Why Email Works for Affiliates
Most visitors to an affiliate website leave and never come back. An email list lets you stay in touch, share helpful content and recommend products when they're relevant to what readers need.
The key is that subscribers join for your content and judgment, not for a stream of offers. Treat recommendations as a service to readers, and email becomes a long-term asset.
We'd build the list around a specific topic with a useful lead magnet, send mostly helpful content and include affiliate recommendations only where they genuinely help.
Check the Rules First
Three sets of rules apply:
| Who sets them | What to check |
|---|---|
| The affiliate program | Whether links are allowed in emails, and any restrictions on wording or claims |
| Your email platform | Its acceptable use policy on affiliate content and prohibited industries |
| The law | Disclosure requirements for endorsements and email marketing rules |
Email platform policies differ. Some platforms restrict emails whose main purpose is promoting affiliate offers, while allowing affiliate links within otherwise useful content. Review your platform's current terms and acceptable use policy for your niche before you start, and ask its support team if you're unsure.
Disclose Affiliate Relationships
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission expects clear disclosure when you have a financial relationship with a brand you recommend. Other countries have similar rules.
Keep disclosures clear and close to the recommendation, such as "We earn a commission if you buy through this link." Hidden or vague disclosures undermine trust and may break the rules. This isn't legal advice; check the guidance that applies to you.
A Simple Affiliate Email System
- Pick a focused topic, such as home coffee brewing or freelance bookkeeping.
- Create a lead magnet that solves a specific problem. See lead magnet ideas.
- Write a welcome sequence that helps first, then introduces one or two tools you'd recommend. See welcome email sequence.
- Send a regular newsletter with tips, tutorials and occasional recommendations.
- Link to your in-depth reviews on your website, where readers can compare options.
- Tag clicks by product interest and send relevant follow-ups. See email segmentation.
Content That Converts Without Being Pushy
- Tutorials that show how to solve a problem with a tool.
- Comparisons that explain which option suits which reader.
- Honest pros and cons, including when not to buy.
- Case-style walkthroughs of how a setup works, without inventing results.
- Resource roundups for specific tasks.
Readers trust recommendations that admit limitations. See email copywriting.
Protect Your Deliverability
- Send to a permission-based list only. See buying email lists.
- Avoid link shorteners that hide destinations.
- Limit the number of affiliate links per email.
- Link to your own site for detailed reviews, which also builds your brand.
- Authenticate your domain. See SPF, DKIM and DMARC setup.
Using AWeber as an Affiliate Marketer
AWeber is popular with bloggers and creators who build topic-focused lists, and its landing pages, tags and automations suit the system above: a lead magnet page, a welcome sequence and click-based follow-ups. As with any platform, review AWeber's current terms and acceptable use policy for your niche before promoting offers.
See email marketing for bloggers and AWeber automation.
Create a lead magnet page, welcome sequence and click-based follow-ups with AWeber, starting free.
Affiliate Email Marketing FAQs
Can I use affiliate links in emails?
Often, yes, but check the affiliate program's rules and your email platform's policies first.
Do I need to disclose affiliate links in emails?
Yes. Clear disclosure is expected under FTC guidance in the US and similar rules elsewhere.
What should affiliate marketers email about?
Helpful tips, tutorials and comparisons, with recommendations where they genuinely help.
How do I avoid my affiliate emails going to spam?
Use a permission-based list, avoid link shorteners, limit links and authenticate your domain.