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.