$100 in 30 Days Challenge – The Affiliate Product I’m Choosing
Alright, it’s time to reveal the product I’ve chosen for my $100 in 30 Days Affiliate Challenge!
Now, I’ll admit—I could have gone for something flashy, something in a “hot” niche like fitness, tech, or self-improvement. But I wanted to prove a point: affiliate marketing works in ANY niche—even ones that people might consider a little… well, dull.
And what’s the perfect example of that? Chess.
Why Chess?
Chess has had a bit of a resurgence since The Queen’s Gambit came out, but let’s be honest—it’s still not exactly considered “sexy.” It has a reputation for being slow, complex, and maybe a little too intellectual for the average person.
But here’s the thing: chess players are always looking to improve. There’s always another opening to learn, a new strategy to try, and a way to climb the rating ladder. That makes it an evergreen niche—people will always be searching for ways to get better.
So I started looking for chess-related affiliate programs, specifically around teaching chess openings. This is a topic that chess players are constantly researching, and I figured it would be a solid fit.
Finding an Affiliate Program
If you ever want to find affiliate programs in a niche, it’s super simple:
🔍 Just type into Google:
“[Your niche] affiliate program”
(e.g., “chess openings affiliate program”)
That’s exactly what I did.
I came across a few sites, but some of them gave me pause. The spelling was off, the design felt a bit sketchy, and something just didn’t feel right. My rule of thumb? If something feels off, move on. There are plenty of affiliate programs out there—you don’t need to take risks on a site that doesn’t seem trustworthy.
Eventually, though, I stumbled upon something I hadn’t even considered before: a chess-themed clothing brand.
The Affiliate Product: Zero Blunders Chess T-Shirts
The company is called Zero Blunders (https://zeroblunders.com/), and they sell chess-themed t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. But what really stood out to me wasn’t just the products—it was their About Us page:
“We are a small business, operated by a group of chess enthusiasts (Tim, Dure, and Aiesh) rated around 600-1500. Like countless others, we rediscovered our love for the game during the Queen’s Gambit boom after years of playing in our youth.”
That really clicked with me. I also rediscovered chess in a big way during the pandemic, and I’ve been hooked ever since. These guys felt real, not just some faceless company looking to cash in.
They also emphasize making chess more accessible, which I love. Chess can sometimes feel like a game for serious, hardcore players, but these t-shirts bring out the fun side of chess—something that could help more people get into the game.
The Affiliate Deal
So what does the affiliate program actually offer?
- Commission per sale: $2.50 flat per product
- Target goal: $100 = 40 sales
40 sales in 30 days? That feels doable. It’s not a huge payout per sale, but chess t-shirts aren’t high-ticket items, so they should be easier to sell. Plus, a lot of chess fans love wearing chess-related gear—it’s like an inside joke for people who get it.
Next Steps
Before I fully commit, I still want to check for customer reviews to make sure people are happy with the products. But so far, I really like this choice.
What’s next? Now that I’ve picked my affiliate product, it’s time to:
✅ Identify the audience and pain points (Who will actually buy this?)
✅ Plan out the content and promotion strategy
✅ Start driving traffic and tracking results
I’ll be updating this post with my progress, so stay tuned!
Key Takeaways for Your Own Affiliate Journey
If you’re thinking of getting into affiliate marketing, here’s what you can learn from this process:
✔ Any niche can work—even a “boring” one like chess
✔ Trust your gut—if an affiliate program seems sketchy, move on
✔ Look for real people behind the brand—it helps build trust
✔ Check commission structure—make sure you understand how you’ll get paid
Affiliate marketing isn’t about promoting any product—it’s about promoting the right product to the right audience.
Now, let’s see if I can hit that $100 goal! 🚀