Affiliate marketing is one big moving target.

Whether you’re an expert or a novice in affiliate marketing, chances are, you don’t know everything.

That’s part of what makes affiliate marketing such a special industry—it never stops evolving.

With tons of different approaches out there, and an industry that’s constantly changing, there’s always more to be learned.

So, can you ever really master affiliate marketing? We think so. Reading the basics from perspectives of experts is one great way to begin honing your skills. We’ve put together a list of the top eight books for affiliate marketing to help you get started.

You’ll notice that many of the books have similar—or the exact same—titles. It would seem that affiliate marketers love to be clear, concise and get straight to the point. But don’t be fooled. The books vary greatly in content, style and format.

And since affiliate marketing is constantly evolving, you’ll also notice that many books make reference to the current year (2017). They’re all updated to be shiny and new, giving you the latest tools and techniques.

Affiliate Marketing Books to Put on Your Shelves

1. “The Complete Guide to Affiliate Marketing on the Web” by Bruce C. Brown

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Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

“The Complete Guide to Affiliate Marketing on the Web” is, well, exactly what it sounds like.

This book appeals to a range of skill levels and reviewers commend it for being a practical, easy-to-implement crash course in affiliate marketing. It’s perfect for anyone hoping to produce immediate income, whether you’re new to the field or a little bit more advanced.

Beginners will benefit by learning all of the basics of affiliate marketing and passive income. For those who are a little bit more advanced, this book is a great reference tool. It’s a great step-by-step guide to keep on hand for any questions that may arise along the way.

2. “Quick Start Guide to Affiliate Marketing” by Geno Prussakov

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Skill level: Beginner

Sure, this one has “quick start” right in the title, but it’s not meant to make you rich overnight—and it lets you know that from the get-go. It will, however, get you up and running towards your first bucks rather quickly.

This book is written in a question-and-answer format, which makes it especially simple for the affiliate marketing beginner. I found myself nodding right along with the list of questions, presented in the table of contents—it’s comforting to see the questions that you’re asking yourself laid out for you. Now you know that you’re not the only one wondering these things.

There are 60 questions and answers total in this book, each of which helps guide the reader through the introductory points of affiliate marketing all the way through to mastering techniques, boosting your earnings and even developing a career in the industry.

Reviewers call this book a quick read, and give it major bonus points for bringing clarity to this subject which, as we all know, can sometimes be hard to digest.

While “Quick Start Guide to Affiliate Marketing” is best for beginners, don’t get rid of it when you’ve finished reading. It’s another great reference tool to have on hand as you’re building your business.

3. “Affiliate Marketing for Beginners” by Brian Conners

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Skill level: Beginner

Brian Conners gives the reader of “Affiliate Marketing for Beginners” a bit of different perspective on the topic, explaining the red flags and potential mistakes by affiliate marketers.

This book is loaded with tips for the beginner, and is even a great tool for bloggers wondering how to start making money. Reviewers commend it for its simplicity and clarity, as well as being up to date with current practices.

This is the perfect book for anyone who wants to learn about monetizing their current business, or about how to make more money while working less often.

4. “Affiliate Marketing” by Mark Smith

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Skill level: Beginner to expert

“Affiliate Marketing” by Mark Smith focuses on passive income and increasing productivity. Unsurprisingly, this book explains the many benefits of affiliate marketing (especially passive income), but also gives the reader a rundown of the disadvantages of the field.

While it explains clearly the fundamentals of affiliate marketing, with the goal in mind to make more money while working less, it’s also a book about strategy.

Mark Smith knows a lot about creating a profitable strategy. He is, after all, a leader in affiliate marketing. His vast knowledge on strategy is why we believe his book will benefit both beginners and experts alike.

For the expert, it offers a new perspective that can take your business from moderately successful to hugely successful.

5. “Passive Income” by Richard Gadson

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Skill level: Beginner

This is the book for you if your main goal is to make money quickly and with as little effort as possible, and if you want your business to be a self-sustaining machine.

It’s geared toward anyone hoping to improve their finances, especially those who do not already have experience in the affiliate marketing field. It gives a clear, easy-to-understand synopsis of the essentials needed to make passive income.

This is one of the best books on our list for the beginner, as it doesn’t overstate anything or assume the reader has any knowledge of how affiliate marketing works.

For that reason, we don’t recommend it to someone with intermediate or expert level knowledge. Give this one a try if you’re looking for a way to make more money without much experience and without giving up your lifestyle.

6. “Affiliate Marketing” by Andy Anderson

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Skill level: Beginner to expert

It comes as no surprise that two of our favorite affiliate marketing books are called “Affiliate Marketing.”

However, this book, by Andy Anderson, explores different avenues than those covered by Mark Smith (above).

Reviewers said that it changed their perspective on affiliate marketing by tying in several different aspects of the field. Anderson leaves no stone unturned, covering affiliate marketing tactics from social media to SEO.

It takes the fundamentals a little bit farther by helping the reader understand the different types of affiliates (why we recommend it for beginners as well as experts). It even busts some of the myths many affiliate marketers believe to be true.

If you’re just starting out, this book will fully equip you with the knowledge you’re looking for, and then some. It’s a book that you’ll come back to even when you’ve mastered the art of affiliate marketing. If you’re already an expert, it will help you see your business’s potential from a different perspective.

7. “Online Business Ideas” by Mark Austin

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Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

Mark Austin has a lot of valuable information to share, and he does it without any confusion. His goal is to teach his readers to be successful while enjoying the life they want.

This book breaks down the different affiliate marketing platforms to help the reader figure out exactly with route they should go. Austin even includes a great little section called “20 Best Ways to Make Money Online” which is a great reference tool for those trying to make a little bit of extra cash.

This book is especially useful for the beginner or intermediate affiliate marketer trying to get a better handle on how affiliate networks work. These networks are all different from one another and tend to be a little tricky regardless of your level of expertise.

8. “Passive Income” by Abigail Victor

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Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

“Passive Income” is another title repeated twice on our list, and for good reason! It’s no secret that making passive income is one of the biggest benefits of affiliate marketing.

This book breaks down all the basics, and many reviewers even said it was especially motivating for them to start their business. Abigail Victor gives her readers a well-rounded explanation of all of the outlets involved in this type of marketing, and she does it without any fluff.

This book is a quick read, and perfect for the beginner just learning about passive income, or the intermediate marketer hoping to increase their level of passive income.

 

There you have it, our top eight books for mastering affiliate marketing.

Regardless of whether you’re just starting out and hoping to make some passive income, or you’re an affiliate marketing expert, these books will help you vastly improve your business (and income).

 
 

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