More Best Selling Affiliate Marketing Tips

“Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket,” is a useful piece of advice for any affiliate. You should have “multiple streams of income” on your site. Don’t count on one affiliate program for your income, but don’t spread yourself thin, either.

So, how many affiliate programs are too much to handle? Only you know the answer, but anything beyond six to ten affiliate programs is much like a full time job. I have seen too many people, who fill up all of their time with work, and don’t get paid enough for it. You have to put a value on what your time is worth, allow for “play time,” and enjoy your family.

Also, be aware that some of the major retail companies periodically leave Link Share, Commission Junction, or one of the big affiliate managers. The problem with this is all of the links that you have taken the time to build into your websites, forums, or Blogs. When a retailer quits working with the manager, this leaves all of their former affiliates, “out in the cold,” with many back links back to the retailer.

Sometimes affiliate managers, of the big retailers, fire low-producing affiliates. If you are not producing affiliate sales - they give you a trial period to produce results. Many of the big retailers are only looking for super affiliates, with multiple web sites, Blogs, and a strong, but ethical, Email marketing program.

Usually, they don’t inform you of this policy, which hurts new upstart affiliates. You put in all the work of creating back links to a retailer, who fires you in 30 days.

Therefore, do the research on the affiliate program. If you ask them, they might come clean. Many of the “Mom and Pop” small business affiliate programs are easily accessible, won’t fire you, and will do their best to give you the tools to get started in the affiliate marketing business.

Here are some questions to consider when choosing affiliate programs to join. Does the affiliate program provide you with any content for your sites and Ezines? Can you get answers by Email or phone? Does the affiliate program have a Blog or a forum? Unless, you are an experienced super affiliate, you will need some kind of support. This is why you should take your time, when choosing the right affiliate program for you.

Lastly, some affiliate programs will tell you that banner links are, “The greatest thing since sliced bread.” Beware of putting up too many banner links. Use banners to break up your text, but don’t count on them for commissions.

My reason is: When was the last time you clicked on a banner? Most of us haven’t clicked on a banner in the last 10 years. In fact, the conversion rates of banners are extremely poor. You can count on your text links to produce far better conversion rates and more affiliate commissions for you.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications