In today’s digital economy, finding the right side hustle can help you build financial freedom, achieve flexibility, and increase your earning potential. Two of the most profitable online business models are affiliate marketing and copywriting.
But which one is right for you? Affiliate marketing is a passive income model that allows you to earn commissions by promoting products, while copywriting is a high-demand freelance skill where you write compelling content for businesses.
Both have advantages and challenges, and choosing the right one depends on your skills, goals, and income expectations. In this guide, we’ll compare affiliate marketing vs. copywriting, explore their profitability, ease of starting, and scalability, and help you decide the best side hustle for you.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based online business model where individuals promote a company’s products or services and earn a commission for every successful sale, lead, or click generated through their affiliate link.
It’s a great way to earn passive income by leveraging content marketing, SEO, and social media.
How Affiliate Marketers Earn Money
There are multiple ways to make money through affiliate marketing, including:
- Pay-Per-Sale (PPS): Earn a percentage of the total sale when someone purchases through your affiliate link.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC): Get paid for every click on your affiliate link, even if no purchase is made.
- Pay-Per-Lead (PPL): Earn commissions when a user completes a specific action, such as signing up for a free trial.
Benefits of Affiliate Marketing
- Low startup costs – You don’t need to create a product, handle inventory, or deal with customer service.
- Scalability – Promote multiple products across different niches to grow your earnings.
- Passive income potential – Earn commissions 24/7 once you generate organic traffic.
- Location independence – Work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Challenges of Affiliate Marketing
- High competition – Many affiliates promote the same products, making it harder to stand out.
- Delayed payouts – Some affiliate programs have 30-90 day payout cycles.
- Traffic dependency – Without consistent website traffic, social media engagement, or email subscribers, commissions remain low.
What is Copywriting?
Copywriting is a highly profitable freelance skill that involves writing persuasive content designed to drive sales, generate leads, and influence readers to take action. It’s used in advertising, marketing campaigns, email funnels, and website content.
Copywriting is in high demand because businesses need compelling content to attract and convert customers.
How Copywriters Make Money
Copywriters can earn money through various opportunities:
- Freelance writing – Get paid per project, hourly, or per word.
- Retainer contracts – Secure monthly income by writing regularly for clients.
- Passive income methods – Sell copywriting courses, eBooks, or templates.
- Agency work – Work for a marketing or advertising agency.
Benefits of Copywriting
- High demand – Every business needs skilled copywriters for marketing.
- Quick earnings – Unlike affiliate marketing, you get paid immediately after completing work.
- Diverse job opportunities – Work in email marketing, sales copy, blog writing, or ad writing.
- No upfront investment required – All you need is a laptop and writing skills.
Challenges of Copywriting
- Requires a learning curve – Mastering persuasive writing takes time and practice.
- Client dependency – Income relies on continuously landing new clients.
- Time-consuming – Writing high-quality content requires effort and research.
Key Differences: Affiliate Marketing vs. Copywriting
| Factor | Affiliate Marketing | Copywriting |
| Income Model | Commission-based earnings | Direct payment per project |
| Startup Costs | Low (website, hosting) | Low (portfolio, marketing) |
| Scalability | High – Passive income grows | Limited by available work hours |
| Skill Requirements | SEO, content marketing | Persuasive writing, storytelling |
| Risk Level | Moderate (depends on traffic) | Low (clients always need copywriters) |
| Time Investment | Moderate | High (active writing required) |
Affiliate Marketing vs. Copywriting: Which is Easier to Start?
For beginners, affiliate marketing is easier if you already have marketing skills or an existing audience. You can promote affiliate links through:
- SEO-driven blog posts
- Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter
- YouTube videos
- Email marketing campaigns
- Paid advertising (PPC or Facebook ads)
On the other hand, copywriting requires learning persuasive writing techniques. If you enjoy writing and are willing to develop your skills, copywriting can be an easier entry point into online freelancing.
Read: How to choose a social media platform for affiliate marketing
Which One is More Profitable?
- Short-term: Copywriting provides quicker income because you get paid immediately for projects.
- Long-term: Affiliate marketing offers higher passive income potential, but it requires time to build traffic and trust.
If you want fast cash flow, copywriting is the better choice. If you’re willing to invest time for scalable, long-term income, affiliate marketing is the way to go.
How to Get Started with Affiliate Marketing
- Choose a profitable niche – Tech, fitness, finance, and personal development are popular niches.
- Sign up for affiliate programs like the ones on Involve Asia.
- Create content – Write blog posts, produce YouTube videos, or engage on social media.
- Drive traffic to your affiliate links – Use SEO, email marketing, and paid advertising.
- Optimize for conversions – Test different strategies to increase your commissions.
How to Get Started with Copywriting
- Learn copywriting principles – Study persuasive writing and sales psychology.
- Build a portfolio – Write samples showcasing your expertise in sales copy.
- Join freelance platforms – Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn are great for landing gigs.
- Pitch to clients – Reach out to businesses needing email sequences, website copy, and ad campaigns.
- Deliver high-quality work – Meet deadlines and maintain good client relationships for repeat business.
Can You Do Both at the Same Time?
Yes! Many successful affiliate marketers use copywriting skills to write high-converting sales pages, email sequences, and blog content. Likewise, copywriters can incorporate affiliate links into their content for additional income.
Combining affiliate marketing and copywriting allows you to maximize your earning potential and create multiple income streams.
Conclusion
Both affiliate marketing and copywriting offer excellent income opportunities as side hustles.
If you want long-term passive income, affiliate marketing is the better option. If you prefer immediate income and writing-focused work, copywriting is ideal.
Want to make the most money? Combine both! The best choice depends on your skills, time commitment, and financial goals.
👉 Sign up here to start affiliate marketing with Involve Asia
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much can you realistically make with affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing earnings vary depending on niche, traffic, and conversion rates. Beginners might make $100–$500 per month, while intermediate marketers earn $1,000–$5,000 monthly. Experienced affiliates leveraging SEO, email marketing, and paid ads can scale earnings to $10,000+ per month.
The highest-earning affiliates, using high-ticket affiliate programs and recurring commissions, can make six or seven figures annually. Success depends on building an audience, choosing profitable affiliate programs, and optimizing conversion rates. While it takes time to grow, affiliate marketing offers long-term passive income potential for those willing to put in consistent effort.
How much do affiliates earn per month?
Affiliate earnings vary widely. Beginners usually earn $100–$500 per month by promoting affiliate links through social media, blogs, or YouTube. Intermediate affiliates leveraging SEO and email marketing can earn $1,000–$5,000 monthly. Advanced affiliates, who optimize high-converting sales funnels and paid ads, can make $10,000+ per month.
Super affiliates (top 1%) generate $50,000 to $500,000+ per month, often using high-ticket affiliate programs and automated sales funnels. While success takes time, those who stay consistent, test strategies, and build a strong audience can achieve sustainable, scalable income.
Can copywriters do affiliate marketing?
Yes! Copywriters have a major advantage in affiliate marketing because persuasive writing boosts conversions. Many affiliates struggle with writing effective sales pages, email sequences, and ad copy, but copywriters excel in this area. By incorporating SEO-driven blog posts, landing pages, and high-converting CTAs, copywriters can drive more clicks, leads, and sales.
Copywriters can also use content marketing strategies to generate passive income through affiliate product reviews, comparison articles, and listicles. If a copywriter leverages their skills in storytelling and persuasion, they can maximize affiliate earnings faster than most beginners.
What is the hardest part of affiliate marketing?
The biggest challenge in affiliate marketing is driving consistent traffic and conversions. Without traffic, there are no sales. Many beginners struggle with SEO, content marketing, or paid ads, which are necessary to attract visitors. Other difficulties include choosing profitable niches, competing with experienced marketers, and staying up-to-date with algorithm changes.
Additionally, affiliate programs can change commission structures or shut down, affecting earnings. The key to success is building multiple traffic sources, diversifying affiliate programs, and continuously optimizing content to improve conversion rates and revenue stability.
Is copywriting or affiliate marketing more lucrative?
Copywriting provides immediate income, as freelance writers get paid per project, typically earning $50–$500 per article or thousands per sales page. However, earnings are limited by working hours. In contrast, affiliate marketing offers scalable passive income, where top affiliates make $10,000–$100,000+ per month through automated sales funnels.
While copywriting is easier to start, affiliate marketing has higher earning potential long-term. The best strategy? Combine both! Use copywriting skills to create high-converting affiliate content and build a passive income stream while still earning from freelance writing.
