What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a fantastic method to monetize your blog since it allows you to promote things you enjoy while also earning money. Let's say I'm writing a blog post on a new kitchen scale that I've been loving (because, hey, kitchen scales are the greatest), and I want to tell my readers about it. 

I could make a normal ol' blog post about it, give a regular ol' Amazon link, and be done with it. Those who are interested in creating posts with new thoughts might submit them to the Write For Us Affiliate Marketing section.