
How can I earn money through Amazon Associates?
You can earn money through amazon associates whenever you share links to products available on the site. The commission varies between products and their overall popularity, but you can expect to earn anywhere between 1-10% of the product price as commission. This money can be transferred directly into your bank or in the form of Amazon vouchers. Another benefit of becoming an amazon associate is the fact that it gives you access to free or heavily discounted products and product samples.
3. Trip Advisor
What is Trip Advisor?
Trip Advisor is an online platform where users can leave reviews on popular travel destinations, hotels, restaurants, and other tourist venues and attractions. It can also be used to book hotel stays or attraction tickets. Again, this means the TripAdvisor affiliate program is well-suited to a wide range of bloggers but is particularly geared towards those who share lifestyle or travel content. However, this program is considered rather exclusive, meaning it may take some time to get approved.
How can I earn money through Trip Advisor?
When you become a trip advisor affiliate, you earn 50% of the commission they’d receive from their booking partners when your affiliate link is used in conjunction with a sale/reservation. However, you can also earn money even if a sale is not made, but your links are used for browsing. A recent study found that Trip Advisor affiliates earn approximately $0.15- 0.75 per click.
4. Etsy
What is Etsy?
Etsy is a global online marketplace where individual sellers can sell a wide range of products, though it tends to specialise in crafts and handmade goods. It is one of the fastest-growing online marketplaces. For example, according to Statistica in 2021, Etsy brought in $13.5 billion in sales revenue – a significant increase from $10.3 million in 2020. As a result, it’s no surprise that many bloggers are keen to tap into this world through affiliate marketing. Much like with Amazon, there is a lot of scope to work with when becoming an Etsy affiliate, as you can easily find products for sale that align with your brand or the kind of content you produce on your blog.
How can I earn money through Etsy?
When you become an Etsy affiliate, the commission is earned on each qualifying sale (excluding tax, delivery, returns, and cancellations). Affiliates will typically earn 4% on commissions, though this can vary on a case-by-case basis. When you join Etsy as an affiliate, you’ll also gain exclusive access to competitions and the opportunity to try out products for free.
5. Kinsta
What is Kinsta?
Kinsta is a company that offers premium hosting for a wide range of businesses, from e-commerce sites to agencies. They currently host over 25,000 websites, though the number is growing every day. More recently, they have launched their own affiliate marketing program, designed to help bloggers signpost potential clients towards the website itself. While selective, becoming a Kinsta Affiliate brings around significant financial gain.
How can I earn money through Kinsta?
As mentioned above, there’s a clear financial incentive to becoming a Kinsta Affiliate. Affiliates, when sharing links on their blog, can earn up to $500 for every referral, depending upon which plan they sign up for. You’ll also receive 5%-10% in monthly recurring lifetime commissions.
5. Like To Know It
What is Like To Know It?
Like To Know It (also known as LTK) is a shopping platform by RewardStyle that allows users to purchase items directly from their favourite bloggers posts. Creators using the platform can post links to items from retailers who are partnered with the platform. It is not only limited to bloggers, any digital creator can use LTK but you do need to apply and be accepted to be able to use it.
How can I earn money through Like To Know It?
Like To Know It is commission-based. You use an affiliate link that you share on your platforms and get anywhere between 7-20% commission on sales (depending on the brand). Affiliate links can be embedded in a blog post or social post, or shared in a shopping widget. If someone clicks on your affiliate link and then makes a purchase from that retailer on the same device, you will earn commission. Yes, that’s right, it is not limited to the exact item you linked!
7. Fiverr
What is Fiverr?
Fiverr is an online platform designed to connect freelancers across a range of disciplines with companies/businesses that need their services. It is used by 3.2 million buyers each year. The services offered on fiver are split into 500+ categories and includes services such as translation, copywriting, and photo editing. As a result, the Fiverr affiliate program can be utilized by bloggers in varying specialties.
How can I earn money through Fiverr?
When you become a Fiverr affiliate, you are paid for directing traffic toward the site. According to their website, affiliates “get paid for every first-time buyer, with no referral limit and a lifetime attribution.” Typically, you will receive approximately $150 per successful referral (first-time users only). If you generate subscriptions to Fiverr Workspace, you’ll earn a 50% commission.
8. SemRush
What is SemRush?
Semrush is a tool used by business owners to boost web traffic (and by extension, sales). It is used to carry out tasks such as keyword research, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) best practices, and other forms of digital marketing. As a result, this affiliate program is likely best suited to bloggers who specialise in business content. After all, this will help you connect your readers with access to services that help them grow.
How can I earn money through SemRush?
SemRush is hugely popular amongst affiliate bloggers, because of the earning potential associated with becoming a partner. When you become a SemRush affiliate, you earn a commission based on the kind of traffic you send to their site. For example, on average, you earn $200 for each SemRush subscriber you send their way (new customers only), $10 for every lead, and $0.01 for new sign-ups. You can even earn a small commission whenever a user signs up for a free trial (using your affiliate links).
9. Adobe
What is Adobe?
Adobe is a computer software company that provides users with access to a wide range of specialised products that you are likely already familiar with and may actually use yourself. This includes Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop), Adobe Document Cloud, and Adobe Stock. As an affiliate, you will promote these products using affiliate links, encouraging users to join a subscription program. This kind of affiliate program may be best suited to business bloggers, or those who focus on creativity (especially in regard to Adobe Creative Cloud).
How can I earn money through Adobe?
Sharing affiliate links in your content is the easiest way to bulk up the money you receive when becoming an Adobe Affiliate. While the amount of commission you earn varies, you can earn 85% of the cost of the first month should a user follow your affiliate link when signing up. Should they sign up for a full year, you’ll receive 8.33% of the first-year payment. Other benefits include incentives such as discounts, student offers, desirable bundles, and campaign support.
Final Thoughts
Signing up for an affiliate program (or multiple programs) is a great way to start earning money through blogging – which could pave the way to a full-time career within the industry. However, in order to ensure the best outcome, you should take some time to carefully consider your options. Think about which brand(s) best align with your business, and your target audience. After all, if you advertise products that are irrelevant to your customers, they’re unlikely to click on your affiliate link.
You should also ensure you read all terms and conditions carefully before becoming an affiliate, as some programs may not allow you to be affiliates for other companies at the same time, especially if the brands are considered competitors. If this is the case, weigh your options carefully and select the program that offers you the most money when it comes to long-term rewards.
