The Truth About Affiliate Marketing: 5 Lessons (and a Few Hard Truths) I Wish I Knew Sooner
So why affiliate marketing?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already heard the term — maybe from a friend, maybe while scrolling — but here’s the short and sweet version: affiliate marketing is all about recommending products or services you believe in and earning a commission when someone makes a purchase through your link. No inventory, no customer service, no making your own product. Just sharing, supporting, and getting paid when it works out.
As a busy mom, that setup was life changing. Here’s why:
1) Be There for Every Moment — No More Missing Out
No more telling your kid, “Just five more minutes” while you finish work. Affiliate marketing gave me the freedom to actually be there — whether it’s the big milestones or the little everyday stuff. This right here? My favorite part, hands down.
2) Work From Anywhere, Anytime
Sick days, school breaks, spontaneous getaways — no more asking for permission or stressing about PTO. You work on your terms, when and where it makes sense for you. Instead of squeezing life around your job, you finally get to build work around your life. (And honestly, this kind of freedom sounds good whether you’re a mom or not.)
3) Build Income While You Sleep
This sounds like a straight up gimmick.....but legitimately my first sale happened while I was asleep. The second one happened a few days later while flying to a family trip. Honestly, I couldn't believe it, but it was enough to keep me going because it proved to me that it's possible! I realized I could make this work and I didn't have to trade my time for money anymore — and that’s a feeling I wish I could bottle up and hand to every mom out there.
Affiliate marketing is about more than extra income. It’s about building the freedom to actually live the life you’ve been working so hard for.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned the hard way, it’s that affiliate marketing isn’t about luck or throwing links around and hoping the money rolls in. It’s about strategy, commitment, and having the right people and tools in your corner. I refuse to be another person selling you a “dream”—because honestly, I fell for those tricks a few times, and it only left me frustrated and second-guessing myself. (And what's worse than that, right?!)
Once I took a step back and did some real research to learn and apply real strategies (I’ll share the one that finally worked for me in just a minute) I made it to the other side of failure, in a big way. I also found myself surrounded by a supportive community!
I learned all of this by messing up, but you don’t have to. These lessons gave me the clarity I wish I had starting out—and they’ll help you approach this with more direction and a lot less second-guessing.
Lesson #1: It’s Not Passive Income from Day One
Let’s get this out of the way: affiliate marketing is NOT passive income when you’re starting out. If you’ve been told it is, I hate to break it to you—It's just not the truth....
Admittedly, I fell for it HARD. I thought I’d sign up for a few programs, post a couple of links, and watch the cash roll in. Reality? I spent more time learning, testing, failing and restarting than I ever expected. And MOSTLY, because I had no actual clue what the heck I was doing, and my expectations were completely misguided. I was completely lost and had no idea where to go....
Success takes a good deal of upfront work and that can feel overwhelming (trust me), but the Silver Lining is: the time and energy you put in at the start is what builds the foundation for the freedom and flexibility you’re really after. It’s not about overnight success—it’s about stacking consistent, small wins that eventually snowball. And THAT my friend, is when you start to see the passive income.
Lesson #2: Choosing the Right Niche is Everything (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
When I first heard the word “niche,” I honestly thought it was just another buzzword used to scam beginners into buying a guide. But choosing the right niche was a crucial step for me. I can't stress this enough, take the time to truly learn the what, who and why about your niche! (What is it, Who's in it and Why are they there..). Your niche isn’t about trying to reach everyone—it’s about finding the specific people who actually need and want what you have. The clearer you are on who you're helping and what problem you're solving, the easier it is to create content that actually connects and makes an impact.
And here’s my personal advice: pick a niche you actually care about. You don’t have to be an “expert,” but passion and personal experience go a long way. Whether it’s postpartum moms, budget-friendly travel hacks, or working professionals craving flexibility—your voice will be stronger when you care about the people you’re speaking to.
Lesson #3: High-Ticket Programs Are a Total Game Changer
I started off promoting low-ticket products. (Commissions typically 5-8% per sale) I figured if I could just sell enough small items, the money would come easy. That wasn't the case at all!
What actually moved the needle for me was branching into reputable high-ticket affiliate programs. Promoting a $1,000 product requires the same effort as a $20 product, but the payoff is night and day. (High Ticket commissions can be up to 50% per sale) This single shift alone helped me tremendously but I encourage you to do your own research. Just because it's more expensive doesn't always make it worth promoting. You have to be authentic and promote things you use and actually believe in....plus that makes it much less work on your end!
If you’re serious about turning this into an online income, high-ticket programs are absolutely worth your attention. Fewer sales, bigger rewards. Enough said.
Lesson #4: Community Support Makes a Huge Difference
If you take anything away from this article, take this. When I was trying to figure everything out alone, I was stuck in a cycle of buying courses, second-guessing myself, wasting money and hitting the reset button on a business model I just didn't fully understand or know how to navigate. The moment I found a supportive community, I knew that my time on the hamster wheel had finally come to an end. I got off that wheel and immediately started to move in a positive direction.
Having people who get it, who’ve been through the same hurdles, and who are actually willing to share real advice—not just surface-level tips—gave me the confidence and direction I was missing.
Community isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the thing that turns confusion into clarity. Find your people, and you’ll be shocked at how fast your growth picks up.
Lesson #5: There Will Be Ups and Downs—Stick With It
If I could tattoo this on the inside of my eyelids, I would: persistence is everything.
Some months you’ll feel unstoppable. Others you’ll wonder if you’re doing everything wrong. That’s normal. I almost quit more times than I can count, and looking back, the moments I was closest to giving up were usually right before I broke through.
Affiliate marketing isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. The ones who succeed aren’t the most talented or the luckiest—they’re the ones who keep showing up, learning, adjusting, and moving forward.
The Reality Check: How I Finally Got Started the Right Way
I made all the rookie mistakes when I started. I bought into the “get rich quick from your phone” fantasy. I wasted money on courses that didn't teach anything useful. I tried replicating what others were doing on social media, even when I didn’t know why or what I was promoting. And yes—I even bought viral reel templates from a stranger who was making more money selling her “viral formula” than the product itself. (Still cringing about that one.)
But the truth is, all those stumbles eventually led me to my golden ticket. (I teach my daughter that the best way to learn is through making mistakes...practice what you preach right?!?!) Once I stopped chasing shortcuts, and found an education that felt real and honest—one that taught real, sustainable strategies and connected me with mentors and a community—I knew I could make this work.
So if you’re just starting or feeling stuck, I want you to know this: Trust your instincts! You don’t need to chase gimmicks, you don’t need to feel desperate, and you absolutely don’t have to do this alone.
The Don’t List: Hard Truths Worth Remembering
✅ Don’t fall for the hype—find a program that fits your lifestyle, values, and timeline. If it seems gimmicky, it probably is. "Get Rich Quick" is never a good play.
✅ Don’t let desperation drive your decisions—honesty and authenticity matter the most in this model. Be yourself! Talk about your journey! Share your Truth and Experiences.
✅ Don’t be impulsive—slow down, follow the steps, take the time to learn and build that foundation, trust the process.
✅ Don’t lose focus—master one product and one platform first! Then add more.
Here’s What Actually Worked for me
I gave up on the quick fixes and started focusing on the stuff that actually works. This strategy made the biggest difference—and it’s still the one I use to keep growing my business: Authority Marketing.
Let me walk you through what it is, why it works, and how it can help you build something that not only pays the bills—but gives you your time, energy, and life back.
I know how frustrating it is to spend money on programs that promise the world and leave you feeling more confused and wondering if you'll ever figure it out. Been there, Done that.
What finally changed things for me was finding this free intro video series that broke down affiliate marketing (and three other business models I’d barely even considered). They introduced me to Authority Marketing — and for once, it was a real, honest, tried and true strategy that actually made sense.
Authority Marketing truly changed the game for me. I would have quit otherwise. It taught me how to build a business that doesn’t depend on selling to friends, chasing leads, or posting on socials all day. Instead, I learned how to create a system that works for me — one that attracts the right people, sells with value (not pressure), and runs 24/7… even while I’m asleep or off being a mom, doing mom things!
This isn’t hype — it’s strategy. It's helped people in our community build real online businesses, with many hitting six and even seven figures using this exact approach. I haven’t hit those numbers yet, but I know I'm on track and I can feel (and see) the momentum building.
What makes this different? It’s not about becoming a pushy salesperson. It’s about learning the simple skills that help anyone turn knowledge into income — and set it up so sales happen behind the scenes, around the clock.
No more guessing. No more spinning your wheels. Just a clear path, step-by-step, that actually works when you follow it.
If you’ve been wondering if there’s a way to earn online without burning out, this is it. The Free Intro Series below is where everything changed for me. And right after you sign up, you’ll get immediate access to a 28-minute workshop that breaks down exactly how Authority Marketing works and introduces you to the program on offer. It showcases why Authority Marketing is such a powerful way to build a long-term income stream, even if you’re starting from scratch.
I know how much this helped me, and if you’re serious about building something real, I know it can help you too.
Sign up for the Free Intro Series here
Affiliate marketing has become one of the most popular ways for moms to build income while maintaining the balance they need in their lives.
If you’ve ever sat at your desk half-listening to a meeting while watching the clock inch toward daycare pickup…Or stared at your paycheck wondering how it’s even possible to work this hard and still feel behind—You’re not alone.
That quiet tug-of-war between wanting to be the kind of mom your kids remember, and trying to hold your career together? It’s real. And it’s been my life for the past six years. The guilt. The exhaustion. The is this really what my life is supposed to feel like?
I would sit at my computer after putting my daughter to bed, finishing up work, convincing myself that this was “job security.” That this was the “responsible” thing to do. I was practically gaslighting myself into believing this was what success looked like. Ugh.
I told myself those stories because honestly? I felt stuck. I felt scared. And the thought of making a huge life change with my daughter in tow felt very overwhelming. But I remember the exact moment I realized I didn't want to keep living like this.
I’m Kelly, and I live in Minnesota. I’ve spent the last 16 years in healthcare, and I’ve always felt fullfilled in my profession. I climbed my way into a corporate leadership role, running an entire region and helping transform how healthcare is delivered. It was fulfilling. But when I became a mom six years ago, my heart just wasn't in it in the same way.
My priorities changed and I wanted to be with my daughter every second of the day.... But bills still needed paying. Work still needed doing. And like so many of us, I was stretched thin between career and motherhood. I’d give my job my best energy all day—then come home and give my daughter whatever was left of me: leftover patience, leftover time, leftover attention.
I'm someone who dreamt of being a mom my whole life so this was absolutely heartbreaking to me.
Last year, I hit a breaking point. Every night after work, I’d pick up my daughter and sit next to her with my laptop open, still working while she quietly played beside me. She never complained. She just adapted. Like kids do. But I could feel the disconnect — I was physically next to her, but not really with her. Mom Guilt had never felt more fierce...
One Saturday morning, she crawled into my bed, looked up at me and asked,
“Mommy, do you have to work today?”
I smiled and said, “No, not today. No work for the next two days.” And her whole face lit up.
That was it, the moment that crushed me...
The fact that me not working felt like a rare gift to her? What was wrong with me? She deserved better. I deserved better. I didn’t want her to feel that way and I didn't want her life to pass me by. I didn’t want to squeeze memories into whatever was left over after the to-do list was finally done. I wanted more and I wanted better. So I started searching for a different way to make money—one that didn’t depend on burnout, late nights, and constant stress.
In my search, I found affiliate marketing.
I had never even heard of it before. But the idea of building income without constantly trading my time for money? Without sacrificing every spare second with my daughter? It felt like a dream to be honest. I didn’t have a business background. I didn’t have experience in marketing or tech. But something in me whispered: Just try it.
And I did. I jumped in so fast and blindly bought the first course I found. I was determined and ready to change our future for the better. But I learned pretty quickly that “fingers crossed” isn’t exactly a solid business strategy.
I wanted so badly for this to work. I poured what little free time I had into learning, trying, failing. I bought courses, cheat sheets and guides....Nothing worked and every time I hit a wall, the doubts would creep in:
What if I’m wasting money?
What if this is selfish?
What if I fail?
And the truth is — that fear of failing at something you want so badly can be paralyzing. Especially when you’re the sole provider for your family. Especially when the stakes feel this personal. I questioned myself so frequently that I nearly convinced myself this was a dumb idea to begin with and it was time to throw in the towel.
But something in me couldn’t let it go. I couldn’t unsee the vision I had for my life: a life where I wasn’t constantly overworked, underpaid, and overstressed. A life where I could be the mom I wanted to be — and also the career woman I wanted to be. Because it’s okay to want both. It’s not selfish. It’s human.
So I kept going, even when it felt impossible. I learned through experience (AKA the hard way) which programs were all talk and fluff, and found ONE that actually provided an education. I learned to stop looking for “easy” and start looking for “right.” And I learned that success doesn’t come from luck — it comes from not giving up.
If you’ve found your way here, I’m guessing you’ve been looking for the same thing I was. Maybe you’ve heard of affiliate marketing and you’re curious. Maybe you’ve tried it already and hit some walls of your own. Maybe you’re still in that quiet, stuck place, wondering if it’s even possible to do something different.
I’m here to tell you it is. You don’t have to have a marketing background. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. You just have to want more for your life — and be willing to stick with it even when it’s hard.
So before you go any further, ask yourself these questions:
What are you working toward?
What are you afraid of?
And what would your life look like if you finally gave yourself permission to go after it, fully?
I’m not here to tell you it’s quick and easy — but I am here to tell you it’s absolutely worth it.
Keep reading — I’m about to reveal the top 5 game-changing lessons I’ve learned, plus some hard-hitting truths, so you can tackle this journey with clarity, confidence, and skip the endless trial and error!
My daughter and me — she’s my why, and the driving force behind my decision to take this leap and keep going!
