How to Start Affiliate Marketing Without a Following

Starting affiliate marketing can feel intimidating, especially if you don’t have an existing audience. But as Whitney Bonds explains in her video “How to Start Affiliate Marketing Without a Following”, it’s entirely possible to succeed by leveraging search engines and creating content tailored to what people are actively searching for.

 

In this guide, we’ll break down Whitney’s strategies for earning over $10,000 a month through affiliate marketing, even without a dedicated audience.

Affiliate marketing is about promoting products or services via unique referral links. If someone makes a purchase through your link, you earn a commission. For example, recommending a product like a Canon 90D camera on Amazon not only earns you a percentage from the sale but also commissions from additional items added to the buyer’s cart.

 

The key is to offer value by sharing helpful recommendations while ensuring your content aligns with user intent.

Without followers, search engines like Google and YouTube become your best friends. People frequently search for solutions or product recommendations. By creating content around popular search terms, you can direct this organic traffic to your affiliate links.

 

Use tools like YouTube’s search bar to uncover trending long-tail keywords (e.g., “how to sell dog treats”). Creating content around these topics ensures you’re solving real problems while tapping into an existing demand.

Studying competitors is crucial for identifying successful affiliate programs and content ideas. For example, Whitney analyzed links from similar creators and discovered profitable programs like a dog bakery workshop.

 

Ask yourself:

 

• What problems does this product solve?

 

• What content could I create to appeal to potential buyers?

 

Then, create highly targeted videos or blog posts demonstrating how these products work.

Don’t shy away from trying affiliate products yourself. Whitney suggests immersing yourself in tools like AI programs or software (e.g., Murf AI) to create authentic and valuable tutorials. Screen recording tools like Loom make it easy to showcase these products without showing your face.

Affiliate marketing without an audience is achievable by focusing on search intent, creating high-quality content, and aligning with the right affiliate programs. Whitney’s actionable steps—from finding niches to creating keyword-rich content—offer a clear roadmap for success.

 

Ready to dive deeper? Watch Whitney Bonds’ full video on her strategies, and explore her Skillshare class on affiliate marketing for exclusive tips and resources.