Intro.
Do you think you know all there is to know about affiliate marketing, or is there always more to learn? I think you know the answer to this, so I’ve found some great reading matter that can help you achieve success.
Not everyone offers exactly the same advice, so it’s good to get a different perspective from various experts. It could be a different social media channel or a change of direction that you need to take. There’s always something new to learn.
Of course there are great courses that will teach you affiliate marketing, but these may be a little out of your budget to begin with. Books are generally cheaper, and may be a good way to dip your toe in the water.
The following are the best affiliate marketing books for beginners that have stood the test of time, although some are more recent and provide more relevant information for today’s affiliate marketing.
So check them out, they may just help. For your information, these are not rated in any particular order.
3 Months to No.1
By Will Coombe
Average 4.8 stars from 627 reviews
This book is wonderful at explaining in great detail, and in an articulate way, how ranking in Google has changed with newer algorithm changes. This is critical for beginners to affiliate marketing, as you won’t be stuck on old techniques.
You won’t be fed any BS claiming results will come instantly by becoming an affiliate marketer. In fact none of these books tell you that, because affiliate marketing takes time. You’ll get a good account of Will Coombe’s technical elements that help get website traffic.
All in all, a ripping read.
Performance Partnerships
By Robert Glazer
Average 5 stars from 90 reviews
Keeping up with your competition is half the battle with affiliate marketing, and this book compiled by Robert Glazer will explain the evolution of the industry. This will help you get ahead in terms of marketing practices, and growing your business.
You’ll get an understanding of where to find opportunities in the future, and in a delightful entertaining way. This book is extremely well written for anyone entertaining the thought of becoming an affiliate marketer.
Every marketer should read this.
The $100 Startup
By Chris Guillebeau
Average 4.5 stars from 2240 reviews
This brilliant, easy to read guide was created from sourcing various successful people that started small, and built a new life for themselves. The author of the book, Chris Guillebeau, has never held a traditional job himself. He’s found online methods to fund his lifestyle, which encompasses loads of travel.
Although not specifically about affiliate marketing, it’s about creating an online business with little capital, and turning your passion into a thriving online business. Chris focuses on 50 intriguing cases of people that started up with $100 or less (some started with a fraction more), and now earn over $50,000 per year.
These people had no special skills, and it’s a top read for anyone wanting to do the same.
See You on the Internet
By Avery Swartz
Average 5 stars from 20 reviews
Creating the correct digital marketing strategy may sound simple enough, but many seem to fail at just that. Anyone can create a blog and post on social media, but often there’s more to it than that.
Avery Swartz has been there and is now one of the top digital marketing minds for small business. She will show you a ‘fail-safe framework’ as she puts it, to increase your customers and execute a marketing strategy.
Again, while not specifically targeting affiliate marketers, this is a book that anyone can take confidence from to market their online business.
Money Blog
By Nathaniell Brenes
Average 4.7 stars from 5 reviews
If you’re specifically wanting to learn how to make money from affiliate marketing on a WordPress blog, this is the ideal book for you. I know exactly Nathaniell’s story, because I am a member of the same affiliate marketing platform that he learned from. (And we’re both still members there).
You’ll get a grasp of every step required to become a successful affiliate marketer in this book. From creating a website, to finding affiliate programs, to marketing your promotions. It’s all here in this easy to read guide.
For those that have tried and failed, or just want to begin affiliate marketing from scratch, Money Blog is a great start.
The Beginner’s Affiliate Marketing Blueprint
By Alex Marketing
Average 4 stars from 248 reviews
As a template to begin an affiliate marketing venture, this book will show you the way. Although there is nothing coming from a unique perspective inside The Beginners Affiliate Marketing Blueprint, it does provide a framework for the outline of how everything comes together.
If you’re just starting out, or you’re at an intermediate level, this book is a great start. You’ll get a handle on which products can be sold through which niches, social media traffic and many other aspects required to get setup.
Certainly worth consideration.
From Nothing
By Ian Pribyl
Average 4.6 stars from 52 reviews
A really thrilling read to learn how an affiliate marketing business can be achieved for under $100. For those just starting out, finding their feet or trying for the second or third time, ‘From Nothing’ is an ideal template to learn from.
Digesting the information can sometimes be overwhelming or confusing. This is not the case with Ian Pribyl’s book that is easily consumable, and in an organized manner. The book literally covers everything you’ll need to get started and more.
A top recommendation.
Affiliate Marketing Made Easy In 2020
By Michael Ezeanaka
Average 4.8 stars from 12 reviews
Reading from a book where the author is so enthusiastic makes consuming it easy. That’s what I found with this book which delivers on providing the most up to date information. It not only provides the more common practices of affiliate marketing, but snippets of information that help with building an email list.
Affiliate marketing is not like it used to be, where a generic website will work out of the gate. Today’s market suggests narrow niches are the way to go, and Michael will suggest some beginner-friendly niches that can be highly profitable.
Again, another great read.
Blogging for Beginners
By Steven Davis
Average 4.7 stars from 21 reviews
All the basics are here along with some gems. You’ll not only learn what steps to take to create a profitable blog, but also why these steps need to be taken. Some of the subtleties in this book are what other experts tend to skip over.
The reviews for this book highly recommend Steven Davis’s book to begin their blogging journey. You won’t just be learning the affiliate marketing aspect of income generation, but all other types in income producing methods you can use on your blog.
Highly recommended.
AFFILIATE MARKETING (Complete Step By Step Blueprint)
By Rob Hawkins
Average 5 stars from 11 reviews
If you’re the type of person that prefers to copy an exact formula, then this book may be the ideal solution for you. Rob Hawkins outlines an exact method to follow which will help if you’re a complete newbie to affiliate marketing.
The book claims that if you implement the exact strategies suggested, you can earn passive commissions of $200 to $1,000 or more per day. Even if you don’t earn this exact income, you will be on the right path to success.
Niche Sites With Affiliate Marketing For Beginners
By Rawee M.
Average 4.5 stars from 23 reviews
I like the fact that the author of this book clearly states that affiliate marketing is not a get rich quick model. I clearly state that same fact on this website also, but many people think they can do it in a short time-frame. Not that it can’t be done quickly, but those with much more experience may prosper quicker.
This book is a brilliant primer if you’re wanting to learn affiliate marketing from scratch. Pretty much all aspects are touched on, and you’ll know if this is the path you want to take after reading Niche Sites With Affiliate Marketing For Beginners.
A good resource that has been given fairly good reviews.
No Money Down Internet Business
By John Lagoudakis
Average 4 stars from 41 reviews
Although you will eventually want to put money in to progress your affiliate marketing business, it’s possible to start with zero money in. Written for total newbies, you’ll find detailed illustrations of the steps John has used for this affiliate marketing framework.
The only real knock on this book is that he focuses too much on Clickbank products. Although Clickbank is one of the larger affiliate networks, some of their past digital products have not been authentic (meaning they were really poor quality or scams). That’s changed recently though, and Clickbank are getting much better.
A decent read of how to begin your affiliate marketing journey.
Final Thoughts
Do I have my favorite out of the above books? Yes I do, but I also think that any online course is going to be much more beneficial than reading a book. If you were to pin me down and force me to choose from the above, I’d say Performance Partnerships, Money Blog & From Nothing are my favorites.
Reading any of these books and guides are going to give you a good idea of what to expect and how to implement affiliate marketing strategies. After that, I’d still suggest you do an online course.
Below are my recommended courses for not only affiliate marketing, but eCommerce also.
My Top Online Courses
To Make Money Online
(Click for Course Review)
Affiliate Marketing
Wealthy Affiliate
Affiliate Secrets
Legendary Marketer
eCom Dropshipping
eCom Success Academy
eCom Lifestyle University
Amazon Selling
Like many people, I struggled in my early attempts to make money online. It's really frustrating when you try product after product, searching for that elusive opportunity that is really genuine.
Eventually though, I learned how to achieve success in the online world with my own website. This website was created to show others how to do it. I direct people away from the poor opportunities and advise the good ones.
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The opinions in this article are solely mine, are are not intended to offend or discriminate. All information in this review has been researched on the public domain of the internet.