Affiliate marketing is steadily growing, with the industry currently estimated to be worth over €13 billion globally.
With the right strategy, it can be a reliable way to earn extra income, or even build a sustainable living.
However, It can also be a way to align your values with your work by supporting ethical affiliate programs, and promoting positive change.
What is Affiliate Marketing and how does it work?
Affiliate marketing is a way of earning commission by promoting someone else’s product or service. You share a link—on your website, social media, or newsletter—and if someone makes a purchase through that link, you earn a percentage of the sale.
What is Ethical Affiliate Marketing?
In short: Ethical affiliate marketing is about being honest and transparent, while promoting goods or services that are provided by environmentally conscious or socially responsible brands.
This also includes clearly disclosing affiliate relationships and avoiding misleading tactics and choosing relevant and trustworthy affiliate partners over a higher commission.
What does an affiliate marketer do?
An affiliate marketer connects people to products. This might involve writing reviews, creating tutorials, comparing products, or simply linking to things you already use and recommend. A good affiliate marketer builds trust by being helpful—not just selling for the sake of it.
How to start affiliate marketing?
To get started, choose a topic or niche you care about, build a space to share content (like a blog or YouTube channel), and sign up for affiliate programmes related to your topic. Start by offering value: answer questions, recommend useful tools, and create content that earns trust. Once your audience grows, so does your potential income.
How much do I need to start affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is one of the few businesses you can start with almost no upfront cost. If you already have a social media presence, blog, or email list, you can start sharing affiliate links right away. Over time, you might want to invest in a website, better content tools, or advertising—but to begin, the basics can be free.
How do affiliate marketers get paid?
Affiliate marketers typically get paid through commissions. When someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a qualifying purchase (or completes an action, like signing up), you earn a percentage or fixed fee. Some programmes pay per sale, others pay per lead or click, depending on the terms.
How much do beginner affiliates make?
Earnings vary a lot. According to some recent reports, many beginners earn under 200€ per month. That’s normal. With time, effort, and a smart strategy, income can grow—but it usually takes patience, testing, and building trust before seeing significant results.