Affiliate marketing is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to start earning passive income online. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom like myself, a college student, or just tired of trading hours for dollars, affiliate marketing offers a way to make money by simply recommending products or services you love.
In this guide, I’ll break down affiliate marketing in simple terms, show you how to get started, and share how you can start earning today—even if you have zero experience. As I like to remind people we all have to start from somewhere. Im a stay at home mom to 5 and if it wasn’t for a leap of faith I would have never started my journey. Now fast ahead I’m now making 6 figures and my fiancé was capable of quitting his job. I love what I do and now its your turn to step out of your comfort zone and start learning how you can do it to.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a process where you earn a commission by promoting someone else’s product or service. You get a unique referral link, and when someone makes a buy through your link, you earn a percentage of the sale.
Here’s a super simple breakdown:
You find a product you trust (like a digital product, tool, or course).
You promote it online through social media, blog posts, email lists, etc.
Someone clicks your link and buys.
You earn money. That’s it!
Why Affiliate Marketing Works (Especially for Beginners)
✅ No need to create your own product
✅ Low to zero startup costs
✅ Work from anywhere
✅ Scalable — You can grow from $0 to full-time income with consistency
And the best part? You can build a business around topics you already love—like digital products, mom life, or self-care routines.
You don’t need to be techy to get started. Here are the basics:
An affiliate program or network (like ShareASale & Amazon Associates)
A platform to share your links (Blog, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube)
Simple marketing skills — like how to write captions, create pins, or talk to your audience
Want to skip the hard part? I learned everything I needed to learn to start making 6 figures with affiliate marketing with Legendary Marketer. I started out with the 5 day challenge. I haven’t looked back since and I’m so happy that I never did!
How to Choose the Right Affiliate Products
Not all affiliate products are created equal. Here’s how to pick good ones:
They solve a real problem
You’ve used it or believe in it
They offer fair commission rates (20%–50%+)
They align with your audience or niche
Fun fact: I started out with the Digital Product Bundle learned from it and since I’m in the side hustle niche, I resold it to my audience and made 100% commission. You can do the same too.
Ways to Promote Affiliate Links Without Feeling Salesy
If you’re afraid of being “salesy”—don’t worry. You can recommend affiliate products naturally, like:
“Tools I use” blog posts
Instagram stories or TikToks showing the product in action
Pinterest pins leading to your blog post or landing page
Email newsletters with helpful tips and links
👉 Need help writing your emails or content? My DFY bundle includes pre-written email templates, product mockups, and plug-and-play content so you can start promoting right away.
Quick Start Checklist for New Affiliate Marketers
Here’s how to start today:
✅ Pick 1–2 affiliate products you love
✅ Sign up for their affiliate programs
✅ Grab your unique links
✅ Post helpful content with those links
✅ Track what works and double down on it
🌟 BONUS: Want to earn and learn? When you promote my DFY Bundle, you get 100% commission. You also gain access to everything inside to start your own business. Check it out here→
Final Thoughts
Affiliate marketing is not a get-rich-quick scheme—but it is one of the most powerful ways to earn passive income while you build your dream life.
If you stay consistent and treat it like a real business, the results will come.
