Why are subscription boxes the perfect affiliate offer?
Because they provide monthly recurring income from a physical product that customers actually get excited to receive.
Most affiliate marketers focus on software or info-products. These are great, but they are competitive and often have high churn. Chad has identified a massive, untapped opportunity for local newsletter owners: Subscription Boxes (Food, Wine, Pets, and Fun).
When a box of steaks, a crate of wine, or a package of dog toys arrives at a house, it is an "event." People stay subscribed for months, sometimes years. That means you get paid for months or years from a single referral.
The "Local Publisher" Advantage
The reason most marketers don't teach this is that they don't know how to find the customers. But you do. You have a local newsletter.
Getting approved for top-tier affiliate programs (like ButcherBox, specialized Wine Clubs, or BarkBox) can be difficult for a generic "make money online" website. However, if you apply as a Local Publisher with a niche newsletter (e.g., "Summerlin Foodie" or "Save the Doggy"), you look like a legitimate media outlet.
The "Food & Fun" Pivot:
Chad advises creating specific "Satellite Newsletters" around these topics to boost approval odds:
- Food Newsletters: Reviews of meal kits, jerky boxes, pasta clubs, and wine deliveries. Everyone eats.
- Pet/Cause Newsletters: Reviews of treat boxes and toys. Passionate owners spend money on their pets.
The "Amazon Test" Protocol
Before you spend hours applying to direct affiliate programs or building a relationship with a brand, use the Amazon Test.
1. Find the Product: Locate a cool item (e.g., a unique bird feeder with a camera) on Amazon.
2. Use your Associate Link: Place it in your newsletter as a "Quirky Find."
3. Watch the Data: If your local audience clicks and buys it, you have proof of concept.
Once you know they want it, then you go find the direct manufacturer or a dedicated subscription box in that niche and apply for their higher-commission program. Use Amazon as your research lab, then pivot to the high-ticket recurring offers.
The Goal: Build a library of "Unboxing Reviews". Film yourself opening these boxes. It is high-engagement content that drives recurring commissions.
