Affiliate Marketing: What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Started
When I first heard about affiliate marketing, I thought, This could be the perfect way to earn from home while taking care of my son! I imagined myself working from my laptop, bringing in extra income while my husband was off flying. Sounds great, right?
But, let me tell you—there’s a lot more to affiliate marketing than just posting a few links and waiting for commissions to roll in. I made mistakes, I hit roadblocks, and I definitely learned the hard way that success doesn’t happen overnight.
If you’re thinking about diving into affiliate marketing, let me save you some time (and frustration) by sharing what actually works, what doesn’t, and what I wish I knew from day one.
Before we dive in, I want to let you in on something…
There’s one affiliate marketing platform that has truly stood the test of time for me—the one that gave me the tools, training, and support I needed to turn this into a real business. And yes, I’m still using it today.
But here’s the thing—jumping into affiliate marketing without understanding how it actually works is a recipe for frustration! That’s why, before I share what I use, I want to walk you through the biggest lessons I’ve learned so you can start strong and avoid the mistakes I made.
Trust me, it’s worth it. 
Keep reading!
Affiliate Marketing 101: How It Works (In Real Life, Not Just Theory)
Affiliate marketing is one of the most flexible ways to earn online because you don’t need your own product or service—you simply recommend things you love, and when someone makes a purchase through your link, you earn a commission.
It’s a win-win for everyone:
The affiliate (you) gets paid for promoting helpful products. The merchant (the company) gets more exposure and sales. The customer gets a product they needed—without spending extra.
Sounds simple, right? It is in theory, but there’s a reason so many people struggle to make real money with it. Let’s talk about the biggest mistakes beginners (including myself) make and how to avoid them.
*Just a heads-up: Some links on our site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you.
The Rookie Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
1. Thinking I Could “Wing It” Without a Strategy
When I first started, I figured, How hard could it be? I posted links randomly, hoping someone would click. Spoiler alert: That did NOT work.
Affiliate marketing is a business, not just a side hustle. You need:
A strategy for who you’re helping and what you’re promoting. A platform (blog, social media, email list) to connect with your audience. A content plan so your promotions feel natural—not spammy.
Once I got serious about learning how to create content that actually converts, things changed.
2. Promoting the Wrong Products Just Because They Paid Well
At first, I was drawn to high-commission offers. Who wouldn’t want to make $100 per sale? The problem? I didn’t actually believe in those products. And my audience could tell.
Now, I only promote things I genuinely love and would recommend to a friend. If I wouldn’t buy it myself, I won’t sell it—period.
3. Trying to Do It All Alone
I spent way too much time trying to figure things out by myself. I thought I could just Google everything and piece it together. But the truth is, structured training made a huge difference.
Some courses were a waste of money (I’ll talk about that in a sec), but others gave me game-changing strategies that helped me go from confused to confident.
Affiliate Marketing Training: What’s Worth It & What’s a Scam
Not all training is created equal. Some programs are gold mines of valuable information, while others just recycle the same basic advice and slap on a ridiculous price tag.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
“Get Rich Quick” promises – If it sounds too good to be true, it is. No proof of success – Are they actually making money with what they teach? Overpriced fluff – If a course is $2,000 but only teaches what you can find in a $20 book… run.
What Helped Me the Most: Learning buyer psychology—why people buy and how to help them make the right decision. Mastering copywriting—knowing how to write in a way that builds trust and drives action. Understanding SEO and social media marketing—so my content actually gets seen.
If you’re looking into affiliate marketing training, do your research and invest wisely.
How to Set Yourself Up for Success
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Making money with affiliate marketing takes time. It’s not about getting rich overnight—it’s about building something sustainable.
My mindset shift: Instead of chasing “quick wins,” I focused on steady growth and long-term strategies. And that’s when I finally saw results.
2. Stay Adaptable
The online world changes fast. The platforms, the trends, even consumer behavior—it’s always evolving. If you’re willing to learn, test, and adapt, you’ll stay ahead of the game.
3. Track What Works (And What Doesn’t)
If you’re just guessing, you’re leaving money on the table. Track your clicks, conversions, and audience engagement so you can double down on what’s working.
4. Build Trust, Not Just Sales
The best affiliate marketers aren’t “selling”—they’re helping.
Focus on creating valuable content that solves problems, answers questions, and genuinely helps your audience. That’s how you build long-term success, not just quick commissions.
Final Thoughts: Is Affiliate Marketing Worth It?
Final Thoughts: Is Affiliate Marketing Worth It?
Absolutely—if you’re willing to put in the work.
Starting my affiliate marketing journey wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be, but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. It gave me the ability to: Work from anywhere (even with a toddler in tow!) Financially contribute while my husband built his pilot career Create our version of success—on our terms
If you’re considering affiliate marketing, my biggest advice is this: Take it seriously, treat it like a business, and never stop learning.
Want to start your own affiliate marketing journey?
The platform that helped me the most—and that I still use today—is Wealthy Affiliate. It provides everything from step-by-step training to website hosting, a supportive community, and all the tools you need to build a real, sustainable online business.
Check it out here: Wealthy Affiliate
Got questions about getting started? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to help!