I still remember the exact moment I saw that email pop up on my phone: “You’ve earned a commission!” It was a tiny amount—just a few dollars—but I felt like I had just won the lottery. I jumped up from my chair, grinning like a fool. I didn’t know exactly how it happened. I had no idea what I was doing. But somehow, it worked.
If you're new to affiliate marketing and wondering how do people actually make money doing this?, you're in the right place. This is the story of how I made my very first affiliate commission—completely clueless, totally unprepared, but incredibly excited. And I’ll share what I learned so you can (hopefully) skip some of my early mistakes.
👉 Click here to discover the system I used.
What Even Is Affiliate Marketing?
Let’s break it down really simply.
Affiliate marketing is when you promote someone else’s product or service, and if someone buys through your unique link, you get paid a commission. You don’t need to create a product, deal with customer service, or ship anything. Just share the link, help someone make a decision, and earn money when they buy.
Sounds easy, right?
Well… not exactly. But it is simple. And the best part? You can start with zero experience, just like I did.
How I Stumbled Into Affiliate Marketing
It all started when I was scrolling YouTube, frustrated with my 9-to-5 job and desperately Googling “how to make money online.” I must have watched 15 videos that day. Everyone seemed to be talking about affiliate marketing.
At first, it sounded too good to be true. But I kept hearing the same thing: “Just get started.” So I did.
I found a beginner-friendly affiliate program (more on that later), signed up, got my link, and started promoting it. The only problem? I had no idea what I was doing.
👉 Click here to discover the system I used.
What I Did (Totally Wrong, But Still Worked)
Here’s what I did—spoiler alert: I didn’t have a website, an audience, or a strategy. I just had curiosity and a bit of courage.
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I signed up for an affiliate program.
I picked something I believed in. It was a digital product that promised to teach people how to start an online business—seemed relevant to me. -
I posted my link on social media.
I shared it on my personal Facebook with a short post like, “Hey, I found this cool training for anyone wanting to make money online. It’s free to start. Check it out.” That’s it. No long explanation, no strategy. -
I forgot about it.
I figured, “Well, that was a waste of time.” But a few days later, I got an email notification. Someone had signed up and bought through my link.
Boom. My first commission.
What I Learned (The Hard Way)
That little win lit a fire in me. But it also made me realize how much I didn’t know. Here’s what I wish someone had told me:
1. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Start
If you’re waiting until you “know everything,” you’ll never begin. I had zero experience and still made a sale. The key is just taking that first messy step.
2. People Buy From People, Not Links
People clicked my link because they knew me. I wasn’t some random internet stranger. That trust helped me make the sale. Later, I learned how to build that kind of trust with strangers, too—but in the beginning, lean into your existing network.
3. The Right Product Matters
Choose something you actually believe in. If you wouldn’t recommend it to your best friend, don’t promote it. Authenticity matters, especially online.
4. You Need a System (Eventually)
Posting a link randomly and hoping for the best is not a long-term strategy. After that first lucky sale, I started learning about funnels, email lists, content marketing, and automation—tools that make affiliate marketing more consistent (and scalable).
👉 Click here to discover the system I used.
What I’d Do Differently If I Started Today
If I had to start all over again, here’s the simple beginner blueprint I’d follow:
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Pick one solid affiliate program with beginner training, high-quality products, and good commissions.
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Learn the basics of online marketing—like how to create content, how to use social media or simple landing pages, and how to talk about products in a way that helps people.
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Focus on solving a problem. People don’t buy “products,” they buy solutions. What pain point does your offer solve?
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Be consistent. One post won’t change your life. But small, steady efforts? Game-changer.
You Don’t Need Luck—You Just Need Action
Was it really beginner’s luck?
Maybe.
But more than that, it was beginner’s action. I didn’t wait to have a perfect strategy. I didn’t wait until I felt “ready.” I just clicked a few buttons, shared something I believed in, and let it ride.
And that one tiny commission was enough to show me what’s possible.
Since then, I’ve learned a lot more, made more commissions, and even started helping others do the same. But I’ll always remember that first sale—because it proved this whole thing actually works.
Final Thoughts: If I Can Do It, You Can Too
I’m not a tech wizard. I didn’t have money to invest. I didn’t have a fancy website or a giant following. I was just someone who wanted more freedom, and I was willing to try something new.
If you’ve made it this far in the post, maybe that’s you too.
So here’s your next step:
👉 Click here to discover the system I used.
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