Okay so I’m an idiot and need to fully understand, what is affiliate marketing and trading?

Don’t jump down my throat here. I’m an idiot when it comes to stuff like stocks, trading and affiliate market. So when you apply to be an affiliate for a company that sells products, I know you can become a Vendor which means they’re selling your items but you have to promote, you be both of just an affiliate. Now, so being an affiliate, does that mean once I sign up, can I just sit back and make some money, or is there some promoting involved like say, on social media, YouTube etc. I mean I know I’m getting paid for the sales they make due to me trying to get the word out of their products. What is it? 

Trading, I have a ton of friends who’ve said they make mad money from trading. How the hell does it work? What is it?

Give me the answers in lemans terms please.