7 Ways to Start Affiliate Marketing With No Money

If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram at 2 a.m., wondering how people make money online without spending anything, you’re not alone. I remember being in the same spot years ago, broke, frustrated, and slightly jealous of those who made $2,430 in 7 days! screenshots.

Here’s the good news: Affiliate marketing actually can be started with zero money. No fancy software, no website, no ads. Just your time, consistency, and a bit of creativity.

Let me walk you through the 7 real ways Affiliate marketing you can get started for free, even if you feel like you’re starting from scratch.

1. Use Social Media as Your Launchpad

You don’t need a professional camera or a massive audience. Honestly, some of the most successful beginners start with a phone that barely focuses.

Pick one platform you’re comfortable with: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or even Pinterest (seriously, Pinterest is underrated).

Start posting simple, helpful content. For example, if you’re into skincare, share your evening routine and casually mention the moisturizer you use. Add your affiliate link in your bio or comments.

You don’t need to sell hard. People can smell desperation a mile away.

Tiny tip: Consistency beats aesthetics. A helpful tip posted daily is more effective than a perfect post every two weeks.

2. Use Free Blogging Platforms

Yes, you can start blogging without paying for hosting.

Platforms like:

Medium
Blogger
WordPress.com
LinkedIn Articles

All of these are free and Google-friendly.

Write simple guides:

Best Affordable Fitness Gear for Beginners
3 Tools I Use to Stay Productive
How I Lost Belly Fat With Home Workouts

Do not overthink it. Just write like you’d text your cousin.

People search for everyday stuff all the time. You only need a tiny slice of that traffic.

3. Join Affiliate marketing Programs That Don’t Cost a Rupee, Dollar, or Dirham

Most Affiliate marketing programs are completely free. You sign up and grab a link.

Some great beginner-friendly ones:

Amazon Associates
Impact
Digistore24
ClickBank
Awin
Fiverr Affiliates
Canva

Choose products you actually use or believe in it’s much easier to talk about things you like.

4. Leverage Facebook Groups

This is one of those low-key powerful methods nobody talks about enough.

Join groups related to your niche:

Parenting
Fitness
Gaming
Cooking
Working from Home

Be helpful. Don’t spam links like a robot.

For example, if someone asks, What’s the best microphone for Zoom calls?
You reply with something like:

I’ve been using this budget microphone and the quality is surprisingly good. Here’s the link if you wanna check it out.

It feels natural because it is natural.

People appreciate help, not sales pitches.

5. Start a Simple Email List

I know what you’re thinking: How do I build an email list with no money?

Tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit (free plan), and Brevo let you collect subscribers for free.

Offer a tiny value piece maybe a checklist, a small guide, or even a curated list of your favorite tools. Doesn’t have to be fancy. In fact, the simpler it feels, the more personal it comes across.

Then, gently recommend products in your follow-up emails.

Think of your emails like talking to a friend, not writing a corporate memo.

6. TikTok’s Face-Free Videos

If the thought of showing your face makes you want to hide under a blanket forever, relax. Face-free content is booming.

You can create:

screen recordings
quote videos
product demos
ASMR unboxing
list-style videos

You only need your phone and the TikTok editor.

People love raw, unpolished content now. Perfection is out. Relatable is in.

7. Use Free SEO Tools for Keyword Ideas

Before you scroll past this part don’t worry, you don’t need advanced SEO knowledge.

Tools like:

Google Trends
AnswerThePublic
Ubersuggest
Keyword Planner

These help you find what people are searching for. That way, you aren’t guessing topic you’re creating content people already want.

For example:
If many people search best budget laptops for students, guess what?
Your free blog post or YouTube Short can target exactly that.

This tiny trick alone can drive passive traffic for months.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Money. You Need Momentum.

When I first started, I wasted way too much time thinking I needed the perfect tools, the perfect branding, or honestly the perfect everything. What I actually needed was to just start.

Affiliate marketing isn’t magic. It’s a simple system:
1 idea → 1 piece of content → 1 click → 1 commission.

But you can’t get to that commission if you’re stuck waiting.

So start messy. Start imperfect. Start with what you have.
Just start.

7 Ways to Start Affiliate Marketing With No Money