How to Make Money by Shopping

by Stefan on July 30, 2009

I’m sure most of you have bought something online during the years and I’m certain that many of you are doing it regularly. Last few years I’ve spent several thousands of dollars on computers, books, papers, mp3, etc.

Later on when I started with affiliate marketing a few years ago I was thrilled to be able to make money online. But there was also another reason to be happy. Thanks to affiliate marketing it was now possible to get money back every time you ordered something online.

In Sweden most companies pay a commission of 5 to 10 percent for every sale. Meaning if you buy through your own link you will receive 10 dollar every time you buy something for 100 dollar. Not bad, huh?

Ask your friends

I’m sure most of your friends will buy through your link if you simple ask them to. I created a link directory with affiliate links to all popular sites I could possible think of and divided them into categories. Then I passed the link to my friends and asked them to simple click through my link before ordering something online.

This is most certainly something you still can do with your friends and your family. Just make sure you don’t add a company you’ve never heard of.

Expand your link directory

Later on I decided to create a link directory with lists of all active affiliate programs on all Swedish affiliate networks. Unfortunately there’s several affiliate program closing an opening every week, so I had to spend several hours each month just keeping it up-to-date. Since I’m making better money from my other sources I now keep two of the affiliate networks updated and the rest now have to manage without me.

With that said I do think there’s better methods to expand your personal link directory to get unknown people to use it. By now I can think of two methods, price comparison and “trusted sites”.

Are you doing something similar?

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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

1 George Serradinho July 31, 2009 at 15:11

This is a great idea. I have bought a few good using my link and this is not something new, but it can save you thousands in the long run. I do my best to promote products offline as most of my family and friends are from SA and don’t usually buy products from overseas. I guess it depends on the products on hand.

If I had to put a percentage of users who apply this method of buying through their own link, I would say it’s around 15-30%. I could be way off, but it’s my opinion and estimation.

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2 Stefan July 31, 2009 at 15:17

I’m not sure if it’s such a high amount as 15 percent since none of my family members of friends are using this technique for themselves. But when it comes to people who are comfortable with making money online I’m sure at least 50 percent are doing it. It’s truly a great method to earn some extra cash.

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3 Fatin Pauzi July 31, 2009 at 19:40

The title is cool as I love shopping. But when it comes to shopping and at the same time, I could make money, it’s really trigger my sense. And then, it’s all about affiliate marketing. You give me an idea Stefan. Thanks!

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4 Stefan July 31, 2009 at 19:47

I’m glad to hear Fatin. It’s a really simple method when you think about it, but you can save thousands of dollar each year by doing it.

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5 Jim Hardin July 31, 2009 at 19:45

Hey Stefan!
Great site with a lot of helpful information. That is a very interesting about having a link directory. I have to admit I haven’t made a cent on line. But I have just started about a month ago. Well I will be back to read your posts

Thanks
Jim

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6 Stefan July 31, 2009 at 19:52

Thank you Jim. By using this method you are sure to make some money online. Just stay tuned and I will try to help you through your start.

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7 Jim Hardin July 31, 2009 at 20:22

Thanks I would appreciate the help. I am learning, but I am ready to start making money.

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8 The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet.com August 1, 2009 at 02:16

Not a new to tip, but I’m EXTREMELY glad you posted about. I’m surprised at how many people overlook this simple way to save money while shopping. I’ve done it many times, and have saved a lot of money over the last few years. Great post!

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9 Stefan August 1, 2009 at 03:01

Thanks, hopefully some new visitors will read this and save themselves some money.

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10 TechZoomIn August 1, 2009 at 19:08

Title is something interesting.. Earn money instead of loosing in shopping :)

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11 Stefan August 2, 2009 at 01:50

It’s all about staying positive. We all need to buy things occasionally ans isn’t it better to “make money” then instead of “save money”.

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12 Helen Hunt August 3, 2009 at 23:06

This is a great blog post -
It looks like affiliate market is now too narrow and the payout threshold too high that it’s almost impossible for most people to receive their first cheque.

That said, I will look into it during my summer holiday.
Nice blog BTW :)

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13 Stefan August 3, 2009 at 23:32

Thank you Helen, I’m glad to hear that.

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14 Herbert August 6, 2009 at 05:47

Now this is an interesting way to make money — legitimate, and yet resourceful and trustworthy. Exactly how long did it take you to create this directory/can we gain access to it to see how it works/how it looks like? If not, that’s perfectly understandable though.

The magician never reveals his secrets, haha.

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15 Stefan August 6, 2009 at 12:29

It was basically a simple page with a good looking header and a list divided on categories. (film/book, etc). When I created my new link directory with affiliate networks it replaced my old one. You can find it on http://www.affiliatenytt.se.

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