tl;dr I use affiliate links and get sponsorships sometimes. If people want to send me free stuff, I tend not to say no but I make sure that I’m allowed to say whatever I want.

I’ve always loved lifestyle sites; but, I hate when they become lists of things to buy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a bit of a hoarder and I love stuff. Trying new products is exhilarating. I recommend certain products that I’ve tested and are worth the money, and sometimes product round ups are fun- everyone loves a wishlist. However, I never want you to feel like I’m just here to sell you something.

That said, I do think I deserve to make some money for all the work I put into this blog. I’m a freelance writer and while I do think the effort of having SandySalierno.com as my portfolio and passion project is more than worth it, I also like to do basic life things like pay my electric bill and buy groceries. Also, I just don’t have the budget to do self-bought reviews and DIY’s five days a week. It’s not realistic. Also, I want to support small businesses and so sometimes it’s nice when they make themselves known to me. I’m busy and if a company reaches out it’s nice to not have to search for the needle in the haystack.

An affiliate link is when a company offers to put a link on my site that basically gives your browser a cookie so when you buy something from that site I get a small kickback. The products aren’t any more expensive for you- cookie or not- and there are tonnes of affiliate links out there. Chances are you’ve clicked on one or two without even knowing it. Sometimes it involves using a coupon code so you’ll get a discount as well. Most affiliate programs are choosy and you have to apply or be asked to be a part of them. I use affiliate links from the following brands:

Rebecca Page - Sewing patterns for women, men, and children. I’m also a brand ambassador and pattern tester for them.

KnitCrate - Yarn subscriptions as well as a yarn shop.

Craftsy - Classes in sewing, knitting, crochet, and many other crafty efforts.

A referral link is a bit different. It’s more the kind of thing everyone gets to send to their friends. They’re the same idea but instead of money, you get stuff like a free month of the service or a coupon code. Usually, the person who gets referred gets a discount or a longer free trial as well. I use referral links for the following brands:

Seamwork - Sewing pattern magazines with a subscription service or one-off patterns. You get $3 off and I get a free month when you subscribe.

Sponsorship is when a company approaches someone like me and says if you review or mention a product you’ll get a flat out cash payout. This is where it can get dicey as it’s up to the person being sponsored to fight for being able to review things honestly and without consequence.

Being a Brand Ambassador is a bit like having an ongoing sponsorship with a company. Sometimes it involves being paid, sometimes it means getting a steep discount or free product. Usually, it involves an affiliate link as well.

I work with these brands as a regular brand ambassador:

Rebecca Page - As a brand ambassador, I get patterns to sew before they even go on the market. I’ve taken it one step further and now have a working relationship with them as a pattern tester. I also have an affiliate link for them.

Mavior Beauty - Makeup brushes and accessories. As a brand ambassador, I get a steep discount on anything I buy. I also get to give you a coupon code- sandysalierno10 - for 10% off. I get free products when people use my coupon code.

The Beard Struggle - Beard products. Adam takes his beard super seriously and loves these guys. This one comes with an affiliate link, and if you use the code ADSARELLY15 you get 15% off.

Products for editorial review a.k.a PR is when a company sends a free product with no strings hoping you’ll try it, love it, and share it.

I use all avenues available to me to try to make a living but my integrity is not for sale. I don’t take sponsorships that restrict what I can say, and I won’t gush over something just because it’s free. If it’s a product I don’t like and they kick me off their PR list for saying so… I honestly don’t want to be associated with a company that acts like that.

Another thing to consider? Just because I don’t like something or something doesn’t work for me doesn’t make it bad. I’m just one person and it’s a big world out there.