Making Sense Of Affiliate Marketing Review – Can Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s Course Really Help You Earn?

If you’ve been researching how to make money online, you’ve likely come across Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing — a course by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner that often gets recommended to bloggers who feel stuck earning from their sites.

Michelle is well known for her success in affiliate marketing through her blog Making Sense of Cents, where she’s earned over $50,000 a month in affiliate income. Her story inspires many, but does her course actually teach what it takes to get real results? Or is it showing its age in today’s fast-moving blogging world?

In this review, I’ll share my personal take, walk you through what’s inside the course, and help you decide if it’s worth your investment. I’ll also explain why some bloggers may find more long-term value in a complete, up-to-date training platform like Wealthy Affiliate, especially if you want ongoing support and SEO training.

What Is Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing?

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is an online course designed to help bloggers understand and apply affiliate marketing the right way — ethically, strategically, and without needing advanced technical skills.

Created by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, the course breaks down how to build trust with readers and earn a steady income through honest product recommendations. It focuses on turning everyday blog posts into income-generating assets without pushing spammy links or manipulative tactics.

When you enrol, you’ll get:

• 6 step-by-step modules with over 30 bite-sized lessons
• Printable worksheets and checklists for action-taking
• Bonus interviews with other successful bloggers
• Private Facebook group for peer and creator support
• Lifetime access with all future updates included

The course uses a simple, self-paced format. There are no live sessions or heavy video lessons — most of the content is text-based, so it’s easy to read through when you’ve got a spare hour between family or work commitments.

It’s ideal for bloggers who already have some content live and want to learn how to monetise it properly. While it doesn’t teach SEO or traffic growth in depth, it provides a strong foundation for understanding how to recommend products the right way and build trust-based affiliate income.

Who’s Behind Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing?

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing was created by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, the founder of the award-winning personal finance blog Making Sense of Cents.

Michelle started her blog in 2011 while working full-time and paying off student loans. What began as a small side project soon turned into a six-figure online business, largely through affiliate marketing. Her story of financial independence — from paying off $40,000 in student debt to earning over $1 million per year — has been featured in outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, and The Huffington Post.

Michelle’s credibility comes not from theory but from her own experience. She’s been transparent about her income reports for years, openly sharing what works and what doesn’t in affiliate marketing.

In her course, Michelle takes a friendly, realistic tone. She doesn’t promise overnight success but instead shows how consistent effort and genuine product recommendations can lead to real results over time.

If you’re looking for guidance from someone who’s built her income from scratch — without flashy hype or risky shortcuts — Michelle’s course delivers that approachable, real-world insight many beginner bloggers appreciate.

Is Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing a Scam?

No, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is a legitimate course created by a proven blogger with a long-standing reputation.

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s success story is well documented, with real income reports and case studies from her blog Making Sense of Cents. The course has been around for several years, and while some parts could use fresher updates, there’s nothing deceptive or misleading about what’s offered.

You pay once, get lifetime access, and can request a refund within 30 days if it’s not what you expected. There are no hidden upsells or “high-ticket” traps — something that sets it apart from many of the overpriced online programs circulating today.

If you’re after a beginner-friendly affiliate marketing foundation with honest, step-by-step instruction, this course is a safe and reputable option.

How Does Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing Work?

Once you enrol, you’ll gain access to a simple, text-based training portal. It’s divided into six core modules, each with written lessons, printable checklists, and action steps. You can move through the material at your own pace. Perfect if you’re learning around school runs or family schedules.

Here’s a quick look at what each module covers:

Module 1: Starting and Setting Up for Success
Covers the basics of affiliate marketing, including how affiliate links work, legal disclosures, and the importance of trust-building from day one.

Module 2: Finding the Right Affiliate Programs
Shows you how to identify and apply to programs that align with your niche and values — including examples of what to avoid.

Module 3: Strategies for Affiliate Marketing Success
Focuses on writing content that converts naturally. Teaches how to position affiliate products within posts without sounding salesy.

Module 4: Getting Readers to Click and Buy
Covers audience psychology, trust triggers, and techniques for pre-selling — helping readers take action because they believe in your recommendations.

Module 5: Managing and Scaling Your Efforts
Teaches how to track results, monitor what’s working, and strengthen your affiliate relationships over time.

Module 6: Bonuses and Case Studies
Includes legal templates, real-world examples, and interviews with other bloggers who’ve succeeded using the same system.

The entire course focuses on implementation — not theory. Each module ends with a clear checklist, making it easy to stay accountable even when your time is limited.

While it’s missing video walkthroughs or SEO deep dives, the simplicity works in its favour for parents and beginners who just want to get started without distraction or overwhelm.

How Much Does It Cost (and Refund Policy)?

The Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing course is priced at $197 as a one-time payment. Occasionally, Michelle offers a split-payment option or discount during promotions, but there are no recurring fees or hidden upsells.

Once you purchase, you get lifetime access to all current materials and any future updates, so you can return and refresh your knowledge whenever you need to.

The course also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you decide it’s not right for you, you can request a refund — no questions asked. That makes it a low-risk investment for bloggers wanting to test if affiliate marketing could work for their niche.

For families working within a budget, the “pay once” model offers peace of mind compared to subscription-based platforms. However, if you want continuous updates, SEO training, or mentoring, you might eventually outgrow what this course provides.

Do You Get Any Support?

Support is provided mainly through Michelle’s private Facebook group, which is included with the course. It’s active, positive, and filled with beginner bloggers sharing tips, celebrating wins, and asking questions.

Michelle and her small team participate in the group regularly. You’ll find friendly feedback, encouragement, and peer support from others going through the same lessons. The community adds real value — many members say the group helped them take consistent action when motivation dipped.

That said, there’s no one-on-one coaching or live Q&A sessions, and discussions can sometimes drift toward general blogging talk rather than detailed strategy. If you hit a technical wall or want deeper SEO or monetisation coaching, you’ll likely need external guidance.

Compared to Wealthy Affiliate’s live chat, mentorship system, and weekly expert classes, the Making Sense community feels more casual — great for connection and encouragement, but not built for long-term, advanced learning.

Still, for new bloggers juggling family life and a learning curve, the group offers just enough accountability and reassurance to stay on track.

Who Is Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing For (and Who Isn’t It For)?

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is designed for bloggers who already have a website and want to start earning from their content, even if their traffic is still small.

It’s best suited for:

• Bloggers earning little or no income yet but ready to monetise their posts
• Parents or beginners who prefer simple, jargon-free lessons
• Writers who want a clear system to promote products ethically
• Anyone who struggles to turn blog traffic into consistent income

If you’re already comfortable with affiliate links or want to learn advanced SEO, traffic generation, or analytics, this course will likely feel too basic.

It’s not ideal for:

• Experienced affiliate marketers
• Bloggers looking for in-depth SEO or email marketing training
• Those who prefer hands-on video walkthroughs
• Learners who need frequent updates or live coaching

For most beginners, though, it hits the sweet spot — straightforward enough to follow, detailed enough to apply, and motivating enough to spark real progress.

What Are Others Saying About Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing?

The feedback across the web is largely positive, though not without valid criticism.

Here’s what real students and reviewers have said:

Positive Feedback:

• Happy Blogging Mom: Praised the course’s simplicity and community support, saying she earned her first affiliate income after applying the lessons.
• Millennial Boss: Reported recovering her course investment quickly, calling it a great confidence boost for beginners.
• Side Hustles Database: Highlighted the worksheets and structure as a clear path for turning random posts into revenue-generating content.

Constructive Criticism:

• Captain FI: Found the course too light for those already familiar with affiliate basics or SEO.
• eBizFacts: Noted that updates have been infrequent and some information overlaps with free resources on Michelle’s blog.
• Reddit users: Pointed out that much of the advice feels like “common sense,” though still valuable for total beginners.

Overall, most reviewers agree that Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing does exactly what it claims — it helps beginners understand and apply affiliate marketing ethically. It’s less about advanced tactics and more about building confidence and structure in your monetisation journey.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing: Pros and Cons

Every course has strengths and weaknesses, and Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is no different. Here’s a clear breakdown of where it shines and where it falls short.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly structure: Short lessons and checklists make it easy to follow without feeling overwhelmed.
• Ethical approach: Michelle promotes honesty and transparency, not hype or pressure tactics.
• Real-world examples: You can see her actual blog strategies in action.
• Supportive community: The private Facebook group adds accountability and encouragement.
• One-time payment: Lifetime access without recurring fees means no ongoing financial pressure.

Cons

• Limited SEO and traffic training: You’ll learn the basics of monetization, not how to grow large audiences.
• Few videos: Most lessons are text-based, which can feel static for visual learners.
• Not for advanced bloggers: Experienced marketers may find it too basic.
• Occasional updates: Some lessons could use fresher examples and tools.
• Overlap with free content: Several principles are covered on Michelle’s blog or in free guides online.

For new bloggers, these trade-offs are acceptable — especially if your goal is to start earning sooner rather than later. For anyone aiming to build long-term authority sites or manage multiple blogs, though, you’ll eventually need more advanced training and SEO tools.

What Are the Alternatives?

If you’re exploring other programs, several blogging courses and platforms can complement or expand on what Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing teaches.

Each course has its place depending on your stage and goals.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing focuses on affiliate income basics. Launch Your Blog Biz helps you get your site online. 31 Days to Build a Better Blog guides you through daily improvements and stronger content strategy.

Wealthy Affiliate, meanwhile, provides the full ecosystem — combining training, hosting, SEO tools, and a vibrant community that grows with you.

If you’re serious about turning your blog into a long-term income source, Wealthy Affiliate gives you everything in one place without having to juggle multiple programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing beginner-friendly?
Yes. The course is built for complete beginners who already have a blog or plan to launch one soon. Lessons are short, written in plain English, and focus on ethical, practical steps to earn from affiliate links.

Can you really make money after taking this course?
Yes, but results depend on your consistency and traffic. Students who apply Michelle’s methods and already have some visitors can start seeing small affiliate income within a few months.

Does it include SEO or traffic training?
Only basic traffic advice is covered. The course assumes you already have some readers and focuses more on affiliate promotion and conversion.

Is it worth $197?
If you’re new and want a one-time, simple guide to affiliate marketing, the value is solid. But if you’re serious about scaling, learning SEO, or accessing advanced mentorship, platforms like Wealthy Affiliate provide better long-term value.

Do I get lifetime access?
Yes. One payment gives you ongoing access to all current and future updates, plus entry to Michelle’s private Facebook group.

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing vs Wealthy Affiliate

If you’re choosing between Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing and Wealthy Affiliate, it comes down to what stage you’re at and how much support you want.

Michelle’s course gives you a quick, easy-to-follow roadmap to start earning from affiliate links. Wealthy Affiliate, by contrast, provides everything under one roof — hosting, SEO tools, keyword research, live classes, and 24/7 mentoring.

The difference is depth and continuity. Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is great for getting started, while Wealthy Affiliate keeps supporting your growth as your blog scales.

If you’re looking for quick guidance on affiliate marketing, Michelle’s course does the job well. But if your goal is to build a blog that grows, earns, and evolves with you, Wealthy Affiliate gives you the tools, support, and community to make that happen.

Conclusion

Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is a solid, beginner-friendly guide for bloggers ready to earn their first affiliate income. Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s step-by-step system removes the confusion and gives you an honest, ethical way to start monetising your blog without pressure or hype.

That said, the course stops short of advanced topics like SEO, scaling, and automation. If you want to go further—to turn your blog into a sustainable business, not just a side hustle—you’ll need deeper training and more hands-on support.

That’s where Wealthy Affiliate shines. It gives you everything in one place:

• Practical, beginner-to-pro lessons
• Expert mentorship and 24/7 community
• Built-in website hosting and SEO tools
• Ongoing updates to stay ahead of Google changes

You can start completely free, explore the platform, and see how it stacks up for yourself.

If you’re curious to see if Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing can help you turn your blog into a real income stream, take a closer look at Michelle’s course and see if her approach fits your goals. With lifetime access and a clear refund policy, there’s no rush or pressure — just the chance to learn from someone who’s been there.

Questions about how it compares to Wealthy Affiliate or other blogging courses? Drop them in the comments and I’ll reply personally. We’re building flexible, family-powered blogs together — one honest review at a time.