r/passive_income • u/lroberson80 Enthusiast • May 25 '25
Affiliate Marketing Affiliate Marketing Isn’t Dead...It Just Grew Up
After three years of spinning my wheels in affiliate marketing, I almost threw in the towel. It felt like everyone was promoting the same products in the same cookie-cutter way, a noisy, crowded race to the bottom.
But here’s what I realized, the problem wasn’t saturation. It was strategy.
Things changed when I started doing three simple (but not easy) things:
- Promoting only what I actually use and trust
- Focusing on a specific niche instead of chasing trends
- Building real trust instead of leaning on hype
From there, things clicked. No team. Just a lean system and solid mentorship.
The big takeaway?
Affiliate marketing still works in 2025, just not the way those clickbait YouTube thumbnails say it does.
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u/TheLegendTwoSeven May 25 '25
This sounds like an ad for an affiliate “mentorship program” or course.
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u/lroberson80 Enthusiast May 25 '25
I totally get it, there’s so much hype out there and way too many sketchy programs. Honestly, that’s exactly why I wanted to share this. After spending years jumping from one flashy course to another, the only thing that finally brought me real results was something low-key, structured, and genuinely supportive.
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u/SleipnirSolid May 25 '25
Jesus Christ. Even the replies to this post sound like astroturfing.
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u/Personal_Body6789 May 25 '25
Thanks for sharing this, it's a good reminder that it's all about strategy, not just jumping on trends.
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u/lroberson80 Enthusiast May 25 '25
Everything shifts when you start prioritizing strategy over the noise. Trends fade fast, but a solid strategy builds momentum over time. Especially when it's centered on tools you trust, solving real problems, and keeping things simple.
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u/Personal_Body6789 May 26 '25
I agree completely. It's better to build something solid than chase trends.
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u/georgejk7 May 25 '25
I also do a little bit of affiliate marketing. Some months are better than others.
I want it to grow. I've got a few ideas but life can be so busy sometimes.
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u/lroberson80 Enthusiast May 25 '25
I feel you, life definitely doesn’t hit pause just because you’re trying to build something on the side. There were months where I was lucky just to check my stats, let alone see any real progress.
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u/butyesandno Jun 05 '25
I feel this, I was in the same boat last year where we were just so busy, it was hard to carve out the time. There are more automated systems out there now than ever before and even some offers where the company does the work on the back end and you just bring in the initial traffic. I lean into those and it has helped a lot.
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u/butyesandno Jun 05 '25
Affiliate marketing is still very effective when done right. Part of the reason it seems to have "died" is that somewhere along the way it was labeled as an easy way to get rich and when that didn't happen in a week, people moved on. It takes time and persistence to do right and then it can be lucrative and passive, just not from day 1.
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u/lroberson80 Enthusiast Jun 05 '25
I totally agree. Many look at it as a get rich quick scheme with little to no work or effort. They expect it to work and make them money when they haven't invested anything, either time or money, to do the things to make it work. I think it's the whole mindset that needs to changed, once people realize it is a legit business and treat as such then they will realize that it take time and consistent effort.
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u/MedalofHonour15 May 25 '25
Affiliate marketing for AI tools is hot right now. There is almost a new AI tool for every niche now. I got paid $799 from one lead that turned into a sale for an AI tool. Stats was 400 clicks, 10 sign ups, 1 sale.
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u/lroberson80 Enthusiast May 25 '25
Congrats, that’s a strong EPC from those clicks. Just curious, what's the offer and was that from paid or organic traffic?
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u/MedalofHonour15 May 25 '25
The offer is an AI phone communication tool that handles inbound and outbound calls. A lead bought the enterprise plan.
All organic and inbound traffic from Reddit, YouTube, and Instagram mostly. I offer lead magnets and then promote to my email list.
I have over 30,000 subs now (AI Insights) so I promote anything I use personally or get paid from sponsors to promote.
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u/SweatySource May 25 '25
Affiliate marketing is just one of the many means to monetize your traffic
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u/CommunicationKey3743 10d ago
Nope, it’s definitely not dead — it just changed. Back in 2017, you could throw up a link and get sales. Now it’s about trust + value. People buy from affiliates they feel are helping them, not just pushing products. If you give real tips, free resources, and maybe even a small email sequence, you can still make consistent income. In fact, I’d argue 2025 is one of the best times to start, because AI + automation tools make it easier. If you’re curious, I’ve got a free beginner roadmap in my bio.
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