You could have the best affiliate offers in the world, but without traffic, your links simply won’t generate income.
One of the biggest challenges side hustlers face is getting consistent, targeted traffic to their affiliate links – especially without spending money on ads.
The good news is, you don’t need a huge following or a massive budget to start seeing results. In this post, I’ll walk you through practical, proven ways to start generating traffic to your affiliate links, even if you’re just getting started.
1. Create Value-Based Blog Posts
If you’re building your side hustle through content (like I do here at Side Hustle Insights), blogging is one of the best ways to generate long-term, sustainable traffic to your affiliate links.
When you write helpful posts that answer real questions your audience is asking, it becomes much easier to recommend products in a natural way.
Post ideas that work well:
Product reviews (e.g., “GetResponse Review: Is It Worth It for Beginners?”)
Tools list (e.g., “5 Tools Every Side Hustler Needs in 2025”)
How-to guides (e.g., “How to Start Email Marketing with No Experience”)
If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s one of my most popular recent posts: 5 Productivity Hacks for Side Hustlers Who Work Full-Time
2. Use Pinterest for Evergreen Traffic
Pinterest is often overlooked, but it’s a powerful search engine. With the right pin design and keywords, you can drive consistent traffic to your blog posts or landing pages – and from there to your affiliate links.
A few tips to get started:
Use Canva to create 2–3 pins per post
Add clear, benefit-focused headlines
Include keywords in your pin titles and descriptions
(I’m working on a Pinterest strategy post that’ll go deeper into this – keep an eye out!)
3. Share in Niche Facebook Groups (the Right Way)
Facebook groups can be a great traffic source if you focus on offering value first.
Rather than dropping links, get involved in discussions, answer questions, and share helpful insights. When it feels natural, you can mention your blog post or resource – which can include affiliate links inside.
Focus on being helpful and building relationships. That’s what creates long-term trust and traffic.
4. Start an Email List (It’s Worth It)
If you’re serious about affiliate marketing, an email list is one of the most powerful assets you can build.
With a list, you can send helpful content, share resources, and recommend tools – all on your terms, without relying on algorithms.
I use and recommend GetResponse because it’s beginner-friendly and built for affiliate marketers.
5. Use Short-Form Video (Even if You’re Camera Shy)
TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts are brilliant for driving traffic — even if you don’t want to show your face.
With Canva and ChatGPT, you can create short, engaging videos using slides, B-roll, or text overlays that educate and link viewers back to your blog or freebie.
Keep the content simple, offer a quick win or insight, and guide viewers to your “link in bio” where your affiliate link lives.
6. Build Simple Funnels Around Your Content
Instead of dropping affiliate links at random, think about creating a simple path that leads people from interest to click.
Here’s an easy funnel:
Pinterest or social post → blog article → lead magnet → email follow-up with affiliate link
You’re giving value first, which builds trust and increases the likelihood someone will click and buy.
FAQ: Getting Traffic to Affiliate Links
Q: Can I share affiliate links directly on social media?
A: You can in some cases, but it’s not ideal. Some platforms restrict affiliate links, and it’s much more effective to share helpful content or a lead magnet first.
Q: Do I need a website?
A: Not technically — but having a website or blog gives you control, builds credibility, and helps with long-term traffic through SEO.
Q: What’s the best free way to get started?
A: Pinterest and short-form video (Instagram/TikTok/YouTubeShorts) are great free methods for beginners. Combine them with a blog post or landing page for best results.
🎁 Free Toolkit: Get More Leads for Your Affiliate Offers
If you’re ready to start generating real traffic and building momentum with your affiliate marketing, don’t miss my Free Affiliate Lead Generation Toolkit.
Inside, you’ll find:
A list of high-converting traffic sources
Lead magnet and email templates
Examples of simple affiliate funnels that work
👉 Click here to grab the free toolkit
Have any questions or want help getting your first traffic? Feel free to reach out – I’m always happy to help.
Chris
Side Hustle Insights
