I’ve been blogging since 2011 and I can’t believe I haven’t created a formal “how to” on shopping from yours truly. I get messages and comments often about “where is that from” or “where can I find xyz”. With so many influencers and bloggers out there now, I am still always surprised that people don’t know. But that’s what today’s post is for!
How To Shop From Your Favorite Bloggers
When I was in Lisbon with my girlfriends, somehow this topic came up over coffee one morning. I think one of them was about to do some shopping for the Nordstrom Sale and I reminded her to use my link. She legit said “how?”. My friends, who I assumed knew exactly how to shop my outfits from my blog or Instagram, would have known FOR SURE how to do this. Plus with the last 3-4 blog posts on my blog all about this sale, you’d think it was easy!
They were all kind of shocked as to how easy it was when I explained how it all works. Since then, they’ve been overly supportive in not only “using my links” but also sharing my SHOP page with their friends who they know shop a ton. This sparked a blog post idea, TELL THE OTHERS! Clearly if they weren’t 100% sure and they’re closest to me, surely others need a bit of a heads-up!
Why You Should Shop From Your Favorite Bloggers
Shopping from your favorite blogger, Instagrammer or influencer helps us support our business and well, pay our rent! And it’s at NO cost to you. Part of my income is based on using affiliate links to share with my readers and followers so I can generate income.
You can also learn more about other ways bloggers make a living in this blog post. But today, I just want to share how you can shop from your favorite bloggers. If you’re an online shopper, this could mean huge support for the influencers you follow if you choose to click our links!
What Is An Affiliate Link?
Affiliate links are a unique link that we bloggers can pull from our favorite stores like Nordstrom, Abercrombie and Madewell (and SO many more) and then share with you. When you click on the affiliate link, you’re telling that store that you clicked it from ME, your favorite influencer. That’s actually what cookies are!
Then if you shop at that store (it can be ANYTHING, not even that exact item) I make a small commission. The cool part about this, is if you close out the window, and maybe come back the next day, the store remembers that you clicked my link last and I still get the commission. This is at NO cost to you too. The retailer pays this out to us directly. It’s just a small step you can do to help support your favorite bloggers.
Where Are These Affiliate Links?
Basically, everywhere!
In Blog Posts
When you head to my blog, there are several scenarios where you may encounter affiliate links. In blog posts, you may see what we call widgets throughout the post. Specifically, there is almost always one at the bottom of each blog post that says “Shop The Post”. Below is an example of one of these.
If you click one of the images in the widget, it’ll take you to the retailer’s website. You can also click the heart icon, and this will create a sale alert for you. So when the item goes on sale, you’ll receive an email notification to shop for it. You’ll see an option to check a box to also be added to my newsletter. You don’t HAVE to do this to get the sale alert. But I’d love for you to be a part of the Indigo newsletter!
This Is A Widget!
Another way you may see an affiliate link in the text and hyperlinked so you can just CLICK! My links are always in a different color and bold so you can easily see what’s linked. Try it here, this is linked! That link sent you to Nordstrom, not a product, and that works too!
There are also things called buttons. They are little rectangles that I can link so you can easily shop. This is often done to do a call to action. Or maybe the brand isn’t on a platform that I can make a pretty widget with. This happens sometimes. So having a pretty little button is a great alternative.
Where Is The Exact Item?
I always try my best to link exact items when possible in these widgets. If you don’t see the exact item, it’s because it’s no longer available and I can’t link to it. I’m always aiming to link to in stock similar items whenever possible. Sending you to a sold out page doesn’t do you much good!
My Shop Pages
On my blog, there are also other ways you can shop from me. If you head to my SHOP page, which you can access in the navigation, it’ll take you to my big shopping destination.
Here I have my latest shoppable LikeToKnow.it images (more on that below) and also more widgets of my favorite items. I have them broken down by what you’ve seen on my IG Stories, my home, beauty favorites and even my current fashion items that I’m wearing under STYLE.
I also have my Amazon storefront linked on this page which takes you straight to my Amazon favorites. From my go-to travel essentials to the books I’ve recently read, and my kitchen essentials. You can browse it all here.
If you’re wanting to shop my Instagram looks, you can head to THIS PAGE to see them all. Or you can use the LikeToKnow.it app. You can download this in the app store and browse it on your phone easily!
Again, ALL of these things are on my SHOP page. You can easily find this in my navigation on desktop or mobile.
How To Shop From Instagram
Everything you see on my Instagram is always available to shop via my #linkinbio. No app is needed! This is the landing page for my link in bio. This page has everything you need if you’re landing on my blog from Instagram.
It has my latest blog post which is often featured in my Instagram Stories and in the feed. It includes 6 of my latest shoppable images from LTK. All you do is click the image, and you’ll see the products.
If you want even more shoppable looks, there’s a link for that too. Plus, a few favorite items I’m loving at the moment which change seasonally. There is also a signup form for my latest newsletter freebie and my most popular blog posts if you’re not yet an Indigoer!
The LTK App
And if you want to follow along with me in the LTK app, you can! There are curated sections of my home, style and beauty here as well. Along with all my shoppable images. The app also has some new features like My Collections which organize my shoppable posts by category.
One of the newer features that I LOVE is the “My Products” feature. This is basically a roundup of products (or kind of like a widget). Each one has a title and short description so you know what’s in each one.
While I have a “My Products” for my everyday jewelry, beauty and makeup, I also use them to round up categories or retailers that I’m loving. I’ll update my Madewell or Mango picks every so often. Or I’ll share a roundup of seasonal bags or shoes. This is a really fast way for me to share products with my audience, especially on IG Stories. So I’ve been using this feature a lot and really enjoying it!
Watch how easy it is below! This is by clicking my #linkinbio OR just click EXPLORE in my top navigation!
It’s That Simple!
There’s not much to it when it comes to shopping from your favorite bloggers. If you’re at your computer and about to start shopping, head to my SHOP page to find your favorite items to start shopping. And if you’re reading a blog post and want to shop my outfit, click the widget and text throughout the post.
If you’re on your phone, download the LikeToKnow.it App so you can easily shop my Instagram posts. Or if you’re on Instagram, just click the #linkinbio! So many ways to shop and support your favorite bloggers.
And as always, thank you for supporting my corner of the internet. It means so much to me that you read my blog posts, newsletters and click and shop.
