How to Monetize Substack with an Affiliate Program
One of the most powerful things about affiliate programs is that instead of creating your own courses you can get paid for telling people about other people’s courses.
This means that in the same time it might take for you to create one course, you can promote 100 courses!
And it also means that you can choose affiliate products that are made by experts in each of 100 topics.
So you don’t have to become an expert in those topics.
It could also be argued that you could quadruple your list building because you aren’t course creating, and simply focus on affiliate program production.
So how to do it?
Start noticing other people’s programs in your niche
Reach out to the creators of those programs and ask them about a referral or affiliate program
If they don't have one, ask if they would be willing to partner with you, with you as the promoter.
Begin to write more posts and notes based on the relevant topics that might naturally lead to the purchase of the affiliate program.
Interview the course creators.
Add call to action links in your articles, pointing to the affiliate products
Consider creating multiple newsletters and cross promoting.
You can also add a second level paid membership to your Substack line - up, but it’s possible your affiliate program will generate the most revenue.
Or you can have both, and increase both revenue and impact.
The various affiliate programs you begin to network with can become a side hustle income stream, or, as you grow your newsletter, they can become the mainstream income stream!
By the way, I think it’s important not to think about Substack as being just something you monetize, or that you monetize it one way.
Think of Substack as being able to build an audience that knows, likes and trusts you.
Then if create a product, they’ll check it out.
If you recommend something, they’ll take a peak.
If you need a like or a comment, they’ll help out.
They’ll follow you to other platforms.
Substack can be a powerful connector in your business, and especially for your brand and personal name.