If you’ve ever felt like YouTube only rewards the big creators — the ones with millions of views and massive followings — this post will change the way you think about making money online.
You don’t need to wait until you’re monetized. You don’t even need thousands of subscribers. You can start earning affiliate income now by recommending products you already use and love.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to start making money on YouTube through affiliate marketing — step by step — using a simple process that works in any niche.
What Is Affiliate Marketing for YouTubers?
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money online without creating your own product.
Here’s how it works:
You promote other people’s products through special tracking links (called affiliate links). When someone buys using your link, you earn a commission.
Think of it like recommending a good movie to a friend. You’ve built trust, they take your advice, and in the business world — you get paid for that recommendation.
The power of affiliate marketing for YouTubers is that it lets anyone turn content into income. You’re no longer relying on YouTube AdSense or the unpredictable algorithm. You’re building a system that pays you whether your video gets 100 views or 10,000.
Why You Don’t Need a Big Channel
When I first started on YouTube, I made the same mistake most small creators make — chasing broad topics like “how to make money online.”
I was competing with huge channels and getting buried in search results. My videos got five views — most from friends and family.
Everything changed when I stopped trying to compete with everyone and started focusing on specific products.
Instead of “how to start an online business,” I made videos like:
- “Best web hosting for beginners”
- “Ring Doorbell setup and review”
- “Bluehost vs. GoDaddy – Which is better?”
By going narrow, my videos started ranking, gaining traction, and converting. That’s when affiliate commissions started rolling in — before I was even monetized by YouTube.
How to Start Affiliate Marketing on YouTube
Let’s break this into a simple five-step system you can follow immediately.
Step 1: Choose the Right Product
Start small. One product.
Pick something you already use and believe in — ideally worth at least $25 or more. For physical products, that ensures your commissions are worth your time. For digital products, you can go lower, since commission percentages are usually higher.
Good examples include:
- The gear you use to film (like microphones or lighting).
- Tools you rely on for your business.
- Software subscriptions or online courses you’ve personally tested.
People buy what you use because they trust your experience.
Step 2: Research What People Are Already Searching For
You don’t have to guess what kind of videos to make — YouTube literally tells you.
Type your product’s name into YouTube or Google, then add a letter (A, B, C, etc.) after it to see suggested searches.
For example, type:
“Rode Wireless Go 2 A”
You’ll see suggestions like:
- Rode Wireless Go 2 Review
- Rode Wireless Go 2 vs. DJI Mic
- Rode Wireless Go 2 Setup
- Rode Wireless Go 2 Problems
Each of those is a video idea.
You can create videos like:
- “Unboxing + Setup Guide” – for new buyers.
- “First Impressions” – for curiosity viewers.
- “6-Month Honest Review” – for long-term credibility.
- “Don’t Buy Until You Watch This” – for urgency and trust.
💡 Pro Tip: Use keywords like “best,” “review,” “setup,” or “vs” — they target buyers ready to make a decision.
Step 3: Create Helpful, Honest Content
When you make a video, focus on helping your audience decide — not just selling.
Ask and answer questions like:
- Who is this product for?
- Who is it NOT for?
- What are the pros and cons?
- What’s the best feature?
- What’s the real downside?
The goal is trust. If you show both strengths and weaknesses, your viewers see you as credible — not pushy.
Also, if possible, show the actual product on camera. Demonstrate that you’ve used it. People can tell when you’re genuine, and authenticity converts.
If you don’t own the product, create content that’s 10x more helpful than the average review — explain, compare, analyze, and teach something deeper.
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Step 4: Apply to Affiliate Programs
Once you’ve made your videos, it’s time to get your affiliate links.
Start with Amazon Associates — it’s beginner-friendly and covers almost every product imaginable.
Then branch out into specialized programs like:
- ShareASale
- Impact Radius
- CJ Affiliate
- PartnerStack (for SaaS and digital tools)
Apply to programs that match your niche. When applying, write as if you’re pitching a business plan — explain your channel’s focus, your audience, and how you plan to promote the product.
You’ll get accepted to more programs this way and build better relationships with affiliate managers.
Step 5: Build Your Email List (Optional but Powerful)
This is where you move from one-time commissions to predictable income.
Create a free resource (a short checklist, setup guide, or mini course) related to your niche.
Example:
“Free 10-Minute Setup Guide for Rode Wireless Go 2”
Offer it on a simple landing page and deliver it through email. Then use that same email list to promote other related products or bring people back to your new videos.
This is how you turn one product video into a long-term business system — your audience follows you, not just the product.
Why This Works (Even for Small Channels)
Most creators think they need millions of views to make money. But affiliate marketing rewards precision, not popularity.
When someone searches “best wireless mic for YouTube” — they’re not looking to be entertained. They’re ready to buy.
That means even a video with 500 views can generate real money if it’s targeted correctly.
Affiliate marketing turns your content into a 24/7 salesperson — one that works for you while you sleep.
Affiliate Marketing Examples That Actually Work
To prove this works, here are some real results:
- I earned $20,000+ in commissions from one affiliate program — long before I was monetized by YouTube.
- One of my earliest affiliate successes came from a video reviewing the Ring Doorbell. It still earns me passive income years later.
- I’ve repeated the same process with web hosting, online courses, and even niche tools — each time earning income from simple, targeted videos.
These aren’t isolated wins. They’re systems. Once you learn how to match content with intent, it works across every product category you touch.
Monetization Beyond Links
Affiliate marketing is just the foundation. Once your content starts gaining traction, you can expand by adding:
- Digital products – templates, eBooks, or mini courses.
- Workshops or memberships – offer deeper training.
- Software – promote recurring SaaS tools for consistent monthly commissions.
The key is diversification. Build multiple streams that feed off each other so you’re not relying on one source of income.
Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting for AdSense — Start Building Systems
Affiliate marketing for YouTube isn’t about chasing trends or begging for subscribers. It’s about creating evergreen systems that make money even when you’re offline.
Start small. Pick one product. Make one video. Add one link.
You’ll be amazed how quickly it compounds once you stay consistent.
And remember — your channel doesn’t need to be big to make big money. It just needs a strategy.