How to Make Money as a Student (Online & With Little or No Experience)
A blog written for a university student by a university student.
**I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity of working with an Intern from the University of Lancaster. She was an incredible asset to me, and this article goes to prove that Affiliate Marketing really is an opportunity for anyone who is looking for the freedom and satisfaction of digital entrepreneurship!
Are you a student looking to boost your income, pay off student loans, or cover rent—all from the comfort of your home and with the flexibility to set your own work schedule? Balancing studies and work can be difficult, but with the accessibility of affiliate marketing it’s easier that you might think.
WHAT in the world is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is like being a middle person for products or services you love. You promote them to others through your website, social media, blog, YouTube or other channels using URL links. When people buy through those links, you earn a commission, essentially getting money for recommending things you believe in.
What are the BENEFITS of affiliate marketing for students?
1. Potential for Passive Income
Passive income is money you earn regularly with minimal effort or active involvement, often generated from assets or activities set up to run automatically. So, once you establish an affiliate link & set up your platform to promote the product or service of choice, you can start earning money in your sleep, LITERALLY!
HOWEVER, that is not to say that effort isn’t required. Let’s not sugarcoat it. To attract people to your platform, you must invest time and energy in crafting an interesting, user-friendly, and appealing platform optimized for search engines. The content you produce should offer genuine value to your audience, whether it’s through problem-solving, entertainment, or education. You should also spend some time promoting your content to drive traffic to your offer.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, it seemed complicated to Jennie at first too—she’s my mentor, and most importantly the owner of this and another business. Jennie explained to me that after some research, she stumbled upon a FREE WORKSHOP, which began her journey as a home-based affiliate marketer and business owner, now enjoying the freedom to pursue the things she loves while earning a living.
2. Flexible Schedule
With affiliate marketing, you become your OWN BOSS. You decide how much time to dedicate to your platform and when to work on it. You can schedule your time around your university timetable, society events, sports nights, and night-outs with your friends, ensuring you DON’T miss out on the amazing experiences university has to offer. Trust me, as a university student myself, I know how valuable these moments are.
3. Zero Investment & No Previous Experience Needed
Unlike traditional business ventures that require large sums of money, affiliate marketing allows you to start earning income with zero investment. You don't need to create a product, handle inventory, or deal with customer service, yet YOU become a business owner. How cool does that sound?
HOWEVER, I do recommend investing in a course to learn how to set it up properly. It's not an expense; it's an investment in your future. Once you start your journey in affiliate marketing, the returns could far surpass the initial cost. With some help from the right course and mentors, you can get from zero online skills to launching a profitable business in a few months. This COURSE helped Jennie get started as a successful affiliate marketer.
4. Working from Home
To become an affiliate marketer, all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. It’s up to you whether you’ll work from your favourite café, the university library, or your student accommodation. Not having to travel anywhere will save you lots of time.
5. Learn Valuable Skills
Engaging in affiliate marketing isn't just about making money; it's also an opportunity to develop valuable skills that can benefit you in your future career. From digital marketing and content creation to data analysis and SEO, affiliate marketing provides hands-on experience in various areas highly sought after by employers.
HOW to get started with affiliate marketing? 6 SIMPLE steps
1. Take a course
While this step is optional, it makes a HUGE difference. As someone who had NO experience in affiliate marketing, the courses she invested in provided Jennie with the right knowledge and skills to become a successful affiliate marketer & business owner. She was able to avoid a number of mistakes and grow her businesses much quicker.
Trust me, as a student, I know what it’s like to have limited finances—so if you would like to learn more about what opportunities are available online, these WORKSHOPs are completely FREE and cover not only affiliate marketing, but also numerous other online business models.
2. Choose your niche
Start by choosing a niche or topic you’re interested in and passionate about. It can be anything from fitness, fashion, technology, art, cooking, personal finance, & more.
3. Research Affiliate Programmes
Look for affiliate programmes that offer products or services related to your niche. Make sure you’re truly passionate about these products. Integrity is key.
4. Who is your ideal customer?
Think about who you’re trying to reach and speak to that specific audience. Are your target demographics fellow university students, gaming enthusiasts, working mums, art lovers, or individuals trying to start a business?
5. Create Content
Create content for your ideal customer. It can be a blog post, social media content, a YouTube video, or anything else you can think of. The choice is YOURS. Focus on providing valuable information, solving problems, or entertaining your audience, and seamlessly incorporate affiliate links into your content where relevant. Just like I did in this blog post!
6. Promote your content
There are multiple ways to promote your content, including social media, email marketing, and Search Engine Optimalisation (SEO)—using free keyword research tools, such as Google Keyword Planner or Keyword Surfer, can enhance your visibility and drive traffic to your platform.
To wrap it up…
Unlocking the potential to earn money online as a student is simpler than you think. Dive into the world of affiliate marketing, where you can become your own boss, work flexibly around your schedule, and even earn passive income. With minimal investment required, this opportunity is accessible to all. It's time to turn your interests into income and unlock a world of opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
