Affiliate Programs evidence: 22 quotes from 5 creators
Every quote, figure and source behind our affiliate programs guide: 22 quotes from 5 creators, grouped by claim, with the full source list.
Every quote, by claim
Accepted figures: each is backed by the creators quoted under it, verbatim and linked to the moment they said it.
Typical hours per week: 3–4 hours/week
“At this point, I'm probably spending about three to four hours a week on it, I would estimate.”
Ongoing cost: $0–$200/month
“allows me to do all of that for less than a couple of hundred dollars a month.”
“So basically I just have to pay about 1 to 200 bucks a month just for hosting some software.”
Scalability: med
“I'm happy if I make $1 per month per video.”
“he built a group of contributors. He had professional musicians, fellow guitar enthusiasts write content.”
“I've got the template. I've got the tools. I've got the newsletter. I've got the processes. I've got the people.”
Single reports, not yet confirmed
What one creator said, before a second independent source backs it. Not used as a fact anywhere on the site.
Monthly earnings, part time
“Today he's closing in on 25,000 , with some months topping $15,000 from the channel.”
“when averaged out, it equates to around $7,000 a month, which is pretty great. Pretty great for a part-time job especially.”
“The fact that I can make twenty thousand dollars a month literally doing that is bonkers to me.”
Ongoing cost
“allows me to do all of that for less than a couple of hundred dollars a month.”
“So basically I just have to pay about 1 to 200 bucks a month just for hosting some software.”
Time to first dollar
“daily golf seals posted to grand in your first month.”
“you could become an affiliate for these products recommend them to other teachers and then you'll earn a commission for every sale made from your audience”
“it was four years into the process when Bobby had his first $1,000 month.”
Typical hours per week
“At this point, I'm probably spending about three to four hours a week on it, I would estimate.”
Common pitfalls
“Amazon affiliate program is no joke. They are very stringent about making sure you play by the rules.”
“You have to understand your numbers. You have to understand what your CAC is gonna be. You have to understand what your cash conversion cycle looks like. A lot of the affiliate programs pay on net 30.”
“not only had the, you know, 80% of the traffic and revenue evaporated. In my case, with the ad account being shut down”
Platform fee
“I'm gonna give you 50% of the sale.”
Income volatility
“For one, the revenue is anything but steady. Some months he earns a lot, others not so much”
Scalability
“I'm happy if I make $1 per month per video.”
“he built a group of contributors. He had professional musicians, fellow guitar enthusiasts write content.”
All sources
- The Side Hustle Show, How to Start a Daily Deals Business: $1,000s/mo Sharing the Best Bargains in Your Niche (Greatest Hits) (podcast, 25 Jun 2026, at 43:24)
- Chris Koerner, Q&A: Noah Kagan joins! 2nd opinion dental site, wealth advisor, mortgages for entrepreneurs & blue collar side hustle idea. Ep. #017. Small Business Ideas and Entrepreneurship (podcast, 6 May 2024, at 5:45)
- Side Hustle Nation, The Amazon Program Almost Nobody Is Actually Doing (Full-Time) (YouTube, 15 Sep 2026, at 58:18)
- Side Hustle School, Ep. 3571 - STORY: Guitar Player Chalks Up Success By Enjoying The Process (podcast, 11 Oct 2026, at 8:08)
- The Side Hustle Show, 768: Affiliate Marketing on YouTube: The Path to $15k/mo (podcast, 2 Nov 2026)
- The Side Hustle Show, 759: Zero to $20k/mo with the Amazon Influencer Program (podcast, 10 Sep 2026, at 59:10)
- Katie Gettys, 6 Passive Income Ideas for Online Teachers 🤑 How to Make Money Online as a Teacher! (YouTube, 29 Aug 2023, at 4:30)
- Chris Koerner, Part 1/2: How to Make Money With a No-Code App: A Step-by-Step Guide⏐Ep. #129 (podcast, 10 Feb 2025, at 28:36)
- The Side Hustle Show, 767: Listeners Share Their Scariest Entrepreneurial Moments (podcast, 29 Oct 2026, at 7:58)
- The Side Hustle Show, $500k Revenue From a $9 Membership (Greatest Hits) (podcast, 3 Sep 2026, at 33:58)
All data
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Typical hours per week | 3–4 hours/week | The Side Hustle Show, Jun 2026 |
| Ongoing cost | $0–$200/month | The Side Hustle Show, Jun 2026; Chris Koerner, May 2024 |
| Scalability | med | Side Hustle Nation, Sep 2026; Side Hustle School, Oct 2026; The Side Hustle Show, Jun 2026 |