If you’ve been looking for a way to make money online, you’ve probably come across the term affiliate marketing. It’s one of the most popular side hustles out there, and for good reason: it’s flexible, low-cost to start, and can grow with you over time.
This post is a quick overview to help you understand what affiliate marketing is, how to get started, and what kind of programs you can join.
Note this next part, you’ll need to include something similar in your affiliate posts!
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What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a way to earn a commission by promoting someone else’s product or service. Here’s how it works in the simplest form:
- You join an affiliate program.
- You get a unique tracking link to share.
- When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
That’s it! It’s basically digital word-of-mouth marketing with a paycheck attached. Note that commissions are typically a very small percentage of the sale. Therefore it is important to drive as much traffic to your links as possible!
You may also look into big ticket affiliate marketing programs where you can sell more expensive products at a larger commission cut, but usually in a smaller quantity. If you are a master salesperson then these may be a good option for you. I personally find it hard to sell high priced items, so my focus will be on low ticket products and programs. If you want to learn more about high ticket, there are plenty of videos on YouTube about it!
Do You Need to Be an Influencer to Start?
A common misconception is that you need a huge following or thousands of subscribers to get started with affiliate marketing.
The truth? You don’t.
Sure, having a big audience can help, but you can absolutely start small. Many affiliate marketers build up over time — starting with just a few blog posts, TikToks, or Pinterest pins. What matters most is creating content that provides value and speaks to your audience’s interests.
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What You Do Need to Get Started
While you don’t need celebrity-level influence, here are a few things that do make a difference:
- A place to share content – This could be a blog, a YouTube channel, or even social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest.
- Consistency – You don’t need to post every day, but you do need to start putting content out there. Think of it as experimenting to see what works best for you.
- A theme or niche – The more focused your content is, the easier it will be to pick affiliate programs that make sense. (Example: if you love home décor, you’ll probably want affiliate programs for furniture, Amazon finds, or even DIY supplies.)
We’ll go deeper into blogging and content creation in future posts and YouTube videos, but for now, just focus on getting something out there.
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Affiliate Programs and Platforms You Can Join
Once you’ve started creating content, you’ll want to sign up for affiliate programs that match your niche. There are two main types:
- Big affiliate networks – These act as a middleman and give you access to many brands all in one place. Examples:
- Direct programs – These are run by individual companies. Examples:
- Amazon Associates (one of the easiest to get into for beginners)
- Walmart Affiliate Program
- eBay Partner Network
What Brands Look for Before Approving You
Affiliate programs want to see that you’re a real creator with an actual plan to promote their products. This doesn’t mean you need thousands of followers — but they do want to see:
- At least a little content (blog posts, social posts, or videos)
- A niche or theme (not just a random account with no direction)
- Signs of consistency (are you active, or was your last post 8 months ago?)
Creator Programs vs. Affiliate Programs
Some companies actually offer two different options:
- Affiliate Programs – Anyone can apply, and you earn a commission when someone makes a purchase through your link. (Example: Amazon Associates, Walmart Affiliate Program).
- Creator/Influencer Programs – These are often more selective and may give you special storefronts or product review opportunities. (Example: Amazon Influencer Program, Walmart Creator).
Both can be great, but most beginners start with affiliate programs since they’re usually easier to get into. As your audience grows and you are consistently posting good content, you can start to apply for creator/influencer programs which will open the door for more earning opportunities.
Tips for Beginners: How to Position Yourself for Success
Here are a few quick tips if you’re just starting out:
- Start with the platform you enjoy most (if you love video, try TikTok or YouTube; if you prefer writing, start with a blog).
- Create content around a topic you’re genuinely interested in — it’ll make posting much easier.
- Don’t overthink your first posts. Get something out there and refine as you go.
Remember, affiliate marketing is a long game. You’ll learn as you experiment.
Next Steps: Growing Your Affiliate Marketing Side Hustle
This post is just the beginning. We’ll be going deeper into:
- How to create content that drives clicks
- Tips for growing a blog or YouTube channel
- Guides for applying to different programs
Make sure to subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel so you don’t miss those updates!
Resources to Help You Get Started
FREE RESOURCE: Get my FREE “Make Money From Home Guide” with an overview of 5 different side hustles I have tried, including affiliate marketing → CLICK HERE
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Affiliate marketing is one of the most beginner-friendly side hustles out there — you don’t need a huge following, just the willingness to start creating. The sooner you put content out there, the sooner you’ll see what works for you.