5 Simple Steps To Create Your First Affiliate Blog Post

I remember when I wrote my first blog post for an affiliate product. It was on Blogger.com in 2005 and it was terrible.

I had just discovered affiliate marketing, signed up with Clickbank and following some random tutorial about how to promote my affiliate links.

Fast-forward to 2025 and my blog posts (which you’re reading now) are 2000+ words long, in-depth and well-written.

If you’ve never written an affiliate blog post before, you’re probably wondering how to choose the right products, what to write about them, or how to actually get people to click on your affiliate links.

Creating your first affiliate post does not have to be complicated. By breaking it down into simple steps, even complete beginners can create content that helps readers and earns commissions.

In this helpful blog post, I’m going to show you everything you need to know about creating your first affiliate blog post from start to finish. No fancy techniques or advanced strategies – just the essential steps you need to get started and see your first results.

Let’s dive into the 5 simple steps that will help you to create a blog post that actually works in 2025.

^{This post may contain affiliate links. ThriversHub earns commissions at no extra cost to you when purchases are made through links on this page. For more info, visit the disclosure page.}

Step 1: Choosing The Right Product to Promote

The foundation of any successful affiliate blog post is choosing the right affiliate product to promote. One mistake a lot of beginner affiliates make is choosing a product just because it pays high commissions. This, however, does not lead to success.

How to choose products that match your audience’s needs

The first thing you need to do is to think about your audience’s problems. What are they struggling with? What questions do they have? The best affiliate products to promote will solve specific problems for your readers.

For example, if your blog is about home office setups, your readers might struggle with back pain, limited space, or staying organized. Products that solve these specific problems will convert better than random office supplies.

Finding affiliate programs with good commission structures

Once you know the type of products you need to promote, look for affiliate programs that offer fair commissions.

As a beginner, here are some factors to focus on:

• Commission rate – anywhere from 8-15% is good for physical products
• Cookie duration – longer is better – at least 30 days
• Payment threshold – lower payment threshold means you’ll get paid sooner
• Payment methods – make sure they offer options that work for you

These are not hard and fast rules because there are still some great affiliate programs that pay smaller commissions or have shorter cookie durations.

Amazon Associates is popular for beginners because it’s easy to join, but the commissions are low (usually 1-3%). Consider looking for brands that offer their own affiliate programs, which often pay much better.

Evaluating products you can genuinely recommend

The most important question to ask yourself when deciding on a product to promote is: “Would I recommend this product to a friend or family member?”

The perfect product to recommend would be one that you’ve personally used and liked. However, you don’t necessarily need to have used it yourself. If you do your research and believe that it’s genuinely helpful then that works.

Read reviews of the product on Amazon, Reddit and other sites that allow reviews from real users. Watch YouTube videos of people using the product and research the company to make sure that it’s worth recommending.

Beginner tip: Start with products under $100 with good commission rates

When starting out, look for products in the $25-$100 range. These products are:

• Expensive enough to earn decent commissions
• Affordable enough that people buy them without too much hesitation
• Easier to write about than very complex, high-ticket products

A $50 product with a 10% commission ($5 per sale) is often better for beginners than a $500 product with a 4% commission ($20 per sale), because the cheaper product will likely convert much better.

Step 2: Research Your Target Keywords

Before you even write the first word of your post, you need to understand what potential buyers are searching for. This is where keyword research comes in.

Understanding search intent for affiliate content

Different searches show different buying intentions. Look for keywords that show someone is considering a purchase, such as:

• “best [product type]”
• “[product] review”
• “[product A] vs [product B]”
• “affordable [product type]”

These searches typically come from people who are already interested in buying but need help making a decision. This is exactly the audience you want for affiliate content.

How to find beginner-friendly keywords with low competition

As a new blogger, you’ll struggle to rank for highly competitive terms like “best smartphone” or “weight loss products.”

Anything that has been around for a long time already has probably been covered by lots of blogs making it tough to rank if you’re just starting out. Instead, look for more specific, less competitive keywords like:

• “best smartphone for senior citizens”
• “weight loss products for busy moms”

These are called “long-tail” keywords. They have less search volume but also less competition, giving you a better chance to rank and get traffic as a beginner.

Free keyword research tools for beginners

You do not need expensive keyword tools like Ahrefs and Semrush to find good keywords.

Here are some free ways you can do research.

• Google search suggestions – type a product name and see what Google suggests
• “People also ask” boxes in Google results
• Google Trends – to see if interest in a product is growing

You can also ask AI tools like ChatGPT to suggest low competition buyer keywords for your intended topic.

Creating a simple keyword strategy for your first post

For your first affiliate blog post, choose one main keyword and 2-3 related keywords. For example:

Main keyword: “best coffee grinders for beginners”

The main keyword goes in your title and in your first paragraph. This main keyword is what your entire article should cover.

Related keywords:

• “affordable coffee grinders”
• “easiest coffee grinders to use”
• “coffee grinders under $50”

Include these naturally throughout your post, especially in your headings.

Example: Turning “best budget blenders” into an effective affiliate keyword strategy

So you found the keyword “best budget blenders” and want to write an article about it. Instead of just targeting “best budget blenders,” you could create a more specific angle:

“Best budget blenders for smoothies under $50”

This targets people specifically looking for:

1. Blenders (product type)
2. On a budget (price-sensitive customers)
3. For a specific use (making smoothies)
4. With a clear price point (under $50)

Being this specific makes your content more relevant to a particular audience and less competitive in search results.

Step 3: Create a Reader-Focused Outline

Normally when I’m writing blog posts, one of the first things I do after finding a keyword to write about is to create an outline.

This outline helps me to organize my thoughts in a logical way. It also ensures that I cover everything the reader needs to know.

You can also ask ChatGPT or Claude to help you come up with an outline.

The essential sections every affiliate post needs

When writing an affiliate post, you should include the following sections:

• Introduction that hooks readers and states your purpose
• Brief explanation of how you chose the products
• Individual product sections with pros and cons
• Comparison of key features across products
• Buying guide or things to consider
• Conclusion with final recommendations

Another element you should always include is a disclosure about affiliate links. This is required by law and many affiliate programs ask that you have one when you recommend their products.

You can put the disclosure right at the top or even in the sidebar so it’s always visible. I usually add mines right inside the content after the first paragraph.

How to organize information in a logical flow

Start with the most important information first. If you’re reviewing multiple products, let readers know what your top recommendation is. Most readers want to see your best pick right away.

For each product, use a consistent format:

• Brief overview (1-2 sentences)
• Main benefits/features
• Any drawbacks or limitations
• Who it’s best for
• Price point
• Link to check price/buy

This consistent structure makes your post easy to scan and compare options.

Balancing product information with helpful content

It is not enough to just talk about products and features. You can also include helpful sections like:

• How to choose the right product for different needs
• Common mistakes to avoid when buying
• How to use the product effectively
• Answers to frequently asked questions

Adding this type of value can help to build trust and your readers can see you as an expert even if they do not buy immediately.

Simple template you can adapt for different product types

Here’s a flexible outline you can adapt for your first affiliate blog post. This outline covers all the points I’ve mentioned up to this point.

Example outline for a beginner blog post

Let’s see how this outline would look for a specific topic like “Best Coffee Grinders for Beginners”.

Step 4: Write Content That Builds Trust

The way you write your affiliate content directly impacts whether readers trust your recommendations. Focus on being helpful, honest, and clear.

Conversational writing techniques for beginners

Write like you’re talking to a friend. Use “you” and “I” language to make it personal and engaging.

Instead of saying “This product has multiple features that consumers will find beneficial.”
Write: “You’ll love how this coffee grinder gives you 40 different settings to get exactly the grind you want.”

Keep your sentences short and simple. Break up longer ideas into multiple sentences. This makes your content easier to read, especially on mobile devices.

Create an honest tone that connects with readers

All products have their drawbacks. Be upfront with your reader about both positives and negatives. Readers can spot fake enthusiasm or one-sided reviews immediately.

Use phrases like the following to share your genuine opinions:

• “In my experience…”
• “After researching dozens of options…”
• “What I like most about this product…”
• “One drawback to consider…”

Honesty builds credibility, and credibility leads to trust and conversions.

Describe product benefits, not just features

Features are what a product has. Benefits are how those features help the reader.

So instead of saying “This coffee grinder has a 40mm conical burr.”
Write: “The precisely engineered 40mm conical burr gives you consistent grounds every time, which means your coffee will taste the same day after day.”

Always connect features to real-life benefits that your reader cares about.

Adding personal touches even without product experience

As a beginner, you probably wouldn’t be able to try every single product you write about. This doesn’t mean that you can’t still add personal elements.

Here’s a list of things you can do that will still build trust.

• Share your research process: “After comparing over 20 coffee grinders and reading hundreds of reviews…”
• Reference specific user experiences: “Many users mentioned how quiet this grinder is compared to others.”
• Explain your reasoning: “I included this model because it specifically addresses the problems beginners face with inconsistent grinding.”

Using any of these approaches show that you’ve done your homework and are making thoughtful recommendations.

Easy ways to improve readability for skimmers

Most people scan content before they decide to read it fully. You can make your post scanner-friendly by:

• Using descriptive subheadings that make sense on their own
• Bolding key points and product names
• Using bullet points for features and benefits
• Keeping paragraphs short (2-3 sentences max)
• Adding a “quick picks” section at the beginning for impatient readers

You’ll notice some of these techniques in this same article you’re reading even though it’s not an affiliate blog post.

These formatting techniques help readers find exactly what they’re looking for, which improves the user experience and increases the chances they’ll click your affiliate links.

Step 5: Add Strategic Affiliate Links & CTAs

The final step of the blog writing process is to add your affiliate links in a way that feels helpful rather than pushy.

Best practices for link placement in your first post

Place affiliate links where they make sense in the context:

• After you’ve explained a key benefit
• In product name mentions (but not every single one)
• In specific call-to-action buttons or text
• In product image captions
• In a comparison table if you use one

Make sure links are visible and obvious. Hiding your affiliate links hurts trust and may violate FTC guidelines.

Creating natural transitions to your affiliate products

Smooth transitions make clicking your links feel like a natural next step. Try phrases like:

• “If you want to see current pricing for the Baratza Encore, you can check it here.”
• “To learn more about the features or read user reviews, visit the product page.”
• “If you’re ready to improve your coffee game, the OXO Brew is available here.”

I’ve bolded where you should put the actual link. These transitions feel helpful rather than pushy.

Types of call-to-actions that work for beginners

Try to avoid pushy CTAs like “Buy now before it’s gone!” or “Don’t miss this amazing deal!”.

These types of CTAs can damage trust and lead to less conversions.

Instead here are some effective ones you can try as a beginner affiliate. I’ll also explain why they work.

• “Check current price” – this works well because prices change
• “See more photos” – this one appeals to visual decision-makers
• “Read user reviews” – leverages social proof
• “Learn more about features” – for those still in research mode
• “See if it’s in stock” – effectively creates gentle urgency

The right number of links for your post

Quality matters more than quantity. For your first post:

• For single product reviews: 2-3 links throughout the content
• For “best product” roundups: 1-2 links per product
• Consider 1 text link and 1 button link per product

Too many links look can look spammy and desperate. Focus on placing fewer links in the most effective positions.

Link disclosure requirements made simple

You must legally disclose affiliate relationships. Some people worry that this might cause you to get less sales but most readers don’t actually know enough about affiliate marketing to care. They only care that you provide the value they need and you’re helpful with your review.

Make sure that your disclosure is:

• Visible at the top of your post before any links
• Clear and easy to understand
• In plain language

A simple example you can use:

“This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I believe in.”

Common Mistakes To Avoid In Your First Affiliate Post

Ok, so now that we know what to do, here’s what NOT to do when you’re writing your first affiliate blog post.

These are some of the biggest mistakes beginners make with their affiliate posts. Know them so that you can avoid making them yourself.

1. Hiding that it’s an affiliate post (disclosure issues)

Many affiliates think that their sales will be affected if readers know they’re affiliates. It actually works the other way.

By letting readers know about your affiliate relationship, you are building trust.

Always be transparent about affiliate relationships. Hiding disclosures or using tiny, hard-to-read text can also get you in trouble with the FTC.

Your disclosure should be near the top of your post and in a normal font size. Don’t try to hide it in your footer or about page.

Making unrealistic claims about products

If you want to be taken seriously, avoid phrases like “this will change your life” or “works for everyone” or “solves all your problems.” These overstatements can damage your credibility.

Stick to specific, realistic benefits like “This coffee grinder produces consistent grounds that improved the flavor of my morning brew.”

Creating “review” content without adding value

Don’t just copy product descriptions from the product website. Your post needs to provide value for the reader. You can do this by providing:

• Real comparisons between options
• Practical context about how products work in everyday use
• Guidance on choosing between different models
• Insights about who each product is and isn’t right for

If your content doesn’t add anything beyond what people can read on Amazon, they have no reason to visit your site.

Focusing too much on selling instead of helping

The affiliate marketer’s job is to help. The selling is done on the advertiser’s website that you’re an affiliate for.

If readers feel like you’re just pushing products, they’re going to leave your website.

Ask yourself: “Does this content solve a problem for my reader, even if they don’t buy anything today?”

If the answer is no, then you need to add more helpful content.

Forgetting to explain why you recommend products

Don’t just say a product is “the best” – explain exactly why it’s your top pick and who it’s best for.

Specific reasoning builds credibility.

You can say: “I recommend the Baratza Encore for beginners because its limited settings reduce confusion while still providing enough options for different brewing methods.”

After Publishing: Simple Next Steps

After you’ve published your first affiliate post, don’t just let it sit there. You’ll need to make sure as many people see it.

Here’s what to do.

Basic promotion strategies for your first post

You don’t need complicated marketing to get your post seen. You can use any of the following strategies to get the traffic flowing.

• Share on your social media profiles
• Send to relevant friends or family who might be interested
• Answer related questions on Quora or Reddit (linking when appropriate and allowed)
• Create a simple Pinterest pin for your post
• Send to your email list if you have one (even if it’s small)
• Create a short YouTube video, Instagram reel or TikTok

Don’t worry about creating massive promotions right now. You should focus on creating more valuable and helpful content.

How to track if your post is converting

How do you know if your post is doing what it is supposed to do?

The answer is to set up basic tracking in one of the following ways:

• Use affiliate dashboard reports to see clicks and conversions
• Set up Google Analytics to check which posts get traffic
• Consider creating different tracking IDs for different posts or links
• Note which products get the most clicks

Analyzing this data will guide your future decisions on writing content or choosing affiliate products to promote.

When and how to update your first affiliate post

To make sure that your content stays relevant and does not cause problems for users, you need to do regular updates.

This has the added benefit of remaining “fresh” to search engines like Google who use this metric as a ranking factor.

Every 3-6 months, you should check to see if the products are still available or if they have changed in any way.

Sometimes, prices also change significantly and this might be confusing if you’re saying one price on your website and the product website has another.

Another update you can make is if there is a newer, better product, you might want to consider adding it and changing your recommendations a bit.

Finally, you should also update your post if you receive feedback and questions from your readers. For example, you can add a question to your FAQ section (if you include one) if multiple readers are asking.

Building on your first post for future content

Whenever I write a post, I usually go through it looking for ideas that I can use for future content. Maybe a section needs a full blog post treatment, or I mentioned something that I could explain further in detail.

Your first affiliate post can definitely inspire more content that you can post in the future.

Some content angles you can work on based on your first affiliate post are:

• Individual reviews of products you mentioned in your roundup. If you mentioned 4 products then that is 4 pieces of content you can add to your site.
• How-to guides for using each of the products you recommended. That’s an additional 4 pieces of content you can work on.
• Answers to common questions you discovered while doing research
• Comparison posts between your top contending products.

Each piece of content builds on the others, creating a network of helpful affiliate posts.

Setting realistic expectations for your first results

No matter how good your first post is, you’re probably not going to make enough to quit your job next week. Heck, you probably aren’t even going to make your first sale.

Be patient. Most affiliate posts don’t earn much in their first few months.

Success typically comes after:

• Building up 10+ quality affiliate posts
• Updating and improving content over time
• Learning from what works and what doesn’t
• Consistently creating helpful content that serves your audience

You need to keep creating, promoting your content and building out your website. Right now, the best you can do is focus on learning and improving rather than thinking about fast results.

Conclusion

Creating your first affiliate blog post doesn’t have to be complicated. By following the 5 simple steps I laid out above, you can create content that genuinely helps your readers while also earning you commissions.

To recap:

1. Choose the right product to promote
2. Research your target keywords
3. Create a reader-focused outline
4. Write content that builds trust
5. Add strategic affiliate links and CTAs

The most successful affiliate marketers focus on helping their audience first. When you genuinely solve problems for your readers, the sales will follow naturally.

Start with just one post using this framework. Learn from the process, track your results, and use those insights to improve your next affiliate post. With practice and patience, you’ll get better at creating content that converts.

Your first affiliate post won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. The important thing is to start creating, keep learning, and consistently improve your content over time.

Tools To Help With Your First Post

Here are some free or low-cost tools to help you create your first post. These are tools that I’ve used myself (some I still use), that can help with some aspect of the post creation process.

• Canva – Create simple comparison tables and featured images
• ChatGPT – AI tool that creates outlines and guidance for your content
• Grammarly – AI writing assistant to help discover writing errors that might hurt your credibility
• Hemingway Editor – Check if your writing is easy to read
• Unsplash or Pexels – Free stock photos to enhance your posts