How To Make First $1000 With Affiliate Marketing (Without Ads)

When I was starting, I didn’t have a big audience. I wasn’t running ads.

I wasn’t giving out free eBooks, checklists, or any of those “lead magnets” the gurus rave about.

All I had was a story, an email list with fewer than 500 people, and a deep need to make this online thing work.

Today, I want to show you how I earned my first $1,000 with affiliate marketing, the real story, and why email marketing (especially with GetResponse) became my secret weapon.

Why I Chose Affiliate Marketing (Even As a Beginner)

Let’s be real.

Affiliate marketing looks easy from the outside.

You promote a product, earn a commission. That’s the pitch.

But when you’re just getting started, it feels impossible:

No audience, no money for ads, no credibility.

Still, I chose affiliate marketing because I knew this:

• I didn’t want to create my product just yet.

• I wanted to test the waters and validate that people would buy through me.

• I needed a lean way to build income without huge overhead.

But what made it all come together wasn’t Instagram, Twitter, or even content alone: it was email.

Why I Ditched Mailchimp and Moved to GetResponse

In the early days, I started with Mailchimp because everyone said it was the “easiest” for beginners.

And it was…until I discovered they don’t play well with affiliate marketing.

They have strict rules, and even legit affiliate links (like software or educational platforms) can trigger their filters or lead to account suspension.

I wasn’t doing spammy stuff. I was genuinely helping people by recommending tools I used myself. Still, I felt limited.

So I switched to GetResponse. And that changed everything.

How GetResponse Helped Me Reach $1,000

I took advantage of their 30-day free trial, which was perfect because I didn’t have money to invest upfront.

But what made the biggest difference?

Automation.

With GetResponse, I was able to:

• Set up a simple welcome sequence that shares my story and links to one affiliate offer.

• Build a nurture sequence with valuable tips, case studies, and call-to-actions.

• Segment my audience based on interests and clicks, so I knew who was most likely to make a purchase.

• And send well-timed broadcasts when I have a new offer or insight to share.

I wasn’t trying to “hard-sell” anyone.

I was just building trust through story, sharing helpful tools, and making it easy for them to take the next step.

In 4 weeks, without a huge list or running a single ad, I crossed my first $1,000 in affiliate commissions.

The Simple Funnel That Worked for Me

Let me break it down:

1. I picked one product I truly used and believed in.

Not 10, not a massive roundup.

Just one.

That product had a good commission and solved a real problem for my audience.

2. I created a 3-part email story sequence.

The first email was about my journey and the problem I faced.

The second was how I discovered the tool and what changed.

The third was a breakdown of how to get started, with my affiliate link.

3. I built a simple landing page with GetResponse.

It was nothing fancy.

Just a headline, a bit of copy, and an opt-in form connected to my email automation.

That’s all.

4. I shared the page on Twitter and Facebook.

I didn’t boost any post or paid for ads.

I just talked about the problem I solved, how I solved it, and invited people to learn how I did it. You can do the same too .

Running ads is good, just letting you know you can do it before running ads.

Guess what? If you don’t know how to run ads, you’d end up wasting the money anyways.

Why not try for free, and maybe fail first?

Scratch that. Maybe, win first?

5. I followed up.

Every few days, I’d send a new lesson, story, or insight with a soft CTA  (link) back to the product.

That was it.

Why GetResponse Was a Game-Changer

Here’s what I appreciated most about GetResponse:

• They allow affiliate links (within reason and compliance).

• Their automation is beginner-friendly yet powerful.

• I didn’t have to pay anything up front. The 30-day free trial was enough to start earning.

• Their landing page builder made it easy to get going without a website.

If you’re serious about building your email list and earning with affiliate marketing, this tool is one I’ll keep recommending.

👉 Start your free 30-day trial of GetResponse here.

My Honest Thoughts on Earning That First $1K

That first $1,000 wasn’t just about the money.

It was proof that I could do this.

That people would buy based on my words.

That I didn’t need a massive audience to win. I just needed a message, a tool, and a way to connect with people.

I kept my process lean. I didn’t wait until I had 10,000 followers.

And I certainly didn’t wait for perfection.

I focused on one platform (email), one product, and one story: mine.

Ready to Build Yours?

If you’ve been struggling to grow your list or make your first affiliate sale, here’s what I’d recommend:

• Don’t chase too many platforms.

• Pick one product and one platform.

• Build your list. Own your audience.

• Use a tool that supports your vision.

I’ve done the testing, tried the free plans, and experienced the limitations.

GetResponse gave me the edge, and it can give you one too.

👉 Try it free for 30 days here

And if you’re serious about showing up consistently, building your brand, and finally getting paid for your message, join my community.

This is where I share real stories, working strategies, and behind-the-scenes lessons no one’s posting on the timeline.

👉 Click here to join Toolversity.

Final Word

Don’t wait until everything’s perfect.

Don’t think you need a massive audience or a tech team.

All you need is a message, a tool like GetResponse, and the willingness to start.

That’s how I did it.

And if I could do it, so can you.