Affiliate Marketing 101: How to Earn Passive Income Online

Affiliate marketing sounds like the dream, right?

Money rolling in while you sip coffee in your PJs? Well, sort of. It’s not truly passive... at least, not at the start. There’s always upfront work involved, whether it’s creating content, building trust, or just figuring out what works. But once you lay the groundwork, that effort keeps paying off with way less input over time.

No inventory, no customer service, just commissions rolling in? The reality? It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it is a legitimate way to build passive income if you approach it strategically.

If you’ve been curious about how affiliate marketing works and whether it’s worth your time, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

At its core, affiliate marketing is recommending products or services and earning a commission when someone makes a purchase through your unique link.

Brands want more customers, and you help them get those customers - simple as that.

You're basically doing sales.

Think about the last time you raved about your favorite coffee machine or the game-changing software that made your life easier.

Imagine if you got paid every time someone took your advice and bought it?

That’s affiliate marketing in a nutshell.

My Affiliate Marketing Journey (and What's Worked Best for Me)

I’ve dipped in and out of affiliate marketing over the years: Starting, stopping, trying different platforms, and sometimes just forgetting about it altogether. Or life takes over, and it becomes less of a priority.

I’ve tested a bunch of affiliate platforms over the years, and honestly, some worked better than others. The one I’ve had the most success with? Systeme.io. It’s free to start, great support community, which made it an easy choice when I was still figuring things out.

My first earnings from Systeme.io affiliate marketing!

While not affiliate marketing, I also generate passive income through some other methods: Etsy store and Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). Both of these, like affiliate marketing, require upfront work in creating products, designing listings but over time, have continued to generate income with way less effort. It becomes low-touch to maintain.

So... How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

1. Join an Affiliate Program: Sign up for affiliate programs from brands you trust. Interested in beginning your affiliate marketing journey with Systeme.io? Learn more here.

2. Get Your Unique Link: Once approved, you’ll receive a trackable link.

3. Recommend Products or Services: Share the link through blogs, social media, email newsletters, or YouTube videos.

4. Earn Commissions: When someone purchases through your link, you earn a percentage of the sale!

Best Affiliate Networks to Get Started

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some top affiliate networks that connect you with reputable brands:

Amazon Associates: Great for beginners, promoting a wide range of products.
ShareASale: Connects you with merchants across different industries.
Impact: Works with big-name brands like Canva and offers higher commissions.
Systeme.io Affiliate Program: A high-paying option (you earn 60% of lifetime commission) for those in the digital business space. Use my affiliate link - there's no charge to you!

Tips for Success in Affiliate Marketing

Promote Products You Believe In: Your audience trusts you, so don’t push products just for commissions.
Create Valuable Content: Reviews, tutorials, and in-depth guides perform better than just posting links.
Know Your Audience: Match the products you promote with the needs and interests of your readers or followers.
Be Transparent: Disclose affiliate links to build trust and comply with regulations.

Is Affiliate Marketing Right For You?

Affiliate marketing works best if you enjoy creating content and have an engaged audience, even if it's a small one. It’s not about throwing links everywhere and hoping for the best (trust me, I’ve been there).

It’s about genuinely recommending things that have helped you and sharing them in a way that feels natural and valuable. If you’re willing to put in the effort up front, it can absolutely become a sustainable way to earn passive income on your terms.

But remember, it’s not about quick wins or spamming links everywhere. The real magic is in building trust and offering recommendations that genuinely help people.

If that sounds like your thing, it might just be the perfect way to earn an income through affiliate marketing on your terms.