Leased Ad Space
If you’re just starting with affiliate marketing and you’d rather not blow your budget on paid ads, I’ve got good news: you can build a thriving affiliate link ecosystem without paid promotion—and I’ve done it myself. In this guide, I’ll walk you through twenty practical, beginner-friendly ways to promote your affiliate links without ads—sharing real-life stories, tips that worked (and some that didn’t), and helping you build trust with your audience while doing it.
Table of Contents
The purpose & value of this guide
How to decide on your affiliate offers and build trust
Blogging: evergreen review & tutorial content
Resource or “toolkit” pages
Email newsletters with value-first approach
Lead-magnet freebies that include affiliate links
Social media posts & stories (organic)
YouTube videos or other long-form content channels
Short-form video content (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
Podcasts or audio content
Guest posting on other blogs / sites
Participating in forums or Q&A sites (authentic help)
Webinars or live sessions
Creating an online course with embedded recommendations
Hosting or joining a challenge/event
Building a private community (Slack, Discord, Facebook Group)
Repurposing content and cross-posting
Using SEO & long-tail keywords to attract organic traffic
Influencer collaborations / co-creation (without paid ads)
Creating printable checklists, templates or freebies with affiliate links
Leveraging case studies & testimonials you create yourself
Seasonal / timely content bursts
Pros & Cons of non-paid affiliate link promotion
Conclusion
The purpose & value of this guide
When I first started affiliate marketing, I was broke, nervous, and didn’t want to risk spending money on ads. I had a blog, a social-profile, and a passion for the niche. I made many mistakes. Over time, I found that non-paid promotion—organic traffic, trust building, being genuinely helpful—was the method that scaled best for me. That’s why I'm writing this guide: to share 20 ways to promote affiliate links without ads, so you can grow sustainably and authentically.
You’ll learn what to do, how to do it, and why it works (or sometimes doesn’t). And you’ll see things from the lens of someone who had to figure it out the hard way—so you can skip some pain.
Throughout we’ll use the phrase promote affiliate links without ads because that’s the core idea: building traffic, trust, conversions, without paying for clicks. At the same time, we’ll emphasise value, authenticity, and strategic positioning. Because even without ads, you still need to be seen and be trusted.
How to decide on your affiliate offers and build trust
Before you dive into the 20 tactics, let’s cover some foundation so you’re set up for success.
Choose offers you believe in
One of the first lessons I learned: only promote products/services you have experience with or genuinely trust.
For example: I once promoted a software tool I hadn’t used, simply because the commission was good. Result? Lots of clicks, almost zero conversions, and my audience got complaints. It damaged my credibility.
If you use the product, share what you liked, what you found tricky, how you overcame it. That gives you authority and trust.
Know your audience & niche
If you’re writing for “beginning bloggers”, then recommending super-advanced enterprise SaaS tools won’t resonate. But recommending budget-friendly, beginner-friendly tools will.
When you know your audience’s level, problems, desires, you can better place affiliate links as solutions rather than “sales pitch”.
Be transparent & disclose
Always tell your audience: “This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase via my link I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”
This builds trust, meets legal guidelines (depending on your jurisdiction), and makes you more authentic.
People click because they trust you, not because they’re forced. So maintaining that trust is crucial.
Think value-first, not sales-first
Your primary job: educate, help, otherwise give value. Then mention the affiliate link as an optional, helpful next step. When people feel you’re pushing with the audience’s interest, rather than just pushing a product, conversion rates go up.
Build a trackable funnel
Even without paid ads, you’ll want to track which links, which content, which channels are working for you. Use link-shorteners, UTM codes, or affiliate network dashboards to figure out your high-performing content. That helps you allocate time wisely.
Now, onto the 20 ways to promote affiliate links without ads. I’ll use headings for each method and share practical tips, tiny stories, and actionable insights.
1. Blogging: evergreen review & tutorial content
One of the most reliable methods: you create blog posts, tutorials, honest reviews, and embed your affiliate links where they make sense.
For example: I wrote “How to set up a WordPress blog for beginners”, in which I reviewed three hosting providers I use and trust. After the explanation of each, I included an affiliate link with my personal experience (“I set this up in 30 minutes, had no downtime…”). This post continues to bring in clicks months later.
Why it works: people searching Google for “how to set up blog” are in intent mode. They’re ready to act. If your blog post is high-quality, helpful, and includes affiliate links, you can catch that traffic. According to this guide, embedding affiliate links into blog posts is one of the best foundational strategies.
Practical tips:
Use long-tail keywords like “best budget hosting for new bloggers 2025”, not just “hosting”.
Write detailed, practical content (step-by-step, screenshots, pros & cons).
Include your affiliate link naturally – not multiple times all over. One or two well-placed links are enough.
Use a clear disclosure at the top.
Update the post occasionally (once every 6-12 months) to keep it fresh and accurate.
Use internal links to older posts to funnel traffic.
2. Resource or “toolkit” pages
Another technique I used: create a “Resources I Use” or “Toolkit for XYZ” page. In my case it was “My Blogging Toolkit – all my favourite tools & services (with links)”.
This page sits on my blog menu, and when people ask “what blog tools do you use?”, I point them there.
Why it works: Many readers at some point will ask “what do you use?” or “what do you recommend?” A resource page becomes a go-to and naturally attracts repeat traffic. One affiliate network guide mentions creating a resource page as a great way to include affiliate links.
Practical tips:
Group tools by category (e.g., hosting, email marketing, design, apps).
Write 1-2 sentences about why you use each tool (personal insight).
Link to each tool with your affiliate link.
Add a disclosure at top: “Some links below earn me a small commission if you purchase—this costs you nothing extra”.
Promote this page in your welcome email sequence, mention it in blog posts like “if you’re just getting started, check my toolkit page”.
3. Email newsletters with value-first approach
Email remains one of the strongest channels. Once someone subscribes, you have a direct line to them. I built my list by offering a freebie, then in my weekly email I share helpful tips and occasionally mention an affiliate product that solved a problem I had.
Why it works: subscribers already trust you more than cold visitors. If you nurture the relationship with helpful content (not just sales) then when you list a recommendation, they’re more likely to click and convert. A guide points out that including affiliate links in emails and newsletters is effective—but only when you’ve built the audience first.
Practical tips:
Include a welcome sequence of 3-5 emails: introduction → value → story → recommendation.
Focus 80% of email content on help, 20% on affiliate offers.
Use one affiliate link per email (so you’re not overwhelming people).
Track clicks and conversions to see which product types resonate.
4. Lead-magnet freebies that include affiliate links
I once created a free downloadable checklist titled “10-Step Blog Launch Checklist”. Inside it, I included links to the tools I recommend (with my affiliate links). People loved this because it helped them launch quickly and gave them exactly tools I use.
Why it works: You attract sign-ups with a freebie; they opt-in. Then you deliver immediate value + include affiliate links in the freebie itself—and/or follow up via email to guide them to relevant tools.
Practical tips:
Choose a problem your audience has (e.g., “Getting started with podcasting”).
Create a super-useful free asset: checklist, template, quiz, worksheet.
In the freebie, naturally mention your “favourite tool” links (affiliate links).
Follow up via email: “If you found the checklist helpful, here’s how to pick the right tool for you…” + link.
Make sure the funnel is smooth: Freebie → Thank you page → Sequence with value + recommendation.
5. Social media posts & stories (organic)
You don’t need to run paid ads on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok to promote affiliate links. I used Instagram stories to show myself using a tool, sharing a quick tip, then adding “Swipe up / link in bio → check the tool I use (affiliate)”.
Why it works: Your followers already like and trust you. You share something helpful (not “buy this now”), you’re in their feed/stories, you provide value and then invite them to try the tool.
Practical tips:
Use platforms your audience uses. If your audience is visual, Instagram or TikTok; if professional, LinkedIn maybe.
Create a short video/snippet showing the product in action.
Use “link in bio” or “swipe up” (or the sticker link) to drive clicks.
Add a caption or overlay text: “I use this because…” to make it real.
Disclose: “Affiliate link – if you buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”
Don’t over-post affiliate links; mix with pure value content.
6. YouTube videos or other long-form content channels
If you’re comfortable on camera or do screen recordings, YouTube is powerful. I created a video “My Blogging Setup 2025” where I showed my workflow and the tools I use—then in the description I placed affiliate links. Some viewers said they clicked because they wanted exactly what I used. According to a tutorial, video content increases conversion rate and is highly recommended for affiliate links.
Practical tips:
Choose a topic your audience searches: e.g., “How to edit Instagram Reels in 2025”, “Budget camera for travel”.
Film using yourself or screen share, share real experience (“I struggled with X until I found this”).
In video description, place a clickable affiliate link near the top (“👉 Link to tool I mention”).
Verbally mention the link in the video (“Check the link below”).
Include a disclosure in description and mention it in speech (“affiliate link”).
Add timestamps, keywords in description, optimise title and thumbnail for search.
Use YouTube analytics to track links (via UTM codes) to know which videos convert.
7. Short-form video content (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
Short-form videos are fast-growing and can help you reach new audiences. I made a 30-second Reel: “One tool I use to edit my podcasts in 5 mins”. I show quick clip, say “Link in bio if you want the tool”. It drove traffic and clicks, especially when pinned or saved.
Why it works: Such content is snackable, shareable. When you show a real glimpse of life/use, people feel “oh, I could use that”. Then you place your affiliate link.
Practical tips:
Pick one micro-insight: “This one thing saved me 2 hours every week”.
Show your “before/after” or “problem/solution” fast.
Use “link in bio” or “comment for link” method depending on platform rules.
Don’t sound sales-y; instead “here’s how I fixed this”.
Add a follow-up story: “I’ll walk through how to use it—check link”.
Periodically check which videos drove clicks and iterate.
8. Podcasts or audio content
If you create a podcast (or even audio clips), you can mention affiliate offers and include the links in show notes. I once did a 10-minute podcast episode: “What microphone I use for remote podcasting” and mentioned the mic, the interface, the cables (all with affiliate links in the notes).
Why it works: Podcast listeners often are more engaged and listen longer. Show notes are a great place to collect affiliate links. A guide confirms that podcasts/webinars are valid channels for affiliate link promotion.
Practical tips:
Introduce yourself, build trust, then segue into what tool you use, why.
In show notes (on your website or podcast host), list the links as “Affiliate links – full disclosure”.
Mention the link verbally (“Go to my show notes, link is third in the list”).
Occasionally dedicate an entire episode to a deep dive into a tool you recommend.
9. Guest posting on other blogs / sites
You may not yet have huge traffic to your own site, but you can leverage other blogs: pitch a high-quality article to a blog in your niche, include a byline that links to your “Resources” page (which contains affiliate links). This builds your authority and drives a portion of traffic into your funnel.
Why it works: You tap into an audience already established. You provide value to that audience and gently invite them to your ecosystem (where your affiliate links are). It’s more indirect, but effective over time.
Practical tips:
Search for blogs that accept guest posts in your niche; check their domain authority.
Write a helpful article (without hard sell) that ends with “If you’re curious, here’s my toolkit page I use”.
The toolkit page then holds your affiliate links — you don’t need to embed them directly in the guest post (some sites may forbid overt affiliate links).
Use tracking links so you can see which guest post brought the click.
10. Participating in forums or Q&A sites (authentic help)
When I joined forums in my niche (e.g., “beginner bloggers forum”), I spent weeks helping people without any links. I answered questions, became trusted. Then when the right moment came (“Which hosting do you use?”), I responded: “Here’s what I’ve tried – you can check my breakdown here” and linked to my resource page (with affiliate links). It worked because I was known, trusted, and the link was relevant.
Why it works: People on forums/Reddit/Quora are in question or problem-solving mode. A helpful answer that points to a solution can convert well—but you must first help, not push. A guide warns that some forums have strict rules about affiliate links, so you must respect them.
Practical tips:
Choose forums / communities relevant to your niche.
Spend initial weeks: read, engage, answer questions without links.
Build profile, credibility.
When you do link, do it only when it’s relevant and you explain your experience (“I used this tool, here’s what I found”).
Be extremely transparent: mention “affiliate link” if needed.
Respect community rules (some forbid direct affiliate links; in that case link to your post with the links).
11. Webinars or live sessions
Live content adds a sense of urgency and personal connection. I once hosted a free live training: “How to plan your first blog in 60 minutes”. At the end, I shared the tool I use for hosting/editing with my affiliate link and offered a bonus for people who used it within 24 hours.
Why it works: Attendees feel engaged, ask questions, you can address objections live, you can mention your personal story, and you can insert the affiliate link at the right moment.
Practical tips:
Choose a compelling topic (“Launch with me: blog in an hour”).
Promote via your blog, social media, email list.
During the webinar: deliver value (not just a product pitch).
At the end: show the tool, demonstrate it, explain why you use it, share your affiliate link (either via chat, show-notes, or slide).
Follow-up email to attendees with link + bonus.
Make the live recording available afterwards (evergreen funnel possible).
12. Creating an online course with embedded recommendations
If you have expertise, create a small course (free or paid) and within the lessons include the tools you use via affiliate links. In one of my mini-courses on “Blogging Basics”, I included videos where I walked through my tool-stack and offered links where students could sign up (via affiliate). Many enrolled just for the course, but some clicked through to tools afterwards.
Why it works: Learners trust you as teacher. You guide them through their journey, and recommending your preferred tools feels natural. One guide mentions including affiliate links in online courses as a valid method.
Practical tips:
Your course: pick a narrow topic that people want to learn (“How to launch a personal blog in 5 lessons”).
In lesson 2 or 3: “Here’s the software I use and recommend” → your affiliate links.
Offer a bonus module or downloadable attachment with “My toolkit as used in the course”.
Consider making the course free to maximize reach, then monetize via affiliate links (instead of course fee) or hybrid.
13. Hosting or joining a challenge/event
Challenges (e.g., “5-day blogging challenge”, “7-day fitness challenge”) get people engaged. You can embed affiliate offers into one of the days. I co-hosted a “30-day Instagram Story challenge” where on day-10 I shared the editing tool I use (affiliate) and offered a short demo. Because participants were already committed to the challenge, they were receptive.
Why it works: Engagement, momentum and community spirit increase trust. When people are already involved, they’re more open to your suggestions.
Practical tips:
Decide the type of challenge (aligned with your niche).
Plan content for each day: e.g., tips + one task.
Day where you share your affiliate tool should feel natural (“here’s the tool I’ve used to speed this up”).
Provide bonus for people who sign up via your link (if allowed by affiliate program).
Use email + social group to keep everyone on board.
After the challenge, redirect participants to your resource page or email sequence for further nurturing.
14. Building a private community (Slack, Discord, Facebook Group)
When you create a community where people feel safe to ask questions, share experiences, you become an authority figure. In my private Facebook group for new bloggers, I often answer live Q&A. When someone asks “What hosting should I use?”, I reply personally and share the link to my preferred host (affiliate). The group sees me helping—not just selling. Over time, members who join later also trust the recommendation.
Why it works: The community trusts you, you’re seen as a go-to person. Affiliate links in that context feel like trusted advice rather than an ad.
Practical tips:
Set up group with clear rules and value proposition (“Support for new bloggers – weekly Q&A”).
Engage regularly: post tips, start threads, answer questions.
When appropriate, share a “tool of the week” post with your affiliate link and explain how you use it.
Encourage discussion and testimonials: ask members to share their experience if they used a tool you recommended.
Use pinned posts or resources section to list your “recommended tools / links”.
15. Repurposing content and cross-posting
Don’t create content once and forget. I wrote a blog post, then turned it into a YouTube video, then a short form clip, then a podcast episode excerpt. Each channel has the affiliate link in description or show notes. By repurposing, you reach different segments.
Why it works: Not everyone consumes content the same way. Some prefer reading, some watching, some listening. By repurposing, you increase reach and thus affiliate link visibility.
Practical tips:
Pick a “pillar content” (e.g., blog post) and repurpose into video, podcast, social snippets.
Always include the affiliate link (or link to your resource page) in each piece.
Track which channel brings more clicks so you can lean into it.
Maintain consistency in branding and message across channels.
16. Using SEO & long-tail keywords to attract organic traffic
Paid ads aren’t required if you invest in SEO. I spent time researching long-tail keywords (“best budget microphone for n on-a-budget content creator 2025”) then wrote a post targeting it, ranked in Google, and had consistent traffic that clicked affiliate links for months. A recent guide supports this: embed affiliate links in SEO-optimised blog posts.
Practical tips:
Use tools (free ones too) to identify long-tail, low-competition keywords your audience is searching.
Write content that answers the search query thoroughly (not just superficial).
Use the keyword naturally (not stuffing).
Provide value and context, include your affiliate link as part of that value.
Build internal linking and maybe guest posting (see above) to help ranking.
17. Influencer collaborations / co-creation (without paid ads)
Even if you don’t pay for ads, you can collaborate with other creators in your niche. I partnered with a micro-influencer in the “craft bloggers” niche: I created a mini-video for her audience about the craft desk setup I use, and she mentioned my “recommended tools list” (with affiliate links). Her audience thanked me, clicked, converted. Win-win.
Why it works: You tap into someone else’s audience, while offering them value (new content, co-creation) and share the affiliate link organically.
Practical tips:
Find someone with a similar audience size, complementary niche, willing to collaborate.
Offer value: you make video content or guest-post on their platform.
In the collaboration, mention your “toolkit” or link page (with your affiliate links).
Track clicks from that collaboration (maybe use unique UTM or tracking ID).
Later, maintain relationship for future collaborations.
18. Creating printable checklists, templates or freebies with affiliate links
Going beyond just content, I made a set of “Blog Post Planner Template” (Google sheet + printable pdf). On the first page I listed my favourite SEO tools and recommended them (with affiliate links). People appreciated the free template, used the tools, and some converted. The template became popular through shares and link-back.
Why it works: People love “freebies” that solve a pain. When you give a free tool and casually mention your affiliate recommendation inside it, you capture goodwill and clicks.
Practical tips:
Identify a tangible asset your audience would love (checklist, planner, worksheet).
Create it in a shareable format (pdf, google doc).
In the freebie, embed a section “Tools I use to make this happen” with your affiliate links.
Promote the freebie via blog, social, email.
Encourage users to share the freebie (helps reach).
In email follow-up: “If you found this template useful, here are the tools I use to make it work (links)”.
19. Leveraging case studies & testimonials you create yourself
People trust stories. I wrote a case study: “How I grew my blog from zero to 1,000 monthly visitors in 3 months (and the tools that helped)”. In that article I described the tool-stack I used, including affiliate links. Readers felt “this is real, he did it, maybe I can too”. Case studies drive credibility.
Why it works: Rather than “buy this product”, you show “this product helped me”. That narrative invites trust and action.
Practical tips:
Use your own data, timeline, hurdles you faced.
Show how the tool (affiliate) solved a specific obstacle.
Include screenshots, before-after metrics, honest reflection of what didn’t work.
At the end, add “If you want to try the tool I used, here’s the link”.
Use this case study as a blog post, and share across your channels.
20. Seasonal / timely content bursts
Seasonal content (Black Friday, end-of-year review, “Back to school”, etc.) often has heightened search volumes. I once wrote “Best tools for remote work in 2025 – end of year edition” around December. It drove extra traffic and affiliate clicks. When done thoughtfully (i.e., not just “temporary spam”), it can boost your performance.
Why it works: People act when the season triggers a need. If you tie an affiliate recommendation into that moment, you ride the wave.
Practical tips:
Identify recurring seasonal trends in your niche (e.g., “New year goals”, “summer travel”, “tax season”).
Write content a few weeks in advance so you rank when the wave hits.
Use phrases like “2025 edition”, “update for current year” to show freshness.
In the content: show how your recommended tool/service helps in that season (e.g., travel blog => “best travel gear for summer 2025”).
Include affiliate links as part of your recommendation.
After season, update the post next year (“2026 edition”) and republish.
Pros & Cons of non-paid affiliate link promotion
Pros
Low cost: You don’t pay for clicks, so you retain more of your commission.
Builds long-term asset: Blog posts, videos, templates continue to drive traffic months or years later.
Trust & authority: Because you’re focusing on value rather than just buying traffic, you build a stronger relationship with your audience.
Sustainable: If ads change or cost rises, you’re not dependent on ad budget.
Control: You can choose your content, your messaging, your timing.
Cons
Slower growth: Organic methods take more time. You might wait months to see meaningful traffic.
Effort-intensive: You have to create high-quality content, engage communities, experiment.
Uncertainty: Organic traffic algorithms change (SEO, social algorithms) so you can’t guarantee immediate results.
Scaling limitations: Without ads, scaling might require broader content, more channels, which takes time and resources.
Tracking complexity: Since you’re using many channels (blog, social, email, freebies), you may need to track more carefully to see what’s working.
In my journey, I’ve accepted the slower growth in exchange for a business I could run with less risk. If you’re a beginner and don’t want to spend money on ads (or can’t yet), this route is absolutely viable and rewarding—as long as you stay consistent and patient.
Conclusion
Promoting affiliate links without ads is entirely possible—and more than that, it can be strategically smarter, especially when you’re starting out. You may take longer than someone who pays for ads, but you’ll build stronger foundations, deeper relationships, and more sustainable traffic.
In this guide we've gone through 20 ways to promote affiliate links without ads—from blogging, resource pages, email, social media, video, podcasts, to templates, events, communities, SEO, and seasonal content. Pick a handful of methods that fit your style, audience, and niche. Don’t try to do them all at once—focus on 2-3, do them well, measure what works, then expand.
Remember: the keyword here is value. Your audience isn’t clicking because you want a commission—they’re clicking because you helped them, solved a problem, showed something useful, built trust. When you consistently help, your affiliate links become a natural recommendation, not a pushy ad.
Now is the time to take action. Choose one method from above (for example: write your first “Resources I use” page), set a deadline, create the content, embed your trusted affiliate links, track the results, and iterate. With consistent effort, you’ll see clicks turn into conversions—and conversions into sustainable affiliate income.
So go ahead—use these strategies to promote affiliate links without ads. Build the value, build the trust, and let your recommendations do the work. You’ve got this.
About Tom Lindstrom
Hey there! I'm Tom, and I've been working online for quite some time now. If you're searching for a great place to advertise your business, I highly recommend LeasedAdSpace—it's been an amazing resource for me. If you’d like to explore a simple, proven way to earn automatic affiliate commissions, take a look at BackUpBucks.com—you might find it really valuable!
