If you’ve been buzzing the idea around for affiliate marketing and AI tools to use but have no clue where to start — or maybe you tried and it felt like a lot…been on that one. 

When I first heard about people making soft or easier income with AI and affiliate links, I rolled my eyes. It sounded like another hustle bro fantasy or an ad for some $997 course I’m sure I’d get suckered into splurging on*face palm*. But then I started checking out some tools that made tasks and work easier, faster, and actually doable, and for my neurospicy brain… EVerything shifted.

In this article I’ll be breaking down the exact AI tools that helped me earn my first $200 in affiliate commissions, even while juggling my PT business, life, and very little time to “figure it all out.”

🧠 Why AI Tools Help You with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing, at its core, is simple:
You recommend something you use or believe in → Someone buys it → You earn a commission.

What’s NOT simple?

• Writing dozens of blog posts or captions
• Doing SEO research
• Managing links
• Staying consistent

Here’s where AI steps in. You’re not replacing strategy, but you ARE automating the busy work, ie the work that doesn’t foster growth.

🧰 The AI Tools That Helped Me Earn My First $200

These tools didn’t just help me “look or feel busy”,  they quite literally helped me scale my content game quicker and publish content wayy faster, get found online, and manage my affiliate setup in a fraction of the time and mental bandwidth. 

1. Jasper.ai – My Blog & Email Writing Assistant

Best for: Long-form content, email marketing, affiliate product reviews

I used Jasper to:

• Write blog intros and product descriptions
• Generate catchy email subject lines
• Create content outlines fast

Why it works:
Instead of staring at a blank page, Jasper gave me a head start — and let me shape the message in my own voice. It’s especially useful for creating comparison articles or reviews (both highly monetizable in affiliate content).

🔗 Try Jasper here — free trial available

2. KoalaWriter – My SEO-Optimized Blog Generator

Best for: Google-friendly blog posts for affiliate keywords

KoalaWriter is built on GPT and pulls in real-time SERP data, meaning you’re not just writing — you’re ranking.

I used it to:

• Generate 1,000–1,500 word SEO articles in under 10 minutes
• Optimize for keywords like “best tools for email marketing”
• Create first drafts I could lightly edit and publish

Bonus: It has built-in Amazon product integration (great for affiliate links).

🔗 Check out KoalaWriter here

3. Canva Magic Write – My Visual + Copy BFF

Best for: Social media posts, pin graphics, affiliate visuals

Canva is already a Gen X dream — but the Magic Write AI tool inside it helped me:

• Create carousels from blog posts
• Write Pinterest captions
• Draft short affiliate promo copy

Even better? I designed lead magnets (like checklists and free guides) in Canva that linked directly to affiliate tools I recommended.

🔗 Try Canva Pro 

4. Surfer SEO – My Secret Weapon for Organic Traffic

Best for: On-page SEO and content scoring

This was the “adulting” part of my blogging — making sure posts weren’t just pretty, but optimized.

I used it to:

• Get a content score while writing (green = good)
• Add recommended keywords
• Fix content length and headings

If you plan to blog as your main affiliate strategy, this is worth investing in.

🔗 Try Surfer SEO here

5. Systeme.io – My All-in-One Affiliate Funnel Tool

Best for: Landing pages, lead magnets, email, affiliate links — all in one place

Systeme is basically ClickFunnels without the insane price tag. I used it to:

• Create a freebie opt-in page
• Automate emails with affiliate links
• Organize multiple income streams

It also has its own affiliate marketplace, so I made some of my first $200 by promoting free trials to others.

🔗 Start with Systeme.io here — free forever plan

Jasper.ai

My Blog & Email Writing Assistant

Best for: Long-form content, email marketing, affiliate product reviews

KoalaWriter

My SEO-Optimized Blog Generator

Best for: Google-friendly blog posts for affiliate keywords

Canva Magic Write

My Visual + Copy BFF

Best for: Social media posts, pin graphics, affiliate visuals

Surfer SEO

My Secret Weapon for Organic Traffic

Best for: On-page SEO and content scoring

Systeme.io

My All-in-One Affiliate Funnel Tool

Best for: Landing pages, lead magnets, email, affiliate links — all in one place

Which Tool Should You Start With?

Here’s my honest breakdown:
If you're writing blog posts or reviews → Start with Jasper or KoalaWriter
If you're building an email list + freebies → Systeme.io
If you're designing social or Pinterest posts → Canva Magic Write
If you're trying to rank on Google → Surfer SEO

My actual first $200 came from combining Systeme + KoalaWriter + Canva — and not overthinking the rest.

FAQs

Q: Can I use free AI tools to start and still make money?

A: Yes — Koala, Jasper, Systeme, and Canva all have free trials or limited free plans. You don’t need to buy everything on day one.

Q: What niche should I start in?

A: Start with something you're either curious about or already use: productivity, pet care, skincare, parenting, AI tools. Then find affiliate programs for those products.

Q: Can I do this if I’m not techy?

A: You already use a smartphone. These tools are built for everyday users. No coding or fancy skill set required.

Final Thoughts

Did I make $10K overnight? Absolutely NOT…. But I DID accomplish something better: proof that this does in fact work. And because we're not naive anymore...we're not falling for the current Hype It Up Marketing tactics overused online today. 

With the right tools, we’re not just trying to keep up — we’re setting our own pace.

If you're over 40, starting over or starting over but with life experiences, or just tired of noise and Hype Marketing, AI tools can help you skip to the good part: 

Creating value. Earning while we learn. Building income that respects our time.

Ready to Dig Deeper? Grab your free copy of

How to Find Your Niche & Zone of Genius,
Guide & Workbook(even if you're over 45)

📓 A guided workbook to uncover your skills, interests, to launch in your zoned sweet spot
🧠 AI-powered questions to help you discover your “zone of genius”
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No fluff. Just a beautifully designed workbook to help you stop second-guessing and start building your digital brand, product, or content with confidence.

some links are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission (no extra cost to you) if you decide to try any of these apps.