In this episode of Creatives on Fire, I welcome back one of my favorite returning guests and all-around business genius, KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms. If you're looking for practical, proven strategies to generate income online, this conversation is one you'll want to bookmark.

https://creativesonfirepodcast.com/episode188

From blogging and affiliate marketing to YouTube and beyond, KariAnne pulls back the curtain on her 28 revenue streams and shares what’s working right now—and how you can get started too.

KariAnne’s Top 3 Money-Making Strategies That Are Working Right Now

When we sat down to reflect on what’s driving real results in her business in 2024, KariAnne revealed that three things are bringing in the biggest income:

• Affiliate Marketing
• Blogging
• YouTube

Not only are these strategies scalable, but they’re platforms where she’s found consistent and long-term income opportunities. KariAnne emphasized how blogging and YouTube allow you to “triple dip” with brand sponsorships, ad income, and affiliate links—all from one piece of content.

“That ability to take one piece of content and make it last for a long time and make more money from it… is probably one of my favorite ways to make money right now.” —KariAnne Wood

The Importance of Growing Your Audience First

To monetize effectively, KariAnne stresses the importance of building your audience. Whether it’s through blog posts, email, or social media, consistency and authenticity are key.

One of her top affiliate tips? Use platforms like ShopMy, Amazon, and LTK strategically—by assigning each a role in your content strategy.

• Use Amazon for daily lifestyle items
• Use LTK for home tours and fashion
• Use ShopMy for curated product features and specific brand partnerships (like Target or Anthropologie)

And her biggest advice for beginners: start small and stay consistent. Share just one product per day on each platform. That daily rhythm adds up quickly and helps establish you as a trustworthy source for recommendations.

Content Creation Tips from a Pro Blogger

KariAnne posts five times a week on her blog using this simple format:

1. Decorating post
2. Story/encouragement post
3. Affiliate product roundup
4. Simple tip or how-to
5. Weekly wrap-up (called Thistlekeeping)

For those who can’t commit to five blog posts a week, she recommends doing one of each monthly to maintain a balance of inspiration, education, and monetization.

KariAnne also offered a brilliant idea for content creation: head to your favorite store, fill your cart with beautiful items, and film yourself pulling each one out in-store to feature on a reel. It’s budget-friendly content that performs well and drives affiliate income.

Why YouTube Deserves Your Attention

While still growing her YouTube channel, KariAnne is investing time and energy into YouTube Shorts. By posting two Shorts per day, she’s been able to steadily increase her subscribers and get closer to unlocking more monetization features.

Shorts are helping her grow without the pressure of long-form video editing—and she recommends it as a low-barrier entry point for bloggers who want to expand their reach.

Want more content like this? Be sure to subscribe to the Creatives on Fire podcast and join us each week as we share simple, actionable strategies for content creators who want to grow their audience—and their income.

Until next time, stay creative. strategy. Be sure to check it out below!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• KariAnne’s Blog: Thistlewood Farms
• Join Let’s Make Money: Check it out here
• Affiliate Platforms: ShopMy
• Learn more about how to batch and schedule content with this episode on batching content
• FUEL Mastermind is HERE
• Free Guide: Start Your Blog Today
• You can GO HERE to subscribe and review (On mobile, scroll down past the episodes to "Ratings & Reviews" section, tap the stars, then scroll down to "Write a Review")
• 2025 Content Planner for Content Creators

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