One of the most depressing statistics I've ever heard was that over 90% of all affiliates fail to make money.  Yet if you've ever joined a discussion group on affiliate programs, you'll know that this statistic is uncomfortably accurate.

So what's going on?  Aren't affiliate programs supposed to be the single easiest way to make money online?  After all, the only thing you have to do is advertise; the company handles everything else from inventory to billing to customer service.

It's unfortunate that some affiliate programs promote how 'easy' it is to make money online.  They tell you that they'll give you 'proven' ad copy, banners, articles, and whatever else you need to succeed at their program.  Then they set you loose to make your fortune.

If it were that easy we'd all be rich, retired, and lounging on a warm tropical beach.

Joining an affiliate program is *not* a guarantee that you'll make a single penny in profits, let alone thousands a month!

You see, beginners are often misled into thinking that all they need to do is stick a banner on their website, submit ads to hundreds of classified ad sites, use FFA pages, and submit their affiliate URL to the search engines.

This strategy will won't do you a lick of good. Classifieds don't work very well, if at all; FFA sites are the spammers' favorite hunting ground; and search engines won't index your affiliate URL.

What you need is quality, targeted traffic.  But consider this:  out of hundreds of millions of websites online, why would someone want to visit YOURS?

For *content*, of course:  valuable, interesting and up- to-date information that attracts people and keeps them coming back for more.  By creating a content-rich website you will have a far better chance of getting listed with the major search engines and indexes.  This is what will provide you with a steady stream of targeted prospects.

Great content is also what separates you from the thousands of other affiliates.  By offering your visitors something of value, you both establish yourself as an 'expert' in your field while also developing a relationship with your visitor.

Don't underestimate the power of a good relationship. People are much more likely to buy from someone they know and trust ... which means it's also important how you present yourself on your site.  Do you sound professional, competent, helpful, and likeable?  Do you show your visitor how the products you endorse can benefit them?  [You DO endorse them, right? There's no point in promoting a
product you wouldn't buy yourself!]

There is simply no such thing as 'easy money'.  Affiliate programs can be an excellent source of income - if you're willing to work for it!  Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

• Choose a target audience.
• Select a limited number of affiliate programs that offer products and services of interest to your target audience.
• Build a content-rich website that offers valuable information of interest to your target audience.
• Create fresh, original copy that persuades your visitor to click on your affiliate link and arrive at your affiliate page in a 'ready-to-buy' frame of mind.
• Focus on generating high-quality, targeted traffic.

Also Owner of Webmasterbids.com Advertising Auctions at:

For anyone really interested in Affiliate Marketing, Declan Dunn has much to say on the subject and this might be your best dollar spend. If you are looking at either becoming an affiliate as a reseller for an established company, or setting up your own business for affiliates to sell your product or promote your service, Declan's book on the subject is recognised as the 'bible' of Affiliate Marketing. Get  a FREE excerpt of his book HERE

Winning the Affiliate Game

If your business is one that would benefit from having affiliates but is not yet set up with the necessary software check out:

It will give you some idea of what you require in order to get your business up and running for you with affiliates as resellers.

"For you, the affiliate, the allure of affiliate programs is seductive and simple: "promote for us and earn big bucks!"  But can we believe all the hype?  Is there really money to be made out there with all of this revenue sharing?" - this statement from Mark Joyner.

The Affiliate Assistant allows you to organize all of your affiliate program efforts and analyze your affiliate program advertising campaigns. Hit the logo to check it out.

Hear What the Experts Have to Say

Glen Sobel's site, AffiliateAdvisor.com, is a great reference source if you want to learn more about some of the good affiliates available. 

The following two web sites offer great articles and newsletters about managing affiliate programmes:
 

Ken Evoy, bestselling author of several well known books and courses - Make Your Site Sell, Make Your Knowledge Sell, Make Your Price Sell - has developed on his former course for affiliates. His expert advice is there for ANY affiliate programme, whether you are just about to embark on an affiliate marketing 'career' or looking to sell your own products through affiliates. This course is FREE and will prove to be the most valuable time you ever spend as

MARKETING BOOKS

E-BOOKS ON INTERNET MARKETING