Affiliate marketing is a fast-growing and promising area of Internet marketing, which attracts more and more people with the opportunity to earn good money without investing huge sums. However, this method of traffic monetization lacks transparency on the way to financial independence.
And this is where numerous courses come to the rescue, which promise to teach affiliate marketing from scratch and show the way to millions of dollars in income. But is it really so? Are they worth the money they ask for? And is it even necessary to pay someone for knowledge that you can get on your own?
In this article, we will deal with the relevance and usefulness of affiliate marketing courses, consider different variants of training programs and give an honest review of the top 15 best of them. You will learn all the pros and cons to make an informed choice whether this format of training is suitable for you and which course to choose.
Is it worth it to learn affiliate marketing on courses
When it comes to learning affiliate marketing, the community is divided into two camps. Some believe that courses are a waste of money and time. It is better to learn by trial and error, studying numerous free sources on the Internet.
Others are convinced of the benefits of training programs. Taking a course under the guidance of an experienced mentor allows you to understand the topic faster, avoid typical mistakes of beginners and get a stable income.
Let’s look into the arguments of both sides to understand whether it is worth spending money and time on such courses.
What courses are available and what they provide
There are many affiliate marketing courses on the market, which can be roughly divided into three categories:
Free video lessons and articles
They can be found on thematic sites and in the blogs of experienced affiliate marketers. This format is suitable for initial acquaintance with the topic.
They are suitable for beginners who are just getting acquainted with affiliate marketing.
Pros:
- Minimal financial investment.
- Quick completion of the basic program.
- Allow you to understand whether you are interested in this field of activity.
Cons:
- Information is often outdated.
- Superficial level.
- You will have to figure out a lot of things on your own.
Paid online courses from individuals and small teams
The cost is from 500 to 5000 dollars. They promise to teach affiliate marketing from scratch and show the way to big earnings.
They are oriented towards beginners and intermediate level.
Pros:
- A systematic approach to training.
- Step-by-step guidance from experienced specialists.
- Opportunity to ask questions to the authors.
- Access to up-to-date information and working cases.
Cons:
- Not all courses are of high quality, there are a lot of scams.
- The result depends on your own efforts.
Expensive author’s programs from distinguished speakers
They include not only video lessons, but also personal consultations, access to closed community materials. The price is from 2000 dollars.
Suitable for those who already have experience in affiliate marketing.
Pros:
- Exclusive knowledge from top speakers.
- Personal communication and mentoring.
- Access to closed sources of information.
Cons:
- High cost.
- Need a good knowledge base to fully grasp the material.
Let’s take a closer look at what such courses from our TOP give and who they are more suitable for.
Top 15 courses to learn affiliate marketing from scratch
1. irs.academy, “Online course on affiliate marketing”
This is an introductory online course from the Russian educational platform Irs.Academy, covering all the basic aspects of affiliate marketing. In 20 academic hours, experienced experts will explain in an accessible form how to choose a promising niche, develop an effective marketing strategy, create working advertising creatives, and register in profitable affiliate networks.
The course will suit both beginners who just want to get acquainted with affiliate marketing and more experienced professionals who want to expand their knowledge in this area.
Course Program
- Introduction to affiliate marketing
- Selecting Offers
- Target audience analysis
- Strategy development
- Creating advertising creatives
- Landing page creation
- Registration in affiliate networks
Duration
20 academic hours
Cost
From 36 000 rubles. Installments are possible.
Suitable for
For beginners, freelancers, and those who already have experience in affiliate marketing and want to expand their knowledge.
2. Skillbox, “Traffic Manager”
This is a 4-month practice-oriented course from the popular online school Skillbox, dedicated to non-standard sources of traffic on the Internet. Under the guidance of experienced specialists, you will study the features of such sites as VKontakte, Yandex.Zen, Yandex.Direct, and Telegram, and learn how to effectively run targeted and contextual advertising to attract the target audience.
Course Program
- Introduction to the profession of traffic manager
- Targeted advertising in VK
- Contextual advertising in Yandex.Direct
- Advertising in Yandex.Zen
- Analysis of advertising efficiency
- Advertising in Telegram
Duration
4 months
Cost
47,737 rubles (installment payment possible)
Suitable for
For those new to internet marketing, as well as marketers and business owners.
3. IM Group, «Арбитраж трафика с Facebook»
This is an expensive, but very informative author’s course on Facebook affiliate marketing from the well-known company IM Group. The course is designed for 2 months, but this period can be extended if necessary. During this time you will not only learn all the intricacies of working with advertising campaigns and Facebook accounts, but also master the technical aspects of setting up servers, proxies, and various applications to automate processes.
Course Program
- Working with Facebook accounts
- Technical aspects of affiliate marketing
- Choosing affiliates and creatives
- Solving typical problems
- Creating advertising creatives
- Financial issues
Duration
2 months
Cost
1100$
Suitable for
For those who already have experience in affiliate marketing and want to take it to the next level.
4. Convert Monster, «Traffic manager»
This is a 4-month practice-oriented program from Convert Monster Business School, which aims to train trainees in the profession of traffic manager. The course is primarily focused on practical training, which takes up 98% of the total training time. Under the guidance of an experienced tutor, you will learn the basics of online marketing, learn how to analyze your audience and competitors, use targeted and contextual advertising tools, and optimize advertising campaigns for maximum return.
Course Program
- The structure of a traffic manager’s work
- Internet marketing theory
- Advertising campaign planning
- Analyzing target audience and competitors
- Calculation of performance indicators
- Setting up advertising in Google and Yandex
- Targeted advertising in social networks
- Working with TikTok and Telegram
Duration
4 months
Cost
50 000 rubles
Suitable for
For anyone who wants to practically master the profession of traffic manager.
5. EdPro, «Affiliate manager»
This is a 3-week training program from the EdPro online platform aimed at training affiliate marketing specialists. In 21 days, experienced experts will tell you how to make money online with the help of affiliate programs – make direct online sales, promote products through bloggers and partners, cooperate with websites and other companies. You will also learn the basics of scaling this kind of business on the web.
Course Program
- Introduction to affiliate marketing
- Direct online sales
- Selling through bloggers and affiliates
- Working with websites and companies
- Scaling your business
- Bonus on working with objections
Duration
3 weeks
Cost
From 3,920 rubles
Suitable for
For anyone who wants to learn how to make money online with affiliate marketing.
6. Skanka88, affiliate marketing training
This is an author’s 7-day accelerated course on affiliate marketing from a practicing affiliate marketer Skanka88. The main features of the course are learning all the intricacies and “secrets” of working with advertising offices in Facebook, as well as considering the scheme of launching your own online store on marketplaces with ordering goods directly from China and then attracting traffic.
Course Program
- Basics of affiliate marketing
- Features of gambling and ecommerce
- Working with advertising offices in Facebook
- Using auxiliary tools
- Setting up and analyzing advertising campaigns
- Launching an online store with supplies from China
Duration
1 week
Cost
35 000 – 45 000 rubles
Suitable for
For those who are new to affiliate marketing and want to start earning quickly.
7. Gambling Pro, «Introduction to affiliate marketing»
This is a paid online course from the Gambling Pro community dedicated to gambling affiliate marketing. There are free and several paid versions of the course (from $1000 to $15000). It covers the main traffic monetization models, channels for attracting users, working with Facebook and TikTok advertising accounts.
Course Program
- The theory of affiliate marketing in gambling
- Working with TikTok
- Working with Facebook
- Technical aspects, creating creatives
Duration
1 month
Cost
From $1 000 to $15 000
Suitable for
For affiliate marketers who specialize in gambling and have experience.
8. Interra, «Profession: traffic manager»
This is an extensive online course from the Interra educational platform, covering both the theory and practice of the traffic manager profession. Within 176 lessons you will learn the basics of Internet marketing, learn how to create advertising campaigns, analyze their effectiveness, and work with targeted and media advertising.
Course Program
- Traffic management theory
- Practical training at the site
- Bonus materials
Duration
176 online lessons
Cost
4024 rubles/month.
Suitable for
For beginners who want to learn the profession of traffic manager.
9. THECREO-SCHOOL
This is an author’s course for beginner affiliate marketers from the THECREO-SCHOOL team. The authors promise guaranteed earnings after completing the course, free access to specialized services, daily support during the training and a drawing of profitable advertising bundles among the participants.
Course Program
Kept in the strictest confidence
Duration
Up to 1 month
Cost
From $499.
Suitable for
For those new to affiliate marketing.
10. Traffic Jack Team
A course on affiliate marketing from the Ukrainian Traffic Jack Team with 7 years of experience in this field. Includes video lessons, written materials, homework and mentor support. Covers working with Facebook and Google.
Course Program
- Introduction to affiliate marketing
- Working with affiliate marketing tools
- Setting up advertising offices
- Choosing an affiliate program
- Full cycle of work with the bundle
Duration
45 video lessons + 5 live lessons
Cost
Clarify
Suitable for
For newbies, experienced webmasters, and taggers.
11. ImproveTeam
A practical course on affiliate marketing in gambling from ImproveTeam team with 5 years of experience in this niche. Includes learning the basic tools, choosing affiliates, launching and analyzing advertising campaigns.
Course Program
- Working with accounts
- Choosing an affiliate program
- Working with affiliate marketing applications
- Launching and analyzing advertising campaigns
Duration
30 days
Cost
1400$
Suitable for
For beginners and experienced gambling affiliate marketers alike.
12. Major Affiliate Marketing Academy
Basic course on the basics of affiliate marketing from Major Affiliate Marketing Academy educational platform. It covers different monetization models, traffic sources, working with affiliate programs and push notifications.
Course Program
- Basics of affiliate marketing
- Overview of major verticals
- Traffic sources and their features
- Selecting Offers and Working with Them
- Working with push notifications
Duration
8 online classes
Cost
99$
Suitable for
For those new to affiliate marketing.
13. Improve, «Gambling с Facebook 2.0»
A 300-hour hands-on course on gambling affiliate marketing from the Improve team. Designed for solo affiliate marketers. The required starting budget is from $200 to $500.
Course Program
- Account preparation
- Account rental
- Choosing an affiliate program and an offerer
- Working with affiliate marketing applications
- Creating ads
- Campaign analytics and optimization
- Process automation
- Tips from professionals
Duration
300 hours
Cost
From $450.
Suitable for
For affiliate marketers and targeters specializing in gambling.
14. Nashiba
A course on Facebook affiliate marketing with a focus on gray methods of attracting traffic from the educational platform Nashiba. Includes 3 main modules: preparation for work, creation of advertising materials, moderation and cloaking.
Course Program
- Preparing for Facebook
- Creating creatives and funnels
- Content moderation and cloaking
Duration
3 modules
Cost
1199$
Suitable for
For beginners and experienced Facebook affiliate marketers alike.
15. Atom
A comprehensive course on affiliate marketing from the Ukrainian edtech company Atom. Covers the basics of affiliate marketing, advertising in Facebook, Google Ads, TikTok. Includes theory and practical cases.
Course Program
- Introduction to CPA marketing
- Facebook Advertising
- Scaling your business
- Working in Google Ads
- TikTok Ads
- Teamwork
Duration
6 modules
Cost
Price not specified
Suitable for
For those new to affiliate marketing.
Free courses for an easy start in affiliate marketing
If you are just starting to get acquainted with affiliate marketing and are not ready to invest in expensive paid courses, you can start with free training programs. Although the information in them is not so detailed, but they will allow you to quickly understand the basics and decide whether to go further into this area.
Here are some options for free affiliate marketing courses:
- The course “Affiliate marketing in 3 days” from Skillbox. Intensive program of 3 days, where the basics of affiliate marketing – choosing a niche and an offer, developing a strategy, tools and working with affiliates – are explained in an accelerated format.
- Lessons on affiliate marketing. A series of 4 video lessons with examples of affiliate marketing in VKontakte. The full cycle is shown – from analyzing CA to working with geotargeting and creatives.
- Affiliate marketing course. A detailed course demonstrating the choice of a profitable offerer, analyzing the target audience, creating your own lendings, methods of attracting traffic.
- Course from CPA.ru. A free course from the largest platform, dedicated to the creation and promotion of mobile applications.
- Author’s course by Olga Sokolova. 90 minutes of video with detailed explanation of basic concepts of affiliate marketing – basic terms, tools, traffic sources, creation of advertising materials.
After taking these initial courses, you will be able to figure out how much you are interested in the field of affiliate marketing, and decide whether it is worth investing in more advanced paid programs.
How to choose the right affiliate marketing course from scratch
When choosing a affiliate marketing course, pay attention to the following points:
1. Target audience
Determine whether the course is for beginners or more advanced users. If you are new to affiliate marketing, choose the beginner level.
2. Thematic focus
Some courses specialize in specific verticals like gambling, e-commerce, finance. Choose depending on which area you are most interested in.
3. Practical component
Pay attention to what percentage of the course is devoted to practical exercises. The more of them, the better you will be able to consolidate the material.
4. Authors’ reputation
Look for reviews from those who have already taken the course. Make sure that the instructors are really experts in the field of affiliate marketing.
5. Opportunities after passing
Some courses provide access to closed materials, help with employment, and discounts on affiliate marketing tools. Take these bonus features into account as well.
By comparing all available options according to these criteria, you will definitely be able to choose the training course that best suits you personally.
Frequently asked questions apro affiliate marketing courses
1. What should be the optimal cost of a affiliate marketing course?
The optimal price for a good affiliate marketing course starts from 30-50$. More expensive courses from 100$ provided that there are good reviews of those taking them also deserve attention.
2. Is it better to choose a one-size-fits-all affiliate marketing course or a niche-specific course?
For a beginner, it is better to start with a universal course to understand the general basics. And after the general training, move on to courses on specific affiliate marketing areas depending on the niche you are interested in.
3. Is it possible to take a affiliate marketing course without investing your own money?
Most courses require you to invest a certain amount of money to launch ad campaigns and pay for tools. But there are also free courses that allow you to learn the basic fundamentals without spending money.
4. Which is better: offline or online affiliate marketing course?
Other things being equal, offline courses with live communication are more effective, but the online format is cheaper. Therefore, for beginners it is better to start with budget online courses.
Conclusion
So, we have analyzed the most popular affiliate marketing training courses available on the market now. As you can see, the choice is quite wide – there are budget courses for beginners from 1000 rubles, and advanced intensives costing 1500$.
The main thing when choosing is to clearly understand your current level and goals, the focus of the course, and the qualifications of the authors. After taking 1-2 basic courses to begin with, you will understand whether you are interested in this area in principle. And then you can move on to more practice-oriented paid programs to reach the professional level of an affiliate marketer.
Also, always take into account that no matter how good the courses are – without your own invested efforts there will be no result. Therefore, initially set yourself up for serious and painstaking work, and then the chances of success will increase significantly.
