The short answer
Every time someone comments "where is that from?" and you answer, you just made a brand a sale and earned nothing for it. Affiliate storefronts fix that. You collect the products you already recommend into one shop, share the link where you already post, and earn a small commission when people buy. It is not glamorous and it is not instant, but it is real, and the links keep working long after the post does.
Some links in this post are affiliate and referral links. If you join a platform through my links, I may earn a referral bonus, at no cost to you.
How it works, in plain terms
- You join a platform like ShopMy or LTK (both free).
- You build collections of products you genuinely use and love.
- You share your shop link in your bio, on your pins, and under your posts.
- When someone buys through your link, the brand pays you a percentage.
That is the whole model. No inventory, no shipping, no selling in anyone's DMs. You are getting paid for the trust you already built.
My setup
I keep it simple, because simple is what actually gets maintained:
- ShopMy is my home base. Every gift guide and almost every product I share lives there, under one link. How I set mine up, step by step.
- LTK is my fashion add-on. Outfit posts get tagged there, because that audience shops outfits on LTK.
- Pinterest does the long-term work. A post is seen for a day or two. A pin keeps sending shoppers to my links for months. Most of my link income traces back to pins I made once and forgot about.
I compared ShopMy and LTK in detail here, if you are deciding where to start: ShopMy vs LTK: An Honest Comparison
What this income actually looks like
Honestly? Small per sale. A few dollars here, a few there. Then a gift guide catches on during the holidays, or a pin takes off, and it stops being pocket change. It builds in layers: one more collection, one more pin, one more post linking back to your shop.
Anyone who promises you fast, big money from affiliate links is selling you something. What I can tell you is that the links I set up months ago still earn while I am making dinner, and that has only ever grown in one direction.
My results are mine. Yours will look different, and that is normal. This is a slow build, not a lottery ticket.
Two rules I actually follow
Only share what you would recommend to a friend. The whole thing runs on trust. One junk product pushed for a good commission costs you more in credibility than it ever pays.
Check the rate, the price, and the demand together. A high commission on something nobody wants earns zero. Before I build a post around a product, I check what the brand pays, what the item costs, and whether people are actually searching for it. That order has saved me more wasted work than any other habit.
Your first week
- Day 1: Apply to ShopMy. Approval can take a bit, so start the clock.
- Day 2: While you wait, list ten products you already own and get asked about.
- Day 3: Apply to LTK too if fashion is part of your content. They are not exclusive.
- This weekend: Build your first collection from that list of ten. Done beats perfect.
- Every post after: One link, in the same places, every time.
Join ShopMy: shopmy.us/join/alyssaknightbc
Apply for LTK: creator.shopltk.com/apply
Two perks for using my links: ShopMy gets you set up right away instead of waiting in the standard queue, and LTK gives referral applicants a better shot at approval, plus a $25 bonus once you're approved and publish your first post. Neither costs you anything.
You are already doing the recommending. You might as well get paid for it.
Frequently asked questions
How do creators make money from product links?
You join an affiliate platform, build collections of products you recommend, and share your shop link. When someone buys through your link, the brand pays you a commission.
Does it cost my audience anything extra?
No. Shoppers pay the same price either way. The commission comes out of the brand's side, not your reader's pocket.
How much money can a small creator make from affiliate links?
It varies widely and starts small, often a few dollars per sale. It grows as your collections, pins, and posts stack up, and older content keeps earning. Anyone guaranteeing a specific income is not being straight with you.
What is the best first platform for affiliate links?
ShopMy, for most small creators. One link holds everything, collections are easy to build, and it covers home, beauty, gifts, and fashion instead of one category.
Why do creators use Pinterest for affiliate links?
Because pins last. A social post fades in a day or two, while a pin can keep sending shoppers to your links for months, which is what turns a small commission into steady income.