I started my affiliate journey recommending books. I love books. I thought, “This is easy! Everyone buys books!”
I worked hard. I wrote reviews. I shared links. And finally, I sold 100 books in one month! I felt like a marketing genius.
Then I checked my bank account.
Total Earnings: $45.00.
I stared at the screen. I had sold ONE HUNDRED items, and I barely had enough money for a tank of gas. I realized I was running on a hamster wheel. To make a full-time income ($3,000/month), I would need to sell 6,600 books every month.
That is impossible.
That was the day I quit “low-ticket” affiliate marketing. I realized that selling a $10 item takes almost the same amount of effort as selling a $1,000 item. The only difference is the paycheck.
It sounds fancy, but it just means promoting expensive things that pay you a big commission.
- Low-Ticket: You sell a $20 toaster. You earn $1.
- High-Ticket: You sell a $2,000 software subscription. You earn $500.
Do the math. To make $1,000:
- You need to find 1,000 people to buy the toaster.
- You need to find 2 people to buy the software.
Finding 2 people is a lot easier than finding 1,000.
So, what kind of stuff pays that much? You aren’t going to find these items at the grocery store.
1. Software & Tech
Companies that sell software for businesses have a lot of money. They are happy to pay you because customers usually stay for years.
- Examples: Web hosting (like WP Engine), Email Marketing tools (like ConvertKit), or Course Platforms (like Teachable).
- The Payout: Usually $50 to $200 per sale or sometimes a monthly recurring check!
2. Online Courses & Education
People pay a lot to learn new skills.
- Examples: A course on “How to become a Graphic Designer” or “How to Trade Stocks.”
- The Payout: If a course costs $1,000, the creator will often give you 30% to 50%. That is $500 for one sale.
3. Travel & Luxury
This is a fun one.
- Examples: Luxury hotel bookings, private tours or high-end luggage.
- The Payout: Travel payouts vary, but luxury tours can pay hundreds of dollars per booking.
Before you run off to post links for a $5,000 luxury yacht, stop.
There is a catch.
You cannot fake High-Ticket sales.
If I tell you to buy a $10 book and it’s bad, you will be a little annoyed, but you won’t hate me. If I tell you to buy a $2,000 laptop and it breaks, you will never trust me again.
To sell expensive things, you need Deep Trust.
- You must actually use the product.
- You must show how it works (videos, tutorials).
- You must be honest about the flaws.
You aren’t just a “referrer” anymore; you are a Consultant. People are paying for your expertise, not just your link.
Let’s look at Shopify. (Yes, the store builder).
- The Product: It costs about $39/month.
- The Affiliate Program: They pay a very generous bounty (sometimes $150 or more) because they know that once a business starts on Shopify, they stay for years.
So, instead of writing a post called “Buy this cheap website builder,” you write a detailed guide called “How to Build a 6-Figure Store from Scratch.” You show them how to use Shopify. You help them.
When they sign up, you get a big check. And they get a business. Everyone wins.
I still recommend books sometimes because I love them. But I don’t rely on them to pay my rent.
Switching to High-Ticket items changed my life. I stopped chasing thousands of clicks and started focusing on a few, high-quality conversations.
If you are tired of the hamster wheel, look at what you are selling. Is it worth your time?
