This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.

The other day I was in my mastermind group and I overhead a conversation where someone shared that they believe Affiliate Marketing is a scam because of how easy it is to get started. If it was so easy why isn't everyone successful at it.

It made me chuckle. I wanted to let them know that not only do they have it all wrong, they are missing some really important ingredients as to why it works for some, and not for others.

You see, it IS easy to get started, (and toward the ending of this blog I'm going to show you how you can use three popular platforms to create a boost in your new business).

There is no secret sauce to getting started.

As long as you meet the advertisers criteria, you can get started before dinner time.

☑️ First you pick a niche (target audience) you resonate with.

☑️ Figure out what problems/wants/needs they are trying to solve.

☑️ Find an affiliate product/service that can solve them.

☑️ Apply to become an affiliate (and get approved).

☑️ Grab your unique affiliate link and start sharing your links with this niche market (in a non-spammy way) while providing VALUE as to why they should consider this product/service to solve their problem/want/needs.

☑️ Earn a commission every time someone makes a purchase using your affiliate link.

☑️ Rinse and repeat.

What makes it frustrating is people forget that there is a method to increasing your chances of success.

Manually posting your links daily is important, but without the marketing and automation plan in place, you're at the mercy of your own daily efforts and it will take you longer to create passive income. You increase your chances of burn out, and the odds of you giving up increase dramatically.

When someone says you can create passive income with Affiliate Marketing, it's because they did the "heart" work up front.

They found a high-ticket offer, they knew exactly who they wanted to target.

They created their automated systems, and now all they do is create social content driving their audience to their automated systems that literally does all the work on their behalf.

I want you to get there too!

Like with any online business, there is no such thing as the only way to build, but if you are looking for long term success in creating an actual business in Affiliate Marketing, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of building a strategy that will help create momentum.

☑️ Create a short term and long term business plan

☑️ Understand your market (sorry, you will not appeal to everyone)

☑️ Find a mentor and a group of likeminded folks who are on the same path as you.

I think people make this online business building process harder than what it needs to be.

Most people come into this business completely green with zero idea on what to do first, or they've tried fifty other home based business opportunities and they are afraid to fail or have a fear of what others might think about them starting another new thing.

I get it. I've been on both ends and I want to let you know something important!

In order to make your affiliate marketing business work you are going to have to do two things.

#1: You have to change your mindset!

This is your business, not some side-gig you hope will work.

What you put into it, is what you get out of it. Unless you have a massive list of highly engaged followers who will try anything you share online, the odds of you becoming an overnight success isn't going to happen. Most people getting started in Affiliate Marketing have zero followers and are starting from scratch. So give yourself some grace and don't put a time limit on progress.

#2: You have to be willing to create a marketing game plan.

You've got to understand what your end goals are, so you can measure your progress. Your starting point isn't the same as everyone else. Someone is coming into this with a lot more tech savviness, so when you see someone create their automated emails, opt-in funnels and welcome videos in a weekend and you're still trying to figure out how to get your affiliate links, do not get discouraged!

My suggestion is to find a group or mentor who can help you.

Sure you can google all night long, but if you want to speed up your progress, then lock arms with others who have been where you are and are willing to help you shortcut the progress. I would recommend taking the 15-Day Business Builder Challenge that I took.

Next I want you to understand that you don't need anything fancy to get started.

You just need a goal and your willingness to commit to doing something everyday that will push your business one more step and get in front of people who need what you have to offer.

Yes, automation marketing systems are important. But your goal is to get unstuck and get started. As you start to get more comfortable, you can always build up. If the tech part intimidates you then hire someone to help you get it done - don't let it stop you!

Pick a social platform that you are familiar with, or willing to learn. Examples such as TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube - just to name a few. These three platforms are perfect for launching your new business, regardless of your follower count or experience, so use them to start creating "authentic" 15-second videos.

Platform #1: TikTok – Harness the Power of Short-Form Video

Why it works:

1. Instant Visibility: TikTok's algorithm favors new content creators, giving you an equal chance to shine, even without a massive following.

2. Viral Potential: Engaging, entertaining, and authentic videos can quickly go viral, catapulting your content to thousands, if not millions, of views.

3. Niche-Specific Community: Find your tribe on TikTok, where you can connect with like-minded individuals interested in your affiliate niche.

4. Creative Expression: TikTok's unique features, filters, and effects allow you to showcase your affiliate products in fun and innovative ways.

How to make TikTok Work for your Affiliate Marketing business

☑️ Embrace the Trends: Jump on popular challenges and trends within your niche to increase visibility and reach.

☑️ Bite-Sized Education: Create short educational videos that offer valuable tips, tricks, and insights related to your affiliate products.

☑️ Showcasing Products: Demonstrate the benefits and features of your affiliate products in creative and attention-grabbing ways.

☑️ Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks: Offer glimpses into your affiliate marketing journey and the process behind your success.

Platform #2: Instagram – Visual Storytelling for Success

Why it works:

☑️ Visual Appeal: Leverage Instagram's visually-driven platform to create stunning, eye-catching posts and stories that captivate your target audience.

☑️ Engage and Connect: Utilize hashtags, geotags, and interactive features like polls and quizzes to foster meaningful connections with your audience.

☑️ Story Highlights: Curate dedicated highlight sections to showcase your affiliate products, promotions, and success stories, keeping them easily accessible to your followers.

☑️ Collaboration Opportunities: Collaborate with influencers and like-minded brands to tap into their established audience and expand your reach.

How to make Instagram Work for your Affiliate Marketing business

☑️ Engaging Visuals: Create visually appealing and attention-grabbing short videos showcasing your affiliate products.

☑️ Interactive Polls and Quizzes: Engage your audience by using interactive features like polls and quizzes to drive conversations around your products.

☑️ Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses: Share behind-the-scenes moments, giving your audience a sneak peek into your life as an affiliate marketer.

Platform #3: YouTube – Educate, Inspire, and Grow

Why it works:

☑️ In-Depth Content: YouTube's long-form video format enables you to provide detailed, educational content that establishes you as an authority in your affiliate niche.

☑️ Search Engine Visibility: Leverage YouTube's search engine capabilities to target keywords related to your products, helping potential customers discover your content.

☑️ Step-by-Step Tutorials: Share comprehensive tutorials and demos that guide viewers in using your affiliate products effectively.

☑️ Monetization Potential: As your subscriber base grows, you can monetize your YouTube channel through ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing partnerships.

How to make YouTube Work for your Affiliate Marketing business

☑️ Storytelling Magic: Craft captivating stories around your affiliate products that resonate with your target audience.

☑️ How-To Guides and Tutorials: Share step-by-step tutorials on using your affiliate products, highlighting their value and solving common pain points.

☑️ Collaborate and Network: Collaborate with fellow YouTubers or influencers within your niche to expand your reach and tap into their audience.

Benefits and Pitfalls: Navigating the Digital Landscape

The Pro's and Con's of growing your business using social media

1. Benefits: Why using one of the above platforms can be amazing for your new business.

   • Access to Massive Audiences: Each platform boasts millions of active users, giving you unparalleled exposure.

   • Authenticity and Connection: Build genuine relationships with your audience, fostering trust and loyalty.

   • Diverse Content Formats: Explore various content formats, from short videos to long-form tutorials, catering to different audience preferences.

Pitfalls: What you need to be mindful of

• Time Commitment: Consistency is key, requiring dedicated time and effort to create and maintain a consistent posting schedule.

• Platform Algorithms: Stay up-to-date with algorithm changes and guidelines to maximize visibility and avoid potential pitfalls.

• Balancing Quality and Quantity: Strive for high-quality content while ensuring a steady stream of posts, finding the right balance for your audience.

• Authenticity and Transparency: Be genuine and transparent about your affiliate marketing journey to foster trust with your audience.

• Respect Platform Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with each platform's community guidelines to avoid any actions that may result in account suspension or banning.

• Proper Disclosure: Ensure you comply with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines by disclosing your affiliate relationships clearly in your videos and posts.

Bonus : Editing Tools and Tracking Progress

Editing Made Easy: Utilize user-friendly editing tools like InShot, CapCut, or iMovie to enhance your videos and add creative effects.

Track and Analyze: Take advantage of the analytics provided by each platform to monitor engagement, reach, and the performance of your affiliate marketing campaigns.

Hopefully after reading this blog post you now feel more equipped with the knowledge to kickstart your affiliate marketing journey using TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Shorts. Remember, success comes with dedication, creativity, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Don't wait until you have it all figured out, you never will.

Embrace these platforms, unleash your potential, and start growing your affiliate marketing business today. If you looking for a fantastic course that will help you learn all the basics (and some advance tools) to growing a digital marketing business, I invite you to join me in the 15-Day Business Builder Challenge. It only cost $7 and after going through the 15 days you'll have a solid foundation to build ANY business online, including your own creations. What are you waiting for!

I'm rooting for you!