Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to start earning money online, but it’s also easy to get stuck, overwhelmed, or distracted by all the noise. When I first started, I made plenty of mistakes that cost me time, energy, and money. Looking back, I wish someone had told me what not to do.

So, here’s me telling you now: avoid these five common mistakes I made in affiliate marketing, and you’ll save yourself a ton of frustration. Let’s break them down.

1. Stop Chasing "Free" Resources

When I started affiliate marketing, I thought I could learn everything from free YouTube videos and blog posts. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t. Most free resources are either outdated or too vague to help you take meaningful action.

I wasted weeks scrolling through content that didn’t move the needle for me. If I could go back, I’d invest in a good course or mentor right away. Time is your most valuable resource—don’t waste it chasing “free” shortcuts that don’t exist.

2. Find One Mentor and Stick With Them

One of the smartest things you can do is find someone who’s already successful in affiliate marketing and learn from them. But here’s the mistake I made: trying to follow advice from multiple people at once.

Every mentor has their style and strategy, and mixing them only leads to confusion. Pick one person whose approach resonates with you and stick with their methods. Trust the process and stay consistent—this alone can save you months of trial and error.

3. Don’t Wait for Perfection

I spent way too much time trying to make everything “perfect” before starting—whether it was choosing the perfect niche, designing the perfect website, or crafting the perfect plan. Guess what? Perfection doesn’t exist.

The truth is, you’ll learn more by doing than by planning. Start as soon as you understand the basics, even if things feel messy or incomplete. You’ll make mistakes (everyone does), but those mistakes will teach you far more than endless research ever could.

4. You Don’t Need a Website Right Away

Here’s a myth that held me back: thinking I needed a fully functioning website before I could start affiliate marketing. While having a website is great for long-term growth, it’s not essential when you’re just starting.

Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and even Pinterest are excellent places to promote affiliate links without needing a website. Create engaging content that connects with your audience—reviews, tutorials, tips—and start driving traffic immediately.

5. Mistakes Are Part of the Game

When I started affiliate marketing, I was terrified of making mistakes—what if I promoted the wrong product? What if my ad campaign flopped? What if no one clicked my links? But here’s what I’ve learnt: mistakes aren’t failures; they’re lessons.

Every mistake teaches you something valuable about your audience, your strategy, or even yourself. The key is to keep experimenting and refining your approach instead of giving up when things don’t work out perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Affiliate marketing isn’t about finding shortcuts—it’s about taking action and learning as you go. If you avoid these five mistakes—chasing free resources, trying to follow too many mentors, waiting for perfection, thinking you need a website right away, and fearing mistakes—you’ll be miles ahead of where I was when I started.

Remember: no one gets it right on day one. The most successful affiliate marketers are simply those who keep going when things get tough. So take action today—start small, stay consistent, and trust the process!