This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, mrwillfeed.com may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Affiliate marketing means recommending a product with a special tracked link and earning a small commission when someone buys through it. You don’t need stock, shipping or customer service, which is why it is a popular first side income. The holiday season, when people are actively searching for gift ideas, is a natural time to try it. This guide shows you how to set it up the right way, step by step.
Honest expectations: most beginners earn very little in their first few months. Commissions are small per sale, and results build slowly as your content gets found. Think of this December as a learning season.
Step 1: Choose a narrow topic
“Gift ideas” is too broad to stand out. “Gifts for new mums under ₹1,000”, “board games for families with young kids” or “gifts for people who love baking” give you a clear reader to write for, and are far easier to rank for in search.
Step 2: Pick a place to publish
Affiliate programmes usually want to see a real website or active social account before approving you. Good options:
- A simple WordPress blog (the most flexible, and you own it).
- A YouTube channel with review or unboxing videos.
- An Instagram or Pinterest account focused on your topic.
Publish a few genuinely helpful posts first so the programme can see what you do.
Step 3: Join an affiliate programme
Amazon Associates
The easiest place to start, because almost everyone already shops on Amazon. In India, join through the Amazon.in Associates programme; in the US or UK, use the local Amazon Associates site. Things to know:
- Commission rates vary by product category and change over time, so check the current fee schedule on the programme’s site.
- The tracking cookie is short (typically 24 hours), so links work best in content people read just before buying.
- New accounts must make a minimum number of qualifying sales within a set period or they may be closed. Check the current rule when you sign up.
- Amazon has strict rules on how you show prices and use its images. Read the operating agreement.
Go deeper: How to Join Amazon Associates India: A Step-by-Step Guide
Other options
- Flipkart Affiliate and other Indian retailers’ programmes, if your readers are in India.
- eBay Partner Network for readers in countries where eBay operates, such as the US, UK and Australia. (eBay no longer runs a local marketplace in India.)
- Affiliate networks such as Impact, CJ, Awin, Cuelinks or EarnKaro, which give you access to many brands at once.
- Creator and course platforms such as Gumroad or Udemy, if you recommend digital products.
Step 4: Create content that actually helps
Search engines and readers both reward useful content. Formats that work well at holiday time:
- Gift guides with a short, honest reason for each pick. Read our full guide.
- Comparisons: “X vs Y: which is the better gift?”
- Reviews of products you have actually used.
- “Best under ₹500” lists for budget shoppers.
Write naturally for people. Repeating a keyword over and over (keyword stuffing) makes a post worse to read and can hurt your rankings.
Example: a mini gift guide
Here is what a short, honest gift-guide entry can look like (these are real affiliate links):
- For the reader who has everything: a Kindle e-reader, light enough to take anywhere.
- For a family evening: a classic board game that kids and grandparents can play together.
- For the home cook: a cast-iron tawa that will last for years.
Each pick has one clear reason. That’s what makes readers trust the list.
Step 5: Always disclose
This step isn’t optional. India’s advertising guidelines for influencers, the US FTC, the UK ASA and Amazon’s own agreement all expect clear disclosure when you earn from a link. Put a plain sentence near the top of every post, before the first link, such as:
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
On social media, use the platform’s paid-partnership label or a clear #ad. Being upfront builds trust, and trust is what makes people click.
Go deeper: Affiliate Disclosure Rules in India: ASCI Guidelines Made Simple
Step 6: Track and improve
Your affiliate dashboard shows clicks and sales. After a couple of weeks, look at which posts get clicks and which don’t. Improve the weak ones with better photos, clearer recommendations or more useful detail, and write more of what works.
A simple first-week plan
- Day 1: Choose your topic and set up your blog or account.
- Days 2 to 4: Publish three helpful posts without links.
- Day 5: Apply to Amazon Associates (and one other programme).
- Days 6 and 7: Write your first gift guide, add disclosed links, and share it.
