If you’re an avid blogger looking to take their blog to new heights, then you may want to look into affiliate links! These are a great way to elevate your blog, expand your brand, and earn a little extra cash on the side.
Sounds perfect, right?
Well, affiliate links are a great idea, but there are important things you need to know about them before you start. Namely, disclosing them properly on your blog.
If you’re interested in using affiliate links on your blog, then you’ve come to the right place. We will teach you all you need to know about these links, including why it is important that you disclose them on your blog. Read on for more!
What Are Affiliate Links?
Affiliate links allow bloggers to make money by referring people to another website or service. When someone clicks on one of those links, they’ll be taken to the other site where they can purchase something.
The person who posted the link gets paid a commission when the sale happens.
The best part about this system is that it’s completely free for both parties involved.
The person posting the link doesn’t have to pay anything out of pocket, while the company receiving the traffic still makes money. This means that everyone wins!
Why Should I Use Affiliate Links?
There are many reasons why you should use affiliate links on your blog. Here are just a few:
1. They help drive traffic to your site. By linking to products that your audience wants to buy, you give them a reason to visit your site. In turn, they might find what they were looking for and become loyal readers.
2. They provide a source of income. Bloggers often struggle with making enough money from their blogs alone. Using affiliate links allows them to generate additional revenue without having to do any work.
3. They help build trust. People like to see brands they already trust supporting others. When you post affiliate links on your blog you’re helping to promote companies that your audience knows and trusts.
What Are Affiliate Link Disclosures?
Affiliate link disclosures are a little note that you need to add to every post where you include an affiliate link stating that an affiliate link is present.
This is a very important aspect of marketing. Bloggers, social media influencers, and content creators can have a lot of power over their followers, and easily influence what they buy.
This influence needs to be regulated so customers know that products are being sponsored. This makes online advertising more transparent and it promotes a more honest relationship between influencer and consumer.
Guidelines about affiliate links are laid out by the FTC – the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC guidelines dictate that all affiliate links are disclosed to the public.
An affiliate disclosure simply notes near an affiliate link that you, as a blogger, influencer, etc, are being paid to promote a certain product (Check out How To Become An Amazon Affiliate).
Please note that failure to disclose this is illegal. And it doesn’t just apply to blog posts, either! Whether you’re working with a brand on your blogs, social media platform, or another platform, you need to make an affiliate disclosure.
Writing An Affiliate Disclosure
Writing an affiliate disclosure can seem complex, but it is actually very simple! Here are some disclosure guidelines for affiliate disclosure policies, to help you craft the perfect one for your blog, social media posts, etc.
You can write an affiliate disclosure in any way that you like, but you must remember two important details:
- Your affiliate link disclosure must clearly identify an affiliate link.
- You must explain what the link is and how it helps you as a content creator. For example, disclosing that you will get paid if customers click the link, etc.
Helpful Tips To Remember When Writing An Affiliate Link Disclosure
1) Disclosure guidelines dictate that your disclosure must be easy to understand. Try to use simple language and short sentences that clearly state what the link is and how it helps you.
Don’t make sentences overcomplicated, and ensure they are free from any grammatical and spelling errors. A simple disclosure statement is best.
2) Disclosure requirements dictate that you should never make assumptions. For example, you should never assume that your audience knows what you mean by “affiliate marketing.”
This is why you must explain what affiliate marketing is, rather than simply stating you are part of an affiliate program.
3) Keep your disclosure short and sweet. Try and aim for a few sentences. However, if you do want to give a longer notice, aim for no more than five paragraphs.
Where Is The Best Place To Put An Affiliate Disclosure?
This is a very important aspect of disclosing you are part of an affiliate program. You need to place it where your audience is going to see it.
To make sure you are working within the FTC guidelines, it is best to put the disclosure of the affiliate program as close to the link as you can.
Ideally, you should aim to discuss your affiliate program at the top of your blog, or just above the link. That way, your affiliate disclosure is more likely to be seen.
Final Thoughts
Affiliate links are a great way for bloggers, influencers, and content creators to make some extra money. However, it is a legal requirement to disclose your affiliate links.
This is for the purpose of consumer protection. Customers are easily swayed by what people they follow are promoting and advertising on their sites and blogs.
So, the FTC states you must write an affiliate disclaimer near every affiliate link you use – or at the top of your blog post – to ensure online marketing is transparent and the relationship between blogger and consumer is kept honest.
Luckily, making an affiliate disclosure statement is easy if you follow the guidelines. Always remember to make your disclosure short, sweet, and easy to understand.
Make sure you explain clearly what an affiliate link is and how it helps you.
Hopefully this website can teach others and help you in getting your blog out there, capitalizing on it as much as you can, and can serve as the kind of resource I wish I had had. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and make a name for yourself!
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