If you have ever read a blog, you have probably seen an affiliate link. Affiliate links are links in a blog that takes you to the website where you can buy the product. These links are helpful for the reader because they can easily buy or read about the product that the blogger is recommending. These links, however, benefit the blogger too. The blogger can make a small commission everytime a reader buys the product by clicking on the link in the blog post. This is a fantasic way for bloggers to make passive income through their blog.

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How to Become a Blogger Affiliate

A blogger can apply to become an affiliate through affiliate networks or directly through the merchant. Once you become an affiliate simply add links to your blog whenever you talk about a product you love. I usually just write my post first and then add affiliate links where ever I notice I mention a product.

So say my blog is accepted as an Amazon Affiliate. For my next post I talk about Mindful eating, and I mention my favortie mindfulness books. I can get the amazon link through the amazon affiliate program and add the link to my blog post. Whenever someone clicks on the Mindful books link and buys the prodcuct or any other product within 24 hours of clicking on my link, I will get a small commission for the sale. This is affiliate marketing in a nutshell.

*One important note: Make sure you are promoting items you love and use. People will come to trust your recommendations if you are honest and authentic. Isn’t the whole point of blogging to tell people about the things you know about and love?

Steps to Making Money through Affiliates

So you now know the basics about affiliates. Let’s talk about how to make real money through affiliate marketing.

Step 1: Get the Right Host

The first step to affiliate marketing is to get the correct blog host. You need to select a self-hosting company like Bluehost if you are planning on using affiliates. Then, you need to get wordpress.com (not wordpress.org) if you plan on making money with your blog. Next you You will also need to purchase your domain name. (My domain name is www.mindfulnessinfaithandfood.com). Fortunately your domain name is included when you purchase Bluehost. You can also set up wordpress.com through Bluehost as well.

By the way, if you decide to use Bluehost through my link, let me know, and I would love to support you by promoting your first post through some of my platforms. (as long as it’s family friendly).

If you want more information about starting a blog, check out How to Start a Blog When You Feel Called to Blog.

Step 2: Apply to Affiliate Programs

Okay, now for the good stuff! Now that you have your blog, you can apply to become an affiliate! (Some affiliates require a certain number of page views before approving your blog).

Below are my personal favorite affiliate programs if you are wanting to make money:

1. Share-A-Sale

The Share-A-Sale affiliate program has become one of my favorites. I like Share-a-sale because you pick which companies you want to partner. Because Share-a-Sale has over 4,500, you can pick the companies and products you love and use. Some of the merchants on Share-A-Sale include Etsy, Tailwind, and even Share-a-Sale. Yes, I said Etsy! You can filll out an application with Shareasale here. After you join Share-a-Sale, browse the companies and apply to partner with the individual companies you love.

2. CJ Affiliates

CJ affliliates works similarly to Share-A-Sale in that you can pick which companies to partner. I am a huge fan of the lists of companies you can partner with through CJ Affiliates. Some of the companies include 1-800-Dentist, AMCMouse.com, 24 Hour Fitness, and many, many more.

3. Amazon Associates

You can find almost anything on Amazon, which makes Amason my go-to affiliate for many products. You can find a link on Amazon to about any product you are talking about on your blog. For this reason, I think a blogger looking to make money should definitely apply to be an Amazon Affiliate.

4. Bluehost

Another perk to using Bluehost is that later you can apply to be a Bluehost affiliate. Sometimes people want to start a blog like yours and want to know what host you use. Tell your readers how you started your blog and share your Bluehost link. So if you are using Bluehost and love it; tell people!

5. Ibotta

This is technically called a friend referral program. Ibotta is a FREE app that sends you rebates when you shop. In other words, Ibotta pays you to shop through their app! Sooo it’s free AND you make money by purchasing your everyday items and groceries!!! Oh and one more thing, you also make money everytime someone signs up through your affiliate link! Okay another one more thing (last one more thing, I promise), when you sign up through an affiliate link like this one, you get $10 for signing up! Oh, and if you don’t have a blog you can simply post your referral code on Facebook or send an email to your friends with your referral code.

Sooo its free, you get paid to shop, you get $10 for signing up through my affiliate link, and you get paid when others sign up through your link!!! I call that a win, win, win, win, win situation!

If you want to read more about Ibotta, click How I Cut my Grocery Bill in MORE than Half.

6. Ebates

Ebates is similar and is just as awesome as Ibotta. Again, it is FREE, you get paid to shop, you get $10 for signing up through my affiliate link here, and you get paid when others sign up through your link! Yep, another win, win, win, win scenario.

To learn more about Ebates click How I Cut My Grocery Bill in MORE that Half.