What is in it for you?

Here's something they don't teach you in those "build your empire" courses:

You can make money before you have anything to sell.

I know because I did it. And the affiliate promotions I set up three years ago while fumbling through creating my first digital product? They're still depositing money into my account every single month.

But this isn't a story about getting rich quick. It's about making smart choices when you're starting with nothing but ambition and a laptop.

Let me take you back to the beginning—the messy, uncertain, doubt-filled beginning.

The Starting Line: Broke, Confused, and Overwhelmed

December 2020. I'm staring at my bank account, watching my savings dwindle as I chase this "digital business" dream everyone keeps talking about.

I had quit my 9-to-5 six months earlier (probably too soon, if I'm being honest). I was deep in the trenches of "learning mode"—consuming courses, watching webinars, reading every blog post about passive income and digital products.

The advice was always the same:

"Create a course!"
"Build a membership!"
"Package your knowledge!"
"Launch your signature offer!"

Great advice. Except for one tiny problem:

I had no idea what to create.

Every time I started:

I'd second-guess my expertise
I'd wonder if anyone would actually buy it
I'd get paralyzed by the tech requirements
I'd see someone else doing something similar (and better)
I'd start over with a "better" idea

Sound familiar?

Meanwhile, my bank account kept shrinking. The pressure kept building. And that voice in my head kept whispering, "Maybe you should just get another job..."

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

One morning, I was reviewing my monthly expenses (a depressing ritual I'd started doing weekly):

Email marketing platform: $ 47/month
Funnel builder: $ 97/month
Website hosting: $ 29/month
Course platform: $ 39/month
Webinar software: $ 79/month
Graphic design tool: $ 12.99/month
Social media scheduler: $ 19/month

Total: $ 322.99/month

And I wasn't even making money yet.

I was paying for all these tools to build a business that was still just an idea in my head.

But here's the thing—I actually loved some of these tools. I raved about them to anyone who'd listen. When people asked me questions in Facebook groups, I'd recommend them without hesitation.

And then it hit me:

What if I could share what I was already using and loving... and get paid for it?

The Discovery: Systeme.io (Or How I Stopped Bleeding Money)

Around this time, I saw someone mention Systeme.io in an online community.

"All-in-one platform," they said. "Free plan available," they added.

I rolled my eyes. Sure, another "all-in-one" platform that does everything poorly.

But that $ 322/month expense was haunting me. So I created a free account just to look around.

What I found shocked me.

The Free Plan Wasn't a Trap

Most "free plans" are just glorified demos. They give you a taste, then lock everything good behind a paywall.

Systeme.io's free plan included:

Up to 2,000 contacts
Unlimited emails
3 sales funnels
1 course/membership site
1 blog
Email automation
Affiliate program management

Wait, what?

I could literally run my entire startup business on the free plan. No credit card required. No "14-day trial" that auto-bills you.

The Paid Plans Were Embarrassingly Affordable

When I eventually needed more (spoiler: I did), the pricing was:

Startup Plan: $ 27/month (5,000 contacts, unlimited everything)
Webinar Plan: $ 47/month (adds webinar capabilities)
Enterprise Plan: $ 97/month (unlimited contacts)

Compare that to my $ 322/month tech stack.

The math was stupid simple.

But Here's What Really Sold Me...

It wasn't just about saving money (though that was huge). It was about what I could actually do with it.

Within 48 hours, I had:

✅ Built my first opt-in funnel (with the drag-and-drop builder)
✅ Set up my email welcome sequence (automation actually worked!)
✅ Created a simple landing page (no designer needed)
✅ Started my email list (imported my 37 subscribers without issues)
✅ Tested affiliate links (for products I was already promoting)

Without watching a single 3-hour tutorial.

The interface was intuitive. The support was responsive. The features actually worked.

I had spent months overthinking my "tech stack strategy" when I could've been building and launching this whole time.

The Lightbulb Moment: "I Should Tell People About This"

Here's where everything shifted.

I was in a Facebook group, and someone asked: "What's the cheapest way to start email marketing and build funnels? I'm on a tight budget."

I typed out a long response about Systeme.io—the free plan, the features, how it compared to other tools, how much money it saved me.

The responses flooded in:

"I've never heard of this!"
"Signing up now!"
"This is exactly what I needed!"
"Thank you so much!"

And then someone asked: "Do you have an affiliate link?"

I didn't.

But I immediately signed up for Systeme.io's affiliate program.

Why? Because I realized something powerful:

People needed what I had found. And I could help them while helping myself.

This wasn't sleazy. This wasn't pushy. This was genuinely sharing a solution to a real problem I had experienced firsthand.

Why I Chose to Promote Systeme.io (The Real Reasons)

Let me be crystal clear about why Systeme.io became my main affiliate promotion—and why it still is today, years later.

1. I Was Actually Using It (Every Single Day)

I've been approached by companies offering higher commissions to promote their tools.

I've said no every time.

Why? Because I don't promote what I don't use.

Systeme.io wasn't just something I recommended—it was the foundation of my entire business. My funnels, my email sequences, my courses, my automations... everything ran on it.

When someone asked, "Does it really work?"

I could pull up my actual funnels, show real results, demonstrate features in real-time, and answer questions from experience—not from a sales page.

That authenticity? You can't fake it. And your audience can tell.

2. It Solved a Problem I Desperately Needed Solved

Remember that $ 322/month tech stack?

Systeme.io replaced:

My email marketing platform ( $ 47/month) ✓
My funnel builder ( $ 97/month) ✓
My course platform ( $ 39/month) ✓
My webinar software ( $ 79/month) ✓
My affiliate management tool (would've been $ 29/month) ✓

Total savings: 291/month= 3,492/year

When you're bootstrapping a business, that's life-changing money.

I wasn't promoting it for the commission. I was promoting it because it literally saved my struggling business.

3. The Free Plan Removed All Risk for My Audience

Here's why the Systeme.io affiliate promotion was easy:

Me: "Try this platform. It's free, no credit card needed. If you hate it, delete the account. If you love it, maybe upgrade eventually."

No pressure. No risk. No buyer's remorse.

Unlike promoting 997 courses or 197/month software, I could recommend Systeme.io knowing people could test it thoroughly before spending a single dollar.

This removed the "sleazy affiliate marketer" feeling entirely.

4. The Affiliate Commissions Were Recurring (This Is HUGE)

Systeme.io offers 60% recurring commissions for life.

Read that again: For. Life.

When someone signs up through my link and eventually upgrades to a paid plan:

I earn 60% of their monthly subscription
Every single month
For as long as they stay subscribed

Do the math:

10 people on the 27/monthplan= 162/month recurring = $ 1,944/year
20 people on the 47/monthplan= 564/month recurring = $ 6,768/year
30 people on the 97/monthplan= 1,746/month recurring = $ 20,952/year

This wasn't about making a quick $ 50 commission and moving on. This was about building a real, sustainable income stream.

5. The Product Actually Delivered

Here's the truth about affiliate marketing: You're putting your reputation on the line.

If you promote garbage, people lose trust. Fast.

I've been promoting Systeme.io for three years. In that time:

The platform has gotten better (more features, better UI)
Support has remained responsive
The company hasn't pulled shady moves
People I've referred are happy and successful
The founder is transparent and customer-focused

Zero regrets. Zero drama. Zero angry emails from people I referred.

That matters more than any commission rate.

6. It Grew With My Audience

When I started, most of my audience was beginners—people like me who were broke, overwhelmed, and just starting out.

The free plan was perfect for them.

As my audience grew and evolved, so did their needs. When they needed webinars, the 47/monthplanwasthere.When they scaled to thousands of subscribers, the 97/month plan made sense.

Systeme.io served beginners and advanced users equally well.

I didn't need to promote different tools for different stages. One recommendation. Multiple entry points. Everyone wins.

The Strategy: How I Promoted It (Without Being Pushy)

I didn't become an affiliate marketer overnight. I built it intentionally, authentically, and strategically.

Step 1: I Created Genuinely Helpful Content

Instead of "BUY THIS NOW" posts, I focused on solving problems:

Blog posts:

"How I Built My First Sales Funnel in 2 Hours (Complete Beginner)"
"Email Marketing on a $ 0 Budget: Is It Possible?"
"I Tried 4 All-in-One Platforms—Here's My Honest Review"
"Tech Stack Breakdown: What I Actually Use to Run My Business"

YouTube videos:

Screen recordings of me building funnels
"Follow along" tutorials
Behind-the-scenes of my business setup
Honest pros and cons discussions

Social media posts:

Quick tips and wins
Screenshots of results
Responses to common questions
"This saved me today" moments

Every piece of content provided value first, promotion second.

Step 2: I Built Systems That Worked While I Slept

Here's where the magic happened.

I created:

Evergreen blog posts optimized for SEO:

"Best email marketing platform for beginners"
"Affordable funnel builder comparison"
"How to start a digital business with no money"

These posts rank in Google. They drive traffic 24/7. They include my affiliate link naturally within helpful content.

Automated email sequences:

When someone downloaded my free lead magnet, they entered a sequence that:

Day 1: Delivered the promised value
Day 3: Shared my "tech stack" story (mentioning Systeme.io)
Day 7: Showed a tutorial using Systeme.io
Day 10: Offered a bonus resource for Systeme.io users

Not pushy. Just helpful. But strategically placed.

Simple conversion funnels:

I built a funnel specifically for people interested in starting their online business. It included:

Free video training on "choosing the right tools"
My story of tech overwhelm → solution
Comparison chart (honest pros/cons)
My affiliate bonus package (templates, tutorials, support)

The key: I built these systems ONCE, three years ago.

They still run today. Still drive sign-ups. Still generate commissions.

Step 3: I Added Genuine Value with Bonuses

When someone signed up through my affiliate link, I didn't just send them to Systeme.io and wish them luck.

I created an exclusive bonus package:

10 pre-built funnel templates they could import
My personal email sequences (swipe files)
Video tutorials on advanced features
Access to a private community
Monthly Q&A sessions
Direct support from me for 30 days

This transformed me from "just another affiliate" to "trusted mentor."

People weren't signing up through my link for the platform—they were signing up for the complete support system I offered.

Step 4: I Was Brutally Honest

I never said Systeme.io was perfect. Because it's not.

In my reviews and tutorials, I shared:

The GOOD:

Affordable and generous free plan
All-in-one simplicity
Easy learning curve
Solid email deliverability
Responsive support

The NOT-SO-GOOD:

Interface isn't as "pretty" as some competitors
Some advanced features are limited
Occasional bugs (like any software)
Not ideal for huge enterprises

Why be honest about the cons?

Because trust is everything. When I tell people "this might not be for you if..." they trust my "this is PERFECT for you if..." even more.

Step 5: I Showed Real Results

Numbers don't lie. I shared:

Email list growth screenshots
Funnel conversion rates
Revenue generated through Systeme.io funnels
Time saved by consolidating tools
Money saved on subscriptions

Not to brag. To prove it worked.

People don't want theory. They want proof. I gave them receipts.

The Results: Then and Now

Step 1: I Created Genuinely Helpful Content

Month 1: 0(settingupcontent)∗∗Month2:∗∗ 81 (first 3 sign-ups!)
Month 3: 162(momentumbuilding)∗∗Month4:∗∗ 243
Month 5: 389∗∗Month6:∗∗ 567
Month 7: 729∗∗Month8:∗∗ 894
Month 9: 1,053∗∗Month10:∗∗ 1,247
Month 11: 1,458∗∗Month12:∗∗ 1,641

Total Year 1: $ 8,464

But remember, these are recurring commissions. Those early sign-ups? Still paying me today.

Three Years Later (Current Reality)

Monthly recurring affiliate income from Systeme.io: 2,100− 2,800

Without touching the systems I built three years ago.

Why the range? Because:

Some people cancel (it happens)
New people sign up through old content
Some upgrade to higher plans
Some downgrade or pause

But the trend? Consistently upward.

Total earned from Systeme.io affiliate promotions over 3 years: $ 67,000+

Let me put that in perspective:

That's more than most people's annual salary. From content I created years ago. While I was building my own digital products. While I was learning and growing.

And here's the beautiful part:

What That Affiliate Income Allowed Me to Do

✅ Built my first digital product without pressure — I could take 8 months to get it right instead of rushing something mediocre to market

✅ Invested in professional help — Hired a designer, editor, and tech support because I had cash flow

✅ Tested and validated ideas — Could afford paid ads to test concepts before full launches

✅ Didn't go back to a job — The recurring income kept the lights on during slow months

✅ Focused on serving my audience — Instead of desperately trying to sell anything to anyone

✅ Built confidence — Knowing people trusted my recommendations fueled my belief in my own products

The affiliate income didn't replace my business. It funded its creation.

The Compound Effect: Why This Works Long-Term

Here's what happened over time:

Year 1: The Foundation

Created helpful content
Built trust with audience
Generated first commissions
Learned what worked

Year 2: The Growth

Old content started ranking in Google
Email sequences ran on autopilot
Referrals from happy users increased
Income became predictable

Year 3: The Compounding

Old blog posts still driving daily traffic
People discovering 2-year-old YouTube videos
Satisfied users recommending me to others
Systems running without my involvement

This is the power of evergreen content and recurring commissions.

One blog post, written three years ago, has:

Been viewed 47,000+ times
Generated 280+ sign-ups
Created $ 12,000+ in recurring revenue
Required zero updates or maintenance

That's leverage. That's passive income. That's freedom.

Why Systeme.io Specifically? (Let's Get Tactical)

You might be wondering: "Why not ClickFunnels, Kartra, Kajabi, or any other platform?"

Fair question. Let me break it down:

ClickFunnels

Pros: Powerful, popular, great training
Cons: Expensive ( 147− 297/month), steep learning curve, many businesses don't need that much power
Affiliate commission: Lower percentage, higher price point = harder sells

Kajabi

Pros: Beautiful interface, excellent for courses
Cons: 149/month minimum,over kill for beginners∗∗Affiliate commission:∗∗Good, but only after 4,000+ in referrals

Kartra

Pros: Comprehensive features
Cons: $ 99/month minimum, overwhelming for new users
Affiliate commission: Complicated tier structure

Systeme.io

Pros: Free to start, affordable, all-in-one, beginner-friendly, recurring commissions

Cons: Less "prestigious" brand (for now)

Affiliate commission: 60% recurring for life, simple to understand

The winner for affiliate marketing?

Systeme.io, hands down.

Why? Because:

Lower barrier to entry = more sign-ups
Free plan = guilt-free recommendations
Recurring commissions = predictable income
Actual affordability = people stay subscribed
Growing platform = improving product = happy customers

I can promote it to broke beginners and successful entrepreneurs alike.

How You Can Do This Too (Action Plan)

Ready to start building your affiliate income while creating your own products?

Here's your roadmap:

Step 1: Sign Up and Actually Use It

Create your free Systeme.io account and build something:

Create an opt-in funnel
Set up email sequences
Build a simple landing page
Test the features

You can't authentically promote what you don't understand.

Step 2: Join the Affiliate Program

Once you've used it and love it:

Go to your Systeme.io dashboard
Find "Affiliates" in the menu
Sign up (it's free and instant)
Get your unique affiliate link

Step 3: Create Your First Piece of Content

Choose ONE format:

Blog post: "How I [solved problem] using Systeme.io"
YouTube video: "Systeme.io tutorial for beginners"
Social media: "Here's my tech stack breakdown"
Email: "The tool that changed my business"

Focus on helping, not selling.

Step 4: Set Up Your First Simple System

Create:

One evergreen blog post (optimized for SEO)
One email sequence (for your lead magnet)
One conversion funnel (with value + offer)

Then let it run.

Step 5: Be Consistent

Don't post once and expect magic.

Publish helpful content weekly
Answer questions in communities
Share your real experiences
Build trust over time

The compound effect takes time.

My Gift to You: Fast-Track Your Journey

Inside, you'll get:

✅ 10 Done-For-You Blog Post Templates
(Pre-written, customizable content about email marketing, funnels, and online business tools)

✅ 5 Complete Email Sequences
(Proven sequences that nurture and convert—just add your links)

✅ Social Media Content Calendar
(30 days of posts about tools, strategies, and solutions)

✅ Affiliate Promotion Checklists
(Step-by-step guides for authentic promotion)

✅ Comparison Chart Templates
(Professional designs you can customize)

✅ Swipe Files & Scripts
(Proven copy you can adapt for your voice)

✅ Video Tutorial Outlines
(Content plans for YouTube/tutorials)

✅ Bonus Resources
(Ebooks, guides, and templates to offer as affiliate bonuses)

Total Value: $ 497
Your Price Today: FREE

Why am I giving this away?

Because I remember what it feels like to be stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure where to start. This package would have saved me months (maybe years) of trial and error.

If it helps you start generating affiliate income while building your dream business, that's a win in my book.

👉 Click Here to Download Your FREE PLR Package

(No credit card required. Instant access. Yours to keep and customize forever.)

The Bottom Line: You Don't Have to Choose

For the longest time, I thought I had to choose:

Option A: Build my own products (no income until launch)

Option B: Promote affiliate offers (feels like "not real business")

I was wrong.

The right answer is: Do both.

Use affiliate marketing to generate income NOW
Use that income to fund your product creation
Use your product to add value to your affiliate promotions
Use your affiliate commissions to remove financial pressure
Use the combined approach to build a real business

Three years later, I run a six-figure digital business that includes:

My own courses and digital products (that I finally built)
Affiliate partnerships that generate recurring income
Consulting and coaching (that grew from my content)
A community I love serving

And it all started with one decision:

Share what I was already using and loving while I figured out what I wanted to build.

Your Turn: What Happens Next?

You're at a crossroads.

Path 1: Wait
Keep waiting until your product is "perfect." Keep spending money on tools without any income. Keep hoping someday it'll all come together.

Path 2: Start
Choose one tool you love. Create one piece of helpful content. Set up one simple system. Build income while you build your dream.

I can't make the decision for you.

But I can tell you this:

Three years ago, I was broke, confused, and doubting everything.

Today, I have:

A thriving digital business
Multiple income streams
Freedom to create what I want
A community I'm proud to serve
Financial stability I never had before

And it started with sharing one platform I believed in.

Your move.

🎁 Ready to Start?

Step 1: Create your free Systeme.io account and explore the platform
Step 2: Download my FREE PLR Package with done-for-you content and templates
Step 3: Create your first piece of helpful content this week
Step 4: Set up your first simple system
Step 5: Be consistent and watch the compound effect work

The affiliate income I generated while building my first digital product didn't just pay my bills.

It bought me something more valuable: Time, freedom, and the confidence to build my business my way.

What will you do with yours?

Drop a comment below: What's one tool you use and love that you could start sharing today? Let's build together.

P.S. Don't forget to grab your free PLR package: https://www.nubeginning.com/plr-package

It includes everything you need to start promoting affiliate offers authentically while building your own digital empire.

Full transparency: This post contains affiliate links for Systeme.io. If you sign up through my link, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only promote tools I personally use and genuinely believe in. Your trust means everything to me.

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