The Think Media Podcast, Episode 470: "How New YouTubers Can Make Money Before 1,000 Subs (Step-by-Step Guide)"

Air Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Nathan Eswine (Think Media)
Guest: Deanne Gustafson (YouTuber, Amazon Affiliate Expert)

Episode Overview

This episode is a step-by-step guide for new YouTubers on how to make money with affiliate marketing—particularly through Amazon—even before reaching YouTube’s official monetization thresholds. Host Nathan Eswine welcomes Deanne Gustafson, who has successfully turned low-subscriber channels into significant income streams, to break down strategies, tactics, and mindset shifts for earning income early on YouTube. The tone is practical, candid, and beginner-friendly, offering actionable advice and real-world stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Affiliate Links for Small Channels

• Affiliate links (especially Amazon) allow creators to earn money from small and even neglected channels—monetization does not require a large following.

  “One of them happens to be actually product reviews my husband has done, and he reviewed a dive flashlight in our pool… the affiliate link has led to so many sales of these flashlights.” —Deanne (02:02)

• Most sales come from the link rather than YouTube ad revenue; anyone using your link and buying anything (not just the original product) earns you a commission.
• Low barrier to entry; affiliate platforms like Amazon Associates have minimal requirements.

Demystifying Affiliate Marketing

• What is an affiliate link?
  An affiliate link is a trackable URL that gives a commission if someone purchases from the linked site.

  “An affiliate link is any link a company has where you are promoting traffic back to their website and it's trackable so you get paid when people purchase.” —Deanne (04:24)

• Platforms: Amazon, Target, Walmart, and countless others have affiliate programs. Amazon is the simplest to start.

Getting Started: Amazon Associates In Practice

• Sign up for Amazon Associates; put your YouTube channel as your traffic source.
• You need three legitimate (non-friend/family) sales in 180 days (may vary) to keep your account active.

  “You have 180 days and you need to make three sales within that time to stay in the program… Now these three sales cannot be from your mom, your best friend, or yourself. And somehow Amazon knows all…” —Deanne (04:24)

Practical Workarounds:

• If your channel can’t add links to video descriptions (advanced feature), pin your affiliate link in the first comment.
• Always disclose affiliate relationships per FTC and Amazon guidelines.

What Kinds of Videos & Links?

• Product review videos are straightforward and natural for integrating links.
• For channels that don’t focus on reviews, use “idea lists.”
  Examples: “Top 5 things every first-time homeowner needs” for a real estate channel; “My favorite gardening tools” for gardening content.
• Amazon’s affiliate program gives commission on anything placed in a cart after clicking your link, not just the featured product.

  “My hope is that you check out with your Dyson vacuum that you’ve had in your cart for two months… I also earn on people’s groceries. You'll see sex toys in there, you’ll see everything...” —Deanne (09:07)

Picking a Platform and Brand Relationships

• Amazon is recommended as a default, but you can reach out to brands for custom affiliate links.
• You can mix and match affiliate relationships as your channel evolves.
• You don’t have to wait for sponsorships—affiliate income can start immediately, and you can request affiliate links even as a small creator.

Scaling & Diversification

• Deanne has not (yet) built a course or book, but sees affiliate linking as the most accessible, lucrative path for newbies.
• Affiliate earnings can happen while waiting for YouTube to approve you for AdSense:

  "It's encouraging to be earning while you're still not earning from a Google payment." —Deanne (12:26)

• YouTube is a search engine—targeting search-driven video topics increases chances for affiliate sales, especially on evergreen and seasonal products (Q4 is 'Super Bowl’ for product affiliates).

Video Strategy: Titles, SEO, and Thumbnails

• Include the exact product name in the title if it’s popular (SEO best practices).
• Less well-known products: Use more generic or curiosity-driven titles.
• Multiple affiliate links in one video can be useful; you can even link to a search results page on Amazon for general categories.

Seasonal & Advanced Strategies

• Q4 (holiday season) is when affiliate sales peak due to increased online shopping.
• Include links to your own gear—camera, microphone, lights—even if you’re not in the tech niche.

On-Camera Tips from a Former TV Reporter

• Smile at the end of a product review to improve connection and conversions.

  "Smile at the end… I used to have my journalism face on… Well, that does not convert to sales." —Deanne (23:08)

• Be authentic: Review things you actually use and care about—don’t force what you don’t love.
• Show yourself actually using/trying the product, not just holding it up.

Calls-To-Action and Affiliate Readiness

• Always disclose if a link is an affiliate and/or if you received the product free.
• Call to action language:
  • “If you want to get it, the affiliate link is in the description.”
  • “I’ve put an affiliate link in the pinned comment below.”

Analytics & Tracking

• Track affiliate sales in real time; you can label links to know which channel/video produced the sale.
• Amazon has “Creator Connections” and “Influencer” programs for higher commissions and special opportunities as your audience grows.

  “You can earn bonuses…brands pay you extra, anywhere from 10 to 50% commission on top of what you’re earning from Amazon commission.” —Deanne (31:03)

Mindset and The Long Haul

• There’s no ‘get rich quick’ in affiliate marketing—it takes consistent effort.

  “It is hard work. Even affiliate linking, it is fun, hard work to really grow it.” —Deanne (31:29)

• Patience is key; old videos can suddenly start earning if they pick up in search.
• Tiny channels can make money:

  “You don’t need a huge channel, you just need the link. Just try it and see what happens and then you can thank me later.” —Deanne (33:13)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "One of them happens to be actually product reviews my husband has done ...the affiliate link has led to so many sales of these flashlights."
  —Deanne (02:02)
• "An affiliate link is any link a company has where you are promoting traffic back to their website and it's trackable so that you get paid when people purchase."
  —Deanne (04:24)
• “You have to get it from a legit social media…YouTube channel…that’s how easy it is to get started.”
  —Deanne (05:55)
• "You can put your affiliate link in your first comment and pin it there..."
  —Deanne (06:15)
• "My hope is that you check out with your Dyson vacuum that you've had in your cart for two months… I also earn on people’s groceries...you'll see sex toys in there, you'll see everything."
  —Deanne (09:07)
• "I think just start with something that you could not live without, that your passion is going to come through... if you can show like your hype, it will really portray it through the screen."
  —Deanne (20:50)
• "Smile at the end. Because I used to, like, kind of have my journalism face on and just be like, and this is a great face cream. Well, that does not convert to sales."
  —Deanne (23:08)
• "I try to be real... if it works, awesome. And if I can't see results, I say it... I also don't want a lot of returns either because... you lose the money you gained. So I'd rather just be honest than, yeah, be fake."
  —Deanne (26:00)
• "You don’t need a huge channel, you just need the link. Just try it and see what happens and then you can thank me later."
  —Deanne (33:13)
• "Hang in there. If I can do it, you can do it."
  —Deanne (35:59)

Step-by-Step Blueprint for Your First Affiliate Sale

(34:25–34:55)

1. Pick a product you genuinely love/regularly use.
2. Verify it's available on Amazon (or major affiliate site).
3. Sign up for an affiliate program (e.g., Amazon Associates).
4. Make a product review/experience video—keep it authentic, show yourself using it, highlight real benefits.
5. Place affiliate links in your video description and/or pin a comment. Disclose affiliate status per FTC/Amazon rules.
6. Encourage viewers to check links, but keep it casual and honest.
7. Monitor sales and analytics, and repeat with more products or lists as you go.

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• [02:02] – Real example of affiliate sales from a tiny, inactive channel
• [04:24] – What is an affiliate link?
• [06:15] – Workarounds for new channels with limited YouTube features
• [09:07] – How Amazon pays for anything in the cart
• [15:23] – Why Q4 is big for affiliate earnings
• [20:50] – How to avoid being ‘salesy’ and why authenticity works
• [23:08] – On-camera tips for product reviews
• [26:00] – The importance of actually using products you review
• [31:03] – Insights on Amazon’s Creator Connections and bonus commissions
• [32:35] – How long does it take to see results? The patience mindset
• [33:13] – Motivational advice for discouraged creators

Closing Pep Talk & Resources

"Do it. Oh my gosh. Get in there. You got this. And just try it. It's so easy. You can sign up... just do it. Don't wait. You know, adsense will kick in... but try this while you're in that process and keep creating quality content, but put affiliate links and you'd be surprised at just the extra income."
—Deanne Gustafson (35:05)

• Deanne’s Channel: Search YouTube for "Deann Gustafson" (focus: Anti-aging skincare for women 35+)
• Instagram: @d (for links to everything she does)
• Amazon Storefront: Accessible via her Instagram linktree

Key Takeaways for New Creators

• You don’t need 1,000 subs to start earning—affiliate links are your fastest path.
• Authenticity wins: Only promote what you genuinely use/love.
• Disclose all affiliate activity for trust and to comply with policies.
• Analytics and patience: Check results, iterate, and don’t expect overnight riches.
• Q4 opportunities are huge—plan ahead for holidays.
• Diversify: Use affiliate links across all your platforms.
• Consistency and “just trying” is the secret weapon at any size.

If you want to grow your channel and earn money before YouTube opens monetization, follow these steps—start with affiliate links, make videos about things you genuinely love, and keep going!