How to Start Affiliate Marketing With no Money: Step-by-Step Guide

I still remember the moment I discovered affiliate marketing. I was scrolling through forums, desperately looking for a way to make extra money without a big investment. With only a laptop and a shaky Wi-Fi connection, I dove headfirst into affiliate marketing. Three months later, I made my first $600 dollars promoting productivity software that I genuinely loved. If I was able to get started in affiliate marketing with no money, so can you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through each step to get you started in affiliate marketing using free tools and platforms designed for newbies from anywhere in the world. Let’s create a side income that pays off!

What is Affiliate Marketing and Why Start With no Money?

Affiliate marketing is like a digital matchmaker: you connect people with products or services they want, and when they make a purchase through your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission. It’s a booming industry: global spending on affiliate marketing exceeds $12 billion a year, and over 80% of brands offer affiliate programs. What’s the beauty of a no-money down start? You don’t need a fancy website, a big budget, or a marketing degree. Using free tools and platforms, you can build trust, attract clicks and generate revenue – all with a closed wallet.

When I started out, I had zero budget, but I was determined to succeed. I used free platforms like Medium and X to share my recommendations, and after just a few weeks, I saw clicks turn into commissions. In this guide, you’ll learn how to replicate that success, step by step, with proven strategies and real-world examples.

Step 1: Choose a Niche You Love

Your niche is the foundation of your business: the topic or industry you focus on, such as fitness gadgets, personal finance apps, or eco-friendly travel gear. A well-chosen niche will help you connect with your audience, stand out in a crowded market, and gain credibility. Passion is key because it keeps you motivated, especially when you’re starting out affiliate marketing with no money.

How to Pick a Niche for Free:

• Brainstorm your interests: Grab a notepad (or open up a free Google Doc) and list the topics you’re passionate about. Are you obsessed with budgeting? Try personal finance apps. Always going camping? Explore outdoor gear for outdoor activities. I chose productivity tools because I’m constantly tweaking my workflow to stay organized.
• Research trends with free tools: Use Google Trends (100% free) to discover niches with growing interest. For example, searches for “budgeting apps” have increased in recent years, indicating high demand. Another tool, AnswerThePublic (free), shows what people are asking, such as “best budgeting apps for beginners” or “how to save money fast.”
• Explore affiliate programs: Check free affiliate networks such as iMonetizeit, Amazon Associates, ShareASale or CJ Affiliate to see what products are available. For example, financial niches often pay $50 to $200 per sale, and tech tools can get you 20-50% commissions for signing up.

Real life example: When I started out, I chose productivity tools because I was constantly testing apps like Notion or Trello. I joined PartnerStack and found a program for ClickUp, a project management tool offering 30% recurring commissions. Promoting a tool I was already using felt authentic and my audience trusted my recommendations. One blog post about “5 Ways ClickUp Increased My Productivity” led to 10 signups, earning me $120 in the first month.

Pro tip: Target niches with high-margin affiliate programs (products or services worth over $100). For example, personal finance software like YNAB or shopping platforms often pay $50+ per sale, compared to low-cost products like books ($1-$2 per sale). Use Ubersuggest (free version) to check the search volume for keywords in a niche. For example, “best budgeting apps” gains ~12,000 searches per month, with low competition – perfect for beginners.

Step 2: Join Free Affiliate Programs

You won’t need a dime to join the leading affiliate programs, and there’s no shortage of options for newbies. These platforms connect you to thousands of products and services, from dating apps to productivity tools to physical goods, all without a signup fee. Here’s a list of affiliate networks suitable for beginners that fit different niches:

• iMonetizeit: Specializes in dating offers through a smartlinks system that automatically directs users to the best offer based on their location and device. Commissions can be as high as $150 for signing up or subscribing to dating platforms. Free membership, a simple dashboard and campaign management tracker – perfect for beginners.
• Amazon Associates: Promote almost anything from fitness gear to electronics on Amazon, earning 1-10% commissions. Perfect for physical goods that complement your niche.
• ShareASale: Hosting thousands of programs, from SaaS tools like budgeting apps to lifestyle products. Commissions range from $10 to $200+ per sale. Registration is free.
• CJ Affiliate: Offers high-paying programs in technology and finance, such as QuickBooks or Bluehost, with payouts ranging from $50 to $150 per sale. Registration is free.
• PartnerStack: Ideal for software and productivity tools like ClickUp, offering recurring commissions (20-50%) for SaaS products. Free Registration.

Action Plan

1. Sign up strategically: Join two affiliate programs that match your niche. For example, if you’re into dating and relationships, join iMonetizeit for dating offers. If you favor productivity or finance, try PartnerStack or ShareASale for tools like ClickUp or YNAB.
2. Choose products: Choose 5-10 products or services that you would wholeheartedly recommend. For dating, choose smartlink by iMonetizeit to promote high performing dating apps. For other niches, choose high-paying offers (e.g. $50+ per sale). Save all affiliate links in a free Google Doc for easy access.
3. Understand the rules: Read the terms and conditions of each program to avoid pitfalls. For example, iMonetizeit requires ad compliance, and Amazon requires disclosures such as “As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases.”

Sign up for two programs and choose 5-10 products you would recommend. Save their links in a Google Doc.

My experience: When I started out, I joined iMonetizeit for dating offers and PartnerStack for productivity tools. I chose iMonetizeit’s Smart Dating Link, which paid $5 to $15 per signup, and PartnerStack’s ClickUp, which offered 30% recurring commissions. Focusing on ClickUp first, I made $120 in the first month from 10 subscribers. Later, I tested a smart dating link from iMonetizeIt’s “Best Dating Apps for Meaningful Connections” blog, which brought in $150 from 20 subscribers. Diversifying across niches and programs helped me maximize my income in the early stages.

Pro tip: Give preference to programs with recurring or high-margin commissions. For example, dating offers from iMonetizeit may pay $2-15 to sign up, but recurring subscriptions (like premium memberships on a dating app) increase over time. Similarly, SaaS tools like ClickUp or YNAB (from PartnerStack or ShareASale) offer $20-70 per sale, so they’re worth your effort. Use Ubersuggest (free version) to test niche keywords like “best dating apps” (~15,000 searches per month) or “productivity tools” (~10,000 searches per month) to see if they’re in demand.

Step 3: Create Content on Free Platforms

No website? No problem. You can start your affiliate marketing with no money by simply sharing affiliate links on free platforms like Medium, YouTube, X and Reddit that allow you to share affiliate links and reach millions of people. The key is to create valuable, authentic content that solves problems and builds trust. Here’s how to utilize each platform effectively:

1. Medium – is a free blogging platform with a huge audience hungry for helpful advice. Write 800-1500 word posts that offer value, such as “5 dating apps to find your perfect match” (with iMonetizeit smartlinks) or “7 budgeting apps to save $1000” (with ShareASale links). Focus on storytelling and practical tips to engage readers.

SEO tip: Use Ubersuggest to find low-competitive keywords like “best free dating apps” (~12,000 searches per month). Include them in your headline and subheadings to get higher rankings.
Example: My post on Medium “How I organized my workday with these 5 apps” mentioning ClickUp gained 400 views in a month. Three signups brought me $90. Later, I wrote an article “3 Dating Apps That Changed My Love Life” with an iMonetizeit smartlink that brought 300 views and $40 from 15 signups.

2. YouTube – you don’t need a professional setup, all you need is a smartphone and a free editing program like CapCut. Create videos like “Top 5 dating apps for beginners” or “How I got started in affiliate marketing for free” (mixed affiliate links). Add links to the video description and optimize it for keywords.

Example: My YouTube video “3 Free Productivity Tools” featuring ClickUp gained 1,200 views in two months and generated $80 in revenue. A follow-up video, “The Best Dating Apps for 30-Year-Olds,” featuring iMonetizeit’s smartlink, racked up 800 views and generated $30 in commissions.

3. X – is perfect for short, engaging posts that generate clicks. Share daily tips, such as “Looking for love? Try this dating app!” (iMonetizeit smartlink) or “This app saved me $500 this year!” (YNAB link). Use the hashtags #DatingTips, #PersonalFinance or #MakeMoneyOnline to expand your audience reach.

Engagement Tip: Publish posts 3-5 times a day and respond to comments to gain subscribers. I gained 300 subscribers in a month by sharing quick tips and linking to my posts on Medium.
Example: A Tweet like, “Can’t meet someone special? This app helped me!” with a link to iMonetizeit got 150 clicks and $40 in commissions.

4. Reddit – join subsections such as r/Dating_Advice, r/PersonalFinance, or r/Entrepreneur. Share helpful tips, such as “How I found love online with these apps” or “How I track my side income for free”. Be delicate with your links to avoid being labeled as spam.

Example: A post on Reddit at r/Dating_Advice about “Top 3 Dating Apps for Shy People” garnered 500 upvotes and 20 clicks, earning $15 through iMonetizeit. Another post at r/PersonalFinance about budgeting apps earned $25 thanks to five YNAB subscribers.

My story: My first post on Medium about productivity apps garnered 300 views and earned $40 thanks to two ClickUp subscribers. Encouraged, I reworked it into a YouTube video, doubling the reach. I then tested a smart dating link from iMonetizeit in a Medium post about “finding love on a budget,” which earned $50 from 20 subscribers. Free platforms work if you focus on value and consistency. That was proof that it works.

Step 4: Attract Traffic for Free

Traffic is the fuel for your affiliate marketing engine. The more people who see your content, the more clicks and commissions you’ll earn. Here are proven free strategies for attracting traffic:

1. SEO on free platforms

Optimize your Medium posts and YouTube videos for search engines. Use AnswerThePublic (free) to find questions like “how to start affiliate marketing with no money” (~10,000 searches per month) or “best dating apps for beginners” (~15,000 searches per month). Include them in your headlines, subheadings, and content.

Example: A post on Medium titled “How to build passive income by investing the money you save” ranked #2 on Google within a month, gaining 600 views and earning a $60 commission from ClickUp.

2. Social Media

Share your content on X, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Create eye-catching Pinterest pins using Canva (free) with links to your Medium posts or YouTube videos. Join LinkedIn groups, such as Affiliate Marketing for Beginners, and post helpful tips weekly.

Example: A Pinterest post “5 Dating Apps You Should Try This Year” received 1,200 clicks in a month and earned $145. Another post, “Budgeting Apps That Work” (YNAB) earned $70 in commissions.

3. Forums and Q&A sites

Answer questions on Quora, Reddit, or niche forums. For example, answer the question “What are the best dating apps?” with a personal story and smartlink, or answer the question “How to make money online?” with a ClickUp link.

Example: an answer on Quora about “Free ways to make money online” received 1,000 views and a $50 commission (ClickUp). Another answer about “The best dating apps for serious relationships” earned $20 through iMonetizeit. Small efforts compound.

4. Create an email list

Use Aweber (free for 1,000 subscribers) to collect emails. Offer a free PDF, such as “10 Tips to Start Affiliate Marketing With no Money” or “5 Dating Hacks for Online Success,” via a Google Form linked to your content.

Example: I built a list of 250 subscribers in a month by offering a free PDF. One email promoting a dating app through iMonetizeit brought in $30 and another for YNAB brought in $40.

Read our Article “25 Unpopular But Effective Traffic Sources” to learn more about free promotional opportunities.

Step 5: Track and Optimize Your Efforts

Tracking will allow you to see what’s working and what needs to be tweaked. Use free tools like Bitly to track link clicks and Google Analytics (free for Medium) to analyze your traffic sources. Focus on high-performing content and improve underperforming content.

Example: My post on Medium about budgeting apps got clicks and brought in sales, but I decided to do A/B testing and switched to promoting YNAB (ShareASale, $70 per sale). I optimized the post, adding a stronger call to action, and made $140 the next month. Similarly, a smartlink to dating site iMonetizeit didn’t convert until I changed the post title to “Best Dating Apps for Busy Professionals,” which increased the conversion to $160.

Free tools to use:

Bitly: Reduces and tracks link conversions for free.
Google Analytics: Shows traffic sources and user behavior on Medium or YouTube.
Ubersuggest: Analyzes the effectiveness of keywords and competitor strategies (free version).

Mistakes to Avoid in Affiliate Marketing

• Over-promotion: No one likes a hard sell, don’t just push links through – offer value first. For example, talk about how a dating app helped you find the right partner and build a relationship before linking to iMonetizeIt.
• Low-paying offers: Avoid commissions below $5 per signup for dating offers or $30 per sale for SaaS. Focus on high-yield programs like smartlinks from iMonetizeit or ClickUp from PartnerStack.
• Inconsistency: My first money I earned took a week to spend on everyday expenses. Keep posting and making adjustments, more content = more clicks. Keep going.
• Ignoring requirements: Disclose affiliate links (e.g., “I can get commissions on purchases”) to avoid bans.

Your 30-day Plan to Start Affiliate Marketing With no Money

Here’s a practical plan for starting your affiliate journey:

Week 1:
Join iMonetizeit (dating offers) and PartnerStack/ShareASale (SaaS or finance).
Choose 5-10 offers (e.g. iMonetizeIt smartlink, ClickUp, YNAB).
Write one 1000-word post on Medium (e.g., “5 dating apps for meaningful connections” or “7 free apps to save money”).

Week 2:
Post daily tips on X with the hashtags #DatingTips or #PersonalFinance.
Share your post on Medium on Reddit (e.g., r/Dating_Advice) and in LinkedIn groups.
Create a YouTube video (e.g., “How I got started in affiliate marketing with no money”).
Start an email newsletter using MailerLite and a free PDF.

Week 3:
Write two posts for Medium (e.g., “3 dating mistakes to avoid” or “5 hacks for budgeting”).
Answer five Quora questions with links to iMonetizeit or PartnerStack.
Create pins on Pinterest with links to your content.

Week 4:
Track clicks with Bitly and optimize your best post on Medium.
Send one email to your list with a tip and an affiliate link (such as a dating offer from iMonetizeit).

Scaling: $0 to $1,000+ per Month

Once you start earning, reinvest smartly:

• Update content: Go to a free WordPress site (via WordPress.com) for better SEO control.
• Expand platforms: Test out TikTok for short videos (e.g., “3 dating apps that work” or “Apps that saved me $500”).
• Target the winners: If a post about dating earned $50, write more, such as “The best dating apps for your 30s.”

My journey: I went from $0 to $600 in 90 days promoting ClickUp (PartnerStack) and dating apps (iMonetizeit) on free platforms. By the sixth month, I reached the $1,200/month level through content scaling and SEO optimization. Small changes like better headlines and stronger calls to action tripled my results.

Bonus Tips for Success

Engage your audience: Respond to comments on Medium, X, or Reddit to build trust.
Test offers: If iMonetizeIt’s smart link doesn’t convert, try a different angle (e.g., “Dating apps for introverts”). The same goes for SaaS offers, such as YNAB.
Stay authentic: Only promote products and services you believe in. My audience trusted me because I shared real-life experiences with dating apps and productivity tools. Write personal stories, the audience loves that.

Conclusion

Getting started in affiliate marketing with no money is quite possible with the right approach, it takes effort but it is a proven path to income. By joining free programs like iMonetizeit for dating offers, PartnerStack for SaaS or ShareASale for finance, creating valuable content on Medium, YouTube and X, and attracting traffic through SEO and social media, you can turn clicks into money. My journey from $0 to $600 in three months shows that it’s possible if you show persistence.

Get started today: join iMonetizeit, write your first post on Medium, and take the first step towards a profitable affiliate business.

Write in the comments where you started your journey in learning how to make money online and have you tried succeeding in affiliate marketing with no money?