5 Affiliate Programs content creators need to know in 2023
We know: Everyone in the content creator and influencer space is talking about affiliate work, and how they’re making big bucks. At a recent conference, we heard from one influencer who generated over $28,000 on one campaign!
How can you make affiliate income as a content creator? We’re spilling our secrets below!
But first, what is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is when a creator or influencer earns commission by promoting products or services through a unique sales link in their content.
If you use your content to talk about favorite skincare brands, recent Target runs, or a swimsuit you just bought, you could be making commission on those clicks.
It’s pool szn, and you need these pool bag essentials
Did you click on the pool bag essentials article above? Scroll thru? Add a couple to your cart? Boom. That’s affiliate marketing at work.
How can content creators be successful with affiliate marketing? Here are our 4 best tips:
Choose the right affiliate program. These are sites or companies who connect you with affiliate offers to promote. Look for programs that fit your content and audience, have products or services you use or feel comfortable promoting, and offer clear commission rates and terms. (Keep scrolling for a list of our favorites!)
Pro tip: While Amazon and LTK are popular, many other affiliate programs offer higher commission rates and bonuses. We’ll share them below.
Create quality content. Your content is key to your success as an affiliate marketer. Make sure it's informative but engaging. Include clear and concise calls to action so followers click thru to your links.
Pro tip: We think it’s easier to focus on one affiliate campaign per channel, per day. This keeps your content mix organic and prevents followers from feeling constantly sold to.
Promote your content. Once you've created your content, it’s time to share so people find it (and start clicking!). Don’t be shy to test it on all your channels: Social media, in blog posts, or an email to your subscribers.
Pro tip: Mix your content up! We love going Live one day to see how people respond, and sharing a quick, curated list the next.
Track your results. Regularly review results to see what's working - use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, or affiliate program reporting to show which offers and links are performing well.
Pro tip: You can create multiple links for different channels (e.g. Mod Sunscreen - IG Stories, Mod Sunscreen - Blog post) in many programs. This helps you evaluate performance, optimize, and try new channels.
What affiliate programs should content creators use? Here are our 5 favorites:
Mavely has a fabulous social commerce platform. Partners include Walmart, Anthropologie, Children's Place, and more, with commissions ranging from a percentage of sales to per-sale referrals. Additional features include a link creator, browser extension, and personalized store for followers to shop. Sign up here.
Cactus Media is a content marketing agency with high commission offers and responsive support. Past campaigns have included Peacock TV, Dyper, Craftsy, and SiriusXM. Commission prices can range from $2-$50 per referral. Sign up here.
Howl is a new affiliate platform that promotes "creator-led growth" and transparent collaboration. Creators can work with Target, Samsung, notable beauty brands, and more, with commissions ranging from 1-75% and a bonus structure. Sign up here.
Amazon Associates is likely the best-known affiliate program, and widely used. They offer commission on sales, bounties for program referrals like Audible and Amazon Fresh, and more. Start here.
Flodesk is not an affiliate program but a great email marketing system to create beautiful emails, segment your email list, and communicate affiliate content to subscribers. Sign up here.
