60-Minute Side Hustle Blueprint
How much do you think you could make from affiliate marketing? You might be surprised by the possibilities. One video featuring a budget LED light earned me $32,000, with $28,000 coming from Amazon affiliate commissions alone. Sean Cannell from Think Media has made well over six figures using YouTube and affiliate marketing. In this post, I’m going to reveal exactly what he did step by step—so you can do it too.
But let’s be clear: You won’t go from $0 to six figures with affiliate marketing overnight. This requires consistency and persistence. You need to show up every single day for yourself—just like you do for your day job.
My name is Alston Godbold, and I create content that helps you turn your YouTube channel into a thriving online business with multiple revenue streams. In this guide, I’ll walk you through three crucial steps that can help you achieve similar success.
- Part 1: How Sean Cannell Got Started
- Part 2: How to Find Affiliate Programs
- Part 3: The Type of Content You Need to Create
Let’s dive in!
Part 1: Choosing a Niche
The first step to affiliate success on YouTube is picking your niche—an area in which you’ll dedicate your entire content strategy. A niche is essentially a category that your YouTube channel will focus on, and it’s crucial to help people know, like, and trust you.
Sean Cannell began his YouTube journey by creating content around his faith. He shared his experiences, posted videos about Christianity, and discussed Bible verses. As he shared this content, Sean noticed that people kept asking about his video setup—curious about the equipment and techniques he used to achieve high-quality video and audio. This feedback helped Sean realize that there was a demand for his technical knowledge, and he eventually transitioned into sharing content about video production gear and techniques.
This pivot brought him to a niche that turned into a profitable six-figure business.
Tips for Choosing a Niche:
- Decide what you want to be known for. Your niche could be your passion, hobby, or something you know well.
- Stick to one niche consistently. If your channel is about faith-based content, don’t start posting about unrelated topics like farming or tech gadgets.
- Focus on answering the questions and addressing the pain points of your audience.
Part 2: Finding Affiliate Programs
The next step Sean took was finding and applying for affiliate programs. The main affiliate program he used was Amazon Associates—the largest affiliate network globally. But Amazon isn’t the only option; there are thousands of affiliate programs to choose from, including Best Buy, Walmart, and smaller, niche-focused programs.
How to Find Affiliate Programs
- Visit Retail Websites: Go to your favorite big box store’s website, scroll to the bottom, and look for terms like “Partner” or “Affiliate.” Many big retailers, like Target, have affiliate programs that allow you to promote their products for a commission.
- Use Google Search: Another method is to search for the product name followed by “affiliate program.” For example, you could type “Blue Yeti affiliate program” into Google to see if the manufacturer or other platforms offer an affiliate partnership.
- Affiliate Networks: Networks like FlexOffers and ShareASale aggregate multiple affiliate programs in one place. You can apply to a network and then select the programs that are relevant to your niche.
- Ask ChatGPT or Other Tools: Using AI tools like ChatGPT, you can get a quick list of affiliate programs for a particular product type. For example, simply ask for microphone affiliate programs, and you’ll get a curated list to consider.
Tip: Apply to multiple affiliate programs—some might reject you, but others will approve you right away. Reapply in the future if necessary, especially if your audience grows.
Part 3: Create Product-Focused Content
To start generating affiliate commissions, it’s important to create the right kind of content. Sean Cannell made “Best X for Y” videos, but for beginners, this can be too competitive. Here’s how you should approach content creation instead:
Start with Product-Focused Videos
The best place to start is by making videos focused on specific products. Let’s say you are promoting a podcasting microphone, such as the Rode Wireless Go 2. Here are some content ideas:
- Rode Wireless Go 2 Review
- Rode Wireless Go 2 Unboxing
- Best Features of the Rode Wireless Go 2
- How to Set Up the Rode Wireless Go 2
- Six-Month Review: Is the Rode Wireless Go 2 Still Worth It?
The key is to include the product’s name in each video title. This helps people searching for that specific product find your content. If you have the product in your hands during the video, it builds more trust with your audience.
Can You Do This Faceless? Yes, you can create faceless content, but showing your face will help you build trust faster. Humans connect with other humans, and seeing your face can make a difference in establishing that connection.
Product Comparisons and Alternatives
Once you’ve made product-focused videos, move on to comparison videos:
- Product X vs. Product Y: Compare the Rode Wireless Go 2 with its competitors. Go to YouTube’s search bar, type in the product name followed by “vs.,” and see what autofills. Make videos based on these popular searches.
- Alternatives: Create content about alternatives, like “10 Alternatives to the Rode Wireless Go 2.” These videos attract viewers who are interested in the product but also want to explore other options.
Avoid Highly Competitive Content
Avoid creating “complete guides” or “how-to” content in the early stages, as they can be extremely competitive. Major players in your niche are likely creating this type of content, making it difficult for new creators to gain traction.
Focus on New Products: If possible, focus on newer products. These products will have fewer videos competing for attention, and early adopters will be eager to learn more.
Conclusion: Take Action and Stay Consistent
To summarize, Sean Cannell earned six figures by following a systematic approach:
- Pick a niche that aligns with your passion and audience needs.
- Apply to affiliate programs to find products you can promote.
- Create product-focused content to attract the right viewers and build credibility.
Remember, consistency is key. Creating two or three videos per week will help you develop your content creation skills over time, and skills are built on repetition.
If you want to learn how to turn your YouTube channel into a full-time business, click the first link in the description where I’ve got a 60-minute workshop that walks you through the process step by step. Now that you know Sean’s success formula, take action, and start building your YouTube business today.