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What is affiliate marketing, and how can you start earning from it?
If you’ve ever shared a product link, recommended a deal, or told a friend what to buy, you’re already doing part of what affiliate marketers do. The difference is, now you can get paid for it.
Key Takeaways
- Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commission by promoting products or services online
- You don’t need to create your own product, handle inventory, or manage customers
- Beginners can start earning with simple platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook
- Income can range from small side earnings to a scalable long-term income stream
- The more consistently you share content and links, the more opportunities you have to earn
- You can start affiliate marketing for free with platforms like Involve Asia
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is one of the simplest ways to earn money online by promoting products or services. Instead of creating your own product, you earn a commission every time someone makes a purchase or completes an action through your unique affiliate link.
In short, you help brands reach more customers and get rewarded for it.
This is why affiliate marketing has become a popular side income option across Southeast Asia, especially for beginners who want to start without upfront costs.
What Does an Affiliate Marketer Do?
As an affiliate marketer, your main role is to connect people with products or services they are already interested in.
| Step | What You Do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a product or brand | Promote Shopee deals, travel bookings, or gadgets |
| 2 | Share your affiliate link | Post on TikTok, Instagram, blog, or WhatsApp |
| 3 | Audience clicks and purchases | Someone buys through your link |
| 4 | You earn commission | Get paid per sale or action |
The best part? You don’t need to handle inventory, customer service, or delivery. Your job is simply to recommend and share.
How Much Can You Earn From Affiliate Marketing?
Your earnings depend on your content, audience, and consistency — but even beginners can start earning small amounts and scale over time.
| Level | Typical Monthly Earnings | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | RM50 – RM300 | Sharing links casually on social media or WhatsApp |
| Intermediate | RM300 – RM2,000+ | Consistent posting, simple content strategy |
| Advanced | RM2,000 – RM10,000+ | Strong audience, multiple platforms, optimised content |
Many affiliates start small – earning their first RM50 or RM100, and grow as they learn what content works best.
The key is consistency. The more you share, the more opportunities you create to earn.
Common Ways to Start Affiliate Marketing
You don’t need a large following to begin. Most people start with platforms they are already using.
| Platform | How You Can Start |
|---|---|
| TikTok | Create short videos reviewing products or sharing deals |
| Post stories, reels, or carousel content with recommendations | |
| Share deals in groups or on your personal profile | |
| YouTube | Create tutorials, unboxings, or reviews |
| Blog / Website | Write product reviews or comparison articles |
If you’re already recommending products to friends or sharing deals online, you’re already doing 80% of the work – affiliate marketing simply lets you earn from it.
Affiliate Marketing Examples
Here are a few simple ways affiliates are already earning:
- Sharing Shopee or Lazada deals during sales campaigns
- Posting “Top 5 gadgets under RM100” on TikTok
- Writing blog reviews about travel bookings or tech products
- Recommending services like VPNs, courses, or apps
These are things people are already doing; the difference is adding an affiliate link to earn from it.
Partner Example: Affiliate Marketing on a Free Facebook Page
My Great Sales is a Facebook page that promotes the latest online deals. The owner of this page, Wendy, regularly scours the internet for online deals and compiles everything on her Facebook page.
She inserts her affiliate link in each of her content. So if any of her audiences click on her affiliate links and make a purchase, she’ll earn an affiliate commission.
In one of her Facebook posts, she encouraged her audience to collect & redeem their Lazada bonus on January 3rd.
Partner Example: Affiliate Marketing on a Website Blog
Nasi Lemak Tech (NLT) is a website that talks about & reviews tech gadgets. This is an example of how they add affiliate links into their content that promotes a product.
Why Affiliate Marketing Is Popular for Beginners
| Benefit | What It Means |
|---|---|
| No upfront cost | You don’t need to buy products or hold inventory |
| Flexible | Work anytime, anywhere |
| Beginner-friendly | No technical skills required to start |
| Scalable | Grow from side income to full-time earnings |
This makes affiliate marketing one of the lowest-risk ways to start earning online.
How to Sign Up for Affiliate Marketing
Getting started is straightforward and takes only a few steps.
Step 1: Sign Up as a Publisher
Create your publisher account on Involve Asia and get access to affiliate campaigns from multiple brands.
Step 2: Set Up Your Platform
Choose where you want to promote, e.g. social media, blog, or website.
Read: How to Choose a Social Media Platform for Affiliate Marketing
Step 3: Get Your Affiliate Links
Select offers and generate your unique tracking links in your dashboard.
Step 4: Start Sharing and Earning
Promote your links and earn commission from successful purchases or actions.
Read: Where Can You Share Your Affiliate Links?
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing is not about being an expert – it’s about starting with what you already have and improving over time.
Whether you want to earn a little extra income or build a long-term online income stream, this is one of the most accessible ways to begin.
The sooner you start, the sooner you learn what works, and the sooner you start earning!
Ready to earn online? Click below to sign up as a Publisher on Involve.
About the Author
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a large following to start affiliate marketing?
You don’t need a large audience to begin. Many beginners start with a small following on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook and grow over time by consistently sharing useful content and recommendations.
How much can beginners earn from affiliate marketing?
Beginners can typically earn between RM50 to RM300 per month, depending on their activity and content. As you grow your audience and improve your strategy, your earnings can increase significantly.
Is affiliate marketing free to start?
Affiliate marketing is free to start. You can sign up for affiliate platforms, choose campaigns, and begin promoting without needing to invest in products or inventory.
What platforms can I use for affiliate marketing?
You can use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, or websites. Choose the platform you’re most comfortable with and start creating content around products or services you want to promote.
When do I get paid from affiliate marketing?
Payments are usually made after a successful transaction is validated by the advertiser. The timing may vary depending on the campaign and platform, but most affiliates receive payouts on a regular schedule.
