Tip: Don't use ezines just for free advertising. They contain a wealth of information to help you start and build your business. After all, that is their purpose! And I've found publishers to be wonderful people. Very helpful! Don't be afraid to e-mail them with questions.

OK, now you have your products and you've found places to advertise. How often do you advertise? How do you write your ads? Once again, research is key. See what others are doing by reading ezines and messages posted in groups and safelists. If you find it difficult to write your own ads that produce sales, you may want to invest a small amount of money in an ad-writing service. Many business websites and ezine publishers offer these services.

Persistance is of utmost importance when promoting any business. Advertise, advertise, advertise! People are skeptical about purchasing a product or service from an unknown person or company. You must get your name out there for world to see! Daily advertising to as many places as possible provides best results. So grab a cup of coffee after dinner, sit down at computer and ADVERTISE!

Take advantage of all free publicity you can find. Many ezines will publish your profile or biography just because you subscribed. At end of your profile you can add a signature file. Readers feel they know a little bit about you and they are likely to visit your website to see what you are offering.

Now to answer question which is subject of this article. Can you really make money online? The answer is YES! If you want to get rich quick, rob a bank! But if you want a true business be prepared to work for it. Internet marketing is no different than any other business. If you want to earn a living you'll need to work.

In grand scheme of things, putting in some time and effort to build your business can be very rewarding. It's a great way to earn a second income and possibly replace your current job. Just ask numerous people I surveyed who have done just that!

Thanks to all who helped with my research for this article. Good luck to all of you, as well as readers, in your business ventures!

Denise Hall is the owner of Home Business on a Budget which specializes in tools and resources for your home business needs. Visit http://www.home-business-on-a-budget.com today. Get weekly articles, tips, information and resources here: http://tinyurl.com/4f9k8

Why would they do that? Because they can't possibly reach all potential customers by themselves.

By becoming an affiliate for someone who knows much more about computers and digital products than I do, I have advantage of selling quality products that I can't create myself.

And they have advantage of their affiliates doing some of "leg work" for them because they can't possibly reach all potential customers in this vast internet world.

A few of large companies on internet today that offer free two-tier affiliate programs can be located at following links:

http://www.moneyhome.com/cgi-bin/i.pl?c=a&i=69 http://www.marketingtips.com/sr .x/775957 http://www.mywizardads.com/cgi-bin/ra.cgi?adminid=253&id=559 http://www.rtdwebsolutions.com/i/clickthru.cgi?id=dmh0226 http://QuickPayPro.com/x/qpp.cgi?adminid=1946&id=40550 http://www.ListFire.com/5159 (For this last one you sign up for ListFire and get your free copy of Web Army Knife. Then you can sign up to become an affiliate for free.)

The next time you visit a website offering products you like, check to see if they offer an affiliate program. Even if you don't wish to place an order for a product at that time, you can sign up as an affiliate.

In future when you do order you may be able to use your own affiliate URL and give yourself commission. Most companies allow this procedure.

In meantime you can let your customers know that you have new products available, as well as affiliate programs for them to join. It's a great way to get backend sales.

So there you have it! The reasons for affiliate programs and why it makes sense for people to sign up. By offering well-known products on your website or in your ezine you are in a win-win situation and can potentially earn big money like "internet gurus."

Denise Hall is the owner of Home Business on a Budget which specializes in tools and resources for your home business needs. Visit http://www.home-business-on-a-budget.com today. Get weekly articles, tips, information and resources here: http://tinyurl.com/4f9k8