You’ve signed up for affiliate programs, and perhaps you’ve already published product review posts for your affiliate links. But now you’re wondering – what are the other ways to promote your affiliate links to maximize your passive income opportunities?
The good news is that just like there are several free ways to grow blog traffic through promotion, there are several free ways to promote your affiliate links.
One of the reasons why I love doing affiliate marketing is that in many cases promotion is very easy and evergreen.
For example, publish a review post and all you need to do is the usual promotion. If you optimize it with keywords, the post will get found in SERPs. You may need a little update occasionally if there’s a new feature (e.g., a software product).
Others require a little bit of work on your part. But it’s still easier than actively pursuing sales or clients.
This is why I recommend it for blogging beginners who have just started a blog. It’s one of my favourite session topics with my blog coaching clients.
This post will go through 15 ways to promote affiliate links on your blog and social media, and in other ways that you may have not considered. Let’s start monetizing your blog and business!
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them. For more information, please read my Disclaimer.
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Before You Start Promoting Affiliate Links, Have You Done This First?
First things first, before I share all of the ways to promote affiliate links, make sure you check out this post:
You’ll learn how to add affiliate links to your posts, about legal prerequisites (the all-important legal pages – find out how you can get a super affordable, customizable legal page template bundle), and where to find the best affiliate programs for your niche.
You’ll want to ensure you have a Disclaimer page on your site that covers everything about how you use affiliate links. This is to prevent being fined by the FTC.
PRO TIP: Create a Disclosure statement that you can easily add to any post or page that has affiliate links. This saves you time in crafting a new one each time you publish a post.
So you’re now eager to learn more!
Where can I promote my affiliate links for free? Where is the best place to promote affiliate links?
Let’s answer these questions in one very obvious way: on your blog. But not just by link-dropping in your blog content.
There are many ways to promote affiliate links, but have you written a product review for them yet?
The BEST way to convert your readers into buyers – or at least to get them to click your affiliate links – is to write a full review of the product or service.
Read my full post on how to write affiliate product reviews that convert into sales:
Best Ways To Promote Affiliate Links
Let’s switch gears and see what are other ways to promote affiliate links. These methods include using your blog, social media and other smart promotion strategies.
We’re focusing on these ways, as stats and survey results for the affiliate marketing industry show that 74% of people are checking out non-retail sites for reviews before making a purchase.
That means they’re looking at reviews including those from influencers and bloggers.
They’re also looking to social media for recommendations and to see what others are using.
We’re going to cover all the ways you can tap into this interested audience, and share links where they are seeking information.
1. Add Affiliate Links To Your Blog Posts
If you don’t have a blog, I highly suggest you start a niche blog. Running a self-hosted WordPress site using NameHero to start is recommended (approximately USD $4.48/month). I use it for this site and love the up-time and fast customer service.
Read more on how to start a self-hosted niche blog that you can use for affiliate marketing.
You’ll have two opportunities for link promotion with your blog posts:
- Adding affiliate links to your existing content
- Including affiliate links in new content
In both cases, it’s important to embed your affiliate links in a way that makes sense and is relevant to the content.
Add affiliate products that offer a solution to the problem the post is about.
So for example, if I’m talking about how to create and sell online courses, I’ll recommend Podia because it’s so easy to use.
Always add the benefit of using the affiliate product/service as it relates to the problem. Don’t just drop the affiliate link – use persuasive language and text to entice the reader to click for more information.
PRO TIP: If you’re using WordPress, consider using the Media & Text block to spotlight affiliate products and make them “pop”. Like this:
A solution for busy bloggers who need help with interlinking posts. It provides automatic link suggestions as you write.
Start ranking higher in posts with this smart SEO tool!
2. Promote Affiliate Links On A Resource Page
If you look up at my main navigation, you’ll see a “Tools” page. If you click through to it, you’ll find my recommended blog tools and resources.
I’ve added affiliate links to approved products that I use or have vetted in the past.
Resource pages are one of the easiest ways to promote affiliate links. Once you’ve created a resource page, very rarely do you need to update it.
PRO TIP: Remember to include the disclosure on your resource page before your first affiliate link.
3. Affiliate Banner Ads And Sidebar Ads
Many affiliate programs offer banner and sidebar ads that you can add to your site.
While I’m not a big fan of ads, when done tastefully and sparingly, they can be a very good way to generate an affiliate income.
REMEMBER: Add the no follow tag (rel=nofollow). You may have to add this manually with HTML code.
4. Add Affiliate Links To Your Free Lead Magnets
One of the easiest ways to promote affiliate links is through your free lead magnets.
If you’ve created a workbook, mini ebook, template or even a checklist, include a page with recommended tools or items that help.
But where do you add the Disclosure?
I always add a page after the title page that includes my Copyright information as well as a short disclaimer and affiliate disclosure.
PRO TIP: Many lead magnets are PDFs. I like to use Canva to create my lead magnets, making it easy to add affiliate links. Knowing that my readers are most likely to read my lead magnet on their desktop, tablet or mobile, I add my affiliate links. However, as a backup, I write out the URL, just in case the document is printed out.
5. How To Promote Affiliate Links On Facebook
What are the best ways to promote affiliate links on Facebook?
First, understand Facebook’s advertising policies. They explain where you can add affiliate links and how to disclose them.
There are several places you can add affiliate links on Facebook:
- On your personal Facebook account
- On your Facebook page
- In a Facebook group (best if it’s your own; some groups don’t allow affiliate links)
Where you can’t add affiliate links is Facebook ads. You can however add a link to a blog post or a page that has affiliate links.
To disclose that it’s an affiliate link, add (Ad) or (Affiliate) at the end of your description. If it’s an affiliate link for a product that a brand sent you and/or is paying for a review you can use (sponsored). Some people like to use hashtags like #ad or #affiliate, #affiliatelink etc.
6. How To Promote Affiliate Links On Instagram
Instagram is one of the hottest social media channels. Luckily, there are several ways to promote affiliate links on Instagram.
Before you do anything, make sure it’s easy for you to add your affiliate links to your profile link.
For this, you can use Linktree or Linkin.bio from Later (social media scheduling tool) or a similar service.
Or if you have a blog, create a page where you can share just the links mentioned on your Instagram feed. This gives you a nice traffic boost for your site. Check out what I did for my Instagram links page.
TIP: Make this page a “no index” page using RankMath or Yoast, so that Google doesn’t index it.
Here’s how I created mine:
Adding Affiliate Links On Instagram
Now that you’ve got the link in your profile set up to add links easily, let’s look at adding affiliate links on Instagram.
- Promote an affiliate product in your post feed, including the #affiliate/#ad hashtag in the caption and reminder to find your affiliate link in your profile.
- Add your affiliate link for reels. Make sure you add the disclosure hashtag in the caption.
- Add the affiliate link in an Instagram Story with the link sticker. In the customizable title add (affiliate).
NOTE: Instagram is working on creating an affiliate feature. However, it seems to be limited right now to the US and specific locales.
7. How To Add Affiliate Links To Pinterest
The best way to promote affiliate links on Pinterest is through blog posts.
Your product review posts – the ones I mentioned you should be doing as much as possible for affiliate products – are perfect for this.
Pinterest is a visual search engine, so people are constantly searching for information. This is why the best approach is to promote blog posts that contain your affiliate links.
What are other ways to promote affiliate links on Pinterest?
- Promote your free lead magnets, videos and other pages where you share your affiliate links.
- Create themed boards for affiliate products and add uncloaked affiliate links to these boards (if you don’t have a blog). Disclose your affiliate link in the pin description.
- Have high-priced affiliate links go to a high-value funnel. For example, an email course, masterclass, etc. This gives the Pinterest user something of value (information, knowledge) and includes high-cost affiliate links. They’re more likely to click the affiliate link and purchase if they trust you. This is built through the funnel process.
RELATED: How To Grow Blog Traffic With Pinterest
8. How To Promote Affiliate Links On X (Twitter)
Surprisingly, X is one of the more popular places to share affiliate links. What’s the secret to successfully promoting affiliate links on X?
You need a combination of a few things:
- A loyal, engaged audience
- Valuable content
- Credibility – does it show in your posts?
- Timeliness: speak to a topic when it’s popular and trending
Remember, hashtags used sparingly (maximum 2), help you get found on X.
People are generally checking out content on X rather than producing it. Many pop into X to follow specific topics and experts.
Focusing on personal branding is an important strategy when it comes to affiliate marketing success on X.
Many of the biggest experts in niche fields are highly successful, with huge followings. They inevitably share affiliate links once in a while, generating content.
You can learn much about the latest products, services and trends from them.
For example, I follow several SEO experts on X, and have learned many tricks from them! They’ve also introduced several new tools that I’ve checked out.
So how can you promote affiliate links on X?
- Through sharing your blog content that has affiliate links (this includes product reviews)
- In a thread on your favourite resources and tools (a common type of post many experts like to use)
- Promote your lead magnets that contain affiliate links
- Used the “pinned post” feature to promote your content that has affiliate links
If you’re sharing an affiliate link directly in a post, make sure you add the hashtag “affiliate” or #ad”, etc.
9. Where To Add Affiliate Links? Your Newsletter!
Your email newsletter is one of the BEST places to promote affiliate links.
I do hope you’re building and nurturing your email community on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. If not, it’s time to start offering them tips and knowledge for a while to show your readers you aren’t just about pushing products and making money off of them.
Build your personal brand, your credibility and your niche expertise!
Nothing turns me off faster than a weekly email that is all affiliate links and sales promotions.
So how do you successfully do affiliate links via your newsletter?
- Speak to one tip that solves a problem, and include the affiliate product/service as a great solution that you’ve used. Show social proof if you can for credibility.
- Do a round-up of favourite tools and resources. Select a short list – for example, top 3 or top 5.
- Offer a new free lead magnet that contains affiliate links.
- Nurture your email community and lead them to a point where they will be open to a high-ticket affiliate product via a free class or mastermind.
- Include a weekly product spotlight at the end of your newsletter.
I find I do best when I speak to a problem and show how the product is a solution.
10. Promote Affiliate Links Through Courses
Courses are some of the top ways to promote affiliate links.
The student is ready to learn from you. They’ve purchased the course because they trust you’ll share a solution to a problem they’re facing.
If you’re wowing them with your course, they’re more likely to click on your recommended products and purchase them. Especially if you’re showing how that product is part of the solutions!
Here’s how I like to include affiliate links in my courses:
- Within course content: if it’s a relevant tool or resource, I’ll add it as an affiliate link /visual image. If it makes sense, I’ll do a short video walkthrough highlighting the key benefits and how it helps solve the problem at hand.
- As part of a recommended tools and resources list (within the course itself and a standalone downloadable PDF with embedded links AND URL addresses.
- In videos that show a solution to a problem (e.g. a walkthrough). I add the links in the notes below the embedded video embed.
As with any situation where you’re sharing affiliate links, always include a Disclosure. I add it to the introduction section of my courses, along with my copyright.
Want to see affiliate links in action in one of my courses? Here’s what I included in my free Launch It: Start A Blog Course & Toolkit. It includes affiliate links throughout the course.
11. Add Affiliate Links To Ebooks, Workbooks And Other Printables
Much like free lead magnets and courses, you can add affiliate links to your ebooks, workbooks, and other printables.
Include a disclosure statement about the affiliate links, with a link to your Disclaimer page on your site for more information.
Next, add them in:
- Within the content itself where it’s relevant to the problem you’re solving
- In a list of recommended tools (usually at the end)
One thing to consider: how will the user use the digital product?
If it’s only on a screen (like many ebooks are currently read), then all you need to do is embed affiliate links in the content itself.
If it’s something that will be printed out, write out the affiliate link URLs. You’ll want to use your “pretty” or cloaked links.
Use Pretty Links (free) plugin for your blog, to disguise the long ugly affiliate links with your domain and preferred slug.
12. Promote Affiliate Links On Podcasts
Did you know that podcasts are one of the top ways many influencers and niche experts earn money from affiliate links?
Consider the power of podcasts: they are a superior personal branding tool. The listener gets more than just words on a page. They either like how you deliver your messages, or they don’t.
They also get to know you, as you share anecdotes and stories.
Trust and credibility are built much easier with podcasts.
When you’re mentioning affiliate products during a podcast, you have a great opportunity to speak about how they benefitted you and helped you solve a problem.
You can share affiliate links by using two methods with podcasts:
- Read out your “pretty” URL affiliate links
- Mention the product during the show, and include it in the show notes
You should be doing both to make it easier for your listeners to find the products you’ve referenced during your shows.
13. Showcase Affiliate Products In YouTube Videos
Videos can be used to showcase the features and benefits of products and services.
You can focus on the product itself, with an in-depth visual review.
Or create a video on how to solve a problem, and the affiliate product is shown as a tool that helps.
What are the ways to promote affiliate links on YouTube?
- Do a walkthrough product review
- Show how to do something – solve a problem, and reference the tools you’re using
- Do “best of” lists
- Products you use for success – that have helped you grow, etc.
Add the affiliate links to your description notes. Or add one affiliate page link, as I do with Instagram, where all your links can be included.
14. Use Word Of Mouth For Affiliate Referrals
One of the smartest ways to promote affiliate links – and probably the one that converts the most – is word of mouth. It’s also often called a referral.
This happens when you directly share your affiliate link with somebody in an email, chat or document.
For bloggers and solopreneurs such as coaches, consultants and freelancers, this is a powerful affiliate marketing strategy.
People who trust you are more likely to purchase via your affiliate links, based on your recommendation.
TIPS FOR COACHES / CONSULTANTS: Create a welcome package that includes your recommended blog tools and resources.
15. Include Affiliate Links In Gift Guides, Comparison Posts and Round-up Lists
I’ve included this as a specific way to promote affiliate links because these can live on your blog as content, or be separate standalone digital products.
For example, you can produce a downloadable gift guide. Or you may publish it online as a blog post.
No matter how they are delivered, they are still a massive undertaking.
You need to:
- Research and curate potential products/services
- Get samples or free trials to try out yourself
- Gather visuals or take them yourself
- Design the guides/comparison charts/round-up lists
- Publish them
Despite all the hard work that goes into creating them, gift guides and round-up lists can be very lucrative sources of affiliate sales.
A great example of affiliate link-rich gift guides is anything produced by Good Housekeeping for their online site. Check out their round-up “best of” lists.
What About Promoting Affiliate Links On TikTok?
I know it’s a hot place to promote products! So it’s added as an honourable mention in my list of ways to promote affiliate links.
Much like promoting on Instagram, the best way to share affiliate links on TikTok is by creating a Linktree-type link or landing page.
You’ll need to have a Business Account to have a clickable link in your profile.
Disclose your affiliate link in the caption. That’s all you need to do!
Focus On Places To Promote Affiliate Links That Work With Your Audience
At the end of the day, it makes sense to promote affiliate links where you know your audience hangs out. Are they coming to your site? Or using social media?
Spend your time promoting affiliate links where they are seeking information and inspiration.
Start with great content, optimize it to be found in organic searches in Google, etc.
If you need a refresher, take my free 5-day SEO course:
I hope these ideas and affiliate promotion strategies work for you!
Need help finding affiliate marketing programs that are high-paying? Check out this list of top affiliate networks and programs that can help you get started.
QUESTION: What are other ways to promote affiliate links that work for you?
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Feature image credit: Pixistock
I am just starting to explore affiliate marketing and found your article really interesting and insightful! I am still a little unsure on how to include affiliate links in my newsletter since it must be accessible to the public? Any further information about this that you can share would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Melissa – glad to hear from you. Affiliate links in your newsletter are like any other link you’d add to content online. However, you should have a disclaimer before your newsletter (usually a brief paragraph at top in smaller print), or add it right after the link as url . com (affiliate link). You can then add something at the bottom of your newsletter that refers to affiliate links. Ideally before you share your first one.
You have some ideas I need to try! Still working on this affiliate marketing thing! I”ll come back to this post for reference!
Keep at it Lucie! It will come.
Wow, Margaret – this is such a comprehensive and helpful post! There are so many guides on using affiliate links but this guide helps break it down for every source. I found this guide to be very helpful!!
I’m glad to hear this! Making it easier to figure out is the goal. Hope these tips help you.
I had no idea you could actually use affiliate links in so many ways! I am still new to affiliate links and just put some in my blog post. I’ll definitely save this post and revisit it in a few months when I’ll explore affiliate links more. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post!
You are most welcome! I hope you’ll reap the rewards of trying of some these strategies. 🙂
I love the idea for a resource page! I’m changing my theme right now and then I will be adding a resource page to my site! Thanks, Margaret
Perfect timing! I can’t wait to see your resource page when it’s live. Share it in the FB group threads when it’s ready.
This was super helpful! I’m still new to using affiliate links so now I have some new places to use them 🙂 thanks!!
That’s great! I hope you get some great results from some of these ideas.