According to my favorite source of information (Google, duh), affiliate marketing is a marketing arrangement by which a retailer pays a commission to an external website (me) for traffic or sales generated from its referrals. This definition is pretty easy to understand, but just in case, affiliate marketing basically means that I make a small (very small) commission when you purchase something through my links!
Affiliate marketing is just one of the ways influencers can make money with blogging, but it’s also the most challenging! (To me at least) People typically don’t know/understand shopping with my links give me a small percent of the profit because I directed them to the product. It also doesn’t matter if you buy that exact item I linked or not!
Example: You want to buy a pair of shoes I posted on my Instagram. First, go to the link in my bio, then click “Shop My Instagram”, select which photo, and finally click the shoes. That takes you to the retailers’ website. If you decide to buy a top instead, I still receive a commission because I directed you to the site. How cool is that?! *BTW IT DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING TO SHOP THROUGH MY LINKS. WE ARE PAID BY THE RETAILER*
The only program I actively use for affiliate marketing is LIKEtoKNOW.it, which is owned by RewardStyle. A few months ago, Instagram made some major changes and you can no longer “like” a photo to receive the details of an influencer’s outfit. Now, there are THREE ways to shop!
1) Shop through the link in my Instagram bio that says “Shop My Instagram”
2) Shop through the LIKEtoKNOW.it app available for download in the App Store. (Search “kelsiebynum” and my name will pop up)
3) Shop through here (www.sassysouthernblonde.com) and click “Shop My Instagram” under the “SHOP” tab!
Ultimately, it’s SO important to buy through your favorite bloggers because it helps all of us continue doing what we love! As glamorous as it looks, being an influencer can be hard work. Especially when you’re spending more than you make! This is a small way to support us, so we can continue producing quality content that made you follow us in the first place! 🙂
XOXO
Kels
This is so great! Thanks for sharing! 🙌