Are you wondering if you can still make money with affiliate marketing, even as a newcomer? In Episode 082, Andrew Hansen returns to share real success stories from Rankings Institute 1.0 and preview the upcoming Rankings Institute 2.0 launch.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Real case studies from Rankings Institute students who built profitable affiliate businesses
• Why some students succeeded while others struggled despite taking action
• The remarkable story of Blain, a welder who earned over 15,000 dollars in commissions
• Why this may be a better time than ever to start in affiliate marketing

Episode Highlights

Andrew Hansen is an online entrepreneur who has been making money from the internet for years and has a passion for teaching others to do the same. In this conversation with Mark, he covers the factors that separated successful Rankings Institute students from those who struggled, including niche selection, content quality, and SEO execution.

The standout story is Blain, a welder from Missouri who committed to implementing the course strategies part-time. Within six months, Blain was earning over 5,000 dollars per month in affiliate commissions, totaling approximately 15,000 dollars. His approach followed Andrew's core advice: go where the money is, but find an untapped area of that market with a new angle and lower competition.

Andrew also discusses other successful students, including a woman who earned 14,300 dollars in a single month of May, and the unique tactics each employed around content creation and keyword research.

What's Changed Since This Episode

Mark recorded this in September 2014. Affiliate marketing fundamentals remain the same, but the tools and tactics have evolved.

Rankings Institute is no longer available. The course Andrew and Alex Miller created was a product of its time, but the principles of quality content, strategic link building, and niche selection remain the foundation of successful affiliate marketing.

Affiliate commission structures have diversified. Amazon Associates reduced rates significantly in 2020. Successful affiliate marketers in 2026 work with multiple affiliate networks and direct brand partnerships rather than relying on a single program.

Content quality expectations have risen dramatically. Google's helpful content updates mean that thin affiliate sites struggle more than ever. The emphasis on genuine expertise and comprehensive reviews that Andrew advocated is now a baseline requirement.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• LNIM Podcast
• LNIM082 Full Transcript

Listen and Subscribe

Listen to Late Night Internet Marketing on Apple Podcasts or subscribe at latenightim.com/internet-marketing-podcast/. Have a question for Mark? Call the digital recorder at 214-444-8655 or drop a comment below.