Affiliate Marketing for Creatives

Have you ever felt that icky feeling when someone’s trying to sell you something online? As creatives, we really don’t want to become that person. We want to build authentic connections with our audience—not pushy sales funnels. But what if I told you that affiliate marketing can actually be classy, helpful, and yes—profitable?

In this post, I’m breaking down exactly how I built a full-time income through affiliate marketing—without a massive following, without ads, and without feeling like a salesperson. You’ll learn how to recommend the tools you already love (yes, the ones on your desk right now!) in a way that feels natural and aligns with your creative voice.

Watch on YouTube or Listen as a Podcast

This post is part of my Art Biz Unfiltered series — where I share honest, behind-the-scenes lessons from running a creative business. You can watch the full episode on YouTube or simply listen like a podcast while you’re drawing, designing, or doing something creative.

Prefer reading? Just scroll on—this post includes the full breakdown of everything I shared in the episode.

HELPFUL LINKS

Let’s Break This Down:

Step 1: Rethink What Affiliate Marketing Really Is.

Affiliate marketing has a bad rep—and I get it. It can feel like you’re just pushing products. But here’s the truth: if you’re genuinely recommending tools you already use, then it’s just sharing helpful info. Your audience wants to know what pen you use, what desk you bought, and where you got those iPad pencil grips.

When done with care, affiliate marketing is just another way to serve your audience.

Even if you don’t have a huge following, you can still earn by recommending products you already love.

Step 2: Why Affiliate Marketing Works So Well for Creatives

When we post our tools, processes, and studios, our followers want to know more.

Here’s why it works especially well for us:

  • Trust factor: People trust artists to recommend honestly.
  • Scalability: One blog post can bring income for years.
  • Flexibility: It fits easily into your teaching, shop, or art content.
  • No pressure: It doesn’t rely on constant promotion—just links.

Step 3: My Real Income Journey with Affiliate Marketing

I started small. In May 2018, I put a few links on my blog and made… $10.
But I stuck with it. Here’s how that grew:

  • June: $190
  • July: $270
  • September: $480
  • December: $760
  • January: $1,350
  • August (the next year): $2,780

And this was with just 15 links and a tiny audience.

Step 4: How I Shared My Links Without Being Salesy

Here’s exactly how I did it:

  • Wrote blog posts featuring my favorite tools
  • Shared casually in Facebook groups and Instagram comments
  • Answered questions with “Here’s the link in my profile”
  • Mentioned tools naturally during tutorials and classes
  • Used Skillshare’s affiliate program for my own classes
  • Included links in YouTube descriptions, blog posts, and newsletters

No pop-ups. No spammy DMs. Just honest sharing when it made sense.

Step 5: My Go-To Affiliate Programs for Artists

Here are some of my favorite programs that work especially well for artists:

  • Art Supplies: Blick, Arteza
  • Digital Tools: Canva, Creative Market
  • Equipment: iPad, Apple Pencil, studio furniture
  • Print-on-Demand & Fabric Printing: Spoonflower, Redbubble
  • Skillshare: Perfect if you teach or take classes

The key: only share what you already use. People can tell if you’re being real or not.

Step 6: How to Share Your Links (Like a Pro)

  • Teach something. Create blog posts, tutorials, or reels.
  • Studio tours. Show what’s in your space—link it!
  • Lists + Guides. “Top 10 Tools for Artists” are SEO gold.
  • Behind the scenes. What’s in your art bag?
  • Casual mentions. “I love this brush set—link in bio if you want it.”

Step 7: Stay Legal + Build Trust

Some quick must-do’s:

  • Always disclose that it’s an affiliate link. (FTC requirement)
  • Be genuine. Only share what you love and trust.
  • Start small. One to three programs is plenty at first.
  • Track results. Use platform analytics to see what’s working.

And remember: good affiliate marketing never feels forced. When it’s done right, it feels like telling a friend where you got your new favorite brush set.

Step 8: Your Affiliate Action Plan

Ready to try it yourself? Here’s your 4-step starter plan:

  1. List what you already use and love.
  2. Check if those tools have affiliate programs.
  3. Apply to 1–3 affiliate programs.
  4. Integrate those links into your next blog, video, or post.

Rinse, refine, and repeat. It gets easier—and more profitable—over time.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Want to start earning passive income right away? Grab my free Guide of Top Affiliate Programs just for artists and designers.
You’ll find programs that align with your creative work—and pay you to share what you already love.

And if you’re already a fan of my classes or The Studio, you can now join our affiliate program and get 30% commissions, monthly payouts, and bonuses!  Let’s build the art biz you actually want.

The Studio Affiliate Program

  • Get paid to tell your friends and followers about The Studio!
  • 30% commission on all payments for up to one year
Learn More