If you are unsure what affiliate marketing is or why content creators often mention it, this blog article will share some light on the topic!

Chances are if you’ve ever read a blog website, watched a Youtube video, or scrolled through Instagram then you have probably seen the term affiliate marketing.

Many times content creators will use write in “#AD” with their post that mentions a product. (As they should be based on requirements.)

(Throughout this article may be affiliate links and ads. There is no extra cost to the buyer, thank you for supporting my blog!*)

What is Affiliate Marketing?

So in a simplified version of the definition, affiliate marketing is when a person or brand joins a program with another business to promote their products in exchange for a commission of sales.

Okay let’s break that down a little bit more in to steps:

1. A content creator has a product or service that they enjoy
2. They see if that business has an “affiliate program”
3. The content creator applies to the program and agrees to terms and policies
4. They are then approved or declined to join based on their relatable content, followers, website views etc.
5. Once the content creator is approved they will receive promotional marketing pieces, for example website URL links, banner images, and in some cases maybe even products
6. The creator then can incorporate these web links or advertisement images on their website, email newsletter, or social media (depending on the policy)
7. There must be a disclosure that affiliate links are included, such as a statement and/or “#ad” within their content
8. If any readers/followers click through the links and purchases the products recommended, the creator will receive a monetary commission from that sale

For example, if you purchase a $50 product after seeing the creator recommend an item, they may receive $10 from the company selling the merchandise.

In some cases depending on the program, the creator may also receive a commission on other items the shopper purchased. As long as the sale was directly after clicking the links.

|Related Article: First Year of Blogging

Misconceptions

I think there is unfortunately a misconception that clicking affiliate links is bad and that it costs the buyer more money. But it actually doesn’t.

The business running the affiliate program is what pays the content creator the commission on the sale.

Sort of like a, Thank you for promoting our product.

In my experience, I have never received any information about the buyer. So you don’t need to worry about the content creator receiving your address or anything like that.

The blogger/youtuber only knows that a link was clicked, what was purchased, and what they financially earn from it.

Why Content Creators Use Affiliate Marketing

Okay so now that we have gone over what affiliate marketing, I will explain why content creators use it.

There are usually a couple of reasons why bloggers/youtubers/ social media influencers use affiliate marketing programs.

But I will only speak from personal experience using them on my blog and Youtube channel.

Builds Content

By incorporating recommended products and services, it helps to add another layer of content and resourceful information for readers/followers.

For example, I blog about journaling so often times I add in an image link to a notebook or craft kit that I use.

Since the follower is reading the journaling article we probably share similar interests, so they most likely collect notebooks for junk journaling as well.

So why not create more helpful content for them by sharing items I recommend and have a positive experience with.

When filming Youtube videos, viewers may be interested in what is being used in the scene.

For example, anything from the camera being used to the craft kit creating the journal pages.

If they would like to purchase a product seen in the video, the creator can provide them a link in the description or comments section.

It saves the viewer from having to randomly search online or in a store to try to find the item.

While also supporting the creator.

Get a Free 5 Page Printable

Send Me the Journal!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

Built with ConvertKit

Affiliate Marketing Income

A main (but not only) reason why a lot of content creators use affiliate marketing is for a source of financial income.

That may turn some people away but personally I don’t understand why.

If you enjoy what the person shares online, using their affiliate links is a simple way to show your support.

We all need to earn money to pay our expenses, and affiliate marketing is a non-traditional form of compensating them for their time and service.

Showing Support

The person creating the content took the time to research the topic, write the article, add in extra resources, and share it online or social media.

The same applies for anyone creating a Youtube video, or other types of digital content.

Plus the costs of their website, email programs, PO boxes, supplies used, and any other fees from their expenses.

So when a creator shares a product they personally recommend and receive an income, it helps to financially support them creating even more information for readers to enjoy!

Conclusion

I hope this article helped to share a little bit of insight in to what affiliate marketing is and how it helps support content creators!

If you have any questions please be sure to comment below!

Thanks for reading,

Rebekka, Owner of RLSPhotogenic.com

For more articles, click here: Blog Archives

---