Do you apply these 3 Rules when choosing to be an Affiliate?

I had decided on Affiliate marketing, as I perceived that it is one of the most effective and easiest ways of earning some money online. An affiliate program gives everybody a chance to make a profit through the Internet. Since these affiliate marketing programs are easy to join, implement and pay commission on a regular basis, more and more people are now willing to undertake this type of business.

Like all businesses, there are lots of pitfalls. When I started thinking about affiliate marketing on the web, I was aware that the same pitfalls exist on the web as the do in the tangible world.


Rule Number 1: Choose the right affiliate product or program.

When people decide to go with an affiliate program or product they want to earn from affiliate marketing as fast as possible. Normally in their rush to be a part of one, they tend to choose a bandwagon product. Something that they have seen a number of times on web sites, something they have read about in vast numbers of emails from safelists and the like. They choose the product that is in demand without actually researching it properly.

Don’t jump on the first bandwagon, do some research (and I don’t mean by reading advert email) search the web find a product in which you are truly interested in or a program that has gained credibility because numerous affiliate marketers are actually making money. Success in your affiliate endeavours will be achieved by taking some time to plan, research and devise your marketing actions for your product or program.

If you decide on a product select one that appeals to you. Then do more research to see if it or they are in demand. It is easier to promote a product about which you have a passion, than it is to promote one in which you have none.

Rule Number 2: Resist that attraction to join too many affiliate programs.

Constant advertising, emails, safelists and social sites hail numerous affiliate programs. They are easy to join, you might be tempted to join multiples of affiliate programs to try and maximize your earnings, believe me in the first instance this does not work. I suffered from this, until I read, “Don’t be a Victim” and realised what I was doing.

True, that is a great way to have multiple sources of income. However, joining multiple programs and attempting to promote them all at the same time will prevent you from concentrating on each one of them and therefore earning probably nothing.

In order to avoid this pitfall live by rule number 2, by joining just one program or start with one product. Have heard the phrase “slowly, slowly catch the monkey”. It’s true especially where affiliate marketing is concerned. The technique is to do it slowly but surely. There is really no need to rush into things. I think affiliate marketing is here to stay at least for the foreseeable future.

Rule Number 3: Buy the product or use the program.

As an affiliate, your main purpose is to sell the product effectively and convincingly, promote the product or service and find customers. In order for you to achieve this you must understand the customer experience. I have tried some in the past and discounted them because I could see that the customer experience was poor. That his how I ended up with my chosen affiliate products and program.

Trying the product or service personally before you sign up as an affiliate. See if it delivers what is promised. In a lot of affiliate programs you can manage to do this for free. If you can’t then be careful you may just be there next customer. Having done so you will now be aware if it is credible and of it’s advantages and disadvantages. You will automatically convey this understanding in your sales literature or adverts to your customers believe me they can tell.

I am not saying in this article that I have all the answers, but I have got the experience and it is only in affiliate marketing to date that I have made any money. You are probably wondering what I chose? Well after the research, planning etc… I opted for Click Bank and the sales of Clickbank products. I chose to go with a Clickbank market program where the products are kept up to date as new Clickbank products are added. I wanted a program where the hottest Clickbank products are presented on a professional market website and there was the possibility for me to make money on both products and the affiliate program itself. I chose CB-Top, The Nets No1 in info products malls. It’s great…you could do a lot worse.

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About The Author

Stephen J Skyvington-Diplock has been active on the web for some five years. Currently he has a number of websites on the web marketing various products in various niche markets. You can reach him at skydco@tiscali.co.uk. Or visit his “Cb-Top” site at Cb-Top