How to Start Affiliate Marketing for Beginners… Step 4

💸 Step 4

Passive Income Online?

(Note: If you haven’t picked your niche yet, I highly recommend checking out Step 5 first so you know exactly who you’re helping!)

…Step by step… (by the way, this is a great affiliate marketing strategy)

Affiliate marketing is more than just ‘passive income.’ When done right, it’s a way to build a Legacy of Abundance.

It’s about recommending tools that truly help people get Unfrozen, while creating an income that doesn’t require you to trade every hour of your life for a paycheck… this is done by promoting products you love… no inventory, no hustle.

And if you’ve decided to dip your toe into this amazing beginner strategy…

…You’re probably wondering how to start affiliate marketing for beginners.

Maybe you’ve heard it’s a great way to earn passive income online.

And you’re right…

…but you want to do it in a way that feels honest, sustainable, and aligned with your values.

Personally, I think it’s one of the best small business ideas out there for beginners.

I’ll share exactly how to get started, what to look for, and a few helpful affiliate marketing tips most people skip over. 💛

If you’re still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the idea of making money online, make sure you’ve read Step 2: How to Make Money Online for Beginners. It sets the stage for everything we’re doing here.

What Is Affiliate Marketing (and Why It’s So Beginner-Friendly)?

Affiliate marketing is when you share a product or service you like… and if someone buys it through your special link, you earn a commission. That’s it. No inventory, no customer service, no weird sales pressure. You’re not even creating the product or shipping anything. It’s kind of like being a digital word-of-mouth messenger… and getting paid for it! Personally, I think it’s one of the best small business ideas out there.

Here’s how it works:

→ An affiliate product is simply a product or service that someone else created (not you!)

→ You join their affiliate program.

→ You get a unique tracking link for that product or service.

→ You share that link with your audience (on your blog, Pinterest, email list, etc.).

→ When someone clicks and buys, you earn a commission.

How to Start Affiliate Marketing for Beginners? (Step-by-Step)

1. Choose a Niche You Actually Care About

Before joining any program, think about who you’re helping and what you’re passionate about. Are you focused on faith-based business tips? Clean living? Healthy meals? Digital tools for entrepreneurs? That focus helps you build trust… and recommend products that truly help.

2. Look for Affiliate Programs That Fit Your Focus

Some great beginner-friendly programs include:

ShareASale (now Awin) or Impact These are large, reputable marketplaces where you can find brands you already know and trust. Instead of “get rich quick” products, you can find high-quality health, home, and business tools that align with your values.

PageWheel
PageWheel has a great affiliate program but ya gotta be a member to promote.
(If you choose this, use code SUSIEQ10 for $10 off 1st month)

Fearless Influencer Academy
Especially great if you’re just starting or feel unsure about promoting online.

📝 Insider Tip: Scroll to the bottom of a website you love. Look for links that say “Affiliate,” “Partners,” or “Referral Program.”

Example:

Susie’s Current Focus: I’m currently using this exact strategy in my ‘Pure Living & Abundance’ niche. I’m sharing non-toxic products like LiveGood and Jordan Essentials because they help people break the cycle of being ‘sick and poor.’ By choosing products that align with my values, I’m not just making a commission… I’m helping someone else break their own Survival Trap.

Look for Affiliate Applications

Also, look for “affiliate program,” “partner with us,” or “earn with us” links on websites… those are calls to join affiliate marketing.

That’s usually where you can apply. If you don’t see one of those…
Google this: brand name + affiliate program.
Or this: company + affiliate program

Most reputable retailers place affiliate program links under “Affiliate,” “Partnership,” or “Referral” in their footer. Don’t worry if you don’t have a website yet… many platforms (like Canva, Teachable, or newer niche brands) accept social media-only applications.

But big players like Amazon usually require a public site with original content. You might need to start posting simple Pinterest content or create a basic funnel to qualify.

Affiliate Marketing Strategy

Applying to Amazon is a great affiliate marketing strategy! (also see Amazon Influencer below)

Amazon Associates… Amazon Associates is often the first affiliate marketing course people try. It’s beginner-friendly but review its rules on traffic and sales carefully. You can link to almost anything, which makes it versatile (though commissions are small). Just be aware: they may require your blog or social media to meet certain traffic guidelines.

If you’re just starting, you have to make sales in a certain time period… or your account may be paused… but you can reapply!
Remember, read their guidelines!

Being an Amazon affiliate can be very lucrative:

“According to ZipRecruiter’s March 2025 data, the national average salary for an Amazon affiliate is $77,893 per year. Top earners make up to $126,500, while the lowest 13% earn between $35,000 and $43,499.”
Read more about that HERE.

The Beginner Secret: Amazon Associates vs. Amazon Influencer

Most people start with Amazon Associates (linking to products on their blog). It’s a classic, but it often requires a website and steady traffic to get approved and stay active.

But if you want the absolute easiest path to start seeing commissions, you need to look at the Amazon Influencer Program.

Why this is the #1 “Abundance Asset” for beginners:

• Low Barrier: You don’t need a 2,000-word blog post. You just need your phone.
• Video-First: You create 60-second “review videos” about products you already own (like that coffee frother or those non-toxic cleaning supplies). You don’t even need to put your face on camera!
• Amazon Does the Work: Once your videos are approved, Amazon places them right on the product pages. You aren’t “hunting” for customers; they are already there shopping!

👉 Click here to see the exact step-by-step strategy I use and recommend.

If you’re not sure what kind of products to start with, check out my 3 Side Hustle Ideas for Beginners post… it breaks down how I use simple items to break the Survival Trap.

Pinterest Affiliate Marketing: Some programs allow you to use affiliate links directly on Pinterest. No blog needed! (Always check their terms.)

Course creators and small business tools… often have better commissions and are easier to get accepted into.
If you promote a course or membership… sometimes this falls into the category of monthly recurring affiliate programs. That just means when someone buys, you get paid each month instead of just once.

What About Monthly Recurring Affiliate Programs?
If you want to build consistent income, monthly recurring affiliate programs are gold. These are programs that pay you again and again… every month… as long as the person you referred stays a customer.

Think tools like email marketing platforms, course hosting sites, or even wellness subscriptions. Want to find them? Search for “recurring affiliate programs” in your niche or check the affiliate pages of tools you already use and love.

I also recommend looking for programs with recurring commissions inside reputable marketplaces like ShareASale (now Awin), or by looking directly at the tools you use every day… like your email provider or your favorite health subscriptions!

Be honest when signing up for affiliate programs… transparency signals trustworthiness and most companies like that.

Remember: you don’t need 20 links. You need 2-3 solid ones you can build around. (and you only need to start with ONE)

Truth Bomb

*Here is a truth most gurus won’t tell you: You should never put all your eggs in one basket. In the Survival Trap, we are often dependent on one boss or one system. In an Abundance Engine, we build Multiple Streams of Income.

Why? Because companies can change their ‘algorithms,’ update their rules, or even close down overnight. If you only have one stream, you’re at the mercy of THEIR decisions. That is why we promote a few different products we love, and it’s why we build an Email List. Your email list is the only thing you truly own. It is your permanent ‘Safety Net’ that ensures your business stays standing even if a social media platform or a specific company disappears tomorrow.

This is why I choose products that align with my Pure Living mission. Recommending things that actually help people is how we build a business that lasts.

💡 Abundance Tip: When I’m looking at new affiliate programs, I have my specialty AI Assistant summarize the “terms and conditions” for me so I don’t get a headache! It also helps me brainstorm 5-10 different ways to share a single product so I never run out of ideas.

What to Know Before You Apply

Here’s what many people skip… but you’ll want to know:

• Have a home base:
  Some programs ask for your blog or social link, so be ready to share a landing page, simple funnel, or blog (more on that in Step 5).
  
• Keep a list:
  Track the programs you’ve applied for and your logins. Trust me, it gets confusing fast. 😉
  
• Always disclose:
  Legally, you must tell your readers you’re using affiliate links. Just a simple “This post contains affiliate links…” at the top or bottom of your blog post is great.
  
• Be honest:
  Recommend things you’ve used and love… or that fit naturally with your message. Your integrity matters more than any commission.
  
• Don’t stress rejections:
  (This happens with larger companies) see below.

Applying as a Beginner (no website yet?)

Top programs like Amazon Associates require a website or social media presence, but others (like Teachable or Canva affiliate) may accept applicants without one.

Tip: You can start with Pinterest or create a website page with PageWheel. (Use code SUSIEQ10 for a discount)

“What to Watch For” Tips

These quick tips will help you avoid common beginner mistakes and stay focused on what really works… without wasting time or losing trust.

Affiliate Program Application Tips:

→ If a form asks for a website and you don’t have one yet, that’s okay. Just share your Pinterest profile or mention your upcoming blog as a work-in-progress.

→ Check the approval criteria… some programs have a minimum follower count or traffic requirement.

🔍 Navigating Terms & Conditions:

→ Look out for commission percentages, cookie duration (how long you’ll get credit for a click), and payout thresholds.
Tip: Be sure to check each program’s cookie duration… this determines how long you’ll earn commissions. Many pay just 24 hours (like Amazon), while others extend to 30+ days… more time = more opportunity.

💔 When You Get Rejected From an Affiliate Program (Yep… It Happens)

Let’s say you find a product you love. You scroll to the bottom, click “Affiliate Program,” and fill out the application…

Then comes the email:

❌ “Thanks, but we’re only working with people who have a larger audience or email list right now.”

Oof.

You feel the sting.
You start questioning yourself…
“Am I even cut out for this?”

I get it… because it happened to me too.

I had fallen in love with Earthing products and was so excited to promote them.
I filled out the application…

✔ Website (still under construction) My site wasn’t even live.
✔ Facebook page (barely active)
✔ YouTube channel (only 2 videos)

I didn’t even have an email list.

I hit submit… and waited.

When I got their rejection email…
Honestly? I felt crushed.
Like I’d been told I wasn’t good enough.

But after a few tears and some chocolate, I dusted myself off and kept going.
I found other products I believed in…ones that did accept beginners.

And little by little…
I got accepted.

If you get a rejection email, don’t let it freeze you. It’s not a ‘No’ to your dreams; it’s just a sign that you need to build your foundation (like your blog or email list) a little stronger first. Dust yourself off, eat the chocolate, and keep moving! 💛

If this happens to you, please don’t take it personally.
Some brands just have strict requirements.

“You’re allowed to be a beginner. The rejection isn’t the end… it’s just redirection.” ~SusieQ

Your voice matters.
Your story matters.
And there are companies out there waiting for someone just like you.

One of The Best Affiliate Marketing Quotes

“Don’t wait until you’re confident to show up. Show up until you’re confident.” ~Jasmine Star

You’ve got this. 💛

Want to Learn Faster?

I learned so much from the Pinterest Marketing Academy… the course that helped me finally take action. It breaks everything down in small, doable steps and includes monthly calls (perfect if you overthink like me 😅). After taking this course, I understood Pinterest affiliate marketing so much better!

It’s not required, but if you’re ready to speed things up, check it out HERE.

You can also Google: ‘affiliate marketing course’. Look at the reviews.

Another option is YouTube. Search: ‘affiliate marketing videos’ OR ‘affiliate marketing for beginners videos’. Make sure the videos are reliable AND check the comments.

“The key to success with affiliate marketing is to just get started.”

~ Pat Flynn

📚 Success Secret: Your Mindset Foundation

Affiliate marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. If you find yourself feeling “frozen” or doubting your worth, you likely need a mindset reset. These are the 3 books I consider my “Starting Over Shortcut”… don’t skip them!

• The Greatest Miracle in the World (Identity)
• Faith and Confession (Spiritual Law)
• The Slight Edge (Daily Consistency)

💛 Final Thoughts… Let Your Business Glorify God

We’re not just here to make sales… we’re here to serve. When you choose affiliate programs that align with your values, you’re not just building income. You’re building impact… and pointing others to the glory of God in the process.

I use affiliate marketing strategy as a ministry too… sharing tools I love and trust is a way to glorify God through honest earning.

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” ~1 Corinthians 10:31

🌸 Ready to see the full path? You don’t have to do this alone. Check out my Roadmap on the Start Here page. It’s my gift to you, to help you visualize every step of your journey from the ‘Survival Trap’ to your very own ‘Abundance Engine.’

Coming Up Next:

Now that you understand the basics of affiliate marketing, it’s time to get clear on who you’re building this business for.

In the next step, we’ll walk through how to find your niche market… in plain, beginner-friendly terms… so you can confidently move forward and attract the right people to your content…