Last month, I invested in an exceptional affiliate marketing training course to help better monetize my blog. I have known about affiliate marketing for years, but never made more than a few dollars a month with it.
When Michelle Schroeder-Gardner launched “Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing,” detailing how she makes $50,000 or more each month just with affiliate marketing, I perked up my ears and paid attention!
I have been following Michelle at Making Sense with Cents for over a year now. I love how thorough her blog posts are, and she covers topics that are very interesting to me. She is the real deal, sharing monthly income reports on her blog to prove her earnings. I highly recommend her course for a number of reasons.
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing Training Course Review
“Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing” is a well planned out, comprehensive course on how to make more money with affiliate marketing. If you’ve never heard of affiliate marketing, it’s basically promoting products and services with a special affiliate link and receiving commissions when you generate a conversion (usually a sale, but could be getting someone to give their email address in exchange for info).
Many bloggers love affiliate marketing because it’s so easy. You don’t need your own product to earn money. You can promote the products you love and earn money from doing it. Blog readers find out what you are using and can choose to purchase these products to make their own lives easier. It’s a win-win for everyone!
What does the course entail?
Michelle’s course is the first affiliate marketing training I have had, and I learned a great deal. It is step-by-step, and covers what affiliate marketing is as well as Michelle’s best strategies for using her affiliate links without being too spammy or salesy.
In the affiliate marketing course, there are written lessons and many worksheets and checklists you can print for future use. You have lifetime access to the training once you purchase, so you can refer back to it as needed. I went through the course about 1-2 hours each night after my purchase, taking notes and printing everything, and I was finished within a week.
Main topics discussed in the course include:
- Definition of affiliate marketing
- How to find the best affiliate programs for your blog
- Properly disclosing your affiliate relationships so you don’t get in trouble!
- The FREE tool you should use for your affiliate links
- The best ways to promote your affiliate links for more sales
The only downside I see to the course itself is the lack of video. I know many are visual learners, and it can make some things easier to learn when you can actually see it. I believe Michelle will be adding video training in the future, so that’s something I really look forward to!
There are a few bonuses that you get when you enroll in this course. One is a helpful Pinterest strategy guide to grow your following and traffic from that platform. Many bloggers are rocking it right now, using Pinterest as their main source of blog readers.
Who is this course for?
Beginners will definitely benefit from this affiliate marketing training course. Michelle has started at the very beginning, so you won’t go through this scratching your head about what she’s talking about. I also think intermediate bloggers who would like to increase their affiliate marketing income would benefit as well. That’s where I am, and I definitely learned a lot!
Is this course worth the investment?
“Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing” is currently $197, and yes, I believe it is worth every penny! I purchased the affiliate marketing training course at full price, and even though I knew the basics of affiliate marketing, I still gained enough for the price.
Note on payments: You can choose to pay the full price at once, and you can make two payments of $105 each. I did the latter, since I had some other bills due. I believe I can earn back both payments before I need to make the second one!
Plus, the worksheets and other printables inside the course are things I will be using well into the future. It’s only been about 2 weeks since I finished the course, but I have already begun implementing what I have learned to increase my earnings over time.
Other students have been able to see very fast results with Michelle’s course. Check out McKinzie from MomsMakeCents.com, who made her first affiliate sale within two days of taking the course:
Along with the course, you will have access to a private Facebook group run by Michelle herself. Usually, course creators just toss up their product and go MIA…but not this chick! She is very active in the group, answering questions and helping students share their progress or build their blogs and affiliate marketing income.
Have you had any affiliate marketing training? Feel free to ask my any questions about this course in the comments below!
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76 Comments on “An Honest “Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing” Training Course Review”
Affiliate marketing has never been my thing but, a course to help understand it more would definitely help!
Eek! At almost $200…I just don’t know if I could swing that all at once!!! I’m so glad it has been working for you!
I should have mentioned there is a payment plan available. You can do two $105 payments. I need to update the post to include that info!
I’ve been interested in learning more about a course like this. There’s so much to learn on this subject and I appreciate your review!
Thanks for your comment, Emily. Yes, there is a lot to learn in order to be successful with affiliate marketing. That’s way I just went with a comprehensive course that would teach me all I needed!
I haven’t taken any affiliate courses, but if I ever decide to I will definitely check out your recommendation. It’s nice to read such an enthusiastic and honest review.
Glad you enjoyed it, Blythe!
You know, I always talk about trying out affiliate income, yet never seem to have the time to jump in. This sounds like it would be very helpful and if you say it is worth it, I will have to try it. Thanks for your honest review
It can take some getting used to, incorporating affiliate links every time you write a new post. I think it will pay off in the end though!
Not sure at that price what I’d be getting if there are no videos. I’m not a fan of printables.
Hi, Cassandra. I totally understand. Some people prefer to learn from videos. I found the price worth what I learned by reading through the lessons. I think she is planning video soon though!
I have been wondering about that course so I am glad you reviewed it!
Thanks, Lauren. I had already heard great things about it, so I decided to dive in. I’m glad I did now.
Very helpful and insightful!! I’ve been wanting to learn more about how the blog world works anyway. I love that you put your downsides and qualified her, making sure we knew WHY she’s worth following!
Thanks, Sarah! I have been scammed by others online, so I have to do my research before I give my money to anyone. I believe that Michelle is very transparent and knows what she’s talking about. I don’t feel bad recommending her blog or course to anyone.
I am trying to learn all I can, but I don’t want to pay for it! LOL, I am on a tight budget both in time and dollars. I hope that I can learn all I can the free way first!
I totally understand, Terri. I have learned a lot of free info on affiliate marketing, but the problem is there is so much conflicting info out there. I decided just to invest in good solid training so I could make sure I am doing things right.
Thank you for your review. I am interested in getting started with affiliate marking and will definitely consider taking this course.
Thanks for stopping by, Abby!
I have wanted to sit down a learn affiliate marketing, I just need to find the time and really put in the effort. I will look into this.
Good luck with your learning, Kelly!
Lots of great info! I can imagine it’s tough to decide if it’s the right thing for you when there is a cost involved.
Oh absolutely, Kristi. I actually missed the introductory price on this course because I wanted to see what others thought of it. It was worth paying more to know I was getting something high quality.
Ok you have me intrigued. I don’t feel like I blog enough to make it worth it, but you say that it is for beginners. Are you talking real beginners?
Thanks for your comment, Bethany. This course is definitely for beginners. I wish I had taken it when I first started blogging. I have tried and failed so much at affiliate marketing. It would have been much easier on me if I had known how to do things the right way from the beginning!
There’s so much to learn in the world of affiliate marketing! I love the idea of taking a course to get all the information in one bulk class.
I agree, Jenna! There is so much to know and do to be successful in affiliate marketing. I finally feel like I know what it takes to see some good income with it.
This is something that will be perfect for my Sister. We were just talking about this subject. I will have to share this with her.
Thanks for sharing, Ann!
This will be very helpful! I am into affiliate marketing but would love to know more about it!
Hope it helps, Toni!
I don’t have any training, but I’ve thought about it. I just don’t know if I could handle all that along with my own blog. I think it’s great for those that do it though. Sounds like it can be really good money.
I understand, Kathy. It’s hard to learn everything. With affiliate marketing, once you know how to do it properly, it’s just a couple extra steps to monetize every post you write. And you don’t have to be salesy or look like a spammer with it.
This sounds like the perfect class for those interested in affiliate marketing! I am a huge supporter of online classes and have taken several great ones
I agree, Cynthia. Online classes can be life changing, as long as you are learning from people who really know what they are talking about – practicing what they preach, so to speak!
This is a course that I definitely have to check out. I’ve been so curious about affiliate marketing and really think it’s a great strategy.
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! I hope you give the course a go. It has allowed me to create an easy affiliate marketing strategy that I think will help my blog over time.
It’s great that you are pleased with the program. Wishing you lots of luck with affiliates when you’re done!
Thanks, Val. I feel a lot more knowledgable on affiliate marketing now that I’ve taken this course.
This sounds very interesting, I am going to put iron my list! I am suffering from info overload right now but I am keep a list of things to check out when my head quits spinning!!! Lol
Oh no, Amanda! Info overload is so easy to struggle with, thanks to the internet. Hopefully the course can benefit you later down the road.
I will be honest I need to learn more about online affiliate marketing. I am starting to use it slightly more, I even signed up with my own Amazon account. Its a form of money not to be missed out on so I definitely need more education on this subject.
Thanks for your comment, Kiwi. I agree that affiliate marketing should not be overlooked for bloggers that want to make money.
Good for you girl This looks like a lot of work went into this. am proud of you!
Thanks, Heather!
WOW!! this course is definitely on my list!! thanks for the honest review!
You’re very welcome, Lorrin. I hope this course is just as helpful for you as it has been for me.
Sounds like a really useful tool and you found some great answers thanks for the info.
This is some good information about affiliates for those who are overwhelmed with the whole concept. It’s a great resource for new bloggers or entrepreneurs.
I agree. I used to be so clueless about affiliate marketing, but now I get it!
An Affiliate Marketing Course sounds like a great idea! I’ll have to check into this training course a bit more and see what I think.
Thanks for your comment, Dawn. Hopefully you find the course helpful if you choose to invest.
Ooh! I know that blogger. I had been following her for years. Probably around when she first started. That’s so much money, when it comes to affiliate marketing. That’s not really my thing, but kudos to her and to all of those that have success with it!
Thanks for your stopping by, Whitney. I have been following Michelle for a while too. I love her writing style and how she is so willing to help her readers.
Thank you!! I am interested in starting online affiliate marketing but needed a good lesson on how! Thanks for sharing these tips!
Good luck with your affiliate marketing journey, Olivia!
Wow that is a lot of money that she makes, is the course available to worldwide residents? It sounds brilliant.
I know, Ana! I am amazed by her results. I believe this course would work for anyone, no matter your location.
I’ve never done it because for me, it was more time than ROI! Loved your post, though.
Yes, Claudia, affiliate marketing has always been more time consuming than profitable for me too. That’s one reason I’m so glad I took this course.
I think this would be a great course for anyone interested in affiliate marketing and wanting to promote this on their website or blog and for someone who has the time to invest
Thanks so much for sharing this. I do really well with sponsored posts but have never really gotten into affiliate marketing. Need to check this out.
I definitely needed to pass this on! It can get confusing with all the information involved but then is super easy once it clicks!
I agree, Louise! I have gotten a few “oh this is easy” moments from this course!
I’ve also been following Michelle for a while. She is really inspiring. I wanted to do her course but I just couldn’t do the $200…But now that i’m seeing a lot of good reviews, I might have to do this. 🙂
I agree, Christine. I was hesitant at first. I waited until there were some reviews out, and even talked to a fellow blogger who took the course before signing up.
It’s vital to diversify your income sources as a blogger and affiliate income is definitely a good piece of the pie to use for it!
Ooh this sounds like an interesting course! I have been making a little bit with affiliate marketing, but I clearly need to spend more time on learning the ins and outs!!
Affiliate marketing wasn’t really anything I gave much thought to but If I can make over $4000 a month I could quit my current job and do that instead.
I would love to take this course when we have a little more free cash available.
Bookmarking this!
I didn’t think about it much for a long time either, Heather. The more I heard about what others were making, the more interested I became. Hopefully you are able to invest in the course soon!
I’m interested in doing this course at some point. I need all the help I can get with affiliate marketing.
xoxo, Jenny
This sounds like a wonderful training course for those who want to learn more about affiliate marketing! Before I became a blogger, I first started dabbling in affiliate marketing in 2002 and became a full-fledged affiliate marketer in 2004. It’s a very lucrative job, but I’ve mostly veered away from affiliate marketing over the years since it was starting to become too time-consuming for me. I do admire people like Michelle, who are making a lot of money from it, though! 🙂
I really need to get on the bandwagon. Back then I made a ton daily in affiliate income but then I stopped 3 years ago. Not even sure why?
This is some really valuable info here!!! I need to get better at using affiliates on my site
That’s a great review and spot on- I’m moving through it myself and excited for what I can possibly achieve in the future!
Hi Kecia,
thanks for this good recommendation.
i’m stunned that a lot of bloggers think they need to blog for several years, before they can get started with affiliate marketing.
personally i think it’s a way better way to start monetize a blog with affiliate marketing then with ads for example.
but i think it’s important you use the right context. so if you blog about a certain subject. and you can recommend a good product. this is a good way of making money with affiliate marketing. instead of posting all kinds of ads on your website.
I just started following Michelle on twitter.
xoxo chris