Affiliate marketing is one of the simplest ways to make money online — even if you’re starting from scratch. No product to create. No customers to support. Just share links to products you love, and get paid when someone clicks and buys.
It’s not about “influencing” — it’s about recommending smart. And anyone can start.
Here’s how to do affiliate marketing step-by-step (without needing a big audience).
💡 What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is when you recommend a product or service using a special tracking link. If someone buys through your link, you earn a commission.
Think of it like being a digital word-of-mouth rep.
Examples:
- Link to your favourite Amazon product → earn a %
- Share a Canva template → earn when someone signs up
- Recommend a business tool (like MailerLite) → earn monthly recurring income
✅ Step 1: Pick a Niche You Genuinely Care About
Affiliate marketing works best when it’s relevant and authentic.
Ask:
- What do I already talk about or use often?
- What apps, tools, or products do I love?
- Who am I trying to help (and what are they trying to solve)?
Examples:
- Wellness niche → recommend protein powders, meditation apps
- Money/finance niche → budgeting apps, digital planners
- Productivity/tools → Notion, Canva, course platforms
The more specific your niche, the easier it is to grow trust and conversions.
🔍 Step 2: Join Affiliate Programs
Once you know your niche, start joining affiliate programs. Many are free and instant to join.
Beginner-friendly affiliate platforms:
- Amazon Associates (broad range of products)
- Etsy Affiliates
- Gumroad (for creators and tools)
- LTK (for lifestyle products)
- Awin / ShareASale (affiliate marketplaces)
- Individual brands (search: “product name + affiliate program”)
Each program gives you your own tracking links.
🔗 Step 3: Share Your Link in the Right Places
You don’t need a blog or 10K followers — just the right placement.
Best places to start:
- Pinterest pins (link directly to products)
- Instagram bio or link-in-bio tools
- YouTube description box
- TikTok comment or pinned video
- Email newsletter (if you have one)
- Blog posts or roundups (if you write)
Make sure you’re clear and ethical — always disclose that links are affiliate (simple: “This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”)
🎯 Step 4: Create Value-First Content
Don’t just drop links — build trust around the product.
Examples:
- “5 tools that helped me build my digital product” → include affiliate links
- “How I made my first £100 online” → list products with your links
- “What’s in my digital toolkit?” → link each item
- “Watch me use this in real time” → then link it below
Affiliate income is about recommendation, not sales.
📈 Step 5: Track Performance and Double Down
Once your links are live, most programs let you see:
- Clicks
- Sales
- Conversion rates
Pay attention to what’s working:
- Which products get the most clicks?
- What content drives conversions?
Then do more of that.
💬 Bonus Tips
- Use a free link shortener like Bitly or your own link-in-bio page
- Batch content that promotes affiliate links — make it part of your flow
- Only promote what you actually like — people can sense fake
✅ Your Action Plan:
- Pick a niche (or topic) you want to recommend in
- Join 2–3 beginner-friendly affiliate programs
- Create 1 post or pin sharing your first affiliate links
- Disclose it clearly and make it value-based
- Track clicks + earnings — improve as you go
Affiliate marketing is not about going viral. It’s about building trust and recommending well.
You don’t need to be an influencer to earn income online — you just need to start. 💻✨