A Blogger’s Beginners Guide to Making Money with Affiliate Programs

If you have ever read a blog, you have probably seen an affiliate link. Affiliate links are links in a blog that takes you to the website where you can buy the product. These links are helpful for the reader because they can easily buy or read about the product that the blogger is recommending. These links, however, benefit the blogger too. The blogger can make a small commission everytime a reader buys the product by clicking on the link in the blog post. This is a fantasic way for bloggers to make passive income through their blog.

Make Money Through Affiliate Marketing

This site contains affiliate links (See full disclosure here.)

How to Become a Blogger Affiliate

A blogger can apply to become an affiliate through affiliate networks or directly through the merchant. Once you become an affiliate simply add links to your blog whenever you talk about a product you love. I usually just write my post first and then add affiliate links where ever I notice I mention a product.

So say my blog is accepted as an Amazon Affiliate. For my next post I talk about Mindful eating, and I mention my favortie mindfulness books. I can get the amazon link through the amazon affiliate program and add the link to my  blog post. Whenever someone clicks on the Mindful books link and buys the prodcuct or any other product within 24 hours of clicking on my link, I will get a small commission for the sale. This is affiliate marketing in a nutshell.

*One important note: Make sure you are promoting items you love and use. People will come to trust your recommendations if you are honest and authentic. Isn’t the whole point of blogging to tell people about the things you know about and love?

Steps to Making Money through Affiliates

So you now know the basics about affiliates. Let’s talk about how to make real money through affiliate marketing.

Step 1: Get the Right Host

The first step to affiliate marketing is to get the correct blog host. You need to select a self-hosting company like Bluehost if you are planning on using affiliates. Then, you need to get wordpress.com (not wordpress.org) if you plan on making money with your blog. Next you  You will also need to purchase your domain name. (My domain name is www.mindfulnessinfaithandfood.com). Fortunately your domain name is included when you purchase Bluehost. You can also set up wordpress.com through Bluehost as well.

By the way, if you decide to use Bluehost through my link, let me know, and I would love to support you by promoting your first post through some of my platforms. (as long as it’s family friendly).

If you want more information about starting a blog, check out How to Start a Blog When You Feel Called to Blog.

Step 2: Apply to Affiliate Programs

Okay, now for the good stuff! Now that you have your blog, you can apply to become an affiliate! (Some affiliates require a certain number of page views before approving your blog).

Below are my personal favorite affiliate programs if you are wanting to make money:

1. Share-A-Sale

The Share-A-Sale affiliate program has become one of my favorites. I like Share-a-sale because you pick which companies you want to partner. Because Share-a-Sale has over 4,500, you can pick the companies and products you love and use.  Some of the merchants on Share-A-Sale include Etsy, Tailwind, and even Share-a-Sale. Yes, I said Etsy! You can filll out an application with Shareasale here. After you join Share-a-Sale, browse the companies and apply to partner with the individual companies you love.

2. CJ Affiliates

CJ affliliates works similarly to Share-A-Sale in that you can pick which companies to partner. I am a huge fan of the lists of companies you can partner with through CJ Affiliates. Some of the companies include 1-800-Dentist, AMCMouse.com, 24 Hour Fitness, and many, many more.

3. Amazon Associates

You can find almost anything on Amazon, which makes Amason my go-to affiliate for many products. You can find a link on Amazon to about any product you are talking about on your blog. For this reason, I think a blogger looking to make money should definitely apply to be an Amazon Affiliate.

4. Bluehost

Another perk to using Bluehost is that later you can apply to be a Bluehost affiliate. Sometimes people want to start a blog like yours and want to know what host you use. Tell your readers how you started your blog and share your Bluehost link. So if you are using Bluehost and love it; tell people!



5. Ibotta

This is technically called a friend referral program. Ibotta is a FREE app that sends you rebates when you shop. In other words, Ibotta pays you to shop through their app! Sooo it’s free AND you make money by purchasing your everyday items and groceries!!!  Oh and one more thing, you also make money everytime someone signs up through your affiliate link! Okay another one more thing (last one more thing, I promise), when you sign up through an affiliate link like this one, you get $10 for signing up! Oh, and if you don’t have a blog you can simply post your referral code on Facebook or send an email to your friends with your referral code.

Sooo its free, you get paid to shop, you get $10 for signing up through my affiliate link, and you get paid when others sign up through your link!!! I call that a win, win, win, win, win situation!

If you want to read more about Ibotta, click How I Cut my Grocery Bill in MORE than Half.

6. Ebates

Ebates is similar and is just as awesome as Ibotta. Again, it is FREE, you get paid to shop, you get $10 for signing up through my affiliate link here, and you get paid when others sign up through your link! Yep, another win, win, win, win scenario.

To learn more about Ebates click How I Cut My Grocery Bill in MORE that Half.

Blogger Products: Best Results come from Blogger Affiliate Programs!

Beginners guide to affiliates including best affiliate programs adn affiliate programs for health and wellness bloggers
Beginners guide to affiliates including best affiliate programs adn affiliate programs for health and wellness bloggers

Why Do You Make More from Smaller Affiliate Programs?

I write post using affiliate networks and large companies because I like the variety of products available. However, as far as commissions go, I have made more money through small individual blogger and website affiliate links.

I believe I get the most commission from these smaller affiliate programs run by bloggers for several reasons:

1. I adore the programs I talk about and readers can feel that. You can find some amazing gems among bloggers!

2 The products sold by bloggers are unique, and you can only order the product from their website. You can’t get the same product on some big website like Amazon. Because the product is exclusive to the blogger’s website, readers often need your link to find it. In other words, you are finding these hidden gems for your readers!

So to recap…

It is a good idea to apply to become an affiliate on large affiliate networks so that you can find a large variety of product for your readers,

BUT

you should be searching for unique gems among bloggers who sell products. Look for products that you think your readers would like to know about.

7. Faithful Finishlines

Faithful Finishlines is an example of a smaller affiliate program run by bloggers.

This is an excellent faith-based weight loss program run by two bloggers. Since I am a faith-based dietitian, I knew my readers could benefit from knowing about this program. This is also one of my most profitable affiliate programs.

8. “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” ebook

If you are looking for one of those unique products, we have one at “Mindfulness in Faith and Food”. The ebook is perfect for busy families who are struggling to get healthy food on the table every night. This book shows you how to make a month of healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes ALL in ONE DAY! You can read more about the ebook affiliate program here. 

9. Pinterest Ninja

If you are new to blogging and want to learn how to massively grow your blog through Pinterest, I recommend purchasing “Pinterest Ninja,” then becoming an affiliate! This ebook helped me figure out how to succeed on Pinterest as a blogger! I talk all about how much “Pinterest Ninja” helped me here.

Step 3 Write A Post and Add Your Affiliate Links

Now that you have joined affiliate programs, you can start using them in your post. So just start writing post and adding links using your affiliate programs.

Step 4: Add your Affiliate Disclosure Statement to Every Post

FTC requires that you disclose that your posts contains affiliate links. To comply with FTC, make sure you add an affiliate disclosure statement before your first affiliate link shows up in the post. I usually write a short disclosure near the top of my post, and I provide a link to my more detailed disclosure page. Amazon Affiliates has their own specific statement they want you to use. I have added that statement to my disclosure page and to the sidebar of my blog  so that it shows up on every post as well. Below are the steps to adding a text like a disclosure statement to your side bars.

Adding a Disclosure Statement to The Sidebar in Bluehost/Wordpress

  1. Select on Themes in your Dashboard
  2. Click on Widgets
  3. Select ‘Texts’ and drag and drop it into your Widgets area
  4. Add the Disclosure statement in the text box.

So to recap, I have a short disclosure statement near the top of every page, a link to a disclosure page on every post, and an Amazon Affiliate disclosure statement on the side bar of every post.

I hope you found this Blogger’s Beginners Guide to Making Money through Affiliates helpful. Please feel free to comment or contact me if you have any questions. Do you have affiliate programs you love? I would love to hear about the gems you have found.

A Guide to Affiliate programs including an affiliate programs list and affiliate programs for health and wellness bloggers
A Guide to Affiliate programs including an affiliate programs list and affiliate programs for health and wellness bloggers

Related Post

How to Start a Blog When you Feel Called to Blog

A Detailed Blogging Check List

How I My Grocery Bill Went from $300 to $80

My To 6 Money Saving Apps and Sites

 

Copyright © 2018 Mindfulness in Faith and Food.

You are free to retain any and all content here for personal use, but need permission to use it anywhere else on the internet.

This site is hosted by Bluehost.

 

Mindfulness in Faith and Food Product Recommendations

Have you ever read product recommendations on someone’s website, and thought, “I want to get that product later,” but then later comes around and you can’t remember the name of the product, where you can buy it, or which post talked about the product the first place? Well, this has happened to me so I wanted a place where you could find a list of my favorite products. These are the products I have talked about throughout this website.

I hope you find this list a great resource of some of the best health, nutrition, and fitness products.

Health products, wellness, products, cookware recommendations
Health, Wellness, Fitness Products Guide

Disclosure: This site may provide affiliate links. (See full disclosure). 

Favorite Foods and Convenience and Packaged snacks

Three Ladies Brand Spring Roll Rice Paper Wrapper (2 Packs) Round, 22cm

Ole Xtreme Wellness Whole Wheat Wraps – 4 Pack Case – 8ct

BetterBody Foods Organic Quinoa, 1.5 Pound

Annie’s Naturals – Organic BBQ Sauce Orginal Recipe – 12 oz.(pack of 2)

For a Complete list of Dietitian Approved Healthy Snacks click here.

Favorite Cooking Appliances

12 Essential Freezer Meal Products and Cookware

6 Things to Do with Your Standing Mixer Besides Mixing Batter or Dough

You can checkout the KitchenAid standing mixers and attachments here. 

*Here is a money saving tip* I like going to DealYard.com to buy cookware like slow cookers at a discount.

Favorite Money Saving Apps

How I Cut My Grocery Bill in MORE than Half!

My Top 6 Money Saving Sites and Apps

*Sign up for one of my favorite grocery saving apps, ibotta for free and get $10 by clicking here!

*You can also sign up for the awesome monye saving app, ebates for free and get $10 by clicking here. 

Favorite Health, Wellness, and Fitness Products

Beachbody: Do Those Beachbody Programs Really Work?

You can Stream over 600 workouts and 100+ healthy cooking shows 14 Days FREE on Beachbody on Demand by clicking here

Why I am Loving MealEnders For Help with Weight Loss

Door Shoe Rack for Pantry Snacks

Why would you need a door shoe rack, you ask? A few years ago, I bought a similar shoe rack to the one below and hung the rack over the pantry door. I like the clear shoe racks so that my children can easily see what is inside. I keep healthy snacks like popcorn, cups of mandarin oranges, and whole-wheat crackers on the lower shoe compartments. These are snacks my children (and I) can easily grab anytime. I keep a small portion of their favorite not-so-healthy snacks in the higher shoe compartments. My children can’t reach these compartments and have to ask me if they can have these snacks.

Sheet Protector and Dry Erase Markers

In my “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” eBook, I talk about how I place my grocery list in a sheet protector. By doing this, I can use the same grocery list every time I shop. I simply use a dry erase marker to mark off items I already have, and to mark off items as a grocery shop.

Fitness Dice

These are just a fun way to get in your workout.

Games That Promote Physical Activity

The Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” ebook

If you are looking for a detailed freezer meal plan and weight loss guide, you will want to purchase the “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” ebook.

Meal planning, weight loss, freezer meals ebook
Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals eBook

The “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” eBook has 22 Chapters full of helpful information and tips including:

  • The “What is Preventing You From Living a Healthier Life?” interactive quiz
  • Mindful eating techniques and guide
  • A Complete Healthy Freezer Meal Plan: You will learn how to cook all of your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for a whole month in ONE day. Don’t worry, I don’t just give you a bunch of recipes adn tell you to cook them in one day. The ebook includes strategies and “Pro Tips” on HOW to efficiently cook your meals in one day.

    The goals of cooking all of your meals in ONE Day are:

    • More daily free time,
    • A decreased grocery bill,
    • Healthier meals for the whole family,
    • Less daily stress, and
    • Weight Loss/Weight Maintenance

Learn more about the “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” eBook here.

Here are a Few Reviews from the “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” Launch Team

“I have lost 17 pounds since I started eating these freezer meals. They are healthy AND taste great!!! We are now eating at home more, which has made a huge difference!” Chad, South Carolina

“As I read this book, I kept thinking, ‘this is so much more than a freezer meal cookbook! Lacy needs to be a life coach! She has such a positive outlook on life!’ “The Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” ebook is so uplifing and encouraging!” Wendy, South Carolina

“I can actually see a decrease in my grocery bill since I started eating these freezer meals, and my kids love them! We are eating healthier now. Plus, we are eating more meals together as a family!” Nicole, South Carolina

 

eBook Resource

I used the “eBook Ninja” ebook by Megan Johnson to learn how to write, format, promote, and sell my eBook, and I could not have made the Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals eBook without it!

I also read her book “Pinterest Ninja.” This book helped my blog become successful through Pinterest. Both of her books were so helpful!

Mindfulness Products

Bring More Mindfulness into Your Life with These Mindfulness Essentials

The Mindful Planner: Free Printable

Faith and Health Gift Ideas for You or Someone You Love

The Ultimate Gift List for the Health and Fitness Fanatic

The Ultimate Gift List for the Christian Soul

 

 

Copyright © 2018 Mindfulness in Faith and Food.

You are free to retain any and all content here for personal use, but need permission to use it anywhere else on the internet.

This site is hosted by Bluehost.

How I Cut My Grocery Bill in MORE than Half!

How My Grocery Bill went from $300 to $80!

How to Save Money on Groceries

I don’t like for things to get too complicated. My family wanted to save money especially on our grocery bill, but I didn’t want to get overwhelmed. So I implemented ONLY 3 simple changes to my grocery shopping, and I was truly floored with the amount of money I saved. Before these changes the same groceries costed me around $300; now, those same groceries cost me around $80!!!

This site contains affiliate links (See full disclosure here.)

  1. Bulk Shop at Amazon Pantry Using the Ibotta and Ebates App.

I don’t spend a bunch of time clipping coupons. I pretty much stick to these two free apps! First, I downloaded these two free (yes, FREE) apps (Ibotta and Ebates) to my phone. Then I clicked on both apps to see which had the best rebates Amazon Pantry. For example, last time I grocery shopped on Amazon, Ibotta and Ebates both gave you 3% cash back for ALL the groceries you bought from Amazon through the Ebates or Ibotta app. So I could use either one that day, and get paid 3% cash back!

Simply click on the Ebates or Ibotta app, then click on the Amazon Icon, and start shopping. That is it! When you reach $20 in rebates, Ibotta will pay you through Paypal, Venmo, or Gift card. Seriously, you download a free app and get paid to shop!!! Honestly this is so good that it stresses me out to think about my friends not using it! I want everyone I love to be saving/earning this kind of money.

For Ebates, you go through the same process. Click on Ebates, then click on the Amazon icon and start shopping! Ebates pays you every 3 months as long as you have a $5 minimum in you account. If you don’t reach it, the money will just accumulate until the next pay day so you don’t lose the money. But $5 is so easy to reach. In fact, I have $20 on my Ebates app right now! My next pay check should come in May.

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

I use these two apps to buy my groceries in bulk. I actually like to make and freeze all my meals for the month in advance so, of course, I am able ot buy all my groceries for the month in one day. Since I buy all of them in bulk in one day, I am able to save money! If you are interested in learning how to make a month of healthy freezer meals in one day click here.

2. Check the Price per Ounce when I Am Making a Purchase

In tip number one, I mentioned that I buy in bulk. When you buy in bulk, comparing prices can be tricky. I don’t look at the actual price, I look at the price per ounce to see which product is actually cheaper. This has been a huge money saver.

Cut your grocery meal in more than half

3. Use Ibotta When I grocery Shop at a Local Grocery Store

Ibotta is not just for online purchases; you can also use Ibotta in your local stores.   My usual grocery store is Food Lion so I linked up my Food Lion loyalty card to the Ibotta app.  I did this one time when I first downloaded Ibotta, and now the card is always on my Ibotta app. (You can link other loyalty cards as well).

Right before I shop at Food Lion, I open up Ibotta on my phone; then I click on the Food Lion Icon.  I usually do this after I have made a grocery list. I just look on Ibotta for any items on my grocery list, and select them before I go shopping. By the way, sticking to a grocery list helps me spend less on groceries as well so I guess you can say tip number 3 is 2 tips in one.

Here is the cool part…

When I use my loyalty card at checkout, I automatically get the rebates for my purchases! Seriously, I the cashier just scans my loyalty card as usual!

And that is it! The three major ways I have decreased my grocery bill by well over half!

*Bonus* There are More Ways to Get Paid Through Ibotta and Ebates

You can actually use Ebates and Ibotta to save money in other ways. I talk about this here, but for this post I wanted to focus on the major ways I personally use these apps.

Okay One More Thing

You will get paid $10 when you join Ibotta using my referral code. Click here to sign up for Ibotta using my referral code. That is worth it right there! You make money already just by signing up! You can also get $10 when you sigen up for Ebates using by referral code. Click here to sign up for Ebates using by code.

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Cut Your Grocery Bill in More than Half
Cutting your Grocery Bill in Half with these Three Tips
Cutting your Grocery Bill in Half with these Three Tips

 

Copyright © 2018 Mindfulness in Faith and Food.

You are free to retain any and all content here for personal use, but need permission to use it anywhere else on the internet.

This site is hosted by Bluehost.

My Top 6 Money Saving Sites and Apps

I like to cook a months-worth of meals all in one day. I grocery shop one day, and then cook and freeze the meals the next day. This month I was able to buy my family of four all the groceries needed for 20 suppers for ONLY $72!!!! In other words, our family of four got 20 meals for $72. Although we don’t get our grocery bill this low every month,  we ARE able to save a nice amount EVERY month. So How did we do it?

Three Ways Our Family of Four Ate 20 meals for $72

1. Bulk shopping

I like to buy some of my dry groceries in bulk online. The price per ounce is often as expensive when you buy in bulk. I like to make and freeze all my meals for the month in advance so, of course, I am able ot buy all my groceries for the month in one day. Since I buy all of them in bulk in one day, I am able to save money! If you are interested in learning how to make a month of health freezer meals in one day click here.

2. Buy whichever brand is cheaper per ounce. When products are packaged in different quantities, figuring out which is the least expensive can get confusing. I like to look at the price per ounce either listed on the box or online.

3. This last one is the major way I save money while shopping….I use several free money saving sites and apps. I use these on everything, not just groceries.

In fact, I don’t buy anything until I check these 6 sites. Many of these apps and sites give you cash back rebates.  If you use these sites/apps to buy items you would buy anyway; then, you will feel like you are actually making money when the rebates come in. The best part is these sites and apps are totally FREE!

So here they are…my top six money saving apps.

Top 6 Money Saving Apps and Sites

This site contains affiliate links (See Disclosure for Details)

Honey

This is sooo cool. You seriously just shop from your computer like you usually do, and Honey finds working coupon codes while you are shopping at your favorite online stores. The best codes are automatically applied to your cart at checkout! How amazing is that!

Click here to join Honey!

Ibotta

I use Ibotta all the time especially when I grocery shop. In fact, I probably save more money on groceries with Ibotta than any other app. So if you are looking for ways to save money on food and groceries specifically, then download Ibotta first.  After you download this FREE app, you can earn cash back rebates three different ways.

1. Earn Rebates when you Shop in a Local Store

Before you shop in a local store, simply select the items on Ibotta that you will be purchasing in the store. For example, Let’s say I decide to run to Wal-mart to buy cheese, pasta, and tomato sauce. Before I enter the store, I click on the Wal-mart icon in the Ibotta app. I scroll through the rebates to see what is available; then, I click on any rebates I want to use. After I finish shopping, I take a picture of my receipt through the Ibotta app, and that is it! I earn cash back on any of the products on the receipt that match with my selected rebates. You can get paid via veno or paypal when you reach $20, and you can reach $20 very quickly.

2. Link a Loyalty Card to your Ibotta App

This might be my favorite Ibotta feature. You can actually link your loyalty cards to Ibotta. For example, I have my Food Lion card linked to Ibotta. Now I don’t even have to take a picture of my receipt after I purchase items. Before I shop, I simply click on any of the Food Lion product rebates available in Ibotta that I plan on buying. Then when I swipe my Food Lion card at the cash register, I automatically get those rebates! It’s so easy!

3. Shop Online through Ibotta, to Get Rebates

This one is so simple. Just go shopping online through the Ibotta app. Let’s say for example, I decide I want to do a little grocery shopping on Amazon. I select Amazon grocery on the Ibotta app, and then I shop Amazon through the app! So easy and convienient.

You can sign up at Ibotta.com as my referral. Ibotta is currently offering a $10 sign up bonus when you sign up with my Ibotta referral link.

Ebates

Ebates works great when you are shopping online. You can buy all kinds of products and save. This app gives you discounts to a huge number of popular stores like Kohl’s, “Bed, Bath, and Beyond”, and of course, Amazon. The list goes on and on. Whenever I am about to buy ANYTHING online, I check this app along with the other apps to see if a coupon or rebate is available. Get a $10 bonus when you sign up for free here as my referral.

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Swagbucks

The final app I love to recommend is rather different than the rest because you earn points for awesome gift cards while you shop. You can also earn points for gift cards by taking surveys, answering questions, watching videos, and so much more through the app. Like Ebates, the list of participating stores is huge! I recently earned points when I bought a birthday present for my daughter at the American Girl Online Store, and I also recently earned points when I bought items I needed on Amazon. I have also earned points by simply answering daily survey questions on the Swagbucks app.  And these are legit great gift cards!!! You can get $25 gift cards to Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Wal-Mart and so much more! It is pretty amazing. Start getting Swagbucks as my referral by clicking on Swagbucks.com

Best Sites and Apps to Use to Save Money on Groceries

Coupons.com

This is a great app to use when you are grocery shopping at your local grocery store. Like Ibotta, you can link your loyalty card to coupons.com, and like Ibotta, you simply select the coupons you would like to use before you shop in a local store. This coupon is then activated either on your loyalty card at checkout or when you take a picutre of your receipt.

Amazon Warehouse Deals

This last money saving site I love to mention is Amazon Warehouse. This is a site many don’t know about. Here you can find huge discounts on items that were either returned or have some box damage. You can get fantastic deals when you purchase products through Amazon Warehouse Deals.

 

And that is it… my favorite money saving sites and apps! To save the most money, sign up for all of these free apps. Here are the links to all the apps for you.

Ibotta

Ebates

Swagbucks

Honey

Coupons.com

Let me know your favorite money saving sites and apps. How have these sites helped your family save money?

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