Introduction
Let’s be real for a minute: you can’t do affiliate marketing if you don’t have an audience. It’s not magic. You don’t just grab a bunch of links and suddenly start making money. People need to see your content, like it, trust you, and only then will they even think about clicking a link—let alone buying something.
So if you're starting from zero, don’t even stress about which product to promote. That’s not your first step. First, you need people. That’s what this blog is really about.
Step 1: Start building your audience now
And no, this doesn’t mean you need a million followers. You don’t even need a thousand. But you need someone. Start where you are and pick a platform you feel comfortable with.
Let’s break this down.
Pick a platform based on your vibe
You don’t have to be everywhere. Just start with one place where you can consistently show up.
If you love gaming and talk a lot: Try streaming on Twitch, Facebook Gaming, or even YouTube. People connect with real-time content. Once they watch you play, they’ll stick around for you—not just the game.
If you’re funny or love to sing or dance: Go with TikTok. You don’t need fancy gear. Just a phone, a bit of light, and your personality. Start small. Maybe funny takes, short skits, or your own twist on trending sounds.
If you know something useful (like tutorials, hacks, or skills): YouTube is perfect for this. You can teach coding, Canva tips, mobile tricks, anything really. People are always searching for how to do stuff.
The key here is: you don’t need to be a professional content creator. You just need to be consistent and helpful (or entertaining). And if you're shy or not into showing your face or voice...
Can’t create content like that? No worries, you’ve still got options
If being on camera or talking isn’t your thing, that doesn’t mean the door’s closed. You can still build an audience using AI and other tools — without paying a cent.
Here’s how to do it realistically:
Use AI to help you, not replace you
AI tools won’t make you rich overnight, but they can help you create stuff faster. Here are a few free tools you can start with:
- ChatGPT (Free version): Use it to write captions, brainstorm video ideas, blog post outlines, or even short product descriptions. Don’t copy-paste. Add your personality. Edit it. Keep it human.
- CapCut (Mobile/PC): Great for editing TikToks or Reels, even if you’re camera-shy. You can use stock videos, add voiceovers (AI-generated or your own), and post valuable content without ever showing your face.
- Canva: Use this for making Pinterest pins, Instagram posts, or carousel tips. Canva even has templates, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
- ElevenLabs (free plan): If you're too shy to speak, you can type your script and use this tool to generate voiceovers that sound human.
But here’s the real gold: Pinterest
Pinterest is the easiest way to get attention fast, especially if you don’t have followers. It’s not like Instagram or TikTok where you need people to follow you first. On Pinterest, people search for stuff every day — and your content shows up based on keywords.
Here’s how to use Pinterest for affiliate marketing:
- Create a free Canva design – something eye-catching and simple.
- Write a short, helpful pin description – like “3 easy ways to save money online.”
- Link it to your blog post or landing page – not directly to the affiliate link unless the platform allows it.
You don’t need to be a designer. Just look at what others are doing and try to make yours helpful and clear.
Pinterest can bring traffic even if you have zero followers. Just be patient and consistent.
Got some audience? Don’t rush into promoting
Now let’s say you’re starting to get some views, maybe some likes or a few comments. That’s exciting—but don’t just start throwing affiliate links everywhere.
Why? Because people can smell it.
If they feel like you’re only there to sell them something, they’ll click away. Fast.
Instead, do this:
- Build trust first: Keep giving value. Post helpful tips. Share your experiences. Be relatable. When people trust you, they’re way more likely to support you.
- Understand your audience: Watch how they respond. Which posts get comments? What questions are they asking? That tells you what they care about.
- Ask them things: Use polls or ask questions in your captions like “What tool do you use to save money?” or “Anyone else struggle with this?”
- Start soft: Don’t say, “Buy this now!” Instead say, “This is what helped me when I was struggling with XYZ.” Share your personal story, and link naturally.
Think of affiliate marketing like recommending a good movie to a friend. You wouldn’t say, “Click here to watch this now!” You’d say, “Hey, I watched this last night and it was actually pretty good. You might like it.”
Same thing here. Be real.
The bottom line?
Don’t waste time trying to find the “best product” to promote if no one knows who you are yet. Your main job in the beginning is to build an audience.
You don’t need to be famous. You just need to be someone people trust in a small corner of the internet.
So whether it’s gaming clips, funny TikToks, helpful YouTube videos, Pinterest posts, or faceless content made with free tools — just start showing up. Every day or every week. Pick your pace and stay with it.
Affiliate marketing works. But only if people care about what you have to say first.
Let me know if you want a follow-up blog like “How to pick your first affiliate product” or “Best free tools for making content when you’re broke.”