If you are looking for simple side hustles for 50+, you have probably noticed a lot of bad advice out there.
Most "side hustle" lists tell you to drive for Uber, deliver food, or trade your weekends for a few extra bucks per hour.
At our age, we don't need a second job that requires a second commute.
We need leverage.
We need income that scales without burning us out.
That is why I always come back to affiliate marketing.
If you’ve been kicking around the idea of a side hustle or just want another income stream that doesn’t suck up your weekends, this is it.
It’s hands-down one of the easiest ways to create something of your own.
No products to ship, no boss breathing down your neck, no fancy tech required.
My First Taste of Passive Income
When I first learned about affiliate marketing, I thought it was too good to be true.
Back then I was promoting these “Learn Master Guitar” DVD courses that sold for around $150 to $200. They gave me about half of every sale just for sending people through my link.
When I saw my first couple of sales come through, I was hooked. It wasn’t a ton of money, but the idea of making $75–$100 just by sharing a link? THAT was pretty freakin cool.
Then I thought, “Okay… how do I get more of these?”
That little shot of dopamine is what pulled me down the rabbit hole of learning how to make money online. That rabbit hole lead me to learning how to build websites, write copy, run ads, and so many other skills.
And here I am 20 years later and I’m still making money from affiliate marketing—it has made me tens of thousands of dollars over time.
Before we get into the "how-to," let's address the elephant in the room.
You might think affiliate marketing is just for Gen Z influencers dancing on TikTok or flashing rented Lamborghinis. That is the "Influencer Style"—high volume, low trust.
Gen X plays a different game: The Authority Style.
We have decades of real-world experience. When we recommend a tool, it’s not because it’s "viral"; it’s because we’ve used it to solve a problem.
Our audience listens because they trust our BS-meter.
You don't need millions of followers to make this work; you just need a small, engaged audience that values your experience. That trust is your currency, and it converts significantly higher than any viral trend ever will.
So today, I want to walk you through the same first steps. Nothing fancy. Just how you can get set up, share your first link, and feel that same rush when you see that first sale pop up.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Income Stream
Step 1: Choosing Your Niche (Start With What You Know)
Don’t chase random products. Think of stuff you’ve already paid for and would recommend to a buddy without hesitation.
A piece of software you use every week
A course or book that taught you something valuable
A tool or gadget that saves you time or frustration
Write down 3–5 of these. That’s your short list.
Step 2: Finding Your Partners
Most online businesses do. Scroll to the bottom of their website and look for “Affiliate,” “Partners,” or “Referral Program.”
If you can’t find it, just Google:
[product name] affiliate program
Examples:
“Amazon partner program”
“Beehiiv affiliate program”
“Blue Yeti microphone affiliate program”
Step 3: The Application Process
Click the link, fill out the form. Usually they’ll want:
Your name and email
Where you plan to share the link (newsletter, social media, blog, etc.)
Payment info (PayPal, direct deposit, etc.)
Approval can be instant or a couple days.
Step 4: Grab Your Affiliate Tracking Link
Once you’re approved, you’ll get a unique link. It might look long and ugly, but that’s normal. That’s how they track sales back to you.
Step 5: Share It Using The Trust-First Approach
This is where most people freeze up. Don’t overthink it. Just start with a quick story:
Drop it at the bottom of an email: “By the way, here’s the tool I use every week [affiliate link].”
Mention it in a YouTube description.
Post on social: “I’ve been using this tool for years—it’s a lifesaver. Here’s the link if you want to check it out.”
Your first win isn’t a commission. It’s seeing that first click. Once you get that, you’ll understand why people stick with affiliate marketing.
Best Tools for Gen X Solopreneurs
If you are looking for high-quality programs to start with, here are the ones I personally use and recommend.
These platforms value the "Authority Style" of marketing:
If you are writing, you need to own your audience. Beehiiv is the most user-friendly platform for building a newsletter that can actually monetize.
Why it works for us: It handles the tech so you can focus on the writing.
The Affiliate Angle: Beehiiv has a built-in Partner Program that is pretty sweet. You can earn recurring revenue by referring other writers, podcasters, and solopreneurs to the platform. Plus, their "Boosts" feature lets you get paid just for recommending other newsletters—no product creation required.
For those ready to teach or bring people together, Skool is the simplest way to host a community and course in one place.
Why it works for us: It replaces Facebook Groups and clunky course software. It feels like a social network, but one where you actually own the data and revenue. You can start a community about literally anything and earn (guitar, crochet, YouTube, underwater basket weaving, whatever)
The Affiliate Angle: This is a powerhouse. You can earn 40% monthly recurring commissions by referring others to start their own communities. Don't want to run your own group? No problem. You can search thousands of existing communities in every niche imaginable and get paid to promote them instead. It is the most flexible ecosystem out there right now.
3. ChatGPT / Gemini / Claude (AI Assistants)
While not always a direct affiliate play, mastering these tools allows you to scale your content creation without hiring a team.
Why it works for us: It acts as the "intern" we never had, helping brainstorm and structure content efficiently. I so wish I would’ve had these tools when I started. It is SOOO fast to get up and running.
AI Prompt to Get Your Started
Once you’ve got your first affiliate link, the goal is simple — get that first click.
Most people overthink what to say or worry they’ll sound salesy. Don’t. Just be honest about why you like the product and share it naturally.
This prompt will help you do exactly that — fast.
Copy and paste this into ChatGPT or Claude: