Before you write a post saying it can’t be done, you should talk to some people are are succeeding by doing it. For example, I find it odd that you wrote this post and didn’t include any affiliate links in it, though you had the opportunity to do so. You could have used an affiliate link for one of Problogger’s books, for Amazon and for some of the affiliate sites you listed. It’s all about strategy and not overdoing it.

I know several small-time bloggers that are doing quite well by placing relevant affiliate links within content. Don’t be discouraged by this post everyone! You can do it, it just takes work. Blogging, just like any business venture, is not an easy way to make money, but it can be done!

The best affiliates review the products and use affiliate links to monetize the traffic. 90% of all of our sales through the affiliate channel come from text links. Banners are nice for branding but customers click hotlinked keywords to actually buy products.

When a blogger creates unique content based around a specific product and they do it when there is an irresistible deal, the sales will happen. We don’t flood our bloggers with deals every day. We give them several a month and they are usually limited time sales.

The key to affiliate marketing is to talk to the managers. If you choose a program that is managed by the “affiliate team” and you can never get your questions answered, find another program. When you find one manager, pick their brain then find another and ask them the same questions. Good managers will take the time to help you be better affiliates.

If you want to earn pennies from Amazon, go ahead. If you want to earn pennies from Google Adsense, go ahead. If you want to learn how to create a new source of income, do as much research about affiliate marketing as possible. My affiliates make money when they test, test, retest and research.

Product reviews work wonders… I’ve made a living for the past 3 years on product reviews alone. Not only will you be reaching out to your audience, but you’ll also attract new readers. Instead of linking to Organize.com in your sidebar, how about writing a post, “Dual Bra Wash Bag Review” (http://www.organize.com/dual-bra-wash-bag.html) and deeplink (link to the product page, not the homepage via your affiliate link)?

Give it a shot… please

There are a couple certainties with affiliate marketing and content sites – it takes a lot of work and a lot of patience to generate commissions.

As far as your points…

1. Not enough traffic.

It depends on how much you are trying to earn. Most people aren’t going to get rich as affiliate marketers, and anybody that makes that claim is lying. Affiliate marketing certainly is a numbers game, and unless you consistently grow your audience, you’re going to struggle generating revenue in any way. I went many months without making a cent when I got started. Then I started seeing some success, and I tested a lot – by focusing on what was working, as well as growing my subscriber base, I’ve steadily grown my audience.

2. Mom blogs aren’t product specific.

That’s the case for most blogs. None of mine are focused on products, but when I mention one, I’ll link to it, so the ads are relevant. As Greg Hoffman mentioned, it’s all about the text links. Banners are dead.

3. Mom blogs are too general.

Another reason to stay away from banners. If your affiliate efforts focus on content of each individual post, they’ll perform better, because they’ll always be relevant.

They appreciate their affiliates and show it. I enjoy helping out these businesses and get waay more than I ever did from Amazon, or any other big affiliate program.

I am by no means a large blog, but I sustain a steady, small income to help pay for hosting, domain names, graphics, and homeschool resources for my children. It’s definitely nothing to spit at.

There is most definitely a technique to using affiliate links.

However, as I mentioned in my post above, it’s possible to monetize a mom blog if there is a niche focus to it. The examples mentioned here in the comments as well as at http://www.momcomm.com/2011/07/what-you-can-earn-with-affiliate-links (see comments) and http://savvyblogging.net/why-affiliate-programs-work-well-for-mom-bloggers (see comments) mention blogs that have a niche focus such as product reviews for moms, coupons/deals, and even decorative concrete. While these are all blogs by moms directed to moms, I don’t consider those mom blog per se but blogs within different, product/service related niches (coupons, decorating, product reviews, shopping, etc.)

As I wrote above, you need a small, very dedicated following who will run out and buy/do anything you say to be truly successful. It’s a matter of trust. That’s why products/coupons/deals bloggers do so well with affiliate programs. Not only do they have dedicated followers, but people come to their blogs ready to shop and spend money. When I’m reading about someone’s experience being a mom of a teen, I’m not there to shop but to hear a story about their lives.

I’d be very interested in someone proving me wrong and showing me that affiliate programs do work with general mom blogs. However, I do need proof (numbers, screen grabs, etc.) and not just telling me that you earned $60. (Was that last month, in a day, for a year? See what I mean?)

If you’re up to the task, please contact me at annemarie@momcentral.com to guest post. I’d love to read what you have to say!