How to Start Affiliate Marketing with Zero Followers (And Grow Fast!)
Celeste La ScalaSo, you’ve heard about affiliate marketing—the idea of making money online by recommending products you love sounds like a dream, right? But there’s one problem… you have zero followers. No audience. No traffic.
Guess what? You don’t need a massive following to start. In fact, many successful affiliate marketers built their income streams from scratch. The key is knowing the right strategies to get started strong and grow quickly.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: Choose the Right Niche
You don’t need a big audience, but you do need a focus. Pick a niche that genuinely interests you—whether it’s beauty, tech, fitness, personal finance, or home organization. Your passion and knowledge will make it easier to create content and attract an audience over time.
Step 2: Sign Up for Affiliate Programs
You can join affiliate programs even without followers! Some of the easiest ones to get started with include:
-
Amazon Associates (great for general products)
-
ShareASale and CJ Affiliate (wide range of brands)
-
LTK (LikeToKnowIt) (ideal for fashion & lifestyle)
-
Impact and Rakuten (for more premium brands)
Many companies also have direct affiliate programs—so if there’s a brand you love, check their website for an “Affiliate” or “Partner” section!
Step 3: Create Content Strategically
Without followers, you need to be smart about how you get traffic. Here are the best ways:
-
SEO-focused blog posts – Write about in-demand topics that people are already searching for (e.g., “Best Kitchen Gadgets for Small Spaces” or “How to Build a Skincare Routine on a Budget”).
-
Pinterest marketing – Pinterest acts like a search engine, and pins can drive consistent traffic to your affiliate links.
-
TikTok & Instagram Reels – Short-form videos showcasing products perform well, even if you’re starting from zero.
-
YouTube & TikTok SEO – People search for product reviews and tutorials all the time. A well-optimized video can rack up thousands of views even with no prior audience.
Step 4: Drive Traffic to Your Links
Since you don’t have followers yet, organic traffic is your best friend. Here’s how to start:
-
Write SEO-optimized blog posts and pin them on Pinterest.
-
Create TikTok videos with trending sounds and product demonstrations.
-
Join relevant Facebook groups and provide value (without spamming links!).
-
Answer questions on Reddit and Quora with thoughtful recommendations.
Step 5: Learn from the Experts (And Skip the Guesswork)
Here’s the reality: most people fail at affiliate marketing because they waste time on trial and error instead of learning what actually works. Getting the right guidance from the start can save you months (or years) of struggle.
This is where Sara Finances' Affiliate Marketing Course comes in. Sara built a successful affiliate business from scratch, and she teaches practical, no-fluff strategies that actually work—even if you’re starting from zero.
✅ How to choose profitable niches and products
✅ How to get free traffic to your affiliate links
✅ The best platforms to use (even if you don’t have a website)
✅ How to grow quickly and start earning commissions fast
For a small investment, you’re getting a proven roadmap that can help you start strong and scale quickly—without the frustration of figuring it all out alone. If you’re serious about making money with affiliate marketing, this is the shortcut you’ve been looking for.
👉 Check out Sara Finances’ Affiliate Marketing Course here!
Final Thoughts
Starting affiliate marketing with zero followers is 100% possible. The key is choosing the right niche, leveraging platforms that give you organic reach, and learning from those who’ve already done it successfully.
Happy affiliate marketing!
