I love this newsletter! The format is so delightful — and I’ve purchased two recommendations already. (I wore the Tory Burch pants on Thanksgiving.) How do affiliate links figure into your strategy for making this a viable part of your freelance career?
I love this newsletter! The format is so delightful — and I’ve purchased two recommendations already. (I wore the Tory Burch pants on Thanksgiving.) How do affiliate links figure into your strategy for making this a viable part of your freelance career?
Hi Erika, thank you! Learning to navigate affiliate linking has been a challenge, and some days it feels like a full time job just figuring out how to sign up for the platforms! I would say at this point about half of what I offer is affiliate linked. What I do is create the full newsletter and then go back and see what is linkable. I feel privelged that I was sheltered from affiliate linking for so long at WSJ and I've seen people go down that path and then get blinded by the data and start to water down their content based on what is linkable. So I'm EXTREMELY conscious to not operate that way and put the links in in reverse. This way it feels true to what I would endorse, and the affiliates work as a bonus. Ok, now to answer your question. I didn't really factor affiliate linking into becoming a viable part of my career because I started the newsletter to stay connected with myself and with the fashion industry I've worked two decades on building a relationship with. It was mainly to keep my mind sharp and looking for what is new out there. It has definitely been a small added bonus and I might in 2023 evaluate what percentage of my income I can count on affiliates for, but I maintain that its not something I will rely on, to keep my platform authentic, and treat it like a bonus. I would like to use this as a calling card really to maintain my editorial and brand work. Ok, long winded, but hope that answers your question!
I love this newsletter! The format is so delightful — and I’ve purchased two recommendations already. (I wore the Tory Burch pants on Thanksgiving.) How do affiliate links figure into your strategy for making this a viable part of your freelance career?
Hi Erika, thank you! Learning to navigate affiliate linking has been a challenge, and some days it feels like a full time job just figuring out how to sign up for the platforms! I would say at this point about half of what I offer is affiliate linked. What I do is create the full newsletter and then go back and see what is linkable. I feel privelged that I was sheltered from affiliate linking for so long at WSJ and I've seen people go down that path and then get blinded by the data and start to water down their content based on what is linkable. So I'm EXTREMELY conscious to not operate that way and put the links in in reverse. This way it feels true to what I would endorse, and the affiliates work as a bonus. Ok, now to answer your question. I didn't really factor affiliate linking into becoming a viable part of my career because I started the newsletter to stay connected with myself and with the fashion industry I've worked two decades on building a relationship with. It was mainly to keep my mind sharp and looking for what is new out there. It has definitely been a small added bonus and I might in 2023 evaluate what percentage of my income I can count on affiliates for, but I maintain that its not something I will rely on, to keep my platform authentic, and treat it like a bonus. I would like to use this as a calling card really to maintain my editorial and brand work. Ok, long winded, but hope that answers your question!
This is such a great response, thank you!