{"id":12765,"date":"2010-04-30T20:47:25","date_gmt":"2010-04-30T15:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=12765"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:58:27","slug":"first-affiliate-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Steps to Get Your First Affiliate Sale (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With so much conflicting advice about affiliate marketing, where do you start? Guest author Forest Vance laid out a simple, free method to get your <strong>first affiliate sale<\/strong> in 2010: pick a product, research keywords, write content and drive traffic. The basic plan still works in 2026, but a few steps (like daily link-building in forums and article directories) now do more harm than good. Here&#8217;s the updated six-step plan.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-62355\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/affiliate-sale.jpg\" alt=\"First affiliate sale\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/affiliate-sale.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/affiliate-sale-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/affiliate-sale-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Join a beginner-friendly affiliate program such as Amazon Associates, ClickBank or a network like Impact or Awin, choose a product you&#8217;d genuinely recommend, find specific buyer keywords (&#8220;best X for Y&#8221;, &#8220;X review&#8221;, &#8220;X vs Y&#8221;), write an honest, detailed post or video around them, add clearly disclosed affiliate links, and promote it through search, email and communities where your audience asks questions.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae355b5270cf\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae355b5270cf\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#6_steps_to_your_first_affiliate_sale\" >6 steps to your first affiliate sale<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#1_Join_an_affiliate_program_and_pick_a_product\" >1. Join an affiliate program and pick a product<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#2_Research_buyer_keywords\" >2. Research buyer keywords<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#3_Create_genuinely_helpful_content\" >3. Create genuinely helpful content<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#4_Add_affiliate_links_the_right_way\" >4. Add affiliate links the right way<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#5_Drive_targeted_traffic\" >5. Drive targeted traffic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#6_Repeat_and_improve\" >6. Repeat and improve<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#Avoid_competing_with_your_own_links\" >Avoid competing with your own links<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#How_long_does_it_take_to_make_the_first_affiliate_sale\" >How long does it take to make the first affiliate sale?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#Do_I_need_a_website_for_affiliate_marketing\" >Do I need a website for affiliate marketing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/first-affiliate-sale\/#Do_I_have_to_disclose_affiliate_links\" >Do I have to disclose affiliate links?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_steps_to_your_first_affiliate_sale\"><\/span>6 steps to your first affiliate sale<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Join_an_affiliate_program_and_pick_a_product\"><\/span>1. Join an affiliate program and pick a product<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Good starting points include <a href=\"https:\/\/affiliate-program.amazon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon Associates<\/a> (huge product range), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickbank.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ClickBank<\/a> (digital products), and networks such as Impact, Awin or CJ, which host thousands of brands. Many software and hosting companies run their own programs. Choose a product you&#8217;ve used or would happily buy, with a solid sales page and a track record of sales.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Research_buyer_keywords\"><\/span>2. Research buyer keywords<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use Google autocomplete, Keyword Planner and Search Console to find phrases people type when they&#8217;re ready to buy: &#8220;best&#8221;, &#8220;review&#8221;, &#8220;vs&#8221;, &#8220;alternative&#8221;, &#8220;discount&#8221;. Specific long-tail phrases are easier to rank for; see how to find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/google-finds-long-tail-keywords\/\">long-tail keywords<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Create_genuinely_helpful_content\"><\/span>3. Create genuinely helpful content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Write a detailed review, comparison or tutorial. Include your own experience, photos or screenshots, pros and cons, and who the product is <em>not<\/em> for. Honest reviews convert better than hype and are what search engines reward.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Add_affiliate_links_the_right_way\"><\/span>4. Add affiliate links the right way<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Place links where readers decide, such as after a recommendation, plus a clear button.<\/li>\n<li>Disclose affiliate links near the top of the post.<\/li>\n<li>Mark them <code>rel=\"sponsored\"<\/code>; branded short links via a plugin are fine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Drive_targeted_traffic\"><\/span>5. Drive targeted traffic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Forest suggested daily blog comments, forum posts, article directories and social bookmarking for links. Today that looks like spam. Instead, optimise your post for search, share it with your email list, answer related questions on Reddit or Quora where allowed, create a short YouTube or Pinterest version, and link to it from your other posts.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Repeat_and_improve\"><\/span>6. Repeat and improve<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Write more posts around the same topic, update your best ones and check which links get clicks. Your first sale might take weeks or months; after that, sales compound.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoid_competing_with_your_own_links\"><\/span>Avoid competing with your own links<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you also run display ads, ads for rival products can steal clicks from your affiliate links. See how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adsense-ads-of-affiliate-products\/\">block AdSense ads of your affiliate products<\/a>, and read how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/09\/maximize-blog-ad-revenue\/\">maximize blog ad revenue<\/a> with both.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_to_make_the_first_affiliate_sale\"><\/span>How long does it take to make the first affiliate sale?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It varies. With an existing audience it can be days; a new blog may take a few months to get search traffic.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_need_a_website_for_affiliate_marketing\"><\/span>Do I need a website for affiliate marketing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It helps a lot, but YouTube channels, newsletters and social profiles can also work if the program allows them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_have_to_disclose_affiliate_links\"><\/span>Do I have to disclose affiliate links?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, in most countries, and programs like Amazon Associates require it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Forest Vance, a blogger and internet marketer. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With so much conflicting advice about affiliate marketing, where do you start? Guest author Forest Vance laid out a simple,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":62355,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[44,49],"class_list":["post-12765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-guest-posts","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12765"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64351,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12765\/revisions\/64351"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}