From Theory to Practice: How to Make Real Money with Affiliates Without False Promises

From Theory to Practice: How to Make Real Money with Affiliates Without False Promises

Look, it's past midnight, and you're staring at your bank statement thinking, “Man, I need more money.” Or maybe you just saw someone on Instagram saying they make R$10,000 a month working in their pajamas, and you're wondering, “Is that real?”

Relax, I’ve been there. I started with affiliate marketing thinking it would be a goldmine, but guess what? It’s not that easy. But it’s also not as complicated as some people make it seem. I’ll break it down for you—no fluff, just the truth.

What is affiliate marketing in practice?

Think of it this way: Your cousin launches a fitness app, and you recommend it to your friends. Every time someone downloads or buys it, he gives you a cut. Simple. You don’t have to build the app, handle customers, or deal with logistics—just connect people who need something with those who sell it.

The cool part? You can do this from home. But… there’s a big but.

Why do so many people fail?

I've seen so many people fall for the get-rich-quick mindset, and it hurts to watch. They want to make R$5,000 in their first month without even knowing where to start. Others just spam random links in WhatsApp groups and—of course—nothing happens. Then they give up after a week with no sales.

If you want to succeed, here’s the key: It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Strategies that actually work

1. Pick a niche you truly understand

Ever heard someone complain about dogs barking all day? Or seen desperate students looking for study hacks? These are niches where people are already willing to spend money. Choose a topic you know or have experience with.

Example: A friend of mine saw moms in her Facebook group complaining about weak hair. She started recommending hair nutrition products—ones she had personally tried—and now she’s an official partner of a brand.

2. Speak your audience’s language

Join Facebook groups in your niche and observe. What are people complaining about? What problems do they have?

Ask yourself: “What would I do if I were in their shoes?”

Use their language: If your audience says “tired of boring diets”, don’t say “balanced nutrition”.

3. Don’t become a link-spamming robot

Imagine if I started this article saying, “Click here, click there, buy now!” You’d find it fake, right? Instead, provide value first.

If you’re promoting an English course, post a useful phrase on YouTube. At the end, say: “By the way, if you want to go deeper, I recommend this course—it worked great for me.”

4. Build your own audience

Create a blog, a YouTube channel, or even an email list. This way, you’re not relying on Instagram or TikTok, which could change their algorithms tomorrow.

One guy I know started by sending recipe tips on WhatsApp. Now he has 5,000 people on his list and sells cookbooks as an affiliate.

5. Test and learn from mistakes

I once tried promoting a digital sales course without ever taking it myself. Result? Zero sales, total flop. Now, before recommending anything, I either test it myself or talk to people who have.

Mistakes to avoid

🚫 Don’t be a spammer – I’ve seen people pasting affiliate links in random video comments. It looks desperate, and no one clicks.

⏳ Don’t quit too soon – It might take 3 to 6 months to see results. A friend of mine made R$2,000 after 8 months. Today, she makes over R$10,000.

❌ Don’t lie – If a product has flaws, say it. A local YouTuber lost half his audience after promoting a bad supplement.

How to start today

✅ Pick a topic – Do you love travel? Organization? Health?

✅ Find affiliate programs – Hotmart, Amazon, even supplement stores have partnerships.

✅ Start small – Record a short video with tips. Write a Facebook post.

✅ Be authentic – “Hey guys, I tried this, and it worked for me. If you want to check it out, here’s the link.”

So, is it worth it?

Absolutely—but without illusions. It’s not making money while you sleep. It’s work, but it’s your work. You control your time, your place, and with patience, it can even become your main income.

Oh, and one last thing: If someone sells you the idea of “making money with zero effort”, run. That doesn’t exist.

Now, a question for you: What problem in your daily life could you solve and recommend a solution for others?

Hope this helps! And if you need more tips, just ask. 😊