Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a way for bloggers, website owners, and experts to earn incomе by promoting other people's products or services.

To start earning money with affiliate marketing, you don't need significant investments or a large audience.

I've been monetizing this blog using affiliate marketing for 9 years, and for most of that time, it has been my main source of income, bringing in over $5,000 per month.

In this article, we will go through examples of how affiliate marketing works and how you can make money from it.

How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

The model is simple: you share a link to a product or service, and if someone from your audience makes a purchase through that link, you earn a commission.

This method of earning is suitable for those who want to monetize their content without creating their own products.

Even if you don't have a blog or a large audience yet, it's easy to start.

You can quickly get results by creating high-quality and helpful content optimized for your target audience.

The main thing is not the number of views, but the number of purchases.

That's why even a small but highly specialized blog can bring in a good income.

What Can Be Promoted in Affiliate Marketing?

Products in affiliate marketing can range from physical goods to digital services.

Choose products you like, trust, and enjoy talking about. This increases audience trust and conversion rates.

Here are the main categories of products for promotion:

1. Physical Products: Electronics, books, sports equipment, and other items available on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or AliExpress.
2. Online Courses and Educational Materials: Courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, and others.
3. Travel Services: Hotel bookings, flight tickets, and other travel offers from companies like Booking.com and Expedia.
4. Clothing and Accessories: Affiliate programs from fashion online retailers like ASOS, Farfetch, or Zalando.
5. Cosmetics and Health Products: Programs from iHerb, Sephora, and Lookfantastic that offer a wide range of personal care products, vitamins, and supplements.
6. Online Games and Software: Subscriptions to games, software, and other digital products.

I've listed the marketplaces and services I've personally worked with, but there are many more.

You can always find the one that suits you best.

We'll discuss how to choose the right platforms and products for promotion later on. !!

After choosing, you'll receive a unique affiliate link to place in your content.

Clicks on this link will be tracked, and for each purchase made through it, you'll earn a commission.

What Kind of Content Works for Affiliate Marketing?

Let's look at the types of content you can use for promotion and how to present them best.

Types of Content:

1. Product Reviews: Share personal experiences of using products or services, their pros and cons. Such reviews help the audience decide whether to buy.
2. Top Lists and Rankings: "Top-10" collections or lists of the best products in a specific category. A convenient way to compare several options and choose the right one.
3. Guides and Tutorials: Step-by-step instructions and tips on how to use products or services that help users get the most out of them.
4. Comparison Reviews: Comparing two or more products, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. This type of content builds trust and helps the audience make the right choice.
5. Success Stories and Case Studies: Real examples of how a product or service helped someone achieve results.

Content on discounts, promotions, interactive quizzes, checklists, and e-books also work well for affiliate marketing.

Formats for Presentation:

1. Articles: Detailed reviews, rankings, and tutorials are well-suited if you have a text blog. Articles can be complemented with images, infographics, and tables for better perception. This is the format I work with.
2. Videos: Video reviews, unboxings, tutorials, and live streams are popular formats for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Videos capture attention and allow for a visual demonstration of the product.
3. Posts and Stories in Social Media: Short and visual formats like Instagram or TikTok posts and stories are ideal for quick reviews and recommendations.

There are more complex formats that require time to build an audience, but they create a more loyal following and can become a stable source of passive income in the long run:

1. Podcasts: Great for interviews, discussing personal experiences, and success stories. This allows for a deeper exploration of the topic and attracts an audience that prefers audio content.
2. Email Newsletters: Regular emails with reviews, guides, and product selections help maintain contact with the audience and generate sales.
3. E-books and Checklists: Detailed guides and useful materials in the form of e-books and checklists can be used in exchange for a subscription or to promote affiliate products and services.

When choosing a content format, it's important to plan how people will find it. Often, beginners create quality content but choose the wrong platform for placement, resulting in no views or sales. We will discuss how to avoid this next.

What Do Examples Look Like?

Let's look at some examples of projects that have successfully monetized through affiliate marketing. Let's start with my website.

1. Monetization Blog → slobodskyi.com

I write articles with reviews of services and tools for earning money.

For example, how to withdraw money using the Payoneer payment system.

All materials are available in three languages — English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

In the article, I explain in detail who this system is suitable for, describe the fees, pros, and cons, and provide a step-by-step guide to registration with an affiliate link.

Under the terms of Payoneer's affiliate program, when a referred user deposits their first thousand dollars, we both receive a payment.

For several years, my main income came solely from this article.

Here is the payout statistics for the affiliate program.

I have been using Payoneer for many years — it is a secure payment system with low fees. Even if it didn't have an affiliate program, I would still recommend it.

I also have an article on what OnlyFans is — a detailed guide on how to create a profile and start earning.

OnlyFans offers an affiliate program for attracting new creators, sharing part of its commission from their earnings for the first year.

In addition to the article on OnlyFans, I created a series of videos a few years ago.

I had an empty channel, but the videos performed well and are still generating traffic, with a total view count of over 350K.

Most views come from search queries for the right keywords.

Statistics on payouts for the OnlyFans affiliate program.

he last example is an article on how to make money on Shutterstock.

A detailed guide on what steps to take and which materials are best to upload.

The essence of the affiliate program is that for each sale made by a referred author, you earn $0.04.

It may seem like a small amount, but small sums add up, and in 2019, I managed to achieve good results.

Currently, the Shutterstock affiliate program has dropped significantly.

This happens; it's normal.

Most of the traffic to my materials comes from organic search.

People Google topics I have written about and find my articles in search results.

Here are the statistics for clicks to my site from Google.

Do you see the sharp drop?

That was when I migrated from Tilda to Webflow and added new languages.

The traffic dropped by 95% at the time, but I managed to recover.

My format is long articles on a separate website. It's a rather complicated and lengthy process, but if done right, such an article can bring income for several years without additional attention.

If you are just starting from scratch, I recommend starting with videos and posts on platforms rather than on your own site.

I enjoy creating content about different ways to make money online, and it's especially rewarding that I only earn when my readers start making money thanks to my materials. This motivates me to create honest, effective, and understandable content.

Now, let's look at a few other projects.

2. Swim University

Swim University is a website with guides on pool maintenance.

In the articles, there are ads for pool care products, equipment, and accessories.

When readers click on the links and make purchases, the author earns a commission.

Matt Giovanisci, the author of Swim University, writes the articles himself, creates illustrations, and makes videos.

Swim University has been running since 2006 and is a well-respected resource with a large audience.
The author has over 30 years of experience working with pools.

The project now generates a stable income, but replicating such success requires a lot of time and effort.

It's important to choose a topic that will remain relevant over the years and one you find interesting for creating new content.

He also has a blog called MoneyLab, where he shares his experience in monetizing projects.

3. Heart Defensor

Heart Defensor creates unboxing videos of various products — cosmetics, accessories, decor, and gadgets.

She stands out from others because all her products and video designs are in a unified style and color palette — pink and cute.

A specific style or rules for choosing products for promotion can help attract a relevant audience. Don’t try to please everyone.

The monetization strategy is simple:

1. She makes a video about a new product.
2. She leaves an affiliate link for purchasing.
3. She earns a commission on sales.

4. AliOlesia

AliOlesia creates product reviews for items from AliExpress.

Marketplaces like AliExpress, Amazon, or eBay have their affiliate programs, and you can promote any of their products.

There are many products to choose from, so you can pick a specific category and build a blog around it.

The affiliate commission on AliExpress can be up to 9%, and for some promotional items, it can be significantly higher.

From her social networks, AliOlesia directs traffic to a mini-site where links to recent reviews are posted.

I also liked that the author has an active Telegram channel where all reviews are categorized.

Building a community around your blog is a great way to increase trust and sales.

5. Caitlin's Corner

Caitlin shares her daily life, organization tips, travel experiences, and useful life hacks.

Her videos cover topics ranging from setting up gadgets and self-care to Q&As and product unboxings.

Descriptions contain links to the books and products that Caitlin uses.

6. Roberto Blake

Roberto Blake creates content on YouTube growth and making money through content creation.

In his blog, he talks about monetization, working with sponsors, and creating successful videos.

In the descriptions of his videos, he leaves links to various services that can help with video promotion.

7. Tonisophiex

Antonia Sophie shares in her blog outfits of the day (OOTD), get ready with me (GRWM) sessions, and inspiring moments from her life.

For fashion bloggers, there are special services where you can upload photos, tag the catalog items you're wearing, and automatically generate affiliate links for purchasing these items in stores.

As always, for every purchase, the author receives a commission.

We've reviewed examples of creators who produce content in various formats: articles, long video reviews, and short TikTok clips.

These creators work in different niches and themes, showcasing various approaches to using affiliate marketing.

I hope by now you are beginning to understand if affiliate marketing could be useful for you.

Let's now discuss where to start and how to succeed.

How Much Can You Earn in Affiliate Marketing?

Income from affiliate marketing depends on the niche, product, traffic sources, and type of program.

Here are the main factors that influence earnings:

1. Niche and Product: Popular niches, such as finance and software, can bring more income.
2. Traffic Source: Different platforms yield different results. For example, YouTube and text blogs may have different conversion rates.
3. Type of Program: Commissions can vary — from pay-per-click (PPC) to a percentage of sales (CPS).

Earnings Examples:

1. Beginners: From $100 to $500 per month with minimal expenses.
2. Experienced Affiliates: From $1,000 to $5,000 if there is stable traffic and experience.
3. Professionals: $10,000 and above, if you have large channels or communities.

Affiliate marketing can provide both supplementary income and become your primary source of earnings.

It all depends on your approach and strategy.

Unfortunately, no one can guarantee success and high earnings.

If you already have an audience, it will be easier for you to start, and you can earn your first money faster. But if you’re starting from scratch, be prepared for small commissions at first.

It's important to understand that earning through affiliate marketing takes time and effort.

How to Start Earning in Affiliate Marketing?

To successfully earn in affiliate marketing, it's essential to follow several steps:

• Choose a niche: Determine a topic that interests you and in which you have expertise. It could be finance, health, technology, or any other area. The niche should be narrow enough to stand out from competitors but broad enough to have potential clients.
• Find an affiliate program: Select suitable affiliate programs that offer products or services in your niche. Examples of popular platforms: Amazon Associates, ClickBank, CJ Affiliate, Admitad. Pay attention to cooperation terms, commission rates, and supported payment methods.
• Create quality content: Content is the foundation of affiliate marketing. It could be blog articles, video reviews, podcasts, or social media posts. It's essential that your content is helpful and solves your audience's problems. For instance, if you’re in the health niche, publish product reviews, recipes, and fitness tips.
• Attract an audience: Use SEO, social media, email marketing, and other channels to draw more people to your content. Engage actively with your audience: respond to comments, conduct surveys to better understand their needs.
• Analyze results and optimize: Regularly assess the effectiveness of your affiliate links and content. Use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to track traffic and conversions. This will help you understand what works and what doesn't and optimize your strategy.
• Grow and scale: As your traffic and income grow, invest in promotion (like paid advertising) and try new channels. Over time, you can connect additional affiliate programs and expand your reach.

Starting to earn in affiliate marketing is simple, but to succeed, it is essential to be consistent, create quality content regularly, and analyze your results.

How to Choose a Product?

There are several options:

1. Promote what you already use: Find out if the services you currently use have affiliate programs. Usually, information about an "Affiliate Program" is placed in the footer of the website.
2. Marketplaces: As mentioned earlier, large marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, iHerb, and others offer affiliate programs for all their products.
3. Register on affiliate platforms: There are special websites where affiliate programs are grouped by categories. You can look for ideas there.

Choosing a Niche

A niche is the topic or market you will work in.

Choosing a niche should be based on several criteria:

1. Interest and Expertise: Choose a niche that interests you and in which you have knowledge or experience. This helps create more high-quality and convincing content.
2. Demand Analysis: Research the demand for the niche using tools like Google Trends, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. Pay attention to popular queries and search volumes to see if the topic interests people.
3. Competition: Assess the level of competition in the chosen niche. If competition is too high, it will be hard to break into the market. If it is too low, it might mean that demand for this topic is weak.
4. Profitability: Find out if companies are willing to pay high commissions in the chosen niche. For example, niches in finance, hosting, and software often offer high commissions.

I plan to create content about analyzing demand and competition in the future.

Here is a list of questions that will help you decide on a niche:

• What topics interest me, and am I ready to write or create content about them for a long time?
• What am I good at, or can I become an expert so that my audience trusts my recommendations?
• What problems or needs can I help solve with my content?
• Is there demand for this topic on the internet, and how many people are searching for information about it?
• How competitive is the chosen niche? Can I offer something unique or unusual?
• What affiliate programs are available in this niche, and what terms do they offer?
• How stable is this niche? Will it be relevant in a year, five years?
• What types of content (articles, videos, podcasts) work best in this niche?
• What audience do I want to attract, and what type of content will be helpful to them?
• What promotion channels are best suited for the chosen niche — SEO, social media, YouTube, etc.?

These questions will help you analyze your interests, skills, and market opportunities to choose the most suitable niche for affiliate marketing.

Choosing a Platform

Register on affiliate marketing platforms to explore available offers.

The choice of platform may depend on your country, so make sure you can withdraw earned money before starting work.

1. Amazon Associates: One of the most popular programs for those who create content about products available on Amazon. It allows you to earn commissions from purchases by directing the audience to products from a million available categories.
2. ShareASale: Known for its variety of offers from small and large brands. It is especially suitable for creators who want to collaborate with niche stores and promote unique products, from clothing to subscription services.
3. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction): A good choice for those working with well-known brands and experienced in affiliate marketing. The platform offers analytical tools and support, allowing you to maximize income through high-quality content and high traffic.
4. Rakuten Advertising: Suitable for creators targeting premium brands. The program stands out with its high commissions and personalized offers, making it a profitable solution for working with luxury products.
5. Impact: A modern platform ideal for those who want to automate the affiliate marketing process and work with influencers. Flexible settings and advanced analytics allow you to quickly connect new partners and control campaign effectiveness.

You may also be interested in affiliate programs from AliExpress, eBay, and iHerb.

Choosing the right niche and product is the foundation of success in affiliate marketing.

Ensure the niche matches your interests and competencies, and the product is of high quality and in demand.

How to Create Content?

For successful affiliate marketing, it's important to create content that attracts, informs, and encourages the audience to take action.

We’ve already discussed which content formats work best for affiliate marketing.

To recap briefly: honest product reviews, recommendation lists ("Top-10"), step-by-step guides, video content, and product comparisons — all these help effectively promote affiliate links as they address the audience's needs and interests.

I create content that complements itself. For example, in an article about Shutterstock, I mention the Payoneer payment system, making the materials more valuable and allowing me to promote several affiliate products simultaneously.

How to create quality content is a separate article that will appear in the future.

For now, here is a list of content ideas generated by ChatGPT.

1. Maria — Fashion Blogger

Maria shares fashion looks, style tips, and clothing collections for different occasions.

Content ideas:

1. Video "How to Style for Fall with Basic Items": Shows her outfits and provides links to similar products.
2. Instagram Post "5 Ways to Wear One Dress": Photos and descriptions of different combinations with accessories, links to products.
3. Reels "What to Wear on a Date": Short videos with outfit options and affiliate links for purchase.
4. Video "My Favorite Everyday Accessories": An overview of accessories with recommendations on where to buy them.
5. Post "Comparing Mass Market and Luxury": Examples of items from different price categories, links for purchase.

2. Alexey — Tech Blogger

Alexey shares simple life hacks and reviews gadgets and apps for everyday life.

Content ideas:

1. Video "Review of the Best Productivity Apps": Shares his experience using apps and provides download links.
2. Post "Top 5 Useful Smartphone Accessories": Text with photos and links to buy accessories.
3. Comparison "Best Budget Headphones of 2024": Video with testing and affiliate links for purchase.
4. Video "How to Quickly Set Up a New Smartphone": Demonstration and recommendations with links to accessories.
5. Post "Review of Meditation and Relaxation Apps": Short descriptions with affiliate links to premium versions.

3. Elena — Beauty Blogger

Elena talks about makeup and skincare, reviews beauty products, and shares life hacks.

Content ideas:

1. Video "My Daily Skincare Routine": Demonstrates using products with affiliate links for purchase.
2. Reels "How to Do Evening Makeup in 10 Minutes": A short video with step-by-step actions and links to products.
3. Review "Top 3 Best Moisturizers": Blog post or video with affiliate links for purchase.
4. Instagram Post "What's in My Makeup Bag": Photos with descriptions and links to cosmetics.
5. Video "Testing New Budget Makeup Products": Demonstration and purchase links.

4. Sergey — Fitness Blogger

Sergey shares simple home workouts and nutrition tips for beginners.

Content ideas:

1. Video "5 Simple Exercises for Home": Shows exercises without equipment and provides links to mats and resistance bands.
2. Post "How to Choose Protein for Beginners": Explanations with recommendations and product links.
3. Reels "Morning Workout for Energy": A short video with simple exercises and links to equipment.
4. Video "My Nutrition Day: What I Eat to Stay Fit": Talks about his diet with affiliate links to products.
5. Post "Bodyweight Training vs. Gym Training": Explanations and links to home equipment.

5. Olga — Travel Blogger

Olga talks about travel, shares her routes, trip planning tips, and reviews of places.

Content ideas:

1. Post "How to Plan a Perfect Weekend Trip": Tips and affiliate links for flights and hotels.
2. Video "5 Best Travel Apps": Demonstrates apps and provides download links.
3. Article "How to Choose a Budget Hotel and Not Make a Mistake": Recommendations and booking links.
4. Instagram Post "What to Take in Carry-On: Tips and Tricks": Photos of items with purchase links.
5. Video "How to Find the Best Restaurants in an Unfamiliar City": Tips and affiliate links to guides and apps.

You can also use ChatGPT to generate content ideas in your niche.

How to Find an Audience?

Content promotion methods are a key element of affiliate marketing.

The main idea: publish where people can find you more easily.

In a separate article, we will go into detail on all the methods, but the basic recommendation is: start with platforms where there is already an audience ready to consume your content.

For example, creating videos on YouTube can bring more traffic than posting on your separate website because people often search for video reviews and tutorials.

The two simplest formats:

1. Video Content on YouTube: Video reviews, tutorials, and helpful tips. Optimize titles and descriptions to make the videos easier to find in search.
2. Social Media: Publish posts, stories, and Reels on popular platforms (Instagram, TikTok) to attract followers organically.

The main thing is to start with platforms that have a ready audience and gradually move to more complex promotion methods like SEO and paid advertising.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the main steps to getting started with affiliate marketing.

We covered which content formats are most effective and how to choose the ones that best suit your audience.

We also looked at which platforms and tools will help you find and attract new subscribers, turning them into loyal customers.

The main idea is to publish content where you will be found, using popular platforms like YouTube and social media.

By following these recommendations, you can create a successful affiliate marketing strategy that brings in stable income and grows your brand.

In the following articles, we will break down examples of how to choose a product, create content, and find an audience.