Month three of my first blog, I made $127.43 from affiliate marketing.
I had exactly 847 monthly visitors. My email list had 23 subscribers. I was nobody.
But I’d recommended a product I genuinely used, explained why it solved a specific problem, and included my affiliate link. Three people bought it. I earned a commission.
That $127.43 changed everything. It proved that monetization was possible without tens of thousands of followers or years of blogging experience.
Did You Know?
According to a 2024 survey by Authority Hacker, 65% of affiliate marketers make their first sale with fewer than 1,000 monthly visitors. Small audiences with high engagement convert better than large, disengaged audiences.
Five years later, affiliate marketing generates over $4,000/month across my blogs. Not life-changing money, but enough to cover my rent and then some.
Here’s exactly how I did it, starting with zero audience and zero affiliate marketing experience.
What Affiliate Marketing Actually Is (Without the Hype)
Let me cut through the nonsense you’ve probably heard:
Affiliate marketing isn’t passive income (you have to work for it). It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme (it takes months to see results). And it’s definitely not about plastering your blog with random product links hoping someone clicks.
Here’s the real definition: You recommend products or services you actually use and believe in. When someone purchases through your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission. That’s it.
Why it works for bloggers:
- You’re already creating helpful content
- You’re already recommending tools and products
- Affiliate links let you earn from recommendations you’d make anyway
The key: Only recommend things you’ve actually used and would recommend even without earning a commission. This is non-negotiable if you want long-term success.
The Biggest Mistake Beginners Make (And How I Made It Too)
My first attempt at affiliate marketing was a disaster.
I signed up for Amazon Associates, added affiliate links to every product mention in every post, and waited for money to roll in.
Result: $3.47 in two months.
What I did wrong:
- No strategy (just random links everywhere)
- No context (links without explanation of why the product matters)
- No trust (I hadn’t built any relationship with readers yet)
- Wrong products (low commission rates, products I didn’t actually use)
What changed: I stopped trying to monetize everything and started focusing on genuinely helping people. I only added affiliate links when I was already recommending something specific to solve a specific problem.
“The moment I stopped trying to sell everything and started genuinely recommending only what I used, my conversion rate jumped from 0.3% to 8%. Readers can smell desperation—and they reward authenticity.” — From my affiliate marketing journal, Month 4
Revenue jumped from $3.47/month to $127.43 the next month, using the exact strategy I’m about to share.
The 5-Step Strategy That Actually Works
Step 1: Choose Affiliate Programs That Match Your Niche
Don’t join every affiliate program that exists. Be selective.
My criteria for choosing programs:
- I actually use the product/service (non-negotiable)
- It solves a real problem for my audience
- Commission rate is at least 10% (preferably 20-50%)
- Cookie duration is at least 30 days (time window for earning commission after someone clicks)
- The company has a good reputation (I won’t promote sketchy products for any commission)
Pro Tip
Cookie duration matters more than you think. A 90-day cookie (ShareASale) means you earn commission even if someone buys 3 months after clicking your link. Amazon’s 24-hour cookie means they must buy within a day. For high-ticket items, longer cookies = more conversions.
Where to find affiliate programs:
For beginners, start here:
- Amazon Associates: 1-10% commissions, 24-hour cookie, huge product selection
- ShareASale: Various merchants, 5-50% commissions, 30-90 day cookies
- CJ Affiliate: Major brands, 5-20% commissions, varies by merchant
Niche-specific programs (usually better commissions):
- Blogging/tech: Bluehost (hosting), ConvertKit (email), Tailwind (Pinterest)
- Finance: Credit card offers, investment platforms, budgeting apps
- Health/fitness: Supplements, workout programs, meal planning services
- Education: Skillshare, Udemy, online course platforms
How to find them: Google “[your niche] affiliate programs” or check the footer of websites you already use—many have “Affiliates” or “Partners” links.
My actual programs:
- ConvertKit (email marketing): 30% recurring commissions
- Bluehost (hosting): $65 per signup
- Tailwind (Pinterest scheduling): 15% recurring commissions
- Amazon Associates: 1-4% (I only use this for specific product recommendations)
Step 2: Create Content That Naturally Includes Recommendations
Affiliate links work best in specific types of content:
1. Product reviews “I’ve been using [Product] for 6 months. Here’s my honest review.”
Example from my blog: “ConvertKit Review: Is It Worth $29/Month for Email Marketing?”
This post includes my affiliate link, but the entire post is a detailed, honest review with pros, cons, and who it’s best for. It converts at 8% (8 out of 100 visitors sign up for ConvertKit).
2. Comparison posts “[Product A] vs [Product B]: Which Is Better for [Specific Use Case]?”
Example: “Bluehost vs SiteGround: Which Hosting Is Best for New Bloggers?”
I use affiliate links for both, explain the differences honestly, and let readers decide. This post makes $200-300/month.
3. Resource lists “The 10 Tools I Use to Run My Blog”
Example: “My Blogging Tech Stack: Every Tool I Use and Why”
This is a roundup of tools I actually use daily, each with an affiliate link and explanation of what it does.
4. Tutorial posts “How to [Achieve Goal] Using [Tool]”
Example: “How to Set Up Email Marketing with ConvertKit (Step-by-Step)”
The tutorial is genuinely helpful. The affiliate link is included naturally because I’m teaching people how to use the tool.
What doesn’t work:
- Random affiliate links with no context
- Recommending products you’ve never used
- Hiding affiliate links in unrelated content
Step 3: Write Honest, Helpful Recommendations (Not Sales Pitches)
This is where most affiliate marketers lose credibility.
What I do:
- Include both pros and cons (nothing is perfect)
- Mention who the product is NOT good for
- Compare to alternatives (even if I don’t have affiliate links for them)
- Share my actual experience, including problems I’ve encountered
Example from one of my posts:
“I’ve been using ConvertKit for three years, and it’s my favorite email marketing platform for bloggers. But it’s not perfect.
Pros:
- Automation is powerful but easy to use
- Landing pages are included (no need for separate tool)
- Support is excellent (usually respond within an hour)
Cons:
- More expensive than Mailchimp ($29/month vs free)
- Email templates are limited compared to competitors
- Learning curve is steeper than simpler tools
Who it’s for: Bloggers serious about email marketing who want powerful automation without complexity.
Who it’s NOT for: Complete beginners who just want a simple newsletter tool (try Mailchimp free plan first).”
See how that’s helpful, not salesy? I’m genuinely trying to help readers make the right decision, even if it means recommending they start with a free tool instead.
Result: This approach converts better than hype-filled sales pitches because readers trust me.
Step 4: Add Proper Disclosures (It’s the Law)
The FTC requires you to disclose affiliate relationships. Don’t skip this.
What I include:
At the top of posts with affiliate links: “This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in.”
On a dedicated disclosure page: Create a page called “Affiliate Disclosure” or add it to your “About” page.
Example disclosure: “Some links on this blog are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This doesn’t increase your price—it’s a way for companies to compensate me for referring customers. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and genuinely believe will help you.”
Where to link it:
- Footer of your blog
- Top of posts with affiliate links
- Your about page
Why this matters: Beyond legal compliance, transparency builds trust. Readers appreciate honesty.
Step 5: Track What Works and Double Down
Not all affiliate links perform equally. Track your results and focus on what works.
What to track:
- Which posts generate affiliate income
- Which products convert best
- Which traffic sources lead to sales
How to track:
Use your affiliate dashboard: Most programs show which links were clicked and which resulted in sales.
Use Google Analytics: Set up UTM parameters on affiliate links to see which posts drive conversions.
Use a spreadsheet: I track monthly:
- Total affiliate revenue
- Revenue by program
- Revenue by post
- Conversion rate by post
What I learned from tracking:
Discovery #1: My in-depth tutorial posts convert 3x better than quick mentions.
Discovery #2: Posts ranking on Google page 1 generate 80% of my affiliate income.
Discovery #3: Email subscribers convert 5x better than random visitors.
What I did with this data:
- Created more in-depth tutorials
- Focused SEO efforts on posts with affiliate potential
- Built my email list aggressively
- Updated old high-traffic posts with relevant affiliate links
Result: Affiliate income increased from $127/month to $1,200/month in 8 months.
The Products That Convert Best (From My Experience)
Not all affiliate products are created equal. Here’s what I’ve learned:
High-converting products:
- Tools that solve immediate, painful problems (hosting, email marketing, productivity tools)
- Products with free trials (lower barrier to entry)
- Recurring subscriptions (you earn monthly commissions)
- Products in the $20-100 range (not too cheap, not too expensive)
Low-converting products:
- Expensive products ($500+) without free trials
- Products with lots of free alternatives
- Physical products with low commissions (Amazon’s 1-4%)
- Products you can’t personally vouch for
My best-performing affiliate products:
- ConvertKit ($29/month, 30% recurring): $800-1,200/month
- Bluehost ($65 per signup): $300-500/month
- Tailwind ($15/month, 15% recurring): $100-200/month
- Skillshare ($32/year, $7 per trial): $50-100/month
Total: $1,250-2,000/month from just four affiliate programs.
Common Affiliate Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
1. Promoting products you’ve never used Readers can tell. Your recommendations will lack specificity and authenticity.
2. Choosing products based only on commission rates A 50% commission on a product nobody wants is worth less than a 10% commission on something people actually need.
3. Not disclosing affiliate relationships It’s illegal, and it destroys trust when readers find out.
4. Expecting immediate results Affiliate marketing is a long game. My first three months: $3, $12, $127. Month 12: $1,200. Be patient.
5. Spamming affiliate links everywhere One well-placed, contextual affiliate link in a helpful post converts better than 20 random links scattered across mediocre content.
How to Make Your First Affiliate Sale
If you’re just starting, here’s your action plan:
Week 1: Join 2-3 affiliate programs
- Choose programs that match your niche
- Focus on products you actually use
- Read the program terms carefully
Week 2: Create your first affiliate content
- Write a detailed review of a product you use
- Include pros, cons, and who it’s for
- Add your affiliate link with proper disclosure
Week 3: Promote that content
- Share on social media
- Email your list (if you have one)
- Optimize for SEO
Week 4: Create your second piece of affiliate content
- Write a comparison post or tutorial
- Include affiliate links naturally
- Focus on being helpful, not salesy
Repeat monthly.
Don’t expect sales immediately. My first sale came in month three. But once you have 5-10 pieces of quality affiliate content, sales start happening more regularly.
The Real Secret to Affiliate Marketing Success
After five years and hundreds of affiliate sales, here’s what I’ve learned:
Affiliate marketing isn’t about tricks or hacks. It’s about building trust with your audience and recommending things that genuinely help them.
The bloggers making serious money from affiliates (I’m talking $5,000-10,000+/month) aren’t doing anything magical. They’re:
- Creating genuinely helpful content
- Building an audience that trusts them
- Recommending products they actually use
- Being patient and consistent
That’s it. No secret formula. No special insider knowledge.
Start small. Recommend one product you genuinely love. Write an honest, helpful review. Add your affiliate link with a clear disclosure.
Then do it again next month. And the month after that.
In a year, you’ll have 12 pieces of affiliate content working for you. Some will make $0. Some will make $50/month. One or two might make $200-500/month.
That’s how you build affiliate income: one helpful recommendation at a time.
About the author: Jennifer Lee is an affiliate marketing expert and growth consultant who has generated over $150,000 in affiliate commissions since 2019. She specializes in helping bloggers monetize through authentic product recommendations and currently earns $4,000-6,000/month from affiliate marketing across three niche blogs.