This is how to start affiliate marketing as a mom without brand deals, a big following, or a business plan you made at 2 a.m.
Referral disclosure: This post contains my ShopMy creator referral link. If you join through it, I may receive a referral benefit at no cost to you. See my full disclosure.
I am Bri. I have ADHD, two kids, and a house full of things I have researched for longer than is medically advisable.
At some point I realized people kept asking where I got stuff. So I started linking it. That is basically the whole origin story. No agency. No brand deal. Just a mom answering the same question for the fortieth time.
This is my ShopMy referral link.
What Is Affiliate Marketing, Actually?
You share a special link to a product. Someone buys through it. The store pays you a small commission. The buyer pays the same price they would have paid anyway.
That is it. It is word of mouth with a tracking code.
Why You Do Not Need Brand Deals or a Huge Following
Brand deals are when a company pays you to post about them. Affiliate links are different. Nobody has to choose you. You just sign up and start linking.
- No pitching required. You do not need to email a single brand.
- Small audiences count. Ten people who trust you beat ten thousand who scroll past.
- You already do this. If you have ever texted a friend a link to the stroller you love, congratulations. You are halfway there, just unpaid.
Pick One Platform (Just One)
ADHD tip: do not sign up for six platforms on the same night. Pick one. Learn it. Then decide if you need another.
ShopMy is my main recommendation and what I use myself. You can link products from a lot of different stores in one place and build shelves or collections that are easy to share.
Amazon Associates is a common option if most of what you buy comes from Amazon. It has its own rules, so read them.
LTK is another popular creator platform, especially for fashion and home.
If you are not sure, start with ShopMy. You can always add the others later.
How to Pick Products You Actually Use
The fastest way to lose trust is linking things you have never touched. So do not.
- Walk around your house. What do you use every day without thinking about it?
- Check your order history. What did you buy twice?
- Listen to your friends. What do they always ask you about?
- Be honest about the flaws. “I love it, but the lid is annoying” is more useful than a five star rave.
If you want to see what this looks like in practice, my shops page is where I keep the stuff we actually use.
Where to Share Your Links
Share where people already find you. You do not need to be everywhere.
- Your blog. Helpful posts that answer real questions keep working long after you hit publish.
- Link in bio. Put your ShopMy storefront there so people can find everything in one tap.
- Pinterest. People go there specifically to find things to buy and make. That is helpful.
- Short videos. Show the product in real life. Messy kitchen counter is fine. Probably better, honestly.
This is my ShopMy referral link.
FTC Disclosure Basics (Do Not Skip This)
This is the boring part. It is also the part that keeps you out of trouble.
- Disclose every time. Every post, every video, every pin that has an affiliate link.
- Make it obvious. Put it near the link, not buried at the bottom of a page.
- Use plain words. “I may earn a commission if you buy through my links” works.
- Say it out loud in videos. A tiny hashtag is not enough on its own.
For the official version, read the FTC’s Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers.
Realistic Expectations
I am not going to tell you this will replace your income. I do not know your situation, and anyone who promises that is selling something.
Here is what is true. It usually starts slow. Some links do nothing. Some posts surprise you. Consistency matters more than any one viral moment.
Treat it like a garden, not a slot machine. A garden that you occasionally forget to water, because you are a parent.
Your First-Week Checklist
- Day 1: Sign up for one platform. (Mine is ShopMy, referral link.)
- Day 2: List ten products you actually use and like.
- Day 3: Add those products to your storefront or a collection.
- Day 4: Write a short, honest note for each one. Include the flaws.
- Day 5: Put your storefront link in your bio.
- Day 6: Share one product in one place, with a clear disclosure.
- Day 7: Rest. Look at what got clicks. Do not spiral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lot of followers to start affiliate marketing?
No. You need people who trust you, even a small group. A short list of honest recommendations to a few readers is a perfectly normal place to start.
Do I need brand deals to make affiliate links work?
No. Affiliate links are separate from brand deals. You join a platform, link products you already use, and share them. Nobody has to send you an email first.
What is the best affiliate platform for moms?
I use ShopMy as my main platform because it lets you link products from lots of stores in one place. Amazon Associates and LTK are other common options. Pick one and start there.
Do I have to disclose affiliate links?
Yes. The FTC expects a clear and obvious disclosure near the link, every time. A simple line like “I may earn a commission if you buy through this link” works.
How long does it take to see results from affiliate marketing?
It depends, and anyone giving you a specific timeline is guessing. Expect it to be slow at first. Consistency matters more than any single post.
Ready to Start?
You do not need permission, a brand deal, or a perfect aesthetic. You need one platform and one product you actually love.
This is my ShopMy referral link.
Want more ideas? Browse my shops to see how I organize the things we use every day. Goodbye Twenties, hello linking your favorite dish soap.
Keep reading: returning to work as a mom in the age of AI, 5-minute self-care after kids.