No Money, No Problem: Start Affiliate Sales Today

Affiliate marketing might sound complicated, but you don’t need money or fancy gear to get started. In fact, all you really need is your smartphone and a little bit of consistency. If you’ve ever told a friend about a product you love, you’ve already done the basics of affiliate marketing. Now it’s time to do it online and get paid for it.

Let’s walk through how to begin, even if you’re starting with nothing but your phone and free apps.

Understand What Affiliate Marketing Is

Affiliate marketing is when you promote someone else’s product or service, and you earn a commission every time someone buys through your special link. It’s like being a digital salesperson, but you never handle the product or customer service. The company does all the work—you just share your honest opinion and the link.

Pick a Niche You Actually Enjoy

You don’t need to be an expert. Just pick a topic or theme you enjoy talking about. That could be fitness, fashion, budgeting, skincare, tech, or even funny Amazon finds. Your niche helps you stay focused and makes it easier to build trust with your audience.

Sign Up for Free Affiliate Programs

There are tons of affiliate programs that are 100% free to join. Some popular ones include:

• Amazon Associates

• Impact.com

• ShareASale

• ClickBank

• Rakuten Advertising

Pick programs that match the niche you chose. If you talk about beauty, join programs that sell skincare or makeup. If you talk about budgeting, find programs that offer money-saving tools or courses.

Use Free Platforms to Share Content

You don’t need a website to start. Use your phone and pick one or two free platforms where you can post consistently:

• TikTok: Short, helpful videos work great here

• Instagram: use Reels, Stories, and posts

• Pinterest: great for linking directly to blogs or videos

• YouTube Shorts: review or demo a product

• Facebook: share in groups or make your own page

The goal is to show how the product helps or solves a problem. People trust honest, real reviews over perfect ads.

Make Simple, Helpful Content

Start small. You don’t need professional editing—just good lighting and a clear voice. Use your smartphone camera to:

• Show how you use the product

• Talk about what you like or don’t like

• Share tips or hacks related to the product

• Compare two similar products

Always include your affiliate link in your bio, description, or comments (depending on the platform’s rules).

Track What Works

As you post, pay attention to:

• Which posts get the most views or likes

• What gets clicks on your link

• What leads to actual sales

Use that info to adjust your content. Do more of what works, and tweak what doesn’t. This helps you grow faster.

Be Honest and Stay Consistent

You don’t have to be perfect—just be real. People connect with you when you’re authentic. Share what’s working for you, what isn’t, and why you like something. Also, stay consistent. Try posting 3-5 times a week to build momentum.

Don’t Wait to Start

You don’t need a perfect plan to get going. Start messy. Use what you have—your phone, your story, your voice. Learn as you go. The more you practice, the better you get. Affiliate marketing rewards those who stick with it.