New Retiree Earns Money Marketing for DIY and Craft Bloggers

How Joanie Turned Glue Guns and Glitter Into a Side Income

The other day, I was sitting across from my friend Joanie at our favorite little coffee shop. The one with the weirdly sticky tables. And the barista who calls everyone “honey” like she’s auditioning for a 1950s sitcom. We were laughing about how retirement was really supposed to be. All leisurely mornings and afternoon naps. Yet somehow it had turned into a math problem. How to stretch a tiny pension and Social Security payment. Without collapsing in frustration.

Joanie, my glitter-loving, glue-gun-wielding friend, looked particularly exasperated. She’d been trying to figure out how to make extra money online. The journey had been, let’s just say, “colorful.” She told me about all the ways she’d tried to earn. Selling handmade crafts (made her feel like she was running Etsy on fumes). Online surveys (earned 75 cents for her opinion on scented candles). And a “get rich online” course, that cost more than her last car payment.

Her words came out as a sigh that carried the weight of every retiree who’s ever thought. There’s no way I’m going to make it on this tiny budget. And then she looked at me, eyes wide with a combination of hope and terror. Then said, “I just want to make some extra cash without coding. Cold calling, or collapsing from confusion.”

I laughed, spilled a tiny bit of coffee on the table (glamorous, I know). And said, “Joanie, ever heard of affiliate marketing?”

Her eyebrow shot up so fast I thought it might hit the ceiling. That one question changed her life. And it can change yours too.

Joanie’s ‘Oh No, Not Another Online Thing’ Moment

Joanie’s skepticism was practically a full-body reaction. Who could blame her? After all, she’d been burned by every shiny promise in the online money-making world. “I don’t want to sell my soul or become an influencer with duck-face selfies,” she said. Folding her arms like she was preparing for battle.

I broke it down for her, in plain English. Because Joanie’s idea of tech. Is turning on the microwave, without consulting the manual.

Affiliate marketing is basically recommending something you already love. And getting paid when someone buys it. It’s like being the friend who says, “This glue gun is the best thing ever.” Then Hobby Lobby cuts you a check for it.

Her eyes widened. “Wait! what? You mean I don’t have to create a product? Or do magic with computers?”

Exactly. No websites, no cold calls, no TikTok dances (thank goodness). Just honest recommendations.

The catch? She had to get over the tech fear. She imagined coding until her hair turned gray (again) and decided that wasn’t happening. But thankfully, it could be simpler.

The Day She Found Her Sweet Spot – DIY and Craft Blogs

Joanie had always been a craft fanatic. She’d spend hours on Pinterest, YouTube, and a few select DIY blogs. Bookmarking everything from home décor hacks to crafty ways to recycle old mason jars. One afternoon, while flipping through her saved pins, it hit her like a glitter bomb. “I can make money talking about the craft stuff I already love!”

DIY and craft niches are perfect for retirees, and here’s why.

Low pressure: Nobody’s expecting you to be the next viral sensation. Readers love authenticity.
Endless products: From paintbrushes to Cricut machines. There’s no shortage of affiliate opportunities.
Friendly audiences: Crafters are warm and helpful, not cutthroat.
Creative expression: You get to play with glue, glitter, and yarn. That truly doesn’t feel like work 😀

Joanie’s light bulb moment: she didn’t need to chase every online trend. She just needed to share what she already used, enjoyed, and believed in.

Joanie’s 3-Step Plan That Actually Worked

Joanie’s approach was simple, sassy, and a little messy. Just like her craft room. But it worked. Here’s what she did.

Step 1: Pick Your Passion Focus
Joanie chose “Beginner DIY Crafts for Home Décor.” She didn’t try to be everything to everyone because that’s how overwhelm happens fast. Choosing one clear topic helps you.

Stay sane and focused.
Attract the right audience who actually cares about what you have to say.
Build credibility slowly without panicking over trends.

Step 2: Create Simple “Helpful Posts”
Joanie started sharing her favorite tools, tricks, and projects. She kept it short, funny, and relatable. Here’s how.

Mini tutorials: Quick, actionable posts like “3 Paint Brushes That Don’t Shed.” Helps readers get value without feeling overwhelmed.
Product roundups: “5 Must-Haves for Beginner Crafters.” Shows your knowledge and gives natural opportunities for affiliate links.
Story posts: She shared funny mishaps (like the time she glued her sleeve to the table). People love real stories because they feel human.

Personality + value = connection = clicks. That simple formula turned her posts from boring to irresistible.

Step 3: Add Affiliate Links Naturally
Joanie joined beginner-friendly programs like Amazon Associates and craft supply affiliates. She shared links in a natural way. “I’ve been using this glue for years. It never fails me. Here’s where you can grab it.”

Explained to me later. Every time someone clicks her link and buys, she earns a small commission. No extra cost to the buyer. Genius, right? And honestly, this is where most people over-complicate things. Joanie kept it simple, and that’s why it worked.

The Reality Check: What Didn’t Work (and What She Fixed)

Of course, Joanie hit some walls. Nothing’s perfect the first time around:

She overthought tech setups.
Tried posting daily (burnout city).
Compared herself to younger influencers with infinite energy.

One day she sighed dramatically: “I can’t even remember my passwords. Let alone dance on TikTok.”

Here’s how she fixed it.

Focused on one platform, Pinterest became her happy place.
Reused old projects as fresh content, no need to reinvent the wheel.
Used Canva templates instead of fancy editing software, looks professional without headaches.
Learned one new skill a month, instead of all at once. Slow and steady wins the retiree race.

The Turning Point: When Her Hobby Became Income

Joanie’s first commission was $37. She danced around her living room holding her dog. Yelling, “I’m a businesswoman!” It was a small amount, but the confidence boost was massive.

From there, it grew: $37 → $112 → $350 → a steady side income. She wasn’t going to retire on this alone, but she finally had extra cash. Plus proof that retirees can make money online.

Action Steps for Readers Who Want to Be Like Joanie

Here’s how you can take Joanie’s story and make it your own.

1. Find Your Hobby Hook

Write down your top 3 interests (gardening, crafts, cooking).
Ask: “What do I talk about or shop for the most?”
Choose one, that’s your starting niche. This makes marketing easier and more fun.

2. Follow Bloggers in That Space

Search Pinterest, YouTube, or Google for creators in your niche.
Pay attention to what products they recommend.
Patterns = affiliate opportunities.

3. Join Beginner-Friendly Affiliate Programs

Examples: Amazon Associates, Etsy Affiliates, ShareASale.
Free, easy to join, no product creation required.
You get a custom link to share whenever you recommend a product.

4. Create “Mini Recommendation Posts”

Short posts that sound conversational, not pushy.
Example: “Here’s the glue I’ve used for five years, it hasn’t failed me yet.”
Personal, sincere recommendations beat aggressive sales pitches every time.

5. Share Consistently, Not Constantly

Start with once or twice a week.
Quality content builds trust faster than daily spam.

6. Track Small Wins

Celebrate each click, email subscriber, or small sale.
Motivation + learning = growth.

Joanie’s New Routine – and What Freedom Looks Like Now

Fast forward, Joanie’s mornings start with coffee. A glance at her affiliate dashboard, and giggles at her growing commissions. She works maybe 10 hours a week, still enjoys her crafts. And finally sees her hobby paying for itself.

Her husband jokes that her glue gun is her “side hustle weapon.” She’s mentoring a few friends who thought they were “too old for all this tech stuff.”

It’s messy, fun, and profitable, just like she always wanted. Glitter doesn’t expire, and neither do dreams.

The Real Lesson from Joanie’s Story

Joanie didn’t stumble into a get-rich-quick scheme. She found something steady, simple, and soul-fulfilling. It gave her.

Confidence.
Purpose.
Extra cash to feel secure.

And if she can do it, so can you. You don’t have to become a tech genius. You don’t have to hustle like a 20-year-old influencer. You can share what you love, help people, and get paid for it.

If Joanie can turn craft glue into cash flow, what could you turn into income?

Free Gift for Readers

Want to start like Joanie did? Grab your FREE Affiliate Starter 7-Pack. It includes the following:

Learn the Secrets of Successful Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Marketing Cheat Sheet
Traffic-Driving Checklist for Affiliate Newbies
Google Analytics – Your Secret Weapon to Affiliate Marketing Success:
Breaking Tasks into Smaller Steps – Your Path to Big Results
5 Proven Strategies to Beat procrastination
Prioritize Tasks By Importance And Deadline

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