How I Started Affiliate Marketing

Hey,

I wasn’t a marketing expert or tech genius when I started. I just had a laptop, curiosity, and a bit of determination. That’s it.

Affiliate marketing is simple: you share a product or service you like, and if someone buys through your link, you earn a small commission. No selling, no shipping, no stress.

I started with stuff that was useful:

Honey — saves money when I shop

Rakuten — cashback on purchases

Marketing courses — taught me the ropes

I wasn’t pushing random stuff. I shared what worked for me, and when I realized I could earn through affiliate programs, I went for it.

How You Can Start

1.Pick a niche you care about.

There a niches out there. The most useful ones are Travel, Technology, Pet, Health and Wellness, Fitness, Cosmetics and Beauty, Home décor, Food, Gaming and Finance.

Find affiliate programs for products you actually use. Find affiliate programs for products you actually use. I use Amazon Affiliates, which is free to join and doesn’t charge you anything. With Amazon Affiliates, you can create special links to products you already know and like, share them on your website, blog, or social media, and earn a commission when someone buys through your link. This makes it a simple and low-risk way to start earning extra income online.

2. Share your experience in a way that feels natural.

People don’t want to feel like they’re being sold to. Instead of just posting a link, tell a little story about how you use the product and why you like it. For example, if you bought a piece of tech gear that made your work easier, explain how it helped you. This makes your recommendation feel genuine and relatable, which makes people more likely to trust your suggestion.

3. Be honest — people trust real opinions more than sales pitches.

If there are things you don’t like about a product, mention them along with the positives. Being open and balanced builds trust with your audience. People can tell when someone is just trying to sell, but if you’re honest, they’ll see you as someone they can rely on for real advice. That trust is what makes affiliate marketing work long-term. 

4. Be patient — it takes time, but it can grow. You could maybe start seeing results around 6 months

Affiliate marketing doesn’t usually bring results overnight. It can take a few months before you see your first sales, and around 6 months before you notice steady results. The key is to stay consistent: keep creating content, sharing links, and building trust with your audience. Over time, your efforts can snowball into a reliable stream of income.

I started CHELSEAKNOWSFINANCE to share tools and tips that actually help.  just real stuff that works.

If you want to try affiliate marketing or just shop smarter, stick around. I’ll share what I use and what actually works.

– Chelsea