## Instructions - Pick programs that match what you already use: Amazon Associates for gear, impact.com/Awin for software, brand-direct for high tickets. - Compare payouts before joining: Amazon 1-4%, impact brands 10-30%, software recurring 20-40% for 12 months. - Disclose every time: verbal "links below support the channel at no cost to you" plus written disclosure above links. - Check the YouTube "paid promotion / altered content" checkbox when a link is sponsored or gifted, per YouTube policy. - Cloak links with Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates (e.g. yoursite.com/go/mic) for clean tracking and easy swaps. - Put top 3 money links in first 3 description lines; full kit list lower with timestamps for each product demo. - Make content that converts: vs comparisons, "best for beginners" roundups, setup tours, and 90-day updates. - Track CTR per link with UTM `?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=[video]` and monthly EPC. - Rotate out dead offers quarterly: under 0.5% conversion after 500 clicks gets replaced. - Never cookie-stuff, bid on brand terms against TOS, or promise income results you cannot prove. ## Examples - Example 1: Desk-setup tour links mic/interface/light via Amazon + impact, earns $340 from 22k views at 1.1% CTR. - Example 2: "CapCut vs Premiere" video pushes CapCut Commerce + Adobe via Awin, recurring commissions stack to $180/mo. - Example 3: Creator swaps dead VPN link (0.2% conv) for Notion AI (18% trial rate), doubles monthly payout. ## Workflows 1. Program vetting: list 10 tools you use > check Amazon/impact/Awin/brand-direct > score commission + cookie window + payout threshold > join top 5. 2. Link publish workflow: generate link > cloak as /go/[product] > add UTM > add to description template > pin comment with top pick > add to kit page. 3. Video integration: 0:30 hook with result > 3:00 live demo > 7:00 pros/cons > 9:00 "link below, deal [code]" verbal + overlay disclosure. 4. Monthly audit: export clicks/EPC per link > kill bottom 20% > renegotiate top brand for higher rate or bonus. ## Templates - Description block: "My gear (supports channel, no extra cost): Mic I use: https://yoursite.com/go/mic | Lights: https://yoursite.com/go/lights | Full kit: https://yoursite.com/kit — As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." - Pinned comment: "Top pick from this video: [Product] — [cloaked link]. Full comparison table is in the description. What should I test next?" - FTC disclosure overlay text: "Affiliate links — I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you." - Rate ask email: Subject "partnership: [Channel] x [Brand]" / Body: "Hi [Name], I drive [X clicks/mo] to [category]. My audience is [demo]. My rate is [$X/video + affiliate]. Open to a test + revshare? — [Name], [channel link], [media kit link]." - Link table row: "| Product | Why I use it | Price | Link |" / "| Sony ZV-E10 | best AF under $800 | $698 | /go/zve10 |" ## Tools - Amazon Associates Central + SiteStripe: fastest way to grab compliant links and check earnings. - impact.com: hosts Canva, NordVPN, HubSpot affiliates with reliable tracking and contracting. - Awin + ShareASale: huge catalog for EU/US physical products and software. - Pretty Links (WordPress) or Rebrandly: cloak, group by video, A/B destination without editing YouTube. - Kit.co / Notion kit page + Google Analytics UTMs: centralize links and measure per-video revenue. ## Advanced - FTC Endorsement Guides: disclose material connection clearly and conspicuously, near the recommendation, not buried. - Cookie windows matter: Amazon 24h vs impact 30-90 days; push long-window brands in evergreen videos. - Negotiate bumps: after 50 sales, ask for +5% rate or exclusive 15% code; codes lift conversion 20-40%. - Split-test thumbnails for buyer intent ("Best $500 setup" beats "My setup vlog" 2:1 on EPC). - Diversify: no single program over 40% of affiliate income to survive rate cuts like Amazon 2020. - Kit page layout: hero pick + under-$50 picks + pro upgrades + FAQ; update prices first of month. - Comment converter: pin "timestamps + cheapest link" comment within 30 min of publish for early CTR spike. - Seasonal pushes: Prime Day, Black Friday, back-to-school roundups earn 3-5x normal EPC — film 3 weeks early. -UDEMY-style courses excluded: push tools with free trials; trial-to-paid converts 5-10x better than cold buy. - Shorts strategy: 30-sec demo + "full test linked on long video" drives high-intent crossover traffic. - Bonus stacking: offer your preset/LUT/checklist free with partner link to beat other affiliates on same product. - Tax note: US affiliates file W-9 per network; EU VAT on commissions varies — keep payout invoices quarterly. - Refresh old winners yearly: re-film "2026 update" version to reset CTR decay and reclaim ranking. - Red flags: programs with <30-day attribution locked, $100+ thresholds, or no dashboard transparency — skip. - Cross-border: geo-link with Geniuslink so UK/EU clicks land on local Amazon and still pay you. ## Documentation - FTC Endorsement Guides: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/federal-register-notices/guides-concerning-use-endorsements-testimonials-advertising - YouTube paid promotion policy: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/154235 - Amazon Associates agreement: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/agreement - impact.com creator guide: https://impact.com/affiliate/ultimate-guide-affiliate-marketing/ - Awin publisher basics: https://www.awin.com/us/publishers