Diving In: My First Steps Into Affiliate Marketing (and My First Payout)

If you're reading this, chances are you’ve heard about affiliate marketing and are curious if it’s really as doable as people say. That was me not too long ago—scrolling through YouTube videos, reading blog posts, and wondering, “Can I actually make money doing this?”

The short answer? Yes.

But let me walk you through my actual journey—from knowing nothing to earning my very first affiliate payout (spoiler: it wasn’t a fortune, but it was real). I’ll break it all down in simple steps, no fluff, no hype. Just what worked for me—and what didn’t.

👉 Click here to discover the system I used.

What Even Is Affiliate Marketing?

Before I jumped in, I had a vague idea of what affiliate marketing was. Basically, it’s when you promote someone else’s product or service and earn a commission when someone buys through your unique link. No need to create your own product, manage inventory, or handle customer service.

Sounds easy, right?

Well, yes and no. The concept is simple. But the execution takes patience, learning, and consistency. Fortunately, you don’t need a degree or a ton of money to start. You just need a willingness to learn and take action.

Step 1: Learning the Basics

My first step was education. I didn’t want to go in blindly, so I started researching how affiliate marketing actually works. I found some solid beginner-friendly resources—YouTube channels, blog articles, and even free courses.

Here are some of the key things I learned early on:

• Choose a niche: Don’t try to promote everything to everyone. Focus on something you’re interested in—fitness, finance, travel, tech, etc.

• Pick the right affiliate program: Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Some offer better commissions, some are easier to join, and some have products that actually sell.

• Understand the buyer’s journey: Just posting a link doesn’t mean people will click and buy. You need to build trust, offer value, and help solve a problem.

Step 2: Picking My Niche and Platform

I decided to start with something I was already interested in—personal development and productivity tools. I’d been using some apps and online courses that I genuinely loved, so it felt natural to talk about them.

Next, I had to choose where I was going to share my affiliate links. Here are a few common options:

• Blogging

• YouTube

• Instagram/TikTok

• Email newsletters

• Forums and communities

Since I already had a small personal blog (more of a hobby thing), I figured I’d start there. No pressure, no audience—just a platform to test the waters.

Step 3: Signing Up for Affiliate Programs

Here’s where things started feeling real.

I signed up for a few affiliate programs. Some were easy to join (like Amazon Associates), while others required an application and approval process. I ended up focusing on just two programs to start with: one for a time-management tool I used daily, and another for an online course platform.

Pro tip: Don’t go crazy signing up for dozens of programs. Focus on a few products you actually use and believe in.

Step 4: Creating Content That Doesn’t Feel “Salesy”

The big challenge? Not sounding like a walking ad.

I started writing blog posts that offered real value. For example:

• “5 Productivity Tools That Actually Help Me Get Stuff Done”

• “How I Beat Procrastination Using This Simple App”

• “The Online Course That Changed How I Plan My Day”

Each post was honest, helpful, and included my affiliate links naturally—never forcing it. I also disclosed when links were affiliate links (because it’s the right thing to do, and it builds trust).

Step 5: My First Clicks (and Doubts)

At first, it felt like I was writing into the void. No traffic, no clicks, no sales. I started wondering, Is this even worth it?

But I kept going.

I shared my blog posts in small online communities where I was already active. I made sure to help first—answer questions, join discussions—then share my blog only when it made sense.

Eventually, I started seeing some traffic. Then, the first few clicks on my affiliate links. Still no sales, but I was getting closer.

Step 6: My First Commission 🎉

About five weeks in, I logged into my affiliate dashboard and saw it: $27.40.

It wasn’t much—but it was everything. Proof that it worked. Proof that I could do this.

Someone had clicked my link, signed up for the online course I recommended, and made a purchase. I earned a commission because I shared something that genuinely helped me.

It felt amazing.

👉 Click here to discover the system I used.

What I’ve Learned (So Far)

Here’s a quick roundup of what I’ve learned in these early days:

1. Start simple – Don’t overthink. Pick a niche, pick a product, start sharing your experience.

2. Be authentic – People can tell when you're just trying to make a sale. Talk about what you use and why it works.

3. Stay consistent – Success didn’t come overnight. But every blog post, every helpful comment, and every shared link added up.

4. Track what works – Use basic analytics to see which posts get clicks, what content your audience likes, and what’s converting.

5. Celebrate the small wins – Your first click. Your first commission. They’re all signs you’re on the right path.

What’s Next?

Now that I’ve had a taste of what’s possible, I’m all in. I’m learning about SEO, email marketing, and even dabbling in short-form videos to reach a bigger audience.

This is just the beginning for me—but I hope sharing my journey helps you take your first steps too.

Ready to Start Your Affiliate Journey?

If you’re curious about how I got started, what tools I used, and the exact system that helped me get my first commission, I’ve got you covered.

👉 Click here to discover the system I used.