How Affiliate Marketing Works (Even If You're Not a Tech Person)

If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and wondered how influencers are making money by “just sharing links”... you’re not alone.

It almost feels too good to be true, right?

But affiliate marketing isn’t just for influencers with 100K followers or slick YouTubers with fancy cameras. In fact, regular people (especially women in midlife) are using it as a powerful way to make extra income—or even build a new career.

And if you're curious about how the heck it all works, this post is for you.

Let’s break it down, step-by-step.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is when you earn a commission for promoting someone else’s product or service.

You don’t have to create your own product.
You don’t have to handle inventory.
You don’t have to ship anything.
You don’t even have to deal with customer service.

You’re simply the bridge—helping people find things they already need or want, and getting paid when they buy through your link.

If you’ve ever told a friend, “You have to try this face serum I found!”—congrats, you already have the heart of an affiliate marketer.

How It Works in Real Life

Let’s say you sign up to become an affiliate for a skincare brand.

They give you a unique link, called an affiliate link. You use it when you:

• Post a product review
• Share a tutorial
• Recommend it in a blog or email
• Drop it in a Facebook group (where allowed)

When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you get paid.

Simple, right?

Most affiliate commissions range from 5% to 50% of the sale, depending on the company and the product.

Some even offer recurring commissions if it’s a subscription.

What Makes It Work (and Why Some People Fail)

Affiliate marketing is simple—but not always easy.

Here’s what separates people who see results from those who give up after a few weeks:

1. They stay consistent.
You don’t need to post every hour, but you do need to show up regularly—especially at the beginning.

2. They pick the right niche.
It’s way easier to talk about stuff you already care about. Whether that’s gut health, budgeting tips, or home organization—start where you’re already passionate.

3. They pick the right programs.
You want to promote products that:

• You genuinely believe in
• Have solid commissions
• Are relevant to your audience
  (Hint: This is why I love SendIt and Kim Ward’s Pinterest Academy. More on those in a sec.)

4. They treat it like a business, not a hobby.
Yes, this can be a side hustle—but it’s not magic. The more intentional you are, the more your income grows.

Tools You’ll Need to Get Started

You don’t need a huge budget or fancy setup. Here’s what you really need:

✅ A niche (Who do you want to help? What do they care about?)

✅ A platform (Pick one to start: TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, a blog, or email.)

✅ A product to promote (Affiliate program)

✅ Your unique voice (This is the most important one—people buy from people they trust.)

That’s it.

Real-Life Example: SendIt

One of the easiest affiliate programs I’ve ever joined is SendIt. Why?

It’s beginner-friendly.
And it pays you to mail envelopes to sweepstakes companies—yes, really.

SendIt helps big companies meet legal requirements, and you get paid to help them. When you refer someone to SendIt, you earn a one-time affiliate commission.

It’s a low-effort way to introduce someone to affiliate marketing and earn recurring income.

If you’re looking for a first step that’s not scary, check out SendIt here to see if it's a fit for you.

Want to Use Pinterest to Grow Your Affiliate Income?

Affiliate links don’t work unless people actually see them.

That’s where Pinterest comes in. It’s not just for recipes and home décor anymore.

Pinterest is a search engine—and it’s powerful for affiliate marketing.

But like anything else, there’s a learning curve. That’s why I recommend Kim Ward’s Pinterest Marketing Academy. She’s a down-to-earth expert who walks you through:

• Setting up your profile the right way
• Designing pins that actually get clicks
• Posting strategies that get eyes on your links
• Using affiliate links without getting flagged

I’m in her program myself, and it’s the reason I started seeing traction faster than expected.

You can check it out here: Pinterest Marketing Academy by Kim Ward

Still Wondering: “Can I Actually Do This?”

If you’re asking…

• “Can I start with zero tech skills?”
• “What if I don’t have a big following?”
• “Is it really worth the time?”

Here’s what I’ll say:

YES—you can do this without being a marketing pro.
YES—people with small audiences make consistent affiliate income.
YES—it takes effort, but the freedom it can create is worth it.

Affiliate marketing is one of the lowest-barrier business models out there. You don’t need to quit your job, go into debt, or launch a full website to get started.

You just need to start with one link, one voice, and one person you’re helping.

Want Help With the Money Side of Things?

So let’s say you do start earning with affiliate marketing.

What next?

It’s one thing to make money.
It’s another thing to keep it, grow it, and make it work for your future.

That’s where I come in.

If you're serious about building something meaningful, I invite you to book a free 15-minute intro strategy call with me and my mentor, Joy.

This isn’t a full financial deep dive—it’s a casual, no-pressure call to see:

• Where you’re at in your financial journey
• What goals you’re working toward
• If we’re the right people to support you moving forward

If you’re done winging it and want some support on the money side, click here to book your intro call.

You Don’t Have to Be an Expert to Start

If you’ve ever felt like making extra money online is only for influencers or tech bros—you’ve been lied to.

Affiliate marketing is a simple, powerful way to turn your recommendations into revenue. And you can start from exactly where you are—messy, unsure, and totally unqualified.

Start anyway.

Because your future self will thank you.

📌 Join SendIt for Easy Affiliate Income
📌 Learn Pinterest Marketing with Kim Ward
📌 Book Your Free 15-Minute Intro Call with Me + Joy

Affiliate Disclaimer

This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. As an affiliate, I only recommend products that I personally use, trust, and believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this content free and allows me to continue sharing helpful tips and resources.

I am not a medical professional, and the information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your skincare or wellness routine.