How to Earn Online as an Affiliate Marketer: A Deep Dive into Best Referral Programs

Brooklyn Alice
5 min readAug 12, 2024

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Affiliate marketing has become a lucrative avenue for generating passive income online. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned marketer, leveraging referral programs is a smart way to monetize your online presence. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best referral programs available today, including NordVPN, Fiverr, CJ Affiliate, Adsterra, Monetag, Freepik, and Travelpayouts, complete with referral links to get you started.

1. NordVPN Affiliate Program

Why NordVPN?

NordVPN is one of the most recognized VPN services globally, offering robust security, privacy, and internet freedom to millions of users. As internet privacy becomes more critical, promoting a trusted VPN like NordVPN can be highly profitable.

Commission Structure

  • Earn up to 100% commission on the first month’s payment for monthly plans.
  • 30% commission on renewals and additional purchases.
  • A dedicated account manager and a variety of marketing materials to support your campaigns.

How to Promote

  • Blog Posts & Reviews: Create in-depth reviews or comparison posts showcasing NordVPN’s features, benefits, and security measures.
  • YouTube Videos: VPNs are popular in tech and privacy-related content, making video reviews or tutorials a good fit.
  • Social Media: Utilize platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share your referral link along with engaging content.

Sign Up Here: NordVPN Affiliate Program

2. Fiverr Affiliate Program

Why Fiverr?

Fiverr is a leading platform for freelance services, where businesses and individuals can find professionals for nearly any task — from graphic design to marketing. With a diverse range of services and a global customer base, Fiverr’s affiliate program offers excellent earning potential.

Commission Structure

  • CPA (Cost Per Action) model with commissions ranging from $15 to $150 depending on the service category.
  • Fiverr Pro services offer higher commissions.
  • Unlimited referrals with no earning limits.

How to Promote

  • Niche Blogs: Write articles targeting freelancers or businesses that might need Fiverr’s services, such as “Top 10 Fiverr Gigs for Startups.”
  • Email Marketing: Send out newsletters to your email list with valuable Fiverr gigs tailored to their needs.
  • Social Media Campaigns: Promote specific gigs or categories through social media ads or organic posts.

Sign Up Here: Fiverr Affiliate Program

3. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)

Why CJ Affiliate?

CJ Affiliate is one of the largest and most reputable affiliate networks, offering a vast range of products and services from top brands. With CJ, you can partner with hundreds of merchants, making it an excellent choice for marketers who want to diversify their income streams.

Commission Structure

  • Varies by merchant; some offer flat rates, while others offer percentage-based commissions.
  • Performance-based bonuses for top affiliates.
  • Access to a wide variety of tools, including deep linking, product widgets, and data feeds.

How to Promote

  • Niche Websites: Create a website focused on a specific niche (e.g., fashion, tech) and feature products or services from CJ’s merchants.
  • Content Marketing: Use long-form blog posts, tutorials, and guides to integrate CJ’s affiliate links seamlessly.
  • PPC Campaigns: Run targeted pay-per-click ads using Google Ads or Bing Ads, focusing on high-converting keywords.

Sign Up Here: CJ Affiliate Program

4. Adsterra Affiliate Program

Why Adsterra?

Adsterra is a premium advertising network that connects publishers with advertisers. If you run a website or blog with decent traffic, Adsterra can help you monetize your content through display ads, pop-unders, and more.

Commission Structure

  • 5% lifetime commission on the revenue generated by referred publishers.
  • Competitive payouts with weekly payments.

How to Promote

  • Blogging: Write posts about monetizing websites and include your Adsterra affiliate link as a recommended solution.
  • Forum Participation: Engage in webmaster or digital marketing forums, sharing your experiences and referral links.
  • Webinars & Online Courses: Educate your audience on how to make money online through Adsterra.

Sign Up Here: Adsterra Affiliate Program

5. Monetag Affiliate Program

Why Monetag?

Monetag offers a powerful platform for webmasters to monetize their websites through various ad formats like pop-unders, push notifications, and direct links. It’s particularly popular among niche websites and blogs.

Commission Structure

  • Earn up to 5% of the revenue generated by referred publishers.
  • Various payment options, including PayPal, Payoneer, and wire transfers.

How to Promote

  • SEO-Optimized Content: Create content around topics like “Best Ad Networks for Small Websites” and promote Monetag as a top choice.
  • Video Tutorials: Demonstrate how to set up and use Monetag on your website, driving sign-ups through your affiliate link.
  • Social Proof: Share case studies or testimonials on social media to show the effectiveness of Monetag.

Sign Up Here: Monetag Affiliate Program

6. Freepik Affiliate Program

Why Freepik?

Freepik is a leading platform for free and premium graphic resources, including vectors, photos, and PSD files. If your audience includes designers, marketers, or content creators, promoting Freepik can be highly lucrative.

Commission Structure

  • Earn 50% commission on every sale made through your referral link.
  • Monthly payouts with no minimum threshold.

How to Promote

  • Design Blogs: Write posts about design resources, templates, or tutorials, featuring Freepik as a recommended tool.
  • Social Media Graphics: Share visually appealing graphics or templates available on Freepik, encouraging followers to sign up via your link.
  • YouTube Tutorials: Create design tutorials using Freepik resources, with a call-to-action to download the assets through your referral link.

Sign Up Here: Freepik Affiliate Program

7. Travelpayouts Affiliate Program

Why Travelpayouts?

Travelpayouts is a travel affiliate network that offers a wide range of programs from airlines, hotels, and other travel-related services. With the resurgence of travel post-pandemic, this program offers significant earning potential.

Commission Structure

  • Commission rates vary depending on the service (flights, hotels, insurance, etc.), typically ranging from 1% to 70%.
  • Long cookie duration (up to 30 days) to maximize conversions.

How to Promote

  • Travel Blogs: Write destination guides, travel tips, or hotel reviews, embedding Travelpayouts affiliate links.
  • Social Media Influencing: Share your travel experiences on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, with links to book services through Travelpayouts.
  • Email Campaigns: Send out travel deals or exclusive offers to your email subscribers, including your affiliate links.

Sign Up Here: Travelpayouts Affiliate Program

Conclusion

Affiliate marketing through referral programs offers a reliable way to earn online, whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your income streams. Each program mentioned here — NordVPN, Fiverr, CJ Affiliate, Adsterra, Monetag, Freepik, and Travelpayouts — has its unique strengths, making it easier to find one that aligns with your audience and niche. Start promoting these programs today and watch your affiliate earnings grow!

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