The Caribbean is full of talented content creators, yet many are missing out on a major revenue stream – affiliate marketing.
Every day, influencers, bloggers and YouTubers promote products without earning a cent. Meanwhile, businesses fail to invest in affiliate programmes, missing out on free brand ambassadors who could drive sales. It’s time to change that.
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based strategy where individuals (affiliates) earn commissions for promoting products or services. It works in four simple steps:
• Join an affiliate programme: Sign up with a company offering commissions for referrals.
• Get a unique tracking link: Use this link to track sales from your promotions.
• Promote the product: Share the link through social media, blogs or YouTube.
• Earn commissions: When someone buys through your link, you get paid.
It’s a win-win – affiliates monetise their content and businesses only pay for actual sales.
Why businesses should use affiliate marketing
Most Caribbean businesses spend heavily on traditional advertising without maximising word-of-mouth marketing.
An affiliate programme turns content creators, influencers and customers into sales reps, boosting sales without upfront ad costs.
Key benefits for businesses
• Low-risk, high reward: Pay only for results.
• Increases brand reach: Leverage influencers’ audiences.
• More conversions: People trust personal recommendations over ads.
By adopting affiliate marketing, businesses can expand their customer base without breaking the bank.
Top 5 affiliate marketing platforms
• Amazon Associates: Huge product selection, easy to join.
• ShareASale: Connects affiliates with multiple brands.
• CJ Affiliate: Works with top global brands.
• Rakuten Advertising: Premium brands, exclusive deals.
• ClickBank: High commissions on digital products.
How to sign up for Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is one of the easiest programmes to start with.
1. Visit Amazon Associates and sign up.
2. Fill in your profile: Describe your content and audience.
3. Get your affiliate links: Use SiteStripe to generate product links.
4. Share your links: Add them to blogs, YouTube or social media.
5. Earn commissions: Get paid when someone buys through your link.
Why content creators should add affiliate marketing as a revenue stream
If you create content, you’re already doing affiliate marketing – for free.
Instead of promoting products without earning, why not monetise your recommendations?
• Reviewing products? Use affiliate links.
• Teaching online? Promote the tools you use.
• Creating lifestyle content? Link your favourite brands.
Affiliate marketing lets you earn passive income without relying solely on brand deals or ad revenue.
Can you do affiliate marketing as a full-time job?
Absolutely. Many people have built full-time careers in affiliate marketing, generating consistent and scalable income.
While it takes time and strategy to develop a profitable affil
