After my post about ways to make money from affiliate links, reader Liyana, @theliyanaaris wanted to know more about the affiliate program types since she lives in Malaysia and not all are available to her.
When I started blogging, I signed up for every affiliate program under the sun because I didn’t want to miss anything. While this is great, it’s also hard to keep track of all your accounts and know when to use what program. Now I’m only affiliated with two affiliate programs, and that’s because they both serve completely different purposes.
Amazon affiliates
If you’re a lifestyle or fitness blogger, Amazon affiliates are for you. Amazon offers its affiliate program to bloggers all over the world too (this would be a good one for you Liyana).
In most affiliate programs for bloggers, you’ll only find links for clothing and accessories. Sometimes you’ll be able to find home decor or office supplies, but for the most part it’s strictly clothing.
With Amazon affiliates, you can link everything from food, vitamins, workout equipment, beauty products, and books. You name it, Amazon most likely has it. They even have clothing and shoes. This affiliate program is really a one stop shop.
ShopStyle Collective
Shopstyle Collective is my #1 recommendation for affiliate programs. All the stuff from “my closet” is linked through them. They have great ROI and they always offer chances to gain more or double your earnings.
They are constantly innovating the platform too – they’re the only program that allows you to shop Snapchat through emoticons.
I became affiliated with them when they started testing things out. They were initially called Shopsense and somewhat recently changed their name to Shopstyle Collective. So yes, you could say I’m very loyal to them.
They also give opportunities for collaborations with brands. I once got a really great collaboration with a super high-end beauty brand.
rewardStyle (LIKEtoKNOW.it)
rewardStyle or “like to know it” is probably the most well-known affiliate link program out there. They are a by-invitation only program which means you have to be discovered or referred by a blogger friend.
Though I typically don’t like a “members only” type attitude, the convenient thing is that all you have to do is like a picture on Instagram and you get an email with links to a blogger’s entire outfit. On the flip side if I want to know what you’re wearing quickly I’d love it if you could tag the brand in the picture or your caption.
ClickBank
Click bank is an interesting affiliate program. They have the most random products and services you can partner with. But from these random products and services, you can see exactly how much commission you’d make off each product, which can vary substantially. With services like ShopStyle and rewardStyle, there’s pretty much a fixed commission rate for all items – some items are slightly higher than others, but for the most part you’re getting a set price.
The only thing they don’t have is fashion which can pose a problem for us fashion bloggers. I don’t use this service but it may be a good alternative for people in other countries who can’t access ShopStyle or rewardStyle.
Rakuten (formerly Link Share)
Rakuten’s set up is similar to Amazon affiliates in that Rakuten is partnered with companies of all kinds. I don’t think it’s as user-friendly as ShopStyle, though. It’s definitely a more tedious process to find the things you want to link. However, Rakuten was rated the #1 affiliate marketing network for 5 years in a row so that has to say something.
Rakuten is great for web-based businesses and lifestyle or business bloggers. The platform seems to appeal to a more corporate audience of an older generation. If this affiliate program is your only option, I’d take it!
Skimlinks
Skimlinks is another option to monetize your links/content. They’re unique in that they monetize untapped existing links on your blog and automatically certain convert words in your posts into links. I’ve never used Skimlinks; however, they are not new to this industry and I’ve heard many great things.
Specific products
There are specific brands, programs, and products that have their own affiliate programs like SheIn.com. You can email them asking to participate in the program and earn 10% from each sale you make.
One brand that doesn’t do any affiliate linking is Zara. This drives me crazy because they have so many great things I wish I could link but can’t because they’re not affiliated with anyone. I think that’s a huge missed opportunity for them even though I’m sure they see it as gained profit because they don’t have to pay out commissions.
If you want to find out whether or not a brand has an affiliate link program just go to their website and check or send a general email inquiry.
Summery
- Amazon Affiliates: Suitable for lifestyle and fitness bloggers, Amazon offers a wide range of products to promote, including clothing, accessories, home decor, and more.
- ShopStyle Collective: Highly recommended for affiliate programs, ShopStyle Collective offers good return on investment (ROI) and provides collaboration opportunities with brands. It also offers innovative features such as shopping through Snapchat using emoticodes.
- rewardStyle (LIKEtoKNOW.it): Well-known in the affiliate marketing world, rewardStyle operates on an invitation-only basis. Users can easily access links to a blogger’s entire outfit by liking a picture on Instagram.
- ClickBank: ClickBank offers a variety of random products and services for partnership, with commission rates varying for each product. While it may not cater specifically to fashion bloggers, it can be a good alternative for those in countries where other programs are not accessible.
- Rakuten (formerly LinkShare): Similar to Amazon affiliates, Rakuten partners with various companies. It is a highly regarded affiliate marketing network, although it may be less user-friendly compared to other platforms.
- Skimlinks: Skimlinks provides an option to monetize existing links on a blog and automatically convert certain words into affiliate links. Although not personally used by the author, it has received positive reviews in the industry.
- Specific Products: Some brands have their own affiliate programs, such as SheIn.com, where bloggers can request to be a part of the program and earn a commission on sales. However, certain brands like Zara do not offer affiliate linking opportunities.
It is important for bloggers to explore and choose the affiliate programs that align with their niche, audience, and goals. Conducting research and reaching out to brands can help identify suitable programs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the post provides valuable insights into different types of affiliate programs available to bloggers and content creators. It highlights the diversity of options, ranging from well-known programs like Amazon affiliates and rewardStyle to lesser-known platforms like Skimlinks. The author shares personal experiences and recommendations, emphasizing the importance of selecting programs that align with one’s niche and target audience.
The post acknowledges the challenges of managing multiple affiliate accounts and suggests focusing on a few programs that serve distinct purposes. It also addresses the limitations faced by bloggers in certain regions, emphasizing the need to explore alternative programs that are accessible and offer suitable commission structures.
Overall, the post serves as a helpful guide for bloggers seeking to monetize their content through affiliate marketing. By understanding the different affiliate programs available and considering their unique features, bloggers can make informed decisions and maximize their earning potential.
In conclusion, there are various types of affiliate programs available for bloggers and content creators to monetize their links and content. Each program has its own unique features and advantages. Here are some key takeaways from the article:
What affiliate link program are you with? Tell us in the comments!
