Why every Indian should visit Europe

6 December 2024 Bhuvnesh Bhushan Leave a comment

Best countries to visit in europe in december : Exploring a foreign nation is always a wonderful experience and there are at times when you feel the WOW’ness (or) mind-blowing experience when you visit a foreign country. The mind actually gets expanded if not blown for that matter.

I’ve felt that Wow’ness for the first time when I visited Bali, Indonesia as that was the first foreign land I stepped on. New people, places, culture, volcano, hills, beaches were all quite refreshing to the mind.

I did travel to many other South East Asian countries after that, which I did like without a doubt, but the wow factor was little missing, obvious because location and people are largely similar.

But after many years, I recently visited Europe (Austria & Germany) and there I felt this Wow’ness once again after a long time.

Hence I’m writing this down so you don’t miss it too. Here are the top 12 reasons why I think you should visit Europe next

Fresh Air

With less cities, less population and lots of snow clad mountains and lakes around, you get fresh air not only in the countryside but also in the city.

You can actually feel the freshness when you breathe. Well, you can feel it even in our Indian hill-stations, but in Europe you feel it almost everywhere.

places to visit in europe

Pleasant Weather

Actually no! Europe has erratic weather with chilled months dominating the year.

But as a tourist, if you visit Europe during the summer, you can enjoy the sun and chill breeze at the same time.

Imagine Shimla (or) Ooty on planes without the crowd – that’s Europe to begin with.

Beautiful Landscape

When I think of Europe, I think of beautiful mountains covered in green, stunningly gorgeous lakes, waterfalls, rivers with transparent and clean flowing water, snow clad mountains in winter – the best that the nature can offer to us.

In the recent past I was exploring Golf courses in India to get these beautiful views of the greens and now it has shifted to Europe as it’s even more natural.

Tap Water for Drinking

Like in most developed part of the world, Europe too has clean drinking water coming out of the tap.

When I called the hotel assistant last time for a new bottle of drinking water, he proudly said that “Sir, the tap water is a drinking water and it comes straight from the mountains, its as clean as the bottled water across major cities in Europe.”

Best time to visit europe

Healthy Pizza’s

If you’re travelling to Europe you can’t miss Pizza’s, because you would hardly have an option otherwise. But after consuming Pizza’s in India that causes the feeling of heaviness, I was little concerned.

But to my surprise, the pizza’s in Europe didn’t feel so and they also sell Gluten free ones. It felt super light, just like how it would feel if we have any other food. And the body was also not craving for too much water after having the Pizza.

Not only Pizza, we also had Pasta’s & Sub’s and I could say that those we get in India are all of low standards.

Clean Roads

If you might have noticed, the roads are so clean in most European countries, even in the countryside. I’m unsure if that’s because of their sand or because of their ability to cleverly cover the sand.

Above shot was taken at Innsbruck, Austria that not only has clean roads but also comes with beautiful views of the nearby mountains.

That aside, I was super surprised to notice that they actually clean the roads with water. This probably applies to the busy/popular streets in the city and I witnessed it personally one day while on the way back to Airport by early morning.

Learn More: 7 Most Beautiful Secret Beaches in Europe

Best places to visit in europe

Noise Free Roads

There maybe 50 cars moving on the road, 100 people walking in the streets but no one uses their horn’s on their expensive cars, as fortunately people follow the traffic rules.

I don’t even remember hearing any horn sounds throughout my entire 1 week trip in Austria, which was quite a good feeling.

Heaven for Walking

With wonderful weather, fresh air, less noise around, you’ll be much more happy to walk around the city anytime of the day. You could easily walk 3-4 kms a day, if not more and you would be surprised to see that you’ve walked quite a lot than usual.

I’ve hit my lifetime highest walking distance per week during my recent trip to Europe with an average of 12K steps a day and here’s the alert that iPhone sent when it found a change in my health trend.

Quick Public Transport

While walking is good, going to far end places can be done via public transport.

Moving around the city is super easy with trams and busses connecting the major parts of the city. And on top of it, the frequency is too good (like 10 mins) with proper updates at respective stops.

The good news is that Google is well integrated with these transport systems.

On our last day of the trip, we actually took a bus till it’s last stop of the route & return. It took us across the city, through farmlands, busy streets, etc.

It was an experience in itself, apart from using for the actual commute.

Comfortable & Luxury Taxi’s

Booking an Uber? Expect a comfortable, clean and luxury car arrive in under 5 mins. We got Merc’s, EV Hybrid’s and MUV’s on Uber in Austria and they were all well maintained. Here’s a quick look at some of the taxi’s we got in Austria:

Expect the same at most other developed part of Europe especially in and around Germany for obvious reasons, but well the problem is the cost, which can go up quite a bit easily.

Sunset at 9 PM

It’s magical to experience sunset’s at 9PM in Europe. Of-course there are places on earth where sun might not set even at 12, but well, to really enjoy the sun, the 9Pm sunset’s in Europe during the Summer is certainly a blessing I would say.

And if you’re in a scenic spot like a castle nearby, sunset would feel like a Disney movie. You may experience one here. To feel it in person would be 10X more joyful.

We used to roam around the riverside many days and I usually forget that it’s 10PM and not 6PM.

Note: Do note that all of above are from my experience by travelling on own across Austria and parts of Germany.

Affordable on Miles

Whenever we talk about Europe, the very next thing that comes to mind is cost. It’s expensive – both hotels & flights!

But if you intend to fly business class to Europe from India, probably now is the best time to do so because you can find Return Business Class flights just for ~60K Turkish miles and if you wish to be more flexible, you may go with ~120K United miles.

Have a look at the United Mileage Program, just incase if you’re new to it. The good thing about United is 100% free cancellation which comes pretty handy for all the Visa requirements and of-course the actual booking.

Now that’s the reason why Axis Magnus Credit Card points are lot more valuable than how it appears to be.

Final Thoughts

Some of you might have experienced the above while some might have just heard about it. Either way, I hope the above is useful, especially for those travellers who’re not exposed to Europe or other western countries yet.

May a times when in Austria I used to think what the hell we actually do in India while life is so good, healthy and pleasant in this part of the world.

No wonder why UNHI’s are legally moving to Europe. For those who can’t afford that or don’t prefer to, the easy alternative is to settle in the hills in India.

So to sum up, if you’re sitting on lots of Reward points, drop your SE Asia trip and consider a trip to Europe and you’ll thank me for lifetime.

Because it will have a lifetime impact on you, your children and for the entire nation just incase if you’re influential. For this very reason I wish all politicians are given a complimentary trip to Europe.

I think it helps us embrace India in many ways. At-least I got generous in tipping after getting back to India and having a good meal for 3 EUR, while back in Europe it would easily cost me 10 EUR or more.

Having said that, you shouldn’t do it on a package tour as you don’t get breathing time to really think and observe these and instead become busy in just clicking pictures with an induced smile.

I wonder how these tour companies do like 5 countries in 1 week while I can’t even do 1 country in a week!

Anyway, I hope the above serves as a good start for those new to Europe.

Have you been to European Countries? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

Finance

HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

6 December 2024 Bhuvnesh Bhushan Leave a comment

HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card: I’ve been asked to review the HSBC Credit cards for couple of years now but i had always postponed it as i thought HSBC would go out of business. Well, I read somewhere few years back that HSBC isn’t interested in getting aggressive on Indian Credit card business so i thought they’ll exit soon.

Fortunately they didn’t. But they’re choosy in issuing credit cards, like, they don’t encourage self-employed individuals. Anyway, i’m happy to finally share the review of their Platinum Credit card with some good insights.

While there are multiple credit cards in HSBC portfolio, i believe HSBC Visa Platinum Card is the only one they’re actively promoting. So this is the review of the same.

Joining Fee/Annual Fee: Nil

The surprising part of HSBC credit cards is that they don’t have any joining/annual fee on any of their cards.

Welcome Offers

Get ₹2000 Cleartrip voucher on first transaction (Limited period offer)
Get 10% cashback (up to ₹2500) for making a minimum of 9 transactions totaling to ₹10,000 or more in the first 90 days.
3X Rewards on Dining, Hotels and Telecom for first 12 months from the date of issuance of your credit card

Learn More: American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

Regular Offers

BookMyShow voucher worth ₹500(2 * 250 voucher) on spending over ₹50,000 in a calendar month. Maximum of ₹3000 per cardholder in a year.
Buy 1 Get 1 Tickets has to be only for Saturday shows but you can book on any day the week. Once in a month. Add on card treated as separate card.
On Fridays you can get Rs.1200 discount for roundtrip and 1200 off on hotel bookings also using CTHSBCFRIDAY. Add on card treated as separate card.
On Sundays you can get maximum of Rs.10000 cashback (10%) for making international flight tickers in MakeMyTrip. Add on card treated as separate.
Swiggy Offers: 50% discount up to ₹125 valid on your first order on Swiggy | 25% discount up to ₹150 valid on your order on Swiggy
30% discount on treebo hotels

Balance Transfer and Loan Facility

They seem to have impressive rates and this is what Mouli has to say: “Though I am preferred customer in HDFC and have priority relationship with other banks but still HSBC is my goto card for all BT and loan as they offer the lowest percentage and processing fee.

Last month for BT it was 10.9% interest and 1% processing fee and they will give you Rs.300 Uber voucher for taking BT and loan from them.”

Reward Points

2 reward points for every 150 except fuel transactions
5 Times (5X) Rewards on subsequent purchases made after crossing spend amount of ₹400,000 in a year up to a maximum of ₹1,000,000 in a year

Ideally, you can get ~45k Points on spending 10L a year.

Redemption Options

This is where you need to put your mind to some use. I wish HSBC made this part easier for everyone.

Catalogue Redemptions

Popular shopping Gift Vouchers available
Expected Reward Rate: 0.25% (normal) to 1% (on 10L spend)

Airline Transfers

Singapore Airlines (1 Reward Point = 1 Kris Flyer Mile)
British Airways Executive Club (1 Reward Point = 1 Avios Mile)
Jet Airways (2 Reward Points = 1 JPMile)

Hotel Transfers

Taj InnerCircle (5 Reward Points = 1 TIC Point)
1 TIC point = ~Rs.5
Reward rate: ~4.5% (only on 10L Spend)

Here are the numbers on Taj Points transfer,

For 45000 HSBC reward points in a year you will get 9000 TIC points. With this, you can get 7 nights stay in Taj Surya Coimbatore or 3 nights in Taj Fisherman’s Cove Chennai

Just like any other Hotel Loyalty program, based on the property, you can maximize the value even more.

Bottomline

So I have mixed views on this card as extracting value from it isn’t easy unless you’re into the points game. Airline transfers & Hotel transfers are the only ways to get handsome returns and suits only for those who could put 10L spend a year on it, nothing less, nothing more!

Rating: 3.5/5 [yasr_overall_rating]

Furthermore, if you club it with HSBC Offers you may get even more value, but it is overall far away to be called as “rewarding” for the regular cardholders.

Do you hold HSBC Credit Card? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

Finance

American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

6 December 2024 Bhuvnesh Bhushan Leave a comment

While American Express is known for their premium cards with amazing customer support they also issue one of the highly rewarding entry-level credit card in the country in the name of Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC).

Even though its an entry-level credit card, you can get return on spend as good as any other super premium credit card and even more. Let’s see how.

Overview

Type	Entry-level Card
Reward Rate	1% – 10%
Best for	Gold Collection redemptions
USP	Monthly Reward Milestones

American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is a pretty decent rewards card that gives lucrative reward rate if used right.

If you’re new to credit cards (holding at-least one non-Amex card) and looking for a higher reward rate to begin your journey, you may start with Amex MRCC.

*** Most loved Amex Card for beginners ***

Apply through the link on the page & you’ll get additional 2,000 Referral Bonus Membership Rewards^® points (spend INR 5,000 within 90 days)

Fees

Joining Fee	1,000 INR+GST
Welcome Benefit	4,000 MR Points + 2,000 MR Points (Limited Period Offer)
Renewal Fee / Annual Fee	4,500 INR+GST
Renewal Benefit	Nil
Renewal Fee waiver	Nil

Note that 4,000 MR points are easily valued at 2,000 INR and on top of that, with the limited period offer you get an additional 2,000 MR points (valued at 1,000 INR) when applied through the referral link. So that’s like getting 3X the value overnight.

Further, the renewal fee can as well be waived off by calling Amex support. Expect 100% waiver on renewal with annual spends >1.5 Lakhs. Else, you can get 50% waiver on spends >90K INR.

Design

While I’m not a fan of this yellow credit card, it does look decent after you look at it so many times and get used to it.

Anyway, it’s not about the design that matters for an entry-level card. It’s all about rewards and it does offer quite a lot of that.

Rewards

SPEND TYPE	REWARDS	REWARD RATE (CASH CREDIT)	REWARD RATE (MARRIOTT/TAJ VOUCHER)
Regular Spends	1 MR on every 50 INR spend	0.50%	~1%

Excluded spends: Utilities, Fuel spends
Rewards don’t expire.

If you plan to use the card primarily for fuel and utilities, you may instead have a look at the Amex Gold Charge Card.

The reward points earned on MRCC are ideally meant for Marriott transfers (or) Taj voucher redemptions via Amex Gold Collection (24K), as other options are not attractive enough, unless you know what you’re doing.

Also note that the MR points earned on MRCC can be pooled with other Amex cards (except Plat travel which happens rarely), so you can get closer to 24K or 18K Gold collection redemptions faster.

Learn More: SBI Elite Credit Card

Monthly Rewards

Spend Criteria	Rewards	Value (Marriott)
1500 INR *4	1000 MR Points	~500 INR
20,000 INR	1000 MR Points	~500 INR

1 MR Point = ~0.50 INR (average taken for calculation above)
MR Point value can vary from 0.38 INR to 0.58 INR depending on the redemption.

Monthly rewards is the USP of Gold cards (Gold Charge Card & MRCC) wherein customers are given bonus MR points on completing certain spend criteria in a calendar month.

Unlike Gold Charge Card that can get you only 1000 MR points monthly, here with MRCC you can get 2000 MR points every month on completing two spend targets, as mentioned above.

Note that the bonus MR points on 20K spend is an “enrolment based benefit”. So donot forget to enroll.

The Value of 2000 MR points is only 500 INR if you redeem for cash credit but if you aim for the gold collection (or) redeem points at Marriott properties that’s easily 1000 INR value which means you’re getting ~5% return on spend (20K spend).

You may as well accumulate points and hope to redeem for Taj vouchers under 24K Gold Karat Collection which will further enhance the point value from to 0.58 INR.

You may as well get the Gold Charge Card, link both cards and get closer to your redemptions faster, as mentioned earlier.

Amex Offers

One of the major advantage of holding an American Express credit card is that you get access to most of the Amex network offers that shows up from time to time.

This could be merchant offers, spend based offers or even points transfer offers. Check out all previous noticeable Amex Offers here.

While Amex merchant offers used to be AMAZING in the past (2018 & before), we didn’t see much in 2023/2024, but they did multiple decent spend linked offers worth considering.

Amex offers is just one reason for holding an American Express Credit card. Here are 5 Reasons Why You Should Have an American Express Credit Card otherwise.

Reward Multiplier

While Amex Reward Multiplier is something I’m not happy with since it’s inception, it does offer a great value if you’re not into other bank’s Super Premium Credit Cards.

You can get 2X rewards on the Reward Multiplier with Gold Charge Card.

What this means is, you get 1% more reward rate on the spend. While this is not so lucrative as the 5X rewards on Gold Charge Card, it’s still decent enough to get little beyond the regular rewards.

Other Benefits

Foreign Exchange Markup fee: 3.5% + Service Tax
Amex health insurance benefits (with ICICI Lombard)
Supplementary Card Offers
Amex Festive Offers
24/7 premium support

The downside however is that being an entry level card, chances of it being used by non-premium cardholders is high as so are the merchants, due to which one might get into card acceptance issues.

Maximizing MRCC

Monthly Bonus rewards of 2000 MR points (1000+1000) is all you need to consider to earn points faster and redeem for Gold collection.

You may as well explore Points transfer partners if you can flex your mind into the ocean of points & miles game. That said, Marriott points transfer is the easiest one among.

On spending 20K every month you end up getting 24K MR points on 2.4L spend which is a sweet ~6% reward rate.

And if you’ve a flexible travel schedule and can find sweet spots with Marriott (not tough), you may even get value as good as 1 INR per MR point and that my friend means this card can get you a return of 10% annually (on 2.4L annual spend)

Check-out my Marriott Hotel reviews to get some ideas.

Not only it looks lucrative, but also you may enjoy a renewal fee waiver as well with above spends.

If you’re not into travel redemptions, you may as well redeem for other options under Gold Collection like Tanishq or Shopperstop which is quite good as well.

Note: If spending 1.5K*4 is tough for you, you may also load your wallets (if free) or simply split your >3K spends into multiples of 1.5K to get there faster.

How to apply?

You may apply online/offline or at airport outlets (no special airport offers at the moment), whichever is convenient for you.

Currently, one of the best offer you could get is an additional 2K points as Limited period offer when you apply using a referral link.

If you’re already holding an Amex card, do note that American Express allows you to hold 1 Charge Card + 2 Credit cards at any point in time.

*** Limited Period Offer: 2,000 Bonus MR Points ***

Note: It’s better to apply using your Aadhaar address, otherwise the application might get delayed (or) even rejected, as reported by some of those who experienced it.

Bottomline

Rating: 4.8/5

If you’re new to the world of American Express, MRCC is the best card to begin your journey with Amex.

While MRCC is ideally suitable for ~2L or so spends, If your spends are in the range of 4 Lakhs or above, you must check out the Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card which is one of the best travel credit card in the country.

Overall, except for the not so great design, everything else is great with the Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card.

Do you hold American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S24 5G AI Smartphone

5 December 2024 Bhuvnesh Bhushan Leave a comment

Shop the new Samsung Galaxy S24 5G at BhuvneshBlog.com. Capture stunning low-light photos and elevate your everyday experiences. Make every moment epic. Order now.

Buy at ₹77,999 Only/-

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Samsung Galaxy S24 5G Mobile Phone Information

Brand	Samsung
Model Name	Samsung Galaxy S24 5G
Operating System	Android 14.0
Cellular Technology	5G
RAM	‎8 GB + 512GB
Battery Power Rating	‎5000 mAh
Connectivity technologies	‎Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC
Customer Reviews	3.8 out of 5 stars

Buy at ₹77,999 Only/-

Also Check and Buy : POCO M6 Pro 5G (Forest Green, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage)

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Easy to grip. Satisfying to hold. With their unified design and satin finish, Galaxy S24 feels as smooth as it looks.
They’re the upgrades you’ve waited for. More screen. More battery. More processing power. There’s so much more to love about Galaxy S24.
A true pixel powerhouse that will not disappoint. Ever. Snap high-res pics for that will no doubt withstand the test of time for years to come.
Search like never before with Circle to Search. Simply trace an object to get Google Search results. It’s a new visual way to find what you’re looking for.
Get quick language translation on your next phone call. That’s right, AI helps you communicate outside your own language while you talk on the phone. And get this, it even works on messaging.

Women

Ladies handbags Lavie Women’s Beech Satchel Bag

5 December 2024 Anju Choudhry Leave a comment

Ladies handbags: Ladies purse with pebble textured surfaceTrendy satchel bag design for every occasionTop handle with detachable sling strap

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Amazon Brand – Solimo XXL Bean Bag Cover Without Beans (Black and Brown, Faux Leather)(Opens in a new browser tab)

Ladies handbags Product details

Closure type	Zipper
Outer material	Polyester
Occasion type	Casual
Style	Satchel
Number of pockets	4
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Country of Origin	India

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Also Like: BIBA Women Black Art Silk Straight Kurta Sharara Suit Set

About this item

Lavie Beech hand bag is a stylish bag for women who love styling up. It is durable, versatile and lightweight. It is available in classic black and gold color. Made from premium man-made leather, this hand bag has the latest pebble texture and premium gold toned metal hardware
Dimension: 27.5 cm in length x 9 cm in width x 19.5 cm in height
Beech hand bag has a top zip closure for safety and security. The interior has 1 main compartment, divided by an inner zip storage, 2 slip pockets alongside 1 external zip pocket, providing plenty of storage space for keeping phone, portable charger, keys, hairbrush, wallet, sunglasses, sanitizer etc. It also has a detachable and adjustable sling belt for multipurpose use
This hand bag is perfect for women to carry to a mall or family function. It can be paired with a stylish top and well fitted denims as well as an indo-western dress. This spacious yet stylish hand bag makes for a perfect gift for all occasions
Strap type: Double

Women

Best Women Fit and Flare Yellow Dress in 2024

4 December 2024 Anju Choudhry Leave a comment

Women Fit and Flare Yellow Dress : Aayu women yellow square neck printed Dress, in georgette fabric, Polyester Lining, calf length, Fit And Flare, sleeveless length, closer zip & floral print stylish dress….

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Also Like: Harpa Women Dress

Also Like: Yellow Women’s Dresses

Product details Women Fit and Flare Yellow Dress

Material type	Georgette
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Care Instructions: Hand Wash, Machine Wash
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Women

Best Harpa Women Dress in 2024

4 December 2024 Anju Choudhry Leave a comment

Women Dress: Harpa Maxi Floral Printed Sleeveless Dress Bringing something new to the high street, Harpa aspires to deliver every woman’s wardrobe needs – from well made staples to on trend fashion pieces.

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Also Like: Fit & Flare Maxi Dress with Pockets

Women Dress Product details

Material type	Synthetic
Length	Maxi
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Style: Maxi
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Pattern: Floral

Blogging

Best Free Traffic Sources for Affiliate Marketing (2024)

4 December 2024 Bhuvnesh Bhushan Leave a comment

When it comes to affiliate marketing, finding the best free traffic sources for affiliate marketing can feel like striking gold. With so many options available, it’s tough to figure out which ones really work. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get noticed online. Some free traffic sources can drive substantial affiliate traffic and convert leads effectively. Investing your time in finding the best ones can pay off in the long run, even if it requires a little effort.

It’s crucial to identify the best traffic sources for affiliate marketing to avoid wasting resources. There are countless free sources out there, making it hard to choose the right ones. Even though you’re not spending money, these sources demand your time and effort. So, let’s dive into the best free traffic sources for affiliate marketing and see which ones can really make a difference.

But first, let’s begin with understanding what a traffic source is!

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What is a Traffic Source?

A traffic source refers to any platform that sends visitors to an affiliate site, landing page, or CPA offer. It’s how people find the website or offer you’re promoting. By monitoring these sources, you can understand what attracts users and focus on those strategies to keep the traffic flowing. This helps you gather valuable information about your target audience and figure out how to convert them more effectively.

There’s no single best traffic source for affiliate marketing; it depends on factors like your niche and target audience. However, search engine optimization (SEO) and advertising are often top choices for generating traffic. Social media is another excellent medium for attracting high-quality traffic.

It’s important to remember that not all traffic sources are free. Both paid and free sources can be highly effective, so it’s worth considering a mix of both to achieve the best results.

Signing up for Cuelinks Affiliate Marketing Platform is easier than ever!

Best Free Traffic Sources for Affiliate Marketing

Let’s explore some of the best free sources for affiliate marketing, including Social Media, Q&A Websites and Forums, YouTube and Vlogging, SEO, Blogging, Email Marketing and Newsletter Subscriptions. All of these sources can be leveraged to create effective marketing campaigns and reach a wide audience.

Social media is one of the best traffic sources for affiliate marketing because it lets you connect with your ideal customer profile. Have you noticed how engaging and interactive social media platforms are? They allow you to build relationships with your audience, making it easier to promote your affiliate products. By sharing valuable content and engaging with users, you can create a loyal following that trusts your recommendations. Isn’t it great to have such direct access to potential customers?

Think about the power of social media algorithms. These platforms are designed to show your content to users who are most likely to be interested in it. This means your efforts are more targeted, increasing the chances of conversion. Plus, social media platforms offer various tools, such as live videos, stories, and posts, to help you reach your audience in creative ways. Have you tried using these features to boost your affiliate marketing efforts? Feel free to plan and monetize your posts with the Social Media Calendar Affiliate program through Cuelinks!

Now let’s dive into some of the best social media platforms to gain free traffic for affiliate marketing:

Instagram

Starting with millions of users in 2013, Instagram has grown so much and is estimated to have more than 2 billion users by 2024. This steady increase highlights Instagram’s popularity and its potential source for free affiliate marketing. Instagram basically is a platform where users share images and videos, and especially reels (don’t underestimate those!), making it perfect for visually showcasing your affiliate products.

To succeed as an affiliate marketer on Instagram, it’s essential to build a loyal audience rather than just sharing links randomly. Utilize hashtags, write alt text, add product details, and use geotags to improve local discovery and get featured on popular accounts. Once you have a solid following, you can post visual content with affiliate links and include them in your bio. This is how you plan to leverage Instagram’s features to boost your affiliate sales.

Also Read: How To Create a Ecommerce Website

TikTok

TikTok is quickly becoming one of the best affiliate marketing traffic sources, offering a wealth of free traffic opportunities. Did you know TikTok was the highest-grossing app of 2023, generating billions in revenue? Imagine harnessing that kind of traffic for your affiliate marketing by targeting users according to your niche. Despite its reputation for being popular with teens, TikTok’s user base spans across different age groups, including Millennials, Gen Z, and now Gen Alpha too.

Especially if your target market includes Gen Z and millennials, TikTok is a must-have in your strategy. You can create engaging videos to promote your affiliate offers directly to your ideal audience. While you can’t post direct links in non-sponsored posts, you can include a link in your profile and guide users to it. Have you considered how much traffic you could drive from a well-placed TikTok link?

Use Cuelinks to sign up for TikTok Affiliate program and earn high commissions!

Pinterest is one of the most wholesome yet popular social media platforms, especially among Gen Z and millennials. Have you seen trends like dark academia and cottagecore? If you tap into these trends, you can easily attract free leads. Pinterest revolves around sharing ideas through “pins,” making it ideal for affiliate marketing.

The platform tends to skew towards women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, but many people use Pinterest for purchase ideas, so posting your products as “pins” with affiliate links can be very effective. Anyone searching for product ideas might see your pin and follow the link to purchase it. Have you tried creating pins that resonate with current trends to capture more leads. So this is how Pinterest can be used as the best free affiliate marketing source to acquire good leads since visual cues tend to attract more people as compared to written text.

X (Twitter)

X (Twitter) is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. It’s often the go-to place for people to find out about global events, memes, news, or local happenings. X users love conversations and are not keen on direct sales pitches, so simply posting your links won’t cut it. It may seem superficial, but even so, you need to have a core understanding of the platform as well as a strategy for how you can engage your audience more effectively.

To succeed on X, you need to add visuals, memes and be up-to-date on events related to the content behind your links. Sometimes, a tweet can go viral, providing an excellent opportunity to insert your affiliate links at the end of the thread. You can also include them in your bio. How do you plan to make your tweets stand out and attract more traffic to your affiliate links? These are the questions you must ask before creating a content strategy to use Twitter as a top notch source for best free affiliate marketing in your target market.

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Q&A Websites and Forums

If you enjoy investing your time answering questions on Q&A websites and forums, this strategy can be a goldmine for free leads in affiliate marketing. Checking out these platforms is a must. Make sure your links are relevant to the questions being asked and that you follow the group’s guidelines. The main goal is to help other users, not just post links randomly. Members are generally more receptive to links that include context or genuinely solve their questions.

P.s.: The key is to try providing value first and then subtly introducing your affiliate links.

By consistently offering helpful insights and solutions, you can build a reputation as a trusted expert in your niche. This trust can translate into more clicks and conversions for your affiliate links. When users see that you consistently provide valuable insights and solutions, they are more likely to view your affiliate links as genuine recommendations rather than spammy promotions. This can significantly increase the likelihood of them clicking on your links and making a purchase, ultimately leading to higher conversions and success in your affiliate marketing efforts.

Plus, the time you invest in these platforms can lead to long-term benefits as your answers continue to attract views and engagement. In the long run, you can simply integrate your affiliate links naturally into your responses.

Quora

Quora is an excellent platform for affiliate marketing traffic sources because it allows you to demonstrate your expertise by answering questions relevant to your niche. By providing valuable and well-thought-out answers, you can attract users who are genuinely interested in your recommendations. Your answers can establish you as a trusted authority.

When you include affiliate links in your Quora answers, make sure they are directly relevant to the question and provide additional value. This approach increases the likelihood of users clicking on your links and following through. You can start out by identifying the most popular questions in your niche to maximize your reach. This should give you a good indication of the type of content you should be creating. You then need to add in the affiliate links where relevant and provide quality content.

Reddit has become a premier place for finding honest reviews, personal insights, and real product information. It’s an interest-based platform that can be very beneficial if you have a deep knowledge of your niche. Although it requires more time and investment compared to other social media channels, the potential for leads is significant. Reddit consists of forums called “subreddits,” each focused on a specific topic. You can start by finding subreddits related to your niche.

You can post your affiliate links on Reddit, but be cautious. Some subreddits have strict rules against self-promotion and may ban users who violate them. Make sure you only post links to subreddits that allow self-promotion and do so sparingly to avoid being marked as spam.

The key is not to overdo it. Furthermore, the more comment karma you have, the more ideas you will have about what has been downvoted (basically disliked) and what has been upvoted in the long run. You have to be authentic and natural.

Blog Commenting

Blog commenting is another effective way to generate free leads for affiliate marketing. By leaving thoughtful comments on relevant blog posts, you can attract attention to your affiliate offers. The key is to add value to the discussion rather than just dropping your links. You can start by identifying influential blogs in your niche where you can .

When you leave comments, make sure they are relevant and insightful. This approach not only helps build your reputation but also encourages readers to check out your links.

YouTube and Vlogging

If you’re into YouTube, making videos or daily vlogs can be a fantastic way to expand your customer base and understand your target market while generating leads. YouTube is the world’s most popular video-sharing site and the second most popular search engine after Google. You don’t have to be an entertainer to succeed on YouTube. You can consider creating straightforward videos like product reviews, roundups, or tutorials. These types of videos often do well at capturing audiences and driving traffic to your affiliate links.

Have you thought about which types of videos you could create to promote your affiliate products effectively? We can give you some ideas on how to use YouTube as a free affiliate marketing source.

Vlogging: Share your daily life experiences and seamlessly integrate affiliate products into your routines or activities.
Streaming: Engage live with your audience, showcasing affiliate products in real-time demonstrations or discussions.
Vlogging: Naturally incorporate affiliate products into your vlogs or streams to demonstrate their use and benefits.
Product Reviews: Craft detailed reviews highlighting features and benefits.
Tutorials: Demonstrate effective product usage through instructional videos.
Comparative Videos: Help viewers make informed decisions with product comparisons. Basically, This or That videos.
Top Lists and Recommendations: Add value by listing top products, including your affiliates.
Personal Stories: Share experiences or success stories to build credibility.
Q&A Sessions: Address common questions to establish trust.
Interaction: Encourage viewer interaction by soliciting feedback and questions about the featured products.
Call to Action: Prompt viewers to explore more by providing clear links and information in your video descriptions or during streams.
Collabs: Partner with brands or influencers for joint live sessions, expanding reach and credibility.
Behind-the-scenes (BTS): Provide a behind-the-scenes look at product development or use, enhancing authenticity and interest.
Call to Action: Encourage viewers to take action by including clear links and prompts to explore affiliate products further in the video description or chat.

YouTube’s reach and influence are enormous, making it a powerful platform for affiliate marketing. Plus, it is a great place for affiliate marketing because you can share links to products in your videos without worrying about YouTube’s algorithm pushing your videos down. This means you can make videos about products you like and include links for people to buy them. Just remember to encourage people to click on the links in your video description. By consistently posting valuable content, you can build a loyal following that trusts your recommendations. This trust can significantly increase the likelihood of viewers clicking on your affiliate links.

Are you ready to start leveraging YouTube as a free traffic source to boost your affiliate marketing efforts?

SEO and Blogging

Using SEO and Blogging can really help your affiliate marketing. The main goal is to make more people see your affiliate marketing work by improving your website’s ranking on search engines like Google. When someone looks for something related to what you do, you want your website to show up at the top, right? It’s really important to show up at the top of search engine results to get more people coming to your website.

Now, blogging is a big part of this. By regularly publishing helpful blog posts that are optimized with the right keywords, you can attract people who are actively looking for information or solutions related to what you’re promoting. It’s about creating content that answers their questions or solves their problems straightforwardly. Have you considered how building your own following through blogging can establish your credibility in your niche?

Think about it this way: when your blog becomes a trusted source of information, people are more likely to trust your affiliate recommendations. As you build a loyal readership, they’ll be more inclined to click on your affiliate links and potentially make purchases. Plus, as your blog gains authority and gets linked to other credible sites, your SEO efforts can lead to sustained traffic growth over time. Are you planning to use blogging and SEO as a free affiliate source and reach more potential customers?

Also Read: Free High DA PA DoFollow Backlinks Sites Submission List 2024

Email marketing is one of the most underrated yet powerful tools for affiliate marketing because consumers often prefer receiving brand communications through email over other methods. Building an email list involves attracting an audience on platforms like social media or blogs, then converting them into subscribers by offering a freebie or premium content.

Once you have people on your email list, you can promote affiliate products effectively. Here are some key strategies:

Freebies and Lead Magnets: Offer valuable free content, such as ebooks, guides, or templates, in exchange for email subscriptions. Integrate affiliate links within these resources to subtly promote products that solve your audience’s problems.
Email Courses: Create educational email series or courses that provide value and insights related to your niche. Embed affiliate links strategically within the course content, where relevant.
Challenges: Engage your email subscribers with challenges related to your affiliate products. For example, a fitness challenge can include recommendations for workout equipment or supplements, each linked to an affiliate product.
Advertising in Newsletters: Target niche-specific email newsletters that align with your affiliate products. For instance, if you’re promoting a finance app, advertise in newsletters focused on stock market investing to attract high-quality traffic.
Creating Your Own Newsletter: Build your own email newsletter over time by consistently delivering valuable content to your subscribers. Incorporate affiliate links judiciously within these newsletters to promote relevant products.

While advertising in existing newsletters can yield quick results, developing your own email list and newsletter may take longer but can be more sustainable in the long run. Email remains one of the most effective traffic sources for affiliate marketing due to its direct and personalized nature.

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On an Ending Note:

As we wrap up our exploration of the best free traffic sources for affiliate marketing, it’s clear that there’s no shortage of opportunities to drive substantial traffic without breaking the bank. From leveraging the power of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to engaging in insightful discussions on Q&A sites and forums, each of these sources offers unique advantages for reaching your target audience effectively.

Have you considered which of these traffic sources align best with your niche and target audience? Perhaps diving into TikTok’s vibrant community could unlock new possibilities for promoting your affiliate products. Or maybe establishing yourself as a trusted voice on Quora could lead to organic traffic growth over time.

Remember, building your presence on these platforms takes time and effort, but the payoff can be significant. As you invest in creating valuable content and engaging with your audience, you’re not just driving traffic—you’re building relationships and establishing credibility in your niche. This trust is invaluable for converting visitors into loyal customers who rely on your recommendations.

FAQs

How to get traffic for affiliate marketing for free?

You can generate free traffic for affiliate marketing by leveraging social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Create compelling content related to your niche, engage with your audience authentically, and strategically place affiliate links where they add value. Additionally, participate in relevant forums and Q&A sites such as Quora and Reddit, where you can provide valuable insights and subtly introduce affiliate offers.

How to drive traffic with affiliate marketing?

Driving traffic with affiliate marketing involves understanding your target audience and where they spend their time online. Utilize content marketing through blogging, video creation, or podcasting to attract organic traffic from search engines and social media. Engage actively on social platforms, participate in relevant discussions on forums, and collaborate with influencers in your niche to amplify your reach. Email marketing campaigns and newsletters are also effective in nurturing leads and driving traffic to affiliate offers.

How to start free affiliate marketing?

To start affiliate marketing for free, begin by identifying a niche that interests you and aligns with market demand. Create valuable content, such as blog posts, videos, or social media posts, that addresses your audience’s pain points or interests. Join affiliate programs that offer free sign-ups and provide promotional materials.

How can I monetize a blog through affiliate marketing?

Monetizing a blog through affiliate marketing involves integrating relevant affiliate links naturally into your blog posts. Choose affiliate products or services that align with your audience’s interests and needs. Write compelling reviews or tutorials that highlight the benefits of the affiliate offerings.

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What is a Traffic Source?

Best Free Traffic Sources for Affiliate Marketing

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