I have been blogging for five years now, headed into my sixth at The Curvy Fashionista. Making a full time living is a hustle and a grind, one that requires multiple sources of income to make it happen. So when I was about affiliate programs and my favorites, I thought I would share this in a fun post. As there are a few and they serve different purposes.
When used effectively, affiliate sales can bring in varied forms of revenue! Affiliate sales and sidebar ad placements along with newsletter placements can eventually add up to bring in a substantial source of revenue. Now, as I shared, I am a fashion blogger, so there are going to be a few affiliate programs that may not apply and others that are a bit tricky to integrate into your site, but it is all trial and error in my book!
My Favorite Affiliate Programs as a Fashion Blogger
(I mask and track with my own bit.ly links)
- Linkshare– One of the biggest and most profitable for me. Their service level is top notch and they work with you to reach new levels and heights and show you the tools you need to grow your business.
- Shareasale– Another great one with great payments, I have been a part of shareasale since I started using affiliate ads. Easy interface and quite a few plus size brands live here.
- Pepperjam– (now ebay) I am still learning this network since a few of the plus size retailers are here. I only became more familiar since Google closed its ad network. Easy to use interface, but I have not had the pleasure of the engagement as I have had with Linkshare.
- Commission Junction-(now CJ Affiliate By Conversant)
- Reward Style– I barely use this one because on Linkshare, I have negotiated higher commissions or they have brands that Reward Style does not have. BUT they do have quite the vast reach and range of brands and retailers. I do find myself rocking out over there. ALSO, they have a really cool widget option for individual posts or to create your own store from, that I have been thinking about.
- I also use a few UK ones like Affiliate Window.
Tips when Using Affiliates
I must also share a few tips when it comes to using these affiliates.
The key here is trust and respect from your readers. Times are a bit easier now than when we first started, but before you start slapping ads up all over the place, make sure that you have a great blog and content to keep them coming back.
Disclosure! I have my policy on my blog that I share that I use affiliate ads. I disclose in my policy there, right next to the other policies I have on the blog.
Bit.ly is your friend. Want to know which links are tracking well? Want to mask them? Want to be able to get overall impressions on the link you made? Well, Bit.Ly does this. On top of it, I have a custom bit.ly link for branding purposes to!
Also, make sure you have a plan of attack so that it weaves into your brand/blog seamlessly…. everything should not scream ads or affiliates… IMHO.
How I use these Affiliates on My Blog
- In my posts: I use them for outfit posts, featured products, and whatever natural in post reason that highlights a product I have mentioned.
- Sidebar Ads: This is a great way to fill sidebar inventory when you haven’t any advertisers yet. But do use them sparingly or at least make sure it flows with your design and does not clutter.
- On FB with items I love: Every once in a while I will come across items that I have to share that will not make it to my blog, so I will (if I am lucky to have an affiliate program with them) I will share this on FB
- In Newsletters: For the longest time, most email newsletters did not let you use them in your newsletters, however I have found that this has since changed and for me, I like it. I use these on the sidebar of my email newsletters!
NOTE: I did not do or go into this until two years into my blog, as I was trying to make sure it was a seamless transition. For those of you who started later than I, you have the advantage of the readers being more open to affiliate links and supporting you with them!
Hi really liked your post. Is it okay to use affiliates right from the beginning or should I wait for the right traffic?
Great article! I also like Amazon & Viglink! 🙂
Commission Junction denied my application as a Affiliate, Is there any other way to reach out to them?
Bit late, but better than never, right?
I am currently redeveloping my website, Peekal, which is a fashion discovery service. We rank online labels based upon Instagram popularity. I want to introduce an affiliate marketing program, so that when users click through to an item or buy from them, we can gain revenue. What, in your opinion, would be the best way of implementing such a program?
Thanks.
thanks, nice post, i need for this 🙂
Very helpful, I appreciate the tips!
Thank you so much Marie. Your posting really help me as a new blogger
Hey lady! This article was super helpful for me. I had been looking into this for a while and not getting much solid info until I came across this. Keep up the good work xo Corinne
Shareasale has been my bread and butter. Great Post!
I am so glad I fell upon this. I have a few questions though. I am a Fashion YouTuber and Blogger only 4 months into this. I do not know much at all about affiliate marketing. Does it cost anything at all for to become an affiliate? Do I need a certain amount of subscribers or social media followers? What if who I want to promote isnt associated with any network? And why would your readers not like your affiliate links and posts?
A very educational post! I’ve never considered monetising my blog but am now! This post has helped me rid some doubts I had in mind and confirmed other doubts! Thank you so much! 🙂
I have a question??? I just started my fashion blog and I have a few content on there will I still be able to sign up with affiliate programs right now if I don’t have any following or how does that work. 4 do I have to wait I really need to know this can anyone tell me this please check out my new fashion style blog please….. ..
Great article Marie, thank you for sharing. This is a huge help. I found this article about affiliate programs, it can be usefull. xoxo
https://medium.com/@StellaThinks/the-comparison-of-affiliate-programs-for-fashion-blogging-20ff3c1bfb1c#.gaiar6r62
Google brought me here and then I was like, “hey, I know her!” thanks for the great tips. Hope you are still loving ATL.
This was so helpful! Thank you!
I am currently set up on skimlinks with a code embedded in my website that turns my links into skim links. Is it possible to use more than one affiliate program at a time? Thanks, Marie! x
Hello Marie!
Thanks for this great post. I was wondering if you had any recos for someone who wants to do affiliate marketing focused on green/eco beauty and sustainable products (mostly fashion)? I’ve done some research but the results are questionable.. There are some affiliates out there but they are mostly linked to really “granola” brands if you know what I mean. Thanks!
So glad i came across this post! it’s helped me so much! I just signed up for stylesense and bit.ly thanks! <3
http://www.buzztosophia.blogspot.ca
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Amazon. It’s hit or miss for me. If I have a post with a lot of traffic then yes – it does well. Or every once in awhile someone will find an old link and purchase something through it.
Thanks for your article. I’m a beginner in affiliate programs. I need to learn a lot about it and this post helps 🙂
mY PLEASURE!!!
Be wary of picvpic commenters. Likely employees
Hey Marie, thank you for this insightful article! Do you mind sharing your experience with programs that DIDN’T work for you and why? You’ve probably tried a whole bunch of various partnerships! Have you ever used ShopStyle, Lyst, or picVpic? I bump into them a lot, and they seem to be quite profitable. Thanks a lot, I wish you posted more frequently, I enjoy reading your blog : )
Hrmmm I will def see what I can do!
Thnx this is very helpful
Thanks!
Thank you for the article.
I tried different affiliate programs, some were great, others not so much, the
best one for me so far is picvpic partnership program. Very easy to set up,
pays a lot, creates good content. Really recommend it.
Thank you for this article, really helpful for amateur bloggers like me! I did some research on the highest paying affiliate programs and the best one I found so far seems to be the one offered by picvpic.com – http://picvpic.com/partnership/overview. Maybe you can do a comparative review on them and other programs? Again, thanks for the information!
Hey guys,
here you can find another extended list of affiliate programs, which will help you expand further.
List of Affiliate Programs
Wow, so much useful tips,
thank you! I actually found another affiliate program for fashion bloggers: picvpic.com
partnership program http://picvpic.com/partnership/overview
. They’re said to promise full commission on sales and from what I heard it
really is so, no hidden fees or anything. Can you do a review on them or a
comparison on them and other popular options? Thanks again for the article!
I’m just starting out as a blogger and researched a lot about affiliate programs that pay the most. The best one I found seems to be picvpic partnership program: http://picvpic.com/partnership/overview . They offer you 100% commission on sales, no hidden costs or fees. Just wanted to share this to anyone trying to find a good way to monetize their fashion blog. By the way, thank you for the article, really helpful!
Thank you for such post. I will use them also. But, here i’m using the other affiliative program from http://picvpic.com/partnership/overview. here I made millions.
thank you for posting this.. blogger starting out and have just been asked to sign an affiliate network and wnated to read up as much as possible. thanks again!
http://www.thesecrethoarder.com
My pleasure! Which one???
Oh you are my hero! Thank you than you! As a new blogger there is so much to learn! Thanks for your tips!!
I love shop sense. Visiting from BLM. I make my money the fastest with them.
K at http://www.beautystyleandgrowth.blogspot.com
Are you still in love with them?
Love this! And I admire that you always disclose. More bloggers should do this!
Thanks Marie! We are tackling this right now and really appreciate you suggestions!