Affiliate Marketing: 6 Critical Truths That Can Set You Up for Online Success

Not long ago, I was sat in front of my screen, probably a lot like you are now, Googling terms like “make money online” or “escape the 9–5.” I had a good job by most standards, but I felt like I was constantly treading water. I wanted something more, more time, more freedom, more purpose.

That’s when I stumbled across affiliate marketing. I dove into the research. Articles, YouTube videos, online courses, you name it. The deeper I went, the more I realised it wasn’t a scam or a shortcut, it was a legitimate business model. But also one that many people get wrong.

So if you’re new to affiliate marketing, or you’ve tried it before and didn’t get the results you wanted, this article is for you. These are the six critical insights I wish someone had laid out clearly for me from the start, especially the last two.

About The Author

Hi, I'm Terry Griffiths, and this is my wife, Mandy, and our son, Josh.

I’ve spent my entire career in the retail sector, I’ve built a career leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and delivering results in high-pressure environments. But like many professionals in midlife, I reached a point where I started asking the big questions:

What’s next? What’s sustainable? And what truly matters?

After years of long hours, constant pressure, and missed time with my family, I realised that success shouldn’t come at the expense of health, happiness, or freedom. That realisation is what inspired me to launch Bestlife is Midlife, not just as a platform, but as a personal mission.

Why do I write these blogs?
Because I know what it feels like to hit midlife and wonder if there’s more out there.
Because too many people stay stuck, thinking it’s too late to change.
And because I believe that with the right tools, mindset, and support, midlife can be the beginning of your best chapter, not the end of one.

Through my blog, I share real-life lessons, strategies for building income online, and honest reflections on navigating this stage of life with purpose. I write to help people like you take back control of your time, your energy, and your future, without needing to quit your job or throw everything away to start again.

Back in 2022 and 2023, I published two books:
📘 Midlife Wake Up Call – a straight-talking eBook for those ready for change
📗 Midlife: A True Journey – a deeper look into the realities of navigating this season of life with purpose

But writing wasn’t the only turning point.

I was introduced to a digital business program, one specifically designed for complete beginners. No experience needed. No tech skills required. Just a step-by-step roadmap that showed me how to start building something of my own from scratch.

And the best part? It was designed for busy professionals.
The kind of people who don’t have endless hours or the luxury to “start over.”
We could learn at our own pace, alongside our existing commitments.

So I went for it.

I put in the work, learned the skills, and took a chance on myself. And honestly?
It was the best decision I ever made.

Today, I still enjoy my leadership role in my career, but now I’m also building something that will secure my family’s future, something that brings not just extra income, but a deep sense of purpose and possibility.

1. What is Affiliate Marketing? (And Why It’s a Huge Opportunity)

Affiliate marketing is a simple online business model where you earn money by recommending other people’s products or services.

Here’s how it works:

• You sign up for a company’s affiliate program.

• They give you a special link that tracks when someone buys through you.

• When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

You don’t have to create the product.
You don’t handle shipping, customer service, or payments.
Your job is simply to connect the right people to the right products.

That’s it.

But here’s what you need to know...

👉 Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Many people think they can just throw a few links on social media and make money. It doesn’t work like that.

The affiliates who succeed focus on building trust, solving problems, and helping their audience find real solutions.
They treat it like a real business, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

If you’re willing to learn the right skills and focus on helping others, affiliate marketing can be one of the most rewarding and flexible ways to earn online income.

Some Real Facts About Affiliate Marketing:

The global affiliate marketing industry is now worth over $19 billion — and it’s growing faster every year.

In the United States alone, companies spent more than $8 billion on affiliate marketing in 2022, up from $5.4 billion just a few years earlier.
In the United Kingdom, affiliate marketing generated just under £1.1 billion in 2022 — with even more growth predicted throughout 2025 and beyond, as more businesses shift their focus online and invest heavily in performance-based marketing.

👉 The world is changing.
👉 Businesses are spending billions to reach customers online.
👉 And ordinary people, people like you and me have the chance to tap into that shift and create real, flexible income streams from anywhere.

In short:
Affiliate marketing isn’t a trend. It’s a growing multi-billion-dollar industry.
And if you're ready to start smart, build the right skills, and position yourself now, there has never been a better time to step into this opportunity.

The door is wide open. The only question is will you walk through it?

2. You Don’t Need to Be a Tech Wizard (Or a Social Media Star)

When I first heard about affiliate marketing, I thought I’d need fancy skills, like coding websites, making slick videos, or having thousands of followers on Instagram.

The truth is, you don’t need any of that.

If you can:

• Follow a training video

• Copy and paste text

• Send an email

...you already have everything you need to get started.

I built my affiliate business from scratch without any technical background. I didn’t know how to build websites. I didn’t want to dance on TikTok. And I certainly didn’t want to spend hours every day posting on social media.