Affiliate Marketing & Football: How To Make $100+ A Day With Football

Alston holds up a football helmet and asks one question: can this thing earn you $100 a day? The answer is yes, and the method is affiliate marketing. You do not need to own inventory, run a shop, or handle customer returns. You recommend football gear, training programs, and memorabilia to people who already want to buy them, and you earn a commission when they do.

Football is the most-watched sport in America. Parents are buying helmets for their kids. Coaches are hunting for training drills. Fans are grabbing jerseys every season. All of that demand is searchable, and searchable demand is monetizable. This post walks through every step Alston covers in the video, with the specific tools and sub-niches he names.

What You’ll Walk Out With

A clear method for picking a football sub-niche that is less competitive than the broad “football” category
A platform decision framework so you know whether to start with YouTube, a blog, or social media
A keyword research process using AnswerThePublic to find exactly what buyers are typing into search
The two content formats that work best for football affiliate marketing: comparison videos and product reviews
The affiliate programs Alston recommends, including NFL Shop Cobb and ClickFunnels
Why email marketing converts at twice the rate of any other channel, and how to build your list from day one
A realistic timeline: you can start earning in the same week you publish your first content, depending on how much you create and the time of year
A one-question quiz at finder.platformproof.com that tells you which online income model fits your current skills and schedule

Step 1: Pick a Football Sub-Niche

Football as a category is enormous. If you try to compete against ESPN, NFL.com, and a thousand sports blogs at the “football” level, you will not get traction. Alston’s first instruction is to go one level deeper and pick a sub-niche, which he defines as a topic within a topic.

The sub-niches he names in the video are: training and instruction, apparel, equipment, and memorabilia. Each of those is its own world with its own buyers. A parent buying a youth helmet for a seven-year-old has completely different questions than a collector hunting for a signed Hall of Fame jersey. A high school coach looking for tackling drills has nothing in common with a fan shopping for a replica Super Bowl ring. Different buyers, different searches, different affiliate programs.

Alston’s recommendation is to pick one sub-niche, create 10 to 15 pieces of content in that sub-niche, and then move to the next. That focused approach lets the algorithm understand what your channel or blog is about, and it lets you build real authority before you spread thin.

For the rest of the video he uses equipment as his working example, specifically helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads, practice jerseys, practice pants, and cleats. That equipment sub-niche is used throughout, so this post follows the same thread.

Step 2: Choose Your Publishing Platform

Once you have a sub-niche, you need a place to publish. Alston lists five options: blogging, YouTube, podcast, social media, and other formats. His advice for beginners is to pick one platform, get good at it, and only then add a second.

YouTube is the platform he shows in the video, and it has a structural advantage for physical product affiliate marketing. You can hold the product, show what it looks like, demonstrate how it fits, and put your affiliate link directly in the video description. The viewer sees the product, trusts the review, clicks the link, and buys. That path from view to purchase is short.

Blogging works well too, especially for comparison posts and ranked lists where someone searching “best youth football helmets 2024” lands on your article and finds a clear recommendation with your affiliate link. Blog posts can rank in Google search for years after you write them, which is why Alston calls affiliate income passive: you do the work once and it keeps earning.

Social media is a third option but Alston treats it as supplementary rather than primary. Platforms change their algorithms, organic reach shrinks, and you do not own your audience the way you own a blog or an email list. Start where you can build something durable.

Step 3: Find What Buyers Are Searching With AnswerThePublic

Content only earns if people are actually searching for it. Alston names one specific tool for this: AnswerThePublic.com. You type in a phrase like “NFL helmets” or “football equipment for seven-year-olds” and the tool returns a map of every question people are asking around that phrase.

Those questions become your content titles. If AnswerThePublic shows that people are asking “what are football helmets made of,” you write a video or a post that answers that question in full. If people are asking “are youth football helmets safe,” you create a thorough review of safety ratings and certifications. Every question is a search query someone types before they are about to buy, and every search query is a content opportunity.

The goal is to answer the question so completely that the reader or viewer feels genuinely helped, not just sold to. When someone trusts that you gave them real information, they click your affiliate link because they want to act on what they just learned. That trust is what converts browsers into buyers.

Step 4: Create the Two Content Types That Convert

Alston names two content formats that work especially well for physical product affiliate marketing in the football space.

The first is comparison videos or posts. You take two helmets, two pairs of cleats, or two sets of shoulder pads, and you put them side by side on every dimension that matters to a buyer: price, safety rating, fit, weight, brand reputation, warranty. The reader is already deciding between two options. Your comparison helps them decide, your affiliate link captures the purchase, and you earn a commission either way because you linked to both products.

The second format is product reviews. Alston takes this to a funny extreme in the video, suggesting you could put adult-sized shoulder pads on someone and have them run into a tackling dummy 20 times to see how the pads hold up. That level of hands-on testing is what separates a real review from a summary of the manufacturer’s description. Real reviews earn trust. Summaries do not.

You do not have to own every product you review, especially when starting out. You can draw on community forums, verified customer reviews, and the manufacturer’s own specs while being transparent about what you have and have not personally tested. As your commissions grow, you can buy and test more products and improve your reviews over time.

Step 5: Embed Your Affiliate Links and Tell People to Click

Creating great content is not enough if you forget the conversion step. Alston is explicit about this in the video: if you do not tell your audience to click the link, they will not click the link. The call to action is not optional and it is not rude. People expect it. They watch the whole video or read the whole post and then they need a signal that it is time to act.

On YouTube, your affiliate links go in the video description. Alston mentions that several links in his own description are affiliate links, including links to ClickFunnels and other tools he recommends. He tells viewers verbally during the video to check the description, and that verbal reminder is what drives clicks.

On a blog, affiliate links go inline in the text near the product mention, and again in a clear recommendation block near the end of the post. Some affiliate marketers also add a dedicated “buy now” button with a clear label. The placement matters less than the instruction. Tell the reader what to do next.

You also need to follow FTC disclosure rules: any post or video that includes affiliate links must say so clearly. Alston’s channel does this, and it is both legally required and trust-building. Readers who know you are transparent about how you earn are more likely to click your links, not less.

Step 6: Build a Content Library, Then Wait

Alston’s target for a content collection is at least 10 pieces focused on one topic area. Using helmets as the example, he lists: the evolution of the football helmet over decades, what helmets are made of today, how to fix a broken helmet, which helmets have the best safety ratings, youth versus adult sizing, and more. Each piece targets a different search query, and together they build the impression that your channel or blog is the definitive resource for football helmet information.

The timeline Alston gives is honest: depending on how much content you publish and the time of year, you can start making money in the same week you start publishing. Football is highly seasonal, which cuts both ways. Post during training camp or the weeks before youth league sign-ups and demand is surging. Post in February and traffic is thinner. Alston frames seasonality as something to be aware of, not a reason to wait.

The passive income claim holds up because each piece of content keeps working after you publish it. A YouTube video review of a popular youth helmet can earn commissions for two or three years if it ranks well. A blog post comparing helmet safety ratings does not expire. You do the work once, and the content earns repeatedly without you monitoring a live chat, answering customer emails, or managing shipping.

Not sure if affiliate marketing fits your situation?

Answer five questions at finder.platformproof.com and get a specific recommendation based on your skills, schedule, and starting point.

Sub-Niches Beyond Equipment

Alston does not stop at equipment. He runs through three other football sub-niches in the video, each with its own affiliate angle.

Memorabilia: Hall of Fame items, signed jerseys, collectible helmets, and championship rings. The buyer here is a fan or collector, not a player. The search intent is “authentic signed Emmitt Smith jersey” or “vintage Super Bowl ring replica.” Commissions on collectibles can be substantial because the purchase prices are high.

Apparel: Alston specifically mentions NFL Shop Cobb as a program that has an affiliate option. Fan jerseys, team hats, and licensed apparel sell year-round with spikes around the NFL draft, training camp, and the playoffs. If you are already a fan who talks about your team online, you are one affiliate link away from monetizing that conversation.

Training and instruction: If you coach youth football or played at any level, this sub-niche is yours. Recommend training videos, playbooks, conditioning programs, and coaching certifications. Alston gives the example of a coach recommending tackling drills videos to all of their players. If 20 players buy a $40 instructional video through your link and you earn a 30 percent commission, that is $240 from one recommendation. Do that a few times a season and you are well past the $100-per-day target.

The Tools Alston Recommends

Alston names three specific tools in the video, each with a different role in the affiliate marketing workflow.

ClickFunnels is the email marketing software he uses and recommends. He describes it as an all-in-one platform that handles landing pages, lead magnets, opt-in pages, and autoresponders in one place. His reason for preferring it over other email tools is that everything is consolidated rather than spread across multiple services. He also says you do not need coding or programming knowledge; the interface is drag-and-drop. ClickFunnels has its own affiliate program, so you can earn commissions by recommending the tool itself as part of your affiliate marketing content.

Project 24 is a course by creators Jim and Ricky. The name refers to the goal of replacing a full-time income with part-time income in 24 months. The course teaches blogging and YouTube content creation, specifically how to build a subscriber and customer base through consistent publishing. Alston calls it out as a resource for people who want to start the right way, meaning with a structured curriculum rather than trial and error.

Email marketing in general gets its own argument from Alston: email converts at twice the rate of any other marketing channel. That is the reason he puts the email list ahead of social media followers. A social media follower might see 3 percent of what you post. An email subscriber opens your message directly. Building an email list of football fans who trust your recommendations is a long-term asset that keeps paying out every time you send a campaign for a new product launch, a seasonal sale, or a new affiliate program.

Honest Drawbacks

Affiliate marketing with football content is real and the income is real, but there are things Alston does not spell out that you should know before you start.

Time to first commission: Alston says you can start making money the same week, and that is technically true if you already have an audience. If you are starting from zero, expect a longer runway. Building search traffic takes months. Building a YouTube audience takes dozens of videos. The passive income does not start until the content exists and people have found it.

Commission rates vary: Amazon Associates, one of the most commonly used programs for physical product affiliate marketing, pays between 1 and 10 percent depending on the product category. On a $150 youth helmet, a 3 percent commission is $4.50. To earn $100 per day you would need about 22 of those sales daily, which requires significant traffic. Higher-ticket items like training courses or premium collectibles pay better percentages on larger purchase prices, which is why Alston also recommends software and course affiliates like ClickFunnels and Project 24 alongside physical product programs.

Seasonality is real: Football content spikes from July through February. If your income depends heavily on the NFL season, plan for quieter months by either diversifying into year-round football content (youth leagues, flag football, international markets) or by building content in other niches during the off-season.

Your 7-Step Launch Plan

Choose one football sub-niche: equipment, apparel, memorabilia, or training and instruction. Write it down and commit to it for your first 10 to 15 pieces of content.
Sign up for one affiliate program in that sub-niche. For equipment: Amazon Associates or a direct sporting goods retailer. For apparel: NFL Shop Cobb. For training: whatever course or video platform covers the content your audience needs.
Go to AnswerThePublic.com and type in your sub-niche keyword. Export the questions and pick your first 10 content topics from the results.
Choose your platform. If you are comfortable on camera, start with YouTube. If you prefer writing, start with a blog. Do not try both at once in the first month.
Publish your first piece of content. Include your affiliate link in the description or inline in the text. Tell your audience to click it and explain what they will find when they do.
Set up your email list using a tool like ClickFunnels or a comparable service. Offer a free resource (a gear checklist, a drill guide, a sizing chart) in exchange for an email address. Start building the list on day one, not after you have traffic.
Publish 9 more pieces in the same sub-niche before moving to the next topic. Consistency within a narrow topic builds algorithmic trust on YouTube and topical authority in search engines faster than scattering content across many subjects.

Find Your X

Football affiliate marketing is one path. But the principles, picking a specific audience, creating content they are already searching for, and recommending products that solve their problem, apply to dozens of other niches and income models. If you are not sure whether affiliate marketing is the right starting point for you specifically, or whether freelancing, digital products, or something else fits better, take the five-question quiz at finder.platformproof.com. It matches your current skills and schedule to the income model most likely to work for you in the next 90 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play football or have football experience to start?

No. Alston does not claim to be a professional football player. What you need is curiosity about the sub-niche you choose and the willingness to research it thoroughly. A parent who has been buying youth football gear for their kids for five seasons has enough real-world experience to create credible equipment reviews. A fan who watches every game can create knowledgeable memorabilia content. Experience helps, but passion and research can substitute for it when you are starting out.

Which affiliate program is best for football equipment?

Amazon Associates is the most accessible because it covers almost every physical football product and the sign-up process is straightforward. The commission rates on sporting goods are modest, typically in the 3 to 5 percent range, so you need volume or you need to complement it with higher-commission programs like software tools or training courses. NFL Shop Cobb is another option Alston names specifically for apparel. Direct retailer programs from sporting goods stores sometimes pay higher commissions than Amazon but require more traffic to qualify.

How long before I see my first commission?

Alston says it is possible to earn in the same week you publish, and that is realistic if you already have an audience or if your content ranks quickly in search. For someone starting from zero with no existing audience, a more typical timeline is one to three months before meaningful traffic and commissions. The variable that matters most is how much content you publish and how well you target low-competition keywords. Ten pieces of content published in two weeks will produce results faster than one piece published every two weeks.

What does Alston mean by a “sub-niche”?

A sub-niche is a specific topic within a broader category. Football is the top-level category. Equipment is a sub-niche. Helmets specifically is an even narrower sub-niche within equipment. The narrower you go, the less competition you face for search rankings and YouTube recommendations. The trade-off is a smaller total audience, but a more targeted audience converts to buyers at a much higher rate than a broad, general audience does.

Is email marketing really necessary for affiliate marketing?

Alston says yes and backs it with a specific claim: email marketing converts at twice the rate of any other marketing channel. You own your email list in a way you do not own your social media followers. If a platform changes its algorithm or removes your account, your email list is unaffected. Building a list from the start, even when it is small, gives you a direct line to your most interested audience members and makes every new affiliate campaign more effective than relying on organic search or social reach alone.

Can I do this without showing my face on YouTube?

Alston’s channel is face-forward and his style is personal, but that is not the only approach. Many successful affiliate YouTube channels use voiceover with product footage, screen recordings for comparison posts, or animated graphics. The product has to be shown and explained clearly, but the creator does not have to be on camera. If you prefer writing, a blog with text reviews and comparison tables is equally valid and does not require video at all.

What is Project 24 and is it worth it?

Project 24 is a course by Jim and Ricky that teaches bloggers and YouTube creators how to build an audience and income over a 24-month period. The 24 in the name refers to replacing your current income within two years. Alston recommends it for beginners who want a structured path rather than piecing together free tutorials. Whether it is worth the investment depends on how seriously you plan to pursue content-based affiliate marketing and whether you prefer a guided curriculum over self-directed learning.

What should I do if my football niche turns out to be too competitive?

Go narrower. If “football helmets” is too competitive, try “youth football helmets for linemen” or “football helmets under $100.” If the equipment sub-niche is crowded, try the training and instruction sub-niche, which often has less content competition and buyers with higher purchase intent. The tighter your focus, the more likely your content is to rank and be recommended. Alston’s framework of 10 to 15 pieces per sub-niche before moving on gives you the data to see whether a sub-niche is working before you commit fully to it.

Sources

Alston Godbolt, “Affiliate Marketing & Football: How To Make $100+ A Day With Football,” YouTube, https://youtu.be/Eon5VO2SqD4
AnswerThePublic.com, keyword research tool referenced by Alston for finding buyer search queries
NFL Shop Cobb, affiliate program mentioned by Alston for fan apparel
ClickFunnels, all-in-one email and funnel software used and recommended by Alston
Project 24 by Jim and Ricky, blogging and YouTube course referenced by Alston