10. Joining Your First Affiiliate Programs

In the original version of this course, I recommended several programs to join, but the feedback from the course testers was that it was too overwhelming knowing where to start.

Taking that feedback on board, I sat down and reflected on what I thought the most beneficial programs would be for someone who is just getting started with affiliate marketing.

If you’re just getting started with affiliate marketing, I recommend keeping things simple and applying for the following 4 programs:

Travel Payouts

Travel Payouts is the most popular affiliate network for many of the major travel brands, such as:

  • Booking.com
  • Agoda
  • Trivago
  • VRBO
  • Rentalcars
Apply to join Travel Payouts

LTK (formerly RewardStyle)

LTK is an affiliate network for influencers that can be joined by application; however, the preferred way is by referral from an existing member. To be accepted, you need to have up-to-date blog and social media accounts that publish regular content.

Once accepted, you have access to many of the retailers offered on other affiliate platforms, but in many cases with higher commission rates. The downside is that payouts take longer than other platforms (3-4 months).

So many of the big high-street and online fashion and lifestyle brands are members of LTK. Some of the most interesting ones for photographers include:

  • BHLDN/Anthropologie
  • Etsy
  • Lulus
  • Nordstrom
  • Target
  • Backcountry
  • ASOS

If you would like me to invite you to LTK, just email me ([email protected]) with the subject “LTK Invite” and include your email and website link in the email.

If you’re accepted via my invite, you get a welcome bonus of $25 added to your account!

If you aren’t accepted for LTK, don’t despair. You can still become an affiliate for many of the same individual programs via some of the other big affiliate networks, which I’ve listed in the next module (and on the resources spreadsheet).

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is easy to join and whether you like Amazon as a company or not, sometimes it’s the best option. Their affiliate program is easy to join, and they have worldwide programs. You can sign up to be an affiliate just in your own region (for example amazon.de or amazon.co.uk) or you can sign up for multiple international site and have them linked together via amazon.com (OneLink).

Apply to Amazon Associates

Skimlinks

Skimlinks works differently from other affiliate networks. Once you are approved, you just need to add their tracking code to your side and all of your links that link to sites that are their members then automatically become affiliate links. This can be a great option if you don’t want to spend time applying for programs individually or your application to a chosen program is rejected. The downside? The commission rates are lower.

Some of their members include:

  • BHLDN
  • Nordstrom
  • Tadashi Shoji
  • Reformation
  • ASOS
  • Target
  • Backcountry.com

Sign up for SKIMLINKS

Apply to Skimlinks

Don’t Forget Your Software Providers

In addition to these more generalised affiliate programs, I recommend joining the affiliate programs for all of your software providers. Many of these don’t even require an additional sign-up. You can often simply log into your account and look for an option such as “Refer a Friend.”

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