Affiliate marketing is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to earn online after 50. You’re already giving friends advice about products you love – now you’ll get paid when people take your recommendations.
No inventory, no customer service, no selling required. Just your opinions about things that genuinely help people, shared through content you create.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you.
1. How Affiliate Marketing Actually Works
1. You join an affiliate program (free to join) and get your unique tracking link
2. You create helpful content—a blog post, video, or social media post – that solves a problem
3. You naturally recommend products that help, including your affiliate link
4. Someone clicks your link and buys within the tracking window (usually 24 hours to 30 days)
5. You earn a commission (typically 5-50% depending on the product)
Real example: You write a blog post called “5 Comfortable Walking Shoes for Arthritic Feet.” You include Amazon affiliate links to each of the shoes. When someone clicks through and buys, you earn a commission – even if they buy something else on Amazon.
The company tracks everything through your unique link. You never handle money, shipping, or customer issues. You just solve problems and connect people with solutions.
👉 See: The Best Affiliate Programs with Recurring Commissions
2. Is This Legitimate?
Yes, completely. Affiliate marketing is how most online content gets monetized. That product review you read last week? Probably contained affiliate links. The YouTube video comparing cameras? Affiliate links in the description. Even Tripadvisor is full of affiliate links!
This is NOT:
- A pyramid scheme (you’re not recruiting people)
- A get-rich-quick scheme (it takes time to build)
- Spammy or unethical (when done with honesty and disclosure)
Legal requirement: You must disclose affiliate relationships clearly. Simply say “This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you.”
3. Your Roadmap to Getting Started
Step 1: Choose Your Niche
Pick a topic that combines:
- Something you know deeply (from experience, hobby, or career) or a topic you want to learn
- Something people actively search for solutions about
- Something with available products to recommend
Great niches for 50+: Retirement planning, grandparenting tips, downsizing/decluttering, managing chronic conditions, second-act careers, budget travel, empty-nest hobbies, home organization, fitness after 50.
👉 Action – Start here: How to Choose Your Profitable Niche
Step 2: Join Affiliate Programs
Start with these beginner-friendly programs:
- Amazon Associates – Easiest to start, 1-10% commissions, promotes almost anything.
- Flexofffers – Thousands of brands, good commission rates .
- Partnerstack – Lots of business resources with high commissions.
- Individual brand programs – Many companies run their own (often higher commissions).
You can join multiple programs. Most are free and approve you quickly.
Step 3: Choose Your Platform
Where will you share your recommendations?
Blog – Best for long-term, searchable content (recommended for beginners)
YouTube – Great if you’re comfortable on camera or creating faceless videos
Pinterest – Works like a search engine, perfect for linking to blog content
Email list – Essential for building an audience you own
Social media – Good for engagement, but harder to add links (platform restrictions)
Most successful affiliates use multiple platforms, but start with one and do it well.
Step 4: Create Helpful Content
Your content should solve problems first, recommend products second.
Content that works:
- “How to…” tutorials with product recommendations
- “Best of” roundups for specific needs (highly recommended for affiliate links)
- Product Vs Product (add your affiliate links)
- Personal stories with solutions
- Problem-solving guides
Example titles:
- “How I Organized My Small Kitchen (5 Products That Actually Helped)”
- “Best Garden Tools for Arthritis: What Works After 3 Years”
- “Downsizing After 30 Years: Products That Made It Easier”
Write from experience or research. People trust authenticity over perfection.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Promoting products you don’t trust – Your credibility depends on honesty. Promote what you trust. If you don’t trust it, then say that. BUT include your affiliate link because some people will still buy it!
Choosing a niche you don’t care about – You’ll need to create consistent content. Pick something you genuinely enjoy discussing.
Expecting immediate results – Most people earn their first commission within 2-3 months. Building sustainable income takes 6-12 months of consistent effort.
Being too salesy – Focus on helping people. The sales happen naturally when you provide genuine value.
Not tracking what works – Pay attention to which content gets clicks and conversions. Do more of what works. Sign up for Google Analytics (free).
5. Real Expectations: Timeline and Income
Month 1-3: Learning, setting up, creating your first content. First commission feels amazing but might be small ($10-50).
Month 4-6: Finding your rhythm, understanding what content resonates. Income grows slowly ($50-200/month).
Month 7-12: Consistent content creation pays off. Income becomes more predictable ($200-1000+/month).
Year 2+: Compounding effect kicks in. Old content continues earning while new content adds more ($1000-5000+/month is realistic with consistent work).
These aren’t guarantees – they’re typical patterns. Some people grow faster, some slower. The key is consistency and learning from what works.
6. Learn More: Your Content Library
Getting Started Guides
- What is Affiliate Online Marketing?
- What are Keywords and How Do They Work for Affiliate Marketing
- How to Make Money with Website Affiliate Marketing for Success
- What’s the Best Way to Learn Affiliate Marketing?
- 10 Beginner Affiliate Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Start Affiliate Marketing with a Website for Beginners
- How to Make Money Over the Internet
Resources
- Best Resources for Affiliate Marketing Beginners
- Best Online Income for the Over 50s (includes affiliate marketing and dropshipping)
- Affiliate Marketing Network List for Beginners
Finding the Right Programs
- The Best Affiliate Programs with Recurring Commissions
- 20 Best Affiliate Programs for Travel Sites – Your Blueprint for Success
- 70 Finance Niche Ideas for Affiliate Marketing
Creating Content That Converts
- Master The Customer Purchase Life Cycle for Affiliate Marketing
- 11 Tactics – How to Create Content for Affiliate Marketing
Growing Your Income
- How to Write an Affiliate Product Review (and make money)
- 10 Strategies to Boost Your Affiliate Marketing Productivity
7. Essential Tools and Resources
Link Management:
- Pretty Links (WordPress plugin) – Creates short, memorable links
- Lasso – Manages and cloaks affiliate links
Content Creation:
- Canva – Graphics and social media images
- Grammarly – Writing assistance
Analytics:
- Google Analytics – Track your website traffic
- Your affiliate dashboard – Monitor clicks and earnings
👉 More tools: Best Resources for Affiliate Marketing Beginners
8. Frequently Asked Questions
a) Do I need a website?
Not technically, but it helps tremendously. A blog gives you a home base that you control, and search engines send free traffic for years.
You can start with platforms like Instagram or YouTube and add a blog later.
👉 See: How to Make Money Blogging for Beginners
👉 See: FAQ: Starting a YouTube Channel After 50
b) How much does it cost to start?
Minimal. A simple blog costs $3-10/month for hosting. Many platforms (YouTube, social media) are free. Budget $50-100 to start if you’re building a blog.
👉 See: Rocket.net Vs Hostinger, and Rocket.net Vs Bluehost
c) Do I need to be salesy?
No! The opposite, actually. Be helpful first. When you genuinely solve someone’s problem, they trust your recommendations naturally.
d) What if I don’t have an audience yet?
Everyone starts at zero. You build an audience by consistently creating helpful content.
Search engines and social platforms will bring people to you over time.
e) Can I do this part-time?
Absolutely. Most successful affiliate marketers started with 5-10 hours per week while working full-time. Consistency matters more than time invested.
f) What if I’m not tech-savvy?
You’ll learn as you go. Everything has YouTube tutorials. Start simple – one platform, basic content – and add complexity as you grow comfortable.
Your Next Step: Start Today
You’ve learned how affiliate marketing works. Now it’s time to act. Choose your niche in the next 24 hours using my niche guide: How to Choose a Niche Without Overthinking it!
Write down three topics you could discuss endlessly based on your life experience. Pick one. That’s your starting point.
Don’t overthink it – you can always pivot later. Your future income is waiting on the other side of that first decision.