Have you thought about doubling the commission?
In today’s digital economy, traditional sales models are evolving. The rise of e-commerce, affiliate marketing, and resale platforms has created innovative ways for savvy entrepreneurs to generate income. One increasingly popular strategy is earning commission twice through mastering the resale game. This concept isn’t just about buying low and selling high—it’s about creating a revenue cycle where you earn at both ends of a transaction. Here’s how it works, why it’s so powerful, and how you can get started.
What is the Resale Game?
The resale game involves acquiring products—often at a wholesale or discounted price—and reselling them at a profit. This model is not new; it’s the foundation of retail. But in the digital age, this process has transformed into a more dynamic, flexible system. Today, anyone with internet access can source products and resell them via platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or their own Shopify store.
But what if you could earn a commission not just from the resale, but also from the initial sale? That’s where the real power comes in.
Earning Commission Twice: The Concept
The idea of earning commission twice works like this:
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First Commission – Affiliate Marketing: You promote a product (usually from a wholesaler, dropshipper, or digital marketplace) and earn a commission when someone buys it through your affiliate link.
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Second Commission – Resale Profit: You also purchase and resell the same or related product at a markup to another customer, earning a second profit margin or commission.
This dual-stream approach means you’re monetizing both the referral and the resale side of a product lifecycle. It’s not just about selling; it’s about creating a layered business model that multiplies your earning potential.
Real-World Example
Let’s say you find a trending gadget on a wholesale platform like Alibaba or a dropshipping site like Spocket. You sign up as an affiliate and promote this gadget on your blog, YouTube channel, or TikTok. When someone buys through your link, you earn an affiliate commission—say 10%.
Now, you also order a small batch of these gadgets or dropship them yourself. You create a product listing on your Shopify store, run targeted ads, and sell them at a markup. Each sale brings in profit.
In this case, you’ve earned:
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Affiliate commission when your followers purchased via your link.
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Product markup profit from customers buying directly from your store.
Boom—two income streams from one product.
Why It Works So Well
1. Maximizes Every Touchpoint
Most people either choose to be affiliates or resellers. Rarely do they do both. But combining both roles allows you to monetize every type of customer interaction—whether they want to follow your recommendation or buy directly from you.
2. Capitalizes on Different Audiences
Not everyone wants to buy from a traditional online store. Some people prefer marketplaces, while others respond better to influencer recommendations or YouTube reviews. By offering both options, you capture a wider market.
3. Builds Multiple Income Streams
Affiliate income is often passive and long-term, while resale profits are more immediate. Combining both ensures you’re not relying on one stream alone, reducing your financial risk.
4. Leverages Product Familiarity
When you promote a product as an affiliate and also sell it, you’re gaining valuable insight into its appeal, pricing sweet spot, and customer concerns. That knowledge makes you a more effective marketer and seller.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Choose Your Niche
Start by picking a niche you understand or are passionate about—tech gadgets, fitness gear, home décor, fashion, or digital tools. A focused niche helps you build trust and authority, which is essential for affiliate and resale success.
Step 2: Find Affiliate Programs
Search for affiliate programs related to your niche. Use platforms like:
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Amazon Associates
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ShareASale
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ClickBank
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CJ Affiliate
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Individual brand affiliate programs
Sign up, get your affiliate links, and start promoting. Blogs, YouTube reviews, and social media shout-outs are great places to embed these links.
Step 3: Source Resellable Products
Next, find products you can actually buy and resell. Consider using:
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AliExpress or Alibaba
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Spocket or Oberlo for dropshipping
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Wholesale directories like Worldwide Brands
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Local clearance or liquidation sales
If you’re selling digital products, platforms like Gumroad or Payhip can allow you to resell e-books, templates, or software with reseller licenses.
Step 4: Build Your Selling Platform
You need a place to sell. Options include:
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Shopify or WooCommerce store
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Amazon or eBay seller account
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Facebook Marketplace or Etsy
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Direct sales via Instagram or TikTok Shop
Make sure to create appealing product pages with compelling copy and clear visuals.
Step 5: Market Your Products & Links
Use content marketing to build traffic:
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Create YouTube product reviews
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Post unboxings or demos on Instagram Reels/TikTok
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Write blog posts that include both affiliate links and links to your store
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Run email campaigns with product bundles and affiliate offers
The key is to integrate affiliate promotions with your own reselling offers.
Advanced Tip: Use Upsells and Cross-Sells
Here’s where the game really gets interesting. Let’s say your affiliate link leads to a free trial or a low-cost offer. Once someone signs up, send them a follow-up email promoting your own premium product or bundle.
Or vice versa—when someone buys from your store, offer them a discount code for a related product through your affiliate link. This seamless flow increases the chances of converting on both ends.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overselling the same product: Avoid spamming the same product in every channel. Diversify your offerings.
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Ignoring affiliate terms: Some programs prohibit direct resale or bundling—always read the terms.
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Poor customer service: If you’re handling physical products, shipping delays or low-quality items can damage your brand.
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No value-added content: People won’t just buy because you say so. Offer guides, tutorials, or insider tips.
Conclusion: The Future of Commission-Based Selling
The digital resale game is no longer just about flipping products—it’s about building layered, smart monetization strategies. By combining affiliate marketing with direct resale, you position yourself to earn commission twice from a single customer journey.
This approach requires effort, experimentation, and consistency. But for those who master it, the rewards can be substantial—and scalable. With the right strategy and mindset, you’ll not only double your commissions but build a flexible, resilient online business that thrives on value, trust, and smart positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to “earn commission twice” in the resale business?
Earning commission twice means profiting from two different stages of a product’s journey. First, you earn an affiliate commission by promoting the product and referring a customer to a seller (like Amazon or a wholesale supplier). Then, you earn a resale profit by purchasing that same or related product and reselling it through your own store or platform at a markup. Essentially, you’re acting as both a marketer and a seller, capturing income from two separate revenue streams from the same product niche.
How is this different from traditional affiliate marketing?
Traditional affiliate marketing ends once a referral is made—you earn a commission for sending traffic to another company’s product. In the dual-commission strategy, you’re not just referring people to a product—you’re also reselling that product yourself, either physically (via dropshipping, wholesale, etc.) or digitally. This allows you to profit passively through affiliate links and actively through product sales, doubling your earnings potential.
Can anyone start earning two commissions, or do you need technical skills or capital?
Almost anyone can start, even with minimal capital or technical skills. Affiliate programs are free to join, and platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy make it simple to create online stores. For resale, you can use dropshipping (which requires little upfront investment) or start with small wholesale orders. Technical tools like Canva, ChatGPT, and social media schedulers can help you build and promote your brand affordably. However, success comes from learning marketing basics, product research, and consistency.
What kind of products work best with this strategy?
Products that are trending, evergreen, or solve specific problems tend to perform well. Examples include:
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Tech gadgets
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Fitness accessories
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Pet products
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Beauty items
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Digital products (e-books, software, online courses)
The ideal product is one that has affiliate availability (so you can earn commission for referrals) and can also be sourced for resale (via wholesale, private label, or dropshipping). Also, make sure there’s demand and margin to justify the effort.