Top Free Traffic Sources to Boost Your Affiliate Marketing in 2024
Driving traffic can be challenging, especially with the overwhelming amount of content available online.
But guess what? You don’t need a massive ad budget or a huge following to succeed.
In this article, I’ll break down exactly how you can leverage free traffic sources to build your email list, drive traffic to your offers, and ultimately achieve financial and time freedom.
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YouTube Shorts
YouTube is my favorite source of free traffic, and for good reason. It provides incredible leverage and is a powerhouse for driving organic traffic.
YouTube Shorts are videos under a minute, similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels. They are designed to capture quick bursts of attention and are perfect for engaging viewers with concise, impactful content.
Learn how to make YouTube Shorts using AI:
YouTube Shorts Strategy
Focus on ranking Shorts for specific keywords to increase visibility. The key is to create short, engaging videos that target particular search terms.
For instance, if you're promoting an affiliate product in the fitness niche, you might create a series of Shorts around "quick workout tips" or "easy home exercises."
I love using YouTube Shorts because they can rank quickly and attract a lot of views with minimal competition. The competition for ranking YouTube Shorts is still relatively low, which means you can achieve high discoverability with well-targeted content.
This can bring a steady stream of new viewers to your channel, helping you grow your audience and drive more traffic to your affiliate links.
YouTube Shorts SEO Optimization
SEO optimization involves using keywords strategically in your video descriptions and titles to improve your video's search ranking.
Optimizing your Shorts for SEO is crucial. We’re using SEO on YouTube Shorts to make sure our videos rank for specific keywords. This way, when someone searches for those terms, our videos are more likely to appear at the top.
Research and include relevant keywords in your YouTube Shorts' descriptions and titles to rank higher in search results. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help you find the best keywords to target.
For example, if you're creating a Short about keto diet tips, make sure your title and description include phrases like "keto diet tips," "keto for beginners," or "quick keto hacks."
Proper SEO optimization enhances discoverability and drives organic traffic to your videos. This means more views, more engagement, and ultimately, more clicks on your affiliate links.
By consistently optimizing your content, you can build a sustainable traffic machine that continues to grow over time.
Instagram Ecosystem
Harnessing the power of Instagram is a game-changer for affiliate marketing. The Instagram ecosystem, focusing on Instagram Reels, Posts, and Stories helps you drive curiosity, build trust, and create deeper connections with your audience.
Here's how you can use each of them to boost your affiliate marketing efforts.
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos, similar to TikTok, that can range from a few seconds to a minute.
Think of Reels as your front door – it’s how you get people to start following you. Reels have incredibly high reach and engagement.
The Instagram algorithm loves them, and they can bring a lot of new eyes to your profile. This is your chance to make a great first impression and get people excited about what you have to offer.
I don't directly promote products in my Reels. Instead, I focus on making content that sparks interest and draws people in.
Learn more on how to create Reels that actually make money:
Instagram Posts
Instagram Posts are your regular updates, including photos, quotes, and student results.
Use posts to build trust and relationships with your followers. I like to mix in personal photos, motivational quotes, and success stories from my students.
This shows that I’m a real person and helps people get to know me better. The goal here is to create a connection and show your followers that you’re someone they can trust. From there, I get people to my links.
Regular posts help develop a personal connection with your audience. When people see that you’re genuine and trustworthy, they’re more likely to engage with your content and click on your affiliate links.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are temporary posts that give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your life and business.
Use Stories to share daily activities, insights, and soft promotions. I love using Stories to show what I’m working on, share quick tips, or just let my audience in on my day-to-day life.
This creates a sense of intimacy and trust. It’s like inviting your followers to hang out with you for a bit.
They can see more of what you’re doing instead of just “Hey guys, buy my products.” This is actually me getting to know my audience more, and they’re getting to know me.
Stories increase intimacy and trust with your audience. They’re a fantastic way to keep your followers engaged and make them feel like they’re part of your journey.
Plus, because Stories disappear after 24 hours, they create a sense of urgency that encourages immediate engagement.
Leverage Instagram Reels, Posts, and Stories to build a robust and engaged audience that trusts you and is eager to learn more about your affiliate offers.
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Pinterest Videos
Pinterest is an often overlooked but highly effective platform for driving traffic to your affiliate offers. In particular, leverage Pinterest Videos to maximize your content's reach and tap into a buying-ready audience.
Here’s how I leveraged Pinterest and ChatGPT to earn more than $9,000 in a month with affiliate marketing:
Pinterest Videos Strategy
We simply upload my shorts or my TikTok videos to Pinterest. This repurposing allows you to maximize the reach of your content across multiple platforms without creating new content from scratch.
Pinterest users are typically in a discovery mindset and are often ready to make purchases. By re-uploading your short-form videos to Pinterest, you can tap into this high-intent audience.
Even though you might not get as many views on Pinterest as on other platforms, the views you do get are from highly engaged and motivated users. This makes Pinterest an excellent platform for driving sales and generating leads.
Building an Email List from Pinterest
We’re building our email list by using Pinterest to drive traffic to our opt-in pages. This helps us nurture leads and keep them engaged over time.
Your email list is a crucial asset for your affiliate marketing business (more on this in the email list building section), providing a direct line of communication with your audience.
Include clear call-to-actions (CTAs) in your pins to direct users to sign-up forms. For example, you might use phrases like "Download your free guide" or "Join our exclusive newsletter."
TikTok Live Webinars
Live sessions on TikTok allow you to teach and engage your audience in real-time. These sessions are dynamic and interactive, providing a unique opportunity to connect with viewers on a personal level.
Also, TikTok Live Webinars have high reach and engagement. The platform promotes live content heavily, meaning your session can be pushed to many users, including those who don’t follow you. This helps you engage with your current audience and attract new viewers.
Additionally, you can also close sales during the live session by directing viewers to your affiliate links at the peak of their engagement.
By using TikTok Live webinars, I was able to close anywhere between 50 and even 200 sales a day. It’s a super powerful method to reach a broad audience and drive conversions.
TikTok Live Webinar Strategy
During your live webinars, focus on delivering valuable content that addresses your audience’s pain points and interests.
Walk them through a step-by-step process, and at the end of the session, direct them to your affiliate links for more information or to make a purchase.
Engagement Techniques
Encourage comments and interaction throughout your TikTok Live sessions. Engagement is key to keeping viewers interested and increasing the discoverability of your livestream.
When viewers interact with your content, TikTok’s algorithm recognizes this and promotes your live stream to even more users. This increases your reach and helps you build a larger, more engaged audience.
The first five minutes are really important. You want to get people to start commenting and liking the video because this signals TikTok to show your live to more people.
Keep the interaction going by asking more questions and encouraging viewers to tap the screen to like the stream.
For example, you might ask, "Who’s ready to learn how to make money with affiliate marketing?" or "What’s your biggest challenge with affiliate marketing right now?" This gets viewers to comment and engage with your content right from the start.
Want a deep dive on TikTok Live? Check out this training below:
Email Marketing
In my teaching, I put a huge emphasis on growing your email list because it’s the one audience you have complete control over, unlike followers on social media platforms that can change their algorithms or policies at any time.
Through email marketing, you have a direct line of communication with your audience. You can promote your offers and nurture long-term relationships.
My email list is literally my whole business because I control that. I can send an email to my 100,000 email subscribers and direct them to any products.
Watch as I show you how to use email marketing with affiliate marketing
Email Marketing Strategy
Use lead magnets such as free courses, PDFs, and checklists to attract subscribers.
I use a free course for my lead magnet because I think this is the best medium where I can provide upfront value to my audience.
Lead magnets encourage people to join your email list because they receive immediate value in exchange for their contact information.
When creating lead magnets, think about what would be most valuable to your target audience. For instance, if you’re in the fitness niche, a free guide on "10 Easy Home Workouts" or a checklist for "Starting a Keto Diet" can be very appealing.
Effective Email Campaigns
In my email campaigns, I alternate between value emails, personal stories, and promotional content to keep my audience engaged and build trust. Here’s how I structure my emails for maximum impact:
Value Emails:
Content: Offer useful tips, insights, or resources related to your niche.
Example: If you’re in the health and fitness space, you might send emails with workout tips, healthy recipes, or wellness advice.
Personal Stories:
Content: Share your own experiences, challenges, and successes to make your emails relatable and build a connection with your audience.
Example: I often share stories about my journey from a 9-to-5 job to building a successful affiliate marketing business.
Details: Talk about the struggles I faced, like feeling stuck in a job I didn't love and the challenges of learning the ropes of affiliate marketing.
Breakthroughs: Highlight the breakthroughs that helped me succeed, such as discovering effective strategies and the moment I was able to quit my day job.
Purpose: These personal anecdotes help my audience see that I've been in their shoes and that achieving financial freedom through affiliate marketing is possible for them too.
Promotional Content:
Content: Introduce your affiliate offers and highlight the benefits of the products you’re promoting.
Strategy: Use clear and compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) to encourage clicks and conversions.
Example: Be sure to explain how the products can help your audience achieve their goals, making the promotional content relevant and enticing.
By mixing these types of content, you ensure your emails are engaging, valuable, and trustworthy, leading to higher open rates and stronger relationships with your audience.
Copy and Paste My Traffic Methods. Join the 72-Hour Freedom Challenge
We've explored a lot of strategies for free traffic sources like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Pinterest Videos, TikTok Live Webinars, and the critical role of email marketing.
These strategies are designed to help you maximize your reach, engage with your audience, and build a sustainable affiliate marketing business without spending a dime.
But let's be real—while these strategies are incredibly effective, they can also feel overwhelming, especially if you're just starting out. That’s exactly why I created the 72-hour Freedom Challenge.
Here’s what you can expect to learn in the 72-Hour Freedom Challenge:
Steal My White Label Course: Build your business and brand by promoting over 15 programs at once using my white label course and a powerful software tool.
Automated Sales Machine: Get a beginner-friendly blueprint to make 6 and 7-figure commissions by cloning my products, websites, and follow-up emails.
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About the Author
Jonathan Montoya is the founder of the 72 Hour Freedom Challenge, which has empowered over 55,000 people to leave their 9-5 jobs and achieve their dream lifestyles.
After starting his own online business in May 2019, Jonathan transitioned from Electrical Engineer to full-time entrepreneur within nine months. His mission is to help others reach their financial and lifestyle goals quickly and easily.
Jonathan's unique approach to affiliate marketing has enabled him to reach over 600,000 people who are working to quit their 9-5.
Outside of his professional achievements, Jonathan cherishes time with his wife and children, who have been a constant source of support and inspiration throughout his journey. Read more about Jonathan here.
