As a writer, you’re already recommending books, software, and courses to fellow writers, aspiring authors, and content creators. But did you know you can earn passive income simply by sharing the tools you already use and love?
Affiliate marketing allows you to make money by promoting writing-related products and earning a commission on each sale. Whether you have a blog, email list, or active social media following, affiliate marketing can provide an additional income stream without creating your own products.
Here we look at how writers can leverage affiliate marketing to earn passive income by promoting writing tools, software, and online courses.
Contents
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a business model where you promote products or services and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral link. This works well for writers because:
- You can recommend tools and courses you already use and trust.
- You don’t need to create your own products.
- It provides a passive income stream as people buy through your links.
By integrating affiliate marketing into your writing business, you can monetize your content while helping others find valuable resources.
Step 1: Choose the Right Affiliate Programs
The first step to success is selecting the best affiliate programs that align with your audience. Since you’re targeting writers, look for programs related to writing, self-publishing, and content creation.
✔ Best Affiliate Programs for Writers
📚 Writing & Self-Publishing Courses
- Self-Publishing School – Helps authors publish and market their books.
- Udemy & Skillshare – Offers courses on writing, blogging, and freelancing.
- ProWritingAid Academy – Teaches editing and grammar techniques.
🖊️ Writing Tools & Software
- Grammarly – AI-powered grammar and spell-checking tool.
- ProWritingAid – Advanced editing software for writers.
- Scrivener – Popular writing software for book authors.
- Hemingway Editor – Helps simplify and improve writing clarity.
📖 Book & eBook Platforms
- Amazon Associates – Earn commissions on books, Kindles, and writing accessories.
- Apple Books Partner Program – Promote books and audiobooks.
🛠️ Website & Blogging Tools
- Bluehost – Hosting service for starting a writer’s blog.
- ConvertKit – Email marketing for authors and content creators.
- Canva – Graphic design tool for creating book covers and social media graphics.
Once you’ve chosen affiliate programs, sign up and get your unique referral links.
Step 2: Create Content That Drives Affiliate Sales
Simply signing up for an affiliate program won’t generate income—you need to promote your links strategically through content creation.
✔ Best Content Strategies for Writers
📌 Write Review & Comparison Articles
Many writers search for the best tools and courses before making a purchase. Writing detailed reviews or comparisons can help them decide.
- Example: “Grammarly vs. ProWritingAid: Which Editing Tool is Best for Writers?”
📌 Create Tutorials & How-To Guides
Step-by-step tutorials showing how to use a tool can increase affiliate sales.
- Example: “How to Use Scrivener for Book Writing (Beginner’s Guide)”
📌 Build a Writing Resources Page
Create a dedicated page on your website listing all the writing tools, courses, and software you recommend.
- Example: “Best Writing Tools & Resources for Authors”
📌 Use Affiliate Links in Your Email Newsletter
Send recommendations to your email subscribers, offering exclusive deals or discounts.
Promote affiliate links on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook groups for writers.
- Example: Post a short video showing how Grammarly improves a piece of writing.
Step 3: Optimize for Higher Conversions
To maximize earnings, ensure your affiliate marketing strategy is optimized for conversions.
✔ Tips to Boost Affiliate Sales
- Use deep linking – Send users to a specific product page instead of a generic homepage.
- Add calls to action (CTAs) – Use phrases like “Get 20% off Grammarly here” to encourage clicks.
- Use pop-ups and banners – Promote affiliate offers with attention-grabbing visuals.
- Leverage scarcity & urgency – Highlight limited-time discounts or bonuses.
Tracking your results will also help you refine your approach and increase commissions over time.
Step 4: Track Performance & Scale Your Earnings
Monitor which links generate the most clicks and sales to improve your strategy.
✔ Tools for Tracking Affiliate Sales
- Google Analytics: Tracks clicks and conversion rates.
- Bitly: Shortens and tracks link performance.
- Pretty Links (WordPress Plugin): Creates branded affiliate links.
✔ Scaling Up Your Earnings
- Expand your content library by writing more affiliate-related posts.
- Increase traffic through SEO and paid ads (Facebook, Google).
- Test different affiliate programs to see what converts best.
The more strategic you are, the more passive income you can generate.
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways for writers to earn passive income while sharing valuable tools and courses with their audience.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Choose writing-related affiliate programs.
- Create high-quality content that promotes your affiliate links.
- Optimize your website, email, and social media for conversions.
- Track performance and scale your earnings.
With consistency and smart strategies, affiliate marketing can become a profitable side income—or even a full-time revenue stream. Start today by signing up for your first affiliate program and creating your first piece of content!
