Hello, Side Hustle Club! I'm Alexa, and I'm here to share my journey into the world affiliate marketing for VPS (Virtual Private Servers). It's a story of learning new skills, all while earning a little extra on the side. Let's take a look at how a tech novice like me carved a niche in this digital space.

Building my affiliate site — A Simple Yet Effective Approach

The foundation of my affiliate marketing journey was the creation of my affiliate website. Hiring a freelancer from Fiverr, I got the basic structure of my website up and running. But I wanted more than just a basic affiliate site. I aimed to create a platform that stood out with exclusive VPS deals not found on the main website of the company I chose to promote.

To achieve this, I turned to Python. With a straightforward script and the help of Chatgpt, I could automatically loop through every hidden product page URL and scrape each product's details from their respective PIDs (Product IDs) and compile them into an easy-to-manage spreadsheet. This data was then transformed into affiliate links by adding my unique code (?aff=8888) to each. The result? A curated collection of VPS deals, now easily accessible on my site.

But it wasn't just about compiling links. The website needed to be user-friendly and visually appealing. That's where Elementor came in. This WordPress page builder allowed me to design my website without needing to code. With its drag-and-drop interface, I could arrange the content and deals in an organized, aesthetically pleasing manner, making the site not only informative but also easy to navigate.

The Strategic Link Placements

After crafting my website into a hub for hidden VPS deals, the next crucial step was getting these deals in front of potential buyers. This is where the art of strategic link placement came into play. It wasn't enough to just have a great site; people needed to find it.

My strategy revolved around leveraging Reddit, a bustling online community with discussions on virtually every topic, including VPS. The plan was simple: identify high-ranking Reddit comments in relevant threads and subtly introduce my affiliate links there. For example, in a discussion about VPS providers, I would chime in and add my link, cleverly disguised as a different naked url like https://examplecompany.com/black-friday. This wasn't about spamming; it was about providing value in the context of the conversation.

However, my approach was a bit too enthusiastic at times. This enthusiasm led to an unexpected learning experience — getting banned from /r/vps. While it was a setback, it was also a valuable lesson in the importance of understanding and respecting community norms and guidelines. It made me realize that there's a fine balance between effective marketing and being overly promotional... at least on reddit.

Despite this hiccup, the strategy proved effective. By placing links in the right conversations, I was able to drive traffic to my site. People were clicking through, exploring the deals, and some were converting into affiliate sales. It was a testament to the power of understanding where your audience hangs out and how to engage with them without being intrusive.

This phase of my journey taught me not just about affiliate marketing, but also about the nuances of online communities. It's about adding value, being relevant, and timing your contributions just right.

Leveraging AI and Parasite SEO for Increased Traffic

With my affiliate links strategically placed, the next step in my journey was to boost traffic and engagement. Here's where AI and a concept known as 'Parasite SEO' played pivotal roles. This phase wasn't just about spreading links; it was about creating value and leveraging existing high-ranking platforms to amplify my reach.

Using AI for Linux Tutorials:

Despite not being a Linux expert, I recognized the demand for quality tutorials in this area. So, I turned to AI to bridge the gap in my knowledge. Using AI tools, I was able to create comprehensive, informative Linux tutorials. These tutorials were not only helpful but also well-optimized for search engines.

This approach not only added valuable content to my site but also positioned me as a resource in the VPS community, all while subtly promoting my affiliate links within the content.

Parasite SEO Tactics:

'Parasite SEO' might sound ominous, but it's a legitimate strategy in the digital marketing world. It involves piggybacking on the high domain authority of established sites to boost your own content's visibility. I utilized User Generated Content (UGC) platforms, which already had strong SEO, to host content that linked back to my site.

By contributing valuable content on these high-ranking sites, I was able to 'parasitize' their SEO strength. This meant writing guest posts, engaging in forums, and even commenting on relevant articles.

Each piece of content was carefully crafted to add value to the host site while also funneling interested readers back to my affiliate site.

This dual approach of using AI for content creation and exploiting Parasite SEO tactics was like hitting two birds with one stone. Not only was I able to generate useful content, but I also found an effective way to drive referral traffic to my site.

The key is always to maintain a balance — providing genuine value while strategically positioning my affiliate offerings, disguised as regular naked URLs.

Patience Pays Off: From Zero to $80 in Affiliate Marketing

My journey in the world of virtual private servers is a classic tale of starting from the ground up. Initially, despite all the strategies and efforts, the financial rewards were non-existent. Months went by with little to show for my efforts, a situation that could dishearten anyone.

The Turning Point:

Then, almost like a switch had been flipped, things started to change. The traffic to my site began to increase steadily. This wasn't just random traffic; these were visitors genuinely interested in the VPS deals and information provided.

Slowly but surely, the clicks on my affiliate links started converting into actual sales. The first few dollars trickling in were a sign that the tide was turning.

Earning and Learning:

Currently, the site earns about $1–2 per day, and i'm up to about $80 now. While this might seem modest, it's a significant milestone from where I started. This income is a tangible result of the blend of strategies employed — from the AI-generated Linux tutorials to the Parasite SEO tactics.

It's a proof-of-concept that even in the crowded online space, persistence and innovation can carve out a niche.

Success in affiliate marketing doesn't come overnight. It's a gradual process, requiring continuous learning, adapting, and most importantly, patience.

As I look ahead, my aim is to grow this number, exploring new strategies and refining existing ones. There's always more to discover and more potential to tap into. The journey from earning nothing to $1–2 a day has been enlightening, and I'm excited to see where it takes me next. If you have any suggestions on how I can grow this traffic, I'm all ears!

Stay tuned for more internet side hustles!