Is it worth joining an affiliate program???

I’ve been looking into affiliate programs for a bit now, but I’m still on the fence about whether it’s a good idea to dive in. I keep seeing these programs that claim you can earn a lot, but I’m skeptical about how much effort it actually takes to see any results. For anyone who’s been doing this, do you think it’s worth it? How long did it take for you to start making some decent income, and what are the best strategies for getting started???