Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners (What I'd Pick Starting Over)

The best affiliate program for a beginner is one that's free or cheap to start, easy to explain, pays a meaningful commission, and includes training with live help. The biggest name isn't always the best fit when you're new.

I've joined more programs than I'd like to admit. Some had big buy-ins, some had hoops to qualify, and some paid so little that it never added up. Here's how I'd choose if I were starting over, and the one I actually picked.

Disclosure: I'm an independent OLSP affiliate and may earn a commission if you join through my links. Results vary and aren't guaranteed.

Good: trusted brand, millions of products, easy to join.
Watch out: commissions on physical products are usually a small percentage, so you need a lot of sales to make it add up. It tends to work best with a blog or video channel that already has traffic.

Good: digital products often pay much higher commissions, since there's no shipping or inventory.
Watch out: quality varies a lot. Some offers have hype-heavy sales pages, and you're usually on your own for training.

Good: many pay recurring commissions every month a customer stays, which builds residual income.
Watch out: you often need to understand the software well to sell it, and some have approval requirements.

Good: training, live coaching, done-for-you products and your link all in one place. Built for beginners.
Watch out: some have upgrades inside. You don't need them to start, but know they're there.

Run any program through this checklist:

• Can you start for free or a few dollars?
• Can you explain the offer in one sentence?
• Is there training with live help, not just videos?
• Is the product something people already want?
• Is the commission big enough to matter on a low number of sales?
• Are the sales pages honest, without income promises?

• Large up-front fees to "qualify" for commissions
• Guaranteed income claims
• No real product, only recruiting
• No way to reach a real person for help

I'd start with OLSP, through the free Affiliate Launchpad. Here's why it fits the checklist for me:

• Free to start: the Launchpad pass needs no card.
• Live help: a 23-minute Start Here session, then live sessions every week.
• Simple offer: the MegaLink is $7 to start with a 14-day guarantee, with done-for-you products from $7 to $97 behind it.
• No building: the products, pages and checkout are already done.

It's not for everyone. If you want to sell physical products or build your own brand right away, one of the other types may fit better. For an honest take, read Is OLSP Legit? and What Is OLSP Academy?

New to this? Read Affiliate Marketing for Beginners first, and come ask questions in my free group, Beyond The Paycheck.

Talk soon,
Mark Dayton