Updated on May 11th, 2026
Since writing my 5 Ways to Monetize Your Blog post, I have been doing affiliate marketing more on my blog and adding affiliate links to my posts. Affiliate marketing can be challenging for beginners, and I wanted to share my experience so far with affiliate marketing and the various affiliate programs I have joined.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links, but there is no extra cost to you.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is where you add an affiliate link to a product or service. You earn a commission when someone purchases the product or service using your link. You can add affiliate links to your blog posts, social media posts, email newsletters, on your blog’s sidebar, and more. To use affiliate links, you will first have to join an affiliate program.
Affiliate programs are websites you can join to be an affiliate. There are general affiliate marketing programs like Awin and LTK, where there are hundreds of brands you can potentially affiliate with. There are also individual brand programs, such as for web hosts like Lyrical Host or a website that sells WordPress themes like 17th Avenue. Also, there is referral marketing where, instead of purchasing a product or service, the person signs up to the website using your link and you earn a commission that way.
Affiliate Programs I Have Joined
Awin
Awin is a popular affiliate marketing network that is easy to join. After I had applied to join Awin, my application was approved the next day. From there, you can apply to relevant advertisers to become an affiliate. Awin has advertisers in all niches, including retail and shopping, travel, finance, and services. It can take several days to get approved by the advertiser. However, you can sometimes be rejected, and I have been rejected by Etsy. However, I have been approved by the other advertisers I wanted to join, including Waterstones, Re:gn, LookFantastic, and Wild.
I was in the Book Depository affiliate program through Awin, and I added links to my book reviews. However, Book Depository closed on April 26th, 2023. Before they closed, I had been looking for a new advertiser to join. I decided to apply to Waterstones, and I was accepted into their program. However, I did not make any commission in one year and was removed from the program. However, I am still in the Re:gn, LookFantastic, and Wild affiliate programs, but I have only used their affiliate links a few times in my posts.
Awin is easy to use because they have a Link Builder on the website. You select your advertiser, find the product on the brand’s website, add the link, and it gives you the affiliate URL. For example, I can find a book on Waterstones that I want to add a link to in a post. I then copy the Waterstones URL, paste it into the Link Builder, and it gives me the affiliate URL. From there, I then copy the affiliate URL and paste it into the post.
I do recommend joining Awin because they are easy to join and use, and they have advertisers in all niches. However, the commission you earn will depend on the individual advertiser, and I have not earned any commission yet through Awin.
LTK
LTK is formerly known as rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it, and it is a hassle to get approved. It took me over a year from when I first applied to finally get approved because you have to wait 3 months after a rejection to apply again, and I often waited longer. The first time I applied, I did not use a referral, and I was not approved. The second time, I used a referral from Lynn, and I was still not approved. The third time, I used Lynn’s referral again. However, I was sent an email that I needed to redo the application because the application asks for your primary audience region. I put the United States, but I needed to put Denmark, where I live, instead. However, after redoing the application, I was finally approved!
LTK mainly has fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. You can search for products on the LTK website to add affiliate links to your post, but I find it easier to go to the brand’s website. First, you can add the LTK Product Link to your bookmark bar. Then, when you are on the brand’s website that is part of LTK, you click the LTK Product Link, and a pop-up will come up with the affiliate link that you then copy and add to the post.
I have used affiliate links for Ulta, YesStyle, elf, NYX, Estrid, and more for products that I have reviewed on my blog. I have also been going back to my older posts and adding affiliate links to them. The commission rate depends on the brand you add the affiliate link for, and I have made 148 kr / $23 in commission.
If you are in the fashion, beauty, or lifestyle niche, it could be good to join LTK. However, you should know that it can take a while to be approved, even with a referral.
CJ Affiliate
I joined CJ Affiliate as I was looking for a new affiliate program to join for books, because Book Depository was closing. CJ Affiliate is similar to Awin, where you first join CJ Affiliate. From there, you apply to individual advertisers, and they have advertisers in all different niches. I wanted to apply to Better World Books, but I was not accepted into their affiliate program. I was accepted to Books-A-Million, but I waited on adding any links to my blog because they are based in the US and only ship within the US, and I wanted an advertiser that ships worldwide. Then, I found Waterstones on Awin, and when I was approved for them, I left the Books-A-Million program.
I have minimal experience with CJ Affiliate, but they are similar to LTK, where they have the CJ Deep Link that you add to your bookmark bar. From there, you can go to the brand’s website, click on CJ Deep Link, and it will give you the affiliate link that you can add to your post. If you cannot find an advertiser to join on Awin, you can join CJ Affiliate, as they have advertisers in all niches as well.
Lyrical Host
I have been self-hosting my blog through Lyrical Host for several years now. I have added an affiliate link in several posts I wrote about them, including my Going Self-Hosted post, as well as on my sidebar. For Lyrical Host, you can earn $20-$80 for each new customer you refer, but I have not earned anything for referring new customers. However, when they have sales or special bundles, I have shared affiliate links for those on social media, and I have earned $3.20 in commission from their bundles. If you are self-hosted, you can see if your host has an affiliate program to join.
17th Avenue
My WordPress theme is from 17th Avenue, and I have used their affiliate link in a couple of posts as well as on my sidebar. You can earn 20% for each referral, but I have not made any commission from them.
Intellifluence
Intellifluence is one of the sponsored post networks I recommend joining. I have used their referral link in my 70+ Sponsored Post Networks, but which ones should you join? post. I also have their banner on my sidebar. However, you literally make $.25 per referral, so I only made $2.25 in commission from referrals. Intellifluence is not really worth promoting with a referral link, but since I am already writing about them for this post, I will just add the link.
GetBlogged
GetBlogged is another sponsored post network I recommend joining. They have an affiliate program where you earn money for referring brands. When I joined their affiliate program, I did their 5-day affiliate challenge. I added my referral link to my email signature, on LinkedIn, in my about me, on my sidebar, and I also did an Instagram Story. You earn £5 per brand referral, and for each person they hire for a job, you will earn 5%. Since joining their affiliate program and doing the challenge, I have made around £30 from commission.
Is Affiliate Marketing Worth It?
Affiliate marketing is not an easy “get-rich-quick” method for monetizing your blog. You can write a blog post and include affiliate links and not get a single referral, whereas other posts can get more referrals. It can also be challenging just joining an affiliate program and being approved by the advertiser. Also, the money you can earn drastically varies for the affiliate program and the advertiser. I have been part of Intellifluence the longest, but I only earned a couple of dollars, whereas I earned more money from a single brand referral for GetBlogged. Affiliate marketing can be worth it because if you are already writing a post about a book, beauty product, or another item or service you use, you might as well add an affiliate link.
In short, you can make money from affiliate marketing, but it is likely not going to make you rich or earn enough to become your full-time job. However, affiliate marketing can be a fine way to make passive income from your blog.
I hadn’t heard of AWIN though I will check it out, especially as Waterstones like it. Great post!
I definitely recommend checking out AWIN because they do have a lot of great advertisers like Waterstones that you can potentially join!
Thanks for sharing your experience of affiliate marketing, I have thought it about in the past, but not sure how much money it would make me, or would they accept me, as I did not want to make money from my blog originally, but its something I might have to do to keep my blog afloat 🙂
You’re welcome! I would recommend looking into affiliate marketing because you won’t make a ton of money especially when starting out, but it is possible to make some money to help with expenses
I really appreciate the honest breakdown of your experience. It’s really helpful to know what other bloggers do and how things work for them. We’re a part of a handful of smaller affiliate programs with brands, but have only had success with one. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s enough to pay for our hosting so I’ll take it haha.
I’m glad to hear about your exeperience with affiliate marketing and that’s fantastic you’ve had success with one of the programs you joined! That’s great the commission you make covers hosting!
Affiliate programmes never seem to work for me – only if I really promote them, but even then it is a hit or miss! I appreciate the honest post x
I’m sorry to hear you haven’t had much luck with affiliate marketing. It can be hit or miss!
Informative post. I love AWIN – great platform to make a little bit of passive money & work with brands on a longer term basis!
That’s great to hear you’ve had a positive experience with AWIN too! I agree!
I have been blogging for the past 6-7 years. I tried joining LTK but was rejected and I did not try again. I have done a few sponsored posts. Currently my numbers have gone down and am working to improve that. Great post and thanks for sharing your experience. We learn so much from each other. 🙂
Via | https://glossnglitters.com
I’ve been blogging for 7 years too! I’m sorry to hear you got rejected from LTK. It is a hassle to get aprroved, but since you do share a lot of beauty reviews and other beauty-related posts, it would be worthwhile to try again. I’m also sorry to hear your numbers have gone down, but that’s good you’re working on improving that.
We don’t do massive money through platforms but they are a good way to meet brands, especially Awin. CJ I have just remembered I had to fill in all those bits so let’s see if that helps too!
It’s great to hear about your experience especially with Awin! CJ is a lot like Awin and it could be beneficial to join too.
I already joined Intellifluence. I believe I should try Get Blogged as well. Thank you for sharing.
That’s great you joined Intellifluence even though their commission is very minimal. Get Blogged would be good if you are regularly contacting brands as you can include the affiliate link in your email signature.
Interesting post. Definitely something to think about with my blog. Not yet started affiliate marketing. Thank you for sharing this post.
You’re welcome! I think affiliate marketing would be great for your blog because you do have travel, book and other lifestyle posts, and there are plenty of advertisers you could potentially join.
Awesome breakdown. I want to start monetizing soon but I need traffic first. You’re blog is awesome by the way.
Thank you! You can always include affiliate links on your blog while you are building traffic!
Thanks for sharing these links. I have often thought about affiliate links, I joined the Amazon affiliate program but I think my account will be closed soon as I haven’t had any sals through it. I just don’t have enough traffic on my blog. I think I will have to build that before thinking about affiliate or any other monetising practices. It would be lovely to be able to blog as a living but I don’t think I’m anywhere close!
You’re welcome!
I’m sorry to hear you haven’t had any sales with Amazon. I don’t recommend Amazon because you do have to make 3 sales in 180 days & not everyone can do that. I would recommend joining Awin though because they have advertisers that you can join and include affiliate links for in your book reviews, and there is no pressure to make any sales. Even if you don’t have a lot of traffic, I think it would still be good because 1 person could see your review and want to buy the book.
I have let my affiliate marketing slide a bit over the last few months, I must get it going again. It is hard work, but when you see commissions come in, even if they are small, it is great.
It’s good to keep up with affiliate marketing especially because you’re in the programs.
It is nice getting commissions even if it isn’t a lot!
I don’t do any affiliate marketing anymore because quite honestly, I hate it haha! I appreciate it can be a great additional earner, especially if you have a blog that has a lot of traffic or lots of Instagram followers for example, so I understand the appeal but it’s just not for me.
That’s perfectly fine! Affiliate marketing isn’t for everyone. For me, if I’m already writing a book-related post and including a link, I might as well include an aff link, but I’m not going to go out of my way & share a bunch of aff links on Twitter or Instagram.
I haven’t looked at an affiliate program as wasn’t sure it was worth it, but might have a rethink after reading your post! Thanks for sharing these recommendations
I would recommend looking into affiliate marketing because you do have a lot of travel and lifestyle posts, and there are plenty of advertisers you could potentially be an affiliate for
I gave up on affiliate stuff a long time ago. Referral links in a mental health blog aren’t worth the effort, at least not for me
Yes affiliate marketing is easier for blogs that share reviews or fashion and makeup looks and other similiar posts whereas for mental health blogs, there are fewer advertisers you could affiliate for that would be relevant.
Affiliate programs can be dicy, it is great to have a list here and to hear of your experiences. And yes I heard how hard it is to get approved by LTK. I may have try at some point and I just may hit you up for a referral!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
I agree!
Since you do have a lot of fashion-related posts on your blog, LTK would be great to join. Hopefully, you’ll have a much easier time getting approved than me if you decide to join!
Thank you for sharing some affiliate marketing programs. Some of them I am familiar with and other I have not heard yet.
You’re welcome! Have you joined any of them?
My blog has always been just a passion project for me, but this looks like a great resource if I ever want to make it something more! Thanks for the post.
Since you do write book reviews on your blog, you could easily include an affiliate link for the book when you say buy it here!
I really need to step up my affiliate game. I’m slacking bad I might check out some of the ones that you suggested. Thank you for sharing.
It is good to get started on affiliate marketing now, and I recommend checking out Awin first because they advertisers in all different niches
I’ve tried the CJ before when I was doing affiliate marketing. Best affiliate programs for bloggers are product review because people most likely looking for information before buying it. And I agree some posts might not get any.
Did you have any success with CJ?
I completely agree! Product reviews are a great way to include affiliate links, but I know some do fashion looks or makeup looks that they include affiliate links for without reviewing the product.
Affiliate marketing can be a useful first step for bloggers looking to start monetizing their site; this was a really useful (and honest) breakdown of what it involves. Thanks!
I agree! When I first started my blog, I shared a lot of reviews, but I didn’t know anything about affiliate marketing. If I did, it would’ve been great to add affiliate links to my posts then!
Such an interesting read about affiliate marketing, it’s such a good way to make a little extra money, I know it’s never much but it’s something! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Yes I know there are some bloggers who make more from affiliate marketing, but it is nice making a little extra money!