How I Use ShopMy to Create an Additional Revenue Stream for My Small Business
Why small business owners should use affiliate marketing and the best platform to use to make extra money without losing their focus.
For years, I assumed affiliate marketing wasn't for me.
I have exactly zero desire to become an influencer.
I don’t want to spend my days posting links, filming “Amazon finds,” or convincing people to buy things they don’t need.
As a maker, my focus has always been creating and selling my own products. If someone visited my website, I wanted them shopping Cabine, not clicking away to buy something else.
But over time I realized something interesting… I was already recommending products every single week.
A jewelry cleaner I use regularly.
Books that have shaped how I think about business.
Tools I use behind the scenes to run Cabine.
Where I found my beloved burgundy Birkenstocks.
People were already asking for links.
So eventually I thought, “Why shouldn't I get paid for this?”
That's when my friend Luci introduced me to ShopMy.
Why I Chose ShopMy
There are countless affiliate programs out there, but ShopMy stood out to me for a few reasons.
First, it's designed for creators of all sizes (even non-influencers, like me). You don't need a massive audience or hundreds of thousands of followers to apply.
In fact, that was one of my biggest misconceptions about affiliate marketing. I assumed it was only for influencers posting links all day long.
What I learned is that it's much more about trust than audience size.
A jewelry maker sharing her favorite travel case .
A photographer recommending the camera she uses every day.
A potter sharing the tools she reaches for again and again.
Those recommendations often carry more weight than someone with a huge following because they're rooted in real, relatable experience.
I also appreciate that ShopMy allows creators to start simply while leaving room to grow. Most of my activity happens through retailer links, but creators can also work directly with brands through the platform if that's something they want to explore.
Why I Like It (And Why It Might Work for You)
What I appreciate most is that it feels less like selling and more like helping.
When someone asks me which jewelry cleaner I use, I can send a link (and possibly earn some money).
When someone asks about my favorite tinted SPF, I can share it.
When I write a blog post about my morning routine, I can easily include the products I already mentioned.
The recommendations are happening anyway. Why not make them look pretty and earn some income?
And the truth is, our audiences are already used to coming to us for recommendations. Whether it's a product, a resource, a book, or a tool, they're often asking where we found it or what we're using. Being able to quickly share a helpful link isn't “salesy” or icky. It's useful.
Yes, I occasionally share links on social media, but honestly, most of my recommendations happen in emails, blog posts, and conversations with customers. ShopMy simply gives me one place to organize those resources so they're easy to share when someone asks.
One feature I especially love is that I can create collections instead of sharing one link at a time.
For example, if I'm writing a travel post, I can include the Cabine pieces I always pack alongside my favorite luggage, travel pouch, moisturizer, or whatever else I'm using. It creates a much more useful resource for the reader, and I love that I can include my own products right alongside the affiliate links.
Everything lives in one place, which makes it incredibly easy to share.
I think this makes it especially useful for makers and creatives.
We spend years building expertise, and whether we realize it or not, people pay attention to the tools, resources, and products we use along the way.
People genuinely want to know what's working for us.
Affiliate links simply create an opportunity to earn a little income from recommendations you're already making.
And if we're being realistic, many creative businesses have seasonal ups and downs. For some makers, summer can be a little slower. For others, it's the months after the holidays.
Affiliate commissions aren't meant to replace your business, but they can be a nice boost during those quieter seasons from recommendations you were already making anyway.
An Invitation to Join
One of the things I appreciate most about ShopMy is how accessible it is.
The platform is invitation and application-based, but creators of all sizes are being accepted. You don't need a massive audience, a management team, or a perfectly curated content strategy to get started.
If you're a maker, artist, designer, blogger, photographer, coach, service provider, or simply someone who regularly shares resources with an audience, it’s worth a look.
And if you'd like to apply, you're welcome to use my invitation link below.
Apply for ShopMy using my invitation link.
Yes, it's a referral link, and if you're accepted and become active on the platform, I may receive referral credit from ShopMy.
I always want to be transparent about that.
But the bigger reason I'm sharing it is because I genuinely think it's a useful tool for all of us. Whether you're recommending books, business tools, packaging supplies, skincare products, or your favorite pair of Birkenstocks, ShopMy gives you a simple way to organize those recommendations and potentially earn a commission from products you're already talking about.
If This Sounds Like You...
One of the things I've learned over the years is that small, thoughtful revenue streams can add up.
If you're already sharing resources, products, books, and tools with your audience, ShopMy is worth a look.
If you'd like to learn more, I'd love to invite you to apply through my link below.
Apply for ShopMy Using My Invitation Link
