10 Easy Side Hustles Affiliate Marketers Can Start While Growing Their Online Business

Affiliate marketers can supplement their income with easy side hustles like freelancing, content writing, UGC creation, and email list rentals while building their affiliate business. These flexible, low barrier hustles help fund your growth and sharpen skills that make your affiliate marketing strategy stronger.

Why Start a Side Hustle as an Affiliate Marketer?

Affiliate marketing is a powerful long term income stream, but it takes time to build traffic, trust, and consistent commissions.

In the meantime, side hustles help:

• Generate immediate cash flow
• Develop marketable digital skills
• Build an audience or list faster
• Reduce financial pressure so you can stay consistent

Let’s break down 10 side hustles that work well with your affiliate journey—and even support it.

1. Freelance Writing (Content That Converts)

Freelance writing is one of the easiest ways to make money online while growing your affiliate marketing business.

Why it fits:

• Develops your copywriting and SEO skills
• Positions you as an expert in your niche
• Pays you to practice content creation

Where to start:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• ProBlogger Job Board

✍️ Tip: Write for other affiliate marketers or online business owners to stay in your zone of genius.

2. UGC (User-Generated Content) Creation

Brands pay content creators for TikTok-style videos, reviews, and testimonials. You don’t need a huge following, just creativity and basic video skills.

• Why it fits:

• Easy to batch and repurpose
• Sharpens your promotional messaging
• Can include your affiliate tools (indirect monetization)

Tools to try:

• Pictory
• InVideo
• CapCut (free app for short-form video editing)

Bonus: You can turn these into your own affiliate content too.

3. Virtual Assistant Services

Affiliate marketers often need help with social media, email scheduling, blog formatting, or research.

Why it fits:

• Offers predictable income
• Builds connections in the digital business space
• Flexible hours (work when you want)

Services you can offer:

• Content repurposing
• Pinterest pin design
• Email list management

4. Email Newsletter Rentals or Sponsorships

Already growing a list for your affiliate business? Rent space in your newsletter to complementary brands or run sponsored content.

Why it fits:

• Monetizes your list beyond affiliate links
• Adds value to your audience with trusted tools
• Builds recurring income potential

Tip: Use a simple tool like AWeber or ConvertKit to track open rates and clicks.

5. Printables & Digital Products

Design low content products (checklists, planners, templates) that relate to your affiliate niche.

Why it fits:

• Can be sold via Etsy or Gumroad
• Can double as lead magnets for your list
• Requires little overhead once set up

Example: Create a "Content Planner for Affiliate Marketers" and link it to your tools.

6. Blog Monetization (Even Without Your Own Site)

Use free platforms like Medium, Vocal.Media, or HubPages to publish helpful, optimized articles.

Why it fits:

• Builds traffic and trust for affiliate offers
• Pays based on reads or partner programs
• Improves your SEO and writing skills

Monetize with Medium’s Partner Program or Vocal’s bonuses.

7. Affiliate Program Referrals (Meta Side Hustle)

Promote affiliate platforms you already use like autoresponders, design tools, or affiliate networks.

Why it fits:

• High conversion (you’re a real user)
• Passive income
• Adds social proof to your own recommendations

Use tutorials or listicles to showcase how these tools work for you.

8. Simple Digital Services (No Tech Needed)

Offer services like:

• Canva pin creation
• AI article outlines
• Product research summaries

Why it fits:

• You’re doing it anyway
• Easy to offer via social media or job boards
• Builds authority in your space

9. Online Tutoring or Coaching

If you're learning affiliate marketing, teach what you know to those a step behind.

Why it fits:

• Builds your confidence and network
• Can evolve into coaching or product sales
• Enhances your credibility

Start with 1:1 strategy calls or email Q&A packages.

10. Resell PLR (Private Label Rights) Content

Buy white-label eBooks, courses, or templates, then resell or repurpose them with your links.

Why it fits:

• Quick to launch
• Works as a funnel into affiliate offers
• Low cost, high leverage

📚 Use PLR.me, IDPLR, or Creative Fabrica.

Key Takeaways

Side hustles can fund your affiliate business and support your growth.

Choose options that develop complementary skills (copywriting, traffic generation, etc.).

Many side hustles can directly integrate with your affiliate strategy.

Keep it simple—pick 1 or 2 max to stay focused.

FAQ: Affiliate Marketing + Side Hustles

• Can I do affiliate marketing full time right away? It depends. Most affiliates need 3–6 months of consistent effort to build sustainable income. A side hustle bridges the gap.
• Should I separate my side hustle from my affiliate brand? Not necessarily. If it's aligned (like freelance writing or UGC creation), it can enhance your brand and authority.
• What’s the easiest side hustle to start today? Freelance writing or Pinterest design services—both require no upfront investment and use skills you're already developing.

👉 Want some help building a gameplan to start your affiliate business that includes side hustles and affiliate income?

My Affiliate Marketing Blueprint interactive tool will create a free, personalized action plan tailored to your niche, time, and income goals: Get it here: https://zenquestlife.com/personalized-plan