I remember the first time I sold a TV on my blog.
It was a nice TV. It cost $500. I was so excited! I logged into my Amazon Associates dashboard, ready to see my big commission check.
I looked at the number: $15.00.
I stared at it. “Wait,” I thought. “I sold a $500 TV and I got enough money for… a sandwich?”
It got worse. I sold a book for $20. My commission? $0.80.
I realized that Amazon Associates is like a giant machine that throws pennies at you. You have to catch thousands of them to make a living.
But then, I joined a Private Affiliate Network for a software company. I sold one subscription for $100. My commission? $30.00.
I made double the money for selling something much cheaper. That was the day I learned the difference between the “Giant” and the “Specialist.”
Amazon Associates
Amazon is the most famous affiliate program in the world. Almost every new blogger starts here.
Why We Love It:
- Trust: Everyone trusts Amazon. They already have their credit cards saved. You don’t have to convince them to buy; you just have to get them there.
- The “Everything” Cart: This is the magic trick. If someone clicks your link for a toothbrush but ends up buying a $2,000 laptop, you get paid for the laptop.
Why It Hurts:
- Tiny Cookies: The “Cookie” lasts only 24 hours. If they click your link on Monday but buy on Wednesday, you get $0.
- Tiny Pay: Most categories pay 1%, 3%, or maybe 4%. You need massive traffic to make real money.
Private Affiliate Networks
A “Private Network” is when a specific brand runs its own program (or uses a platform like ShareASale, CJ or Impact).
Why We Love It:
- The Paycheck: Commissions are huge. Digital products often pay 20% to 50%. Physical brands often pay 10-15%.
- Long Cookies: The tracking window is usually 30 to 90 days. If a reader clicks your link today and buys next month, you still get paid!
- Personal Support: Sometimes you can actually talk to a human manager who will give you free products to review or special coupons for your readers.
Why It’s Hard:
- Harder to Join: You can’t just sign up. You have to apply. If your blog is brand new or looks messy, they might reject you.
- Harder to Sell: People might not trust “Bob’s Super Blender Store” as much as they trust Amazon. You have to work harder to convince them.
Let’s look at the math for selling a $100 Item.
| Feature | Amazon Associates | Private Network |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Rate | 3% or 4% | 15% to 40% |
| You Earn | $3.00 to $4.00 | $15.00 to $40.00 |
| Cookie Life | 24 Hours | 30 Days |
| Competition | High | Low |
See the difference? To make $100, you need to sell 25 items on Amazon. On a Private Network, you might only need to sell 3.
You don’t have to pick just one. Most smart bloggers mix them.
Use Amazon When:
- You are mentioning small, everyday items (books, spatulas, cables).
- You want to convert “browsers” into buyers easily.
- It is a general product that doesn’t have a good private program.
Use Private Networks When:
- You are reviewing a specific, high-value product (like a mattress, software, or fashion brand).
- You have a strong recommendation and trust from your audience.
- You want to make a full-time income with less traffic.
Amazon is great for pocket money. It pays for my coffee.
But Private Networks pay for my rent.
If you have a blog post that is getting a lot of traffic, check if the product you are linking to has a private program.
- Go to Google.
- Search: “[Product Name] affiliate program.”
You might find that you can swap that Amazon link for a private link and instantly triple your income.
Stop letting the giant keep all the profit. You did the work. You deserve the real commission.
