getting paid for things I already buy is nice
A few months I was chatting with a friend (who has a TON of followers on social media) about ways to make extra cash. She said “why don’t you check out affiliate marketing?” I had no clue what that meant, other than I thought that was for influencers. She helped me realize I was already sending my friends, family, and small audience on social media links to things that I post about for my health, wellness, books, things for my daughters, etc., and showed me I can make a few extra dollars doing it. I said “heck yeah, teach me,” and while it doesn’t pay all my bills, who doesn’t like having a couple extra dollars to spend or save? It’s kinda like getting cash back 💕
So if you wanna know how to do this from a busy mom of two, I’d love to help!
Okay, so you've heard my story about earning extra cash just by recommending things I already adore. But how do you actually start this without feeling overwhelmed or needing to buy a bunch of new stuff? I get it, that was my biggest question too! First off, let's talk about the 'no investment' part, which is huge for a busy mom like me. The beauty of affiliate marketing, especially when you're just starting, is that you don't need to purchase inventory or even create your own products. You're simply connecting people with products you genuinely use and love. For instance, I've found success linking to my favorite online retail stores for everyday items for my daughters, or sharing those fantastic health products that have truly made a difference in my energy levels. It’s about sharing your authentic experience. My journey often starts with a product I'm already using and loving. Maybe it's a new brand of organic snacks from a wellness store, or a book that's completely captivated me. Instead of just telling my friends about it, I now look to see if that brand or retailer has an affiliate program. Many do! A quick Google search for "[Brand Name] affiliate program" is usually all it takes. Once you sign up (it's often free and easy), you'll get unique links to those products. Now, where do you share these links? For me, social media is my go-to. It could be a quick story on Instagram showing how I use a product, a short review on TikTok, or a more detailed post on my Lemon8 feed. The key is authenticity. Don't just spam links; share why you love the product and how it benefits you. For example, if I'm sharing a health product, I'll talk about how it's helped me feel more energetic, rather than just listing its features. People trust genuine recommendations, not sales pitches. And the rewards? Oh, they add up! While it's not a full-time income for me (yet!), those commissions have been a game-changer. They've covered things like extra babysitting so I can have a much-needed date night, contributed to a family travel fund, or simply given me a little extra to splurge on something nice for myself without feeling guilty. It really is like getting cashback, but for being helpful! So, if you're thinking about diving into this, start small. Pick one or two products you genuinely can't live without and see if they have an affiliate program. Share your honest experience with your circle, and watch how those little commissions start trickling in. It's a rewarding way to leverage what you already do – sharing your favorite finds – into something that gives back to you.
