Starting affiliate marketing with no budget is entirely possible—I know because I’ve done it.
When I began, I had $0 for ads, no fancy software, and just a strong drive to create an income stream online.
Over time, I’ve built multiple blogs and affiliate funnels that now generate revenue every single day.
In this guide, I’ll show you the exact steps I used and still recommend if you want to start affiliate marketing even when you’re broke.
How to Start Affiliate Marketing If You’re Broke
These are the 7 steps I took to start my affiliate marketing journey, and I will recommend them to anyone who is broke and starting their journey now.
Step 1: Pick a Free Niche You Actually Like
The first mistake beginners make is chasing “high-paying” niches they don’t care about. That leads to burnout and weak content. Instead:
Choose what you love or know
Fitness, gaming, AI tools, personal finance, side hustles, etc.
Validate demand
Browse free marketplaces like ClickBank Marketplace to see what’s selling.
Look for evergreen problems
Weight loss, productivity, and money management—people will always seek solutions.
I started with personal finance and side hustles because I was already obsessed with finding ways to earn online. Passion made creating content much easier.
Step 2: Sign Up for Free Affiliate Programs
You don’t need to pay a dime to access top affiliate products. Start with these free programs:
Amazon Associates
Perfect for beginners. Huge variety of products, though commissions are small.
Impact or CJ Affiliate
Wide range of digital and physical offers.
SaaS/Software Programs
Many offer recurring commissions. Think ConvertKit, Canva, or SEO tools.
Pro Tip: Pick 2–3 programs aligned with your niche so you’re not overwhelmed.
Step 3: Create a Simple Giveaway
Your freebie (lead magnet) is the hook to capture emails.
Research your audience to identify their quick-win needs.
Examples:
- Weight loss: “7 Smoothies to Burn Fat at Home” PDF
- Personal finance: “Budget Tracker Spreadsheet”
- Blogging: “Checklist: Launch a Blog in 7 Days”
Keep it valuable but simple—one or two pages is enough.
👉 What I did: For my own list building, I created mini-guides and calculators (like “Side Hustle Checklist”) using free tools like Google Docs and Canva.
Step 4: Build a Landing Page for Free
Use ConvertKit’s free plan to create a no-cost landing page:
- Upload your freebie (host it in Dropbox or Google Drive).
- Add a simple form for email sign-ups.
- Redirect subscribers to the download link automatically.
This is your “digital storefront,” and you don’t need a custom domain to start.
Step 5: Drive Free Traffic (No Ads, Just Effort)
Here’s where most people quit—but this is where you win if you’re consistent.
Choose ONE platform to master:
- Reddit: Answer niche questions with value; include your link when appropriate.
- YouTube Shorts/TikTok: Use your phone, share quick tips, and link in bio.
- Medium or Free Blog: Post “Best Tools for ___” articles and link to your landing page.
- Pinterest: Make simple pins in Canva and drive traffic to your blog or ConvertKit page.
- Quora: Provide helpful answers and point to your free resource.
👉 From my journey: Pinterest was a game-changer for me. I built traffic to my first affiliate blog without spending a peso on ads.
Step 6: Use the Power of Email Marketing
This is where free becomes profitable.
- Even on ConvertKit’s free plan, you can collect emails and send broadcast emails.
- When someone opts in, redirect them to your free guide hosted on Dropbox/Google Drive.
- Send weekly (or even daily) tips, stories, and recommendations with your affiliate links.
Build trust first, recommend products second. I built my first $100 days entirely from email subscribers.
Step 7: Reinvest Your Small Earnings
Your first $50–$100 is gold. Reinvest wisely:
- Buy a domain and cheap hosting to create a professional brand hub.
- Start posting SEO-friendly articles like “Best X Tools” or “How to Do Y.”
- Keep building topical authority and watch organic traffic grow.
This is exactly how I went from a free Pinterest strategy to multiple blogs earning through AdSense and affiliate programs.
Common Mistakes Broke Beginners Make
- Spamming links everywhere (you’ll get banned).
- Jumping between random products with no niche focus.
- Quitting after a few weeks—affiliate marketing takes 3–6 months to show real results.
TL;DR
Start free → build an email list → drive traffic via free channels → reinvest profits into your own website → grow into a long-term SEO traffic machine.
FAQs: How to Start Affiliate Marketing If You Are Broke
Do I need money to start affiliate marketing?
No. You can start with $0 using free tools like ConvertKit, Canva, Pinterest, and free blogging platforms.
How long until I make money?
Typically, 3–6 months if you stay consistent. My first commission came after about 90 days of steady content.
What’s the easiest free traffic source?
It depends on your strengths. Pinterest and TikTok work well for visual niches; Reddit and Quora for text-based niches.
Should I buy ads once I earn?
Not right away. First, invest in a domain and hosting to build authority. Ads come later for scaling.
Can I use my phone to create content?
Absolutely. You can record videos, design Canva pins, and even write blog posts from your phone.
Key Takeaways: How to Start Affiliate Marketing If You’re Broke
I started broke, armed only with a laptop and a relentless drive to build passive income.
Today, affiliate marketing is one of my main income streams. If I can do it, you can too, without a single dollar upfront.
Pick your niche, create a freebie, build your list, and show up consistently. The best time to start is today.