When we talk about monetizing our fashion and style blogs, we come back to affiliate links and advertisements over and over again. It’s not because it’s the only way, but because it’s one of the easiest. Affiliate programs let you earn commission off of sales from thousands of different merchants and retailers, and track them all in one place.
One hurdle that faces many new bloggers when they consider using affiliate programs is the belief that they won’t actually make any money. The truth is that any blogger can make money using affiliate links and ads, it just takes time, practice and dedication. At the bottom of this post you’ll find links to more of our detailed posts on how to use affiliates, what they are and even some tips from the networks themselves.
One thing we think it’s extremely important to note is that there are many, many affiliate networks available to you for use on your blog. Depending on your style, your budget and your readers – one program may not have as many useful merchants as another. They also have different payment thresholds (how much you have to earn before you get a check) as well as different methods of earning. To prevent spamming and keep their merchants and advertisers happy, virtually all networks and programs have an application process – do not let this deter you!
Here are 4 popular affiliate networks used by fashion and style bloggers. They have a lot of similarities, but varying commission rates, payment thresholds and ways you can use their links.
- Commission rates: 7% – 30%
- Membership: You can apply here.
- Merchants include: Shopbop, Madewell, Nordstrom, Target, Club Monaco, YOOX, Old Navy
- Payout: Once you earn $100 in commissions
- Links and ads? Yes
- Post links with social media: Yes
- Commission rates: Up to 20%
- Membership: Find information about applying here.
- Merchants include: ASOS.com, YOOX, Farfetch.com, Forever 21, Rebecca Minkoff
- Payout: Once you earn $100 in commissions
- Links and ads: Just links
- Post links with social media: Yes
- Commission rates: 8% – 25%
- Membership: Apply here.
- Merchants include: Barnes & Noble, Delias.com, Macy’s, Sephora, Foot Locker, 7 For All Mankind
- Payout: Once you earn $1 in commissions (however advertisers have the option of creating a customized payment threshold)
- Links and ads: Yes
- Post links with social media: Tumblr & Twitter
- Commission rates: 8% and up
- Membership: You can apply here.
- Merchants include: Toys ‘R’ Us Levi’s, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Anthropologie, Hudson Jeans
- Payout: Once you earn $25 in commissions
- Links and ads: Yes
- Post links with social media: Yes
Here’s the great thing about affiliate networks: there’s no harm in applying to more than one (or quite a few). Apply to all of them! Test them out! See which ones work for your audience and have the merchants and commission rates with which you want to work. You will want to note if your network or program uses Cost Per Sale which means you make a commission off any product sold through a link on your site, or Cost Per Click, which means the network pays you for each click on an advertisement or link, even if a purchase isn’t made. (Some do both!)
*Updated! More options include Beso and Shopsense, and affiliate networks to look into that are not as apparel-based include Google Affiliate Network and Commission Junction, as well as Amazon. Bloggers in the United Kingdom may also want to look into Affiliate Window (and more, here).
For more affiliate network info from IFB:
- Talking affiliate tips with Linkshare
- How To Monetize Your Fashion Blog with Affiliate Marketing
- Business of Blogging With rewardStyle
- IFB’s Fashion Traffic School
Do you use affiliate networks on your blog? Which ones have you found to be the most effective, easy to use and lucrative? Share your experience in the comments.
You guys left out Beso + Shopstyle! I think these are actually really, really underrated… bloggers can earn a lot of money from these two.
I personally use a mix of Shopstyle + Rewardstyle links. A lot of times I write about expensive pieces that I know my readers are probably going to click on but not actually be able to afford. In that case, I use Shopstyle. Conversely, I’ve noticed that for certain retailers, my readers seem to almost always purchase – in that case, I use RewardStyle.
My earnings on Shopstyle recently surpassed my Rewardstyle earnings… I still earn a good amount from RewardStyle, but it seems like lately, my readers are doing more clicking than purchasing. I think it’s important to really pay attention to your readers’ habits, and then use that information to make a decision as to which links you are going to use.
I am a member of all the other guys (Pepperjam, Commission Junction, etc.) but don’t see the point in using them as RewardStyle now pretty much has everyone and in a lot of cases pays a higher commission rate.