How To Write Email For Affiliate Marketing

Introduction.

If you’re doing affiliate marketing but not sending emails, you’re probably leaving a lot of money on the table.

Email is still one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience and actually convert that connection into clicks and sales.

But here’s the deal—most people mess it up. They either sound like a pushy salesperson, or their emails are so bland, they get ignored or deleted.

So, let’s fix that.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to write emails for affiliate marketing that people actually want to read.

I’ll show you how to keep things simple, clear, and effective—without sounding like a robot or triggering the spam filter. You’ll get examples, tips, and some do’s and don’ts I’ve learned the hard way.

Let’s jump in.

Why Email Still Works (Better Than Social Media)

Before we get into the “how,” here’s a quick stat to give you some perspective:
According to Litmus, email marketing has an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. That’s better than most paid ads and way better than the average social post.

Social media is noisy and fast-moving. Emails land in inboxes, where people are already in a mindset to read.

When someone signs up to your list, they’ve given you permission to show up in their inbox. That’s huge.

If you’re doing affiliate marketing, this is where the real leverage is.

Step 1: Know Who You’re Talking To

This is where a lot of people go wrong. You can’t just send the same email to everyone. People want to feel like you’re talking to them, not blasting out a pitch to 10,000 random subscribers.

Here’s what to figure out first:

• Who are you helping?
• What problem are they trying to solve?
• Why would they actually want to hear from you?

Write like you’re talking to a single person—not a crowd. One simple tip that helps: Imagine you’re writing to a close friend who asked for advice on something you actually use and love.

Step 2: Lead With Value First

Don’t jump straight into selling. That’s the fastest way to get ignored or marked as spam.

Instead, lead with something useful:

• A quick tip
• A short personal story
• A question that gets your reader thinking

Then—and only then—bring up the affiliate product as a way to solve the problem or make things easier. The more helpful you are, the more likely people are to trust your recommendation.

Example:

Subject: Struggling to focus in the afternoon?

I used to hit a wall around 3 PM every day—until I started using this simple habit (and no, it’s not more coffee).

Here’s what helped: [your helpful tip here]

And if you want a shortcut, this tool made a big difference for me: [affiliate link]

You’re helping first. That’s what builds trust.

Step 3: Keep It Short, But Clear

Your email doesn’t need to be long. Short emails often perform better.

Here’s what to include:

• A subject line that grabs attention
• A quick hook in the first sentence
• Some helpful content or insight
• A soft recommendation with your affiliate link
• A simple call to action (like “Check it out here”)

Avoid:
✅ Over-explaining
✅ Including five different links
✅ Using complicated words or sounding like a copywriter robot

Instead, aim for:
➡ Clarity
➡ Simplicity
➡ Relevance

Step 4: Make Your Affiliate Link Feel Natural

You don’t need to hide your affiliate link. But it should fit naturally in the email.

For example, instead of saying:

“Here is my affiliate link to Product X. Please buy it.”

Say something like:

“This is what I’m using right now, and it’s been super helpful. You can check it out here.”

Better, right?

Also, disclose that it’s an affiliate link. You don’t have to overdo it—just a simple note like:

“This is an affiliate link, so I’ll earn a small commission if you grab it. No extra cost to you.”

It builds trust and keeps things transparent.

Step 5: Test, Adjust, Repeat

Affiliate email marketing isn’t a one-and-done game. Some emails will perform great, others won’t. That’s normal.

Try changing:

• Subject lines
• The length of the email
• Where you place your link
• Your tone (more casual or more direct)

Pay attention to your open rates and click-through rates. If people aren’t clicking, your emails might need more clarity or stronger value up front.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s go through a few quick no-no’s:

Writing one email and never following up

Most sales happen after a few touches. Plan for a short series (2–3 emails), not just one.

Overhyping the product

Don’t promise things the product can’t deliver. That’s how you lose trust fast.

Skipping the story

People connect with you, not just your links. Share little wins, struggles, or why the product helped you personally.

Bonus: Follow-Up Email Example

Let’s say you sent a first email about a tool you recommend. Here’s a simple follow-up you could send a day or two later:

Subject: Forgot to mention this yesterday

Just realized I left out something kind of important in my last email.

The tool I shared also helps with [another benefit]—which I didn’t even realize until I started using it more.

If you’re still curious, here’s that link again: [affiliate link]

Let me know what you think if you try it!

That kind of follow-up feels natural, helpful, and low-pressure.

FAQs

1. Can I use ChatGPT to write affiliate emails?

Yes—just be sure to personalize the output. Add your voice, tweak the tone, and include real experiences when you can.

2. How many links should I include?
One to two is usually enough. Too many links can feel spammy and confuse the reader.

3. What’s a good subject line for affiliate emails?
Keep it short and curiosity-driven. For example:

• “This solved a problem I didn’t know I had”
• “What actually helped me focus (not more coffee)”
• “You might like this too”

4. Do I need to use an email marketing platform?
Definitely. Tools like ConvertKit, MailerLite, or ActiveCampaign make it easier to manage lists, set up automations, and track clicks.

5. How often should I email my list?
Start with once a week. As you get more confident, you can experiment with 2–3 times per week, especially when you’re running a campaign.

Final Thoughts

Writing emails for affiliate marketing isn’t about being slick or salesy. It’s about helping someone solve a problem—and suggesting something that works. If you lead with value, keep things clear, and write like a real human, people will listen.

Here’s the big question to leave you with:

If someone read your email today, would they feel like you helped them—or just tried to sell them something?