I have a few things to say to all affiliate program owners who operate in such an unethical way:

1. If you change your affiliate script, why heck don't you move your affiliates to new script?

2. How about sending an e-mail to let your affiliates know there's a new link for them to promote? If you need them to sign up again, just say so.

3. And here's a novel idea - pay your affiliates all money due them *before* changing or closing affiliate program! I don't care if it's only $1 - it's *their* money for gaining you a customer!

4. As if it's not bad enough that I got screwed out of my money, what do I look like to my subscribers for recommending something they joined, then they got shafted? There goes *my* credibility and I don't appreciate it at all!

Whew! I feel better getting that off my chest.

So what can any of us do about this situation?

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to judge whether or not you're joining a *good* affiliate program. Perhaps best thing to do is keep an eye on your stats on a weekly basis. It's not a perfect solution, but hopefully you'll be able to correct problem within a short period of time.

And for Heaven's sake, if you run your own affiliate program, now or in future, don't fall into same bad habits. Treat your affiliates with respect and your name will never be "Mud."

Denise Hall is the owner of Home Business on a Budget. Visit today: http://www.home-business-on-a-budget.com Keep your affiliates happy - pay them instantly! Visit here: http://www.home-business-on-a-budget.com/AffScript.htm

5. Visit forums

Visit forums related to product you're promoting. Look for questions posted by members and see if you can answer them. After posting, you could include your signature and url to website u created as a resource. Chances are you'll have a customer for life. A great forum to visit and build your customers is www.Ryze.com where you'll find people to network and interact with.

6. Conduct Group Chats

Every once in a while, you should interact with your list by group chats. Follow up with individuals on your list who've purchased or who're still prospects. Find out any problems they're experiencing and connect with them. Display customer service and show you care. Almost everyone uses a messenger of some sort:Yahoo, MSN or AOL. Encourage individuals to add you to your Friends list. Let them get to know you.

7. Advertise Freely Offline

A lot of affiliates don't do this but you'll find that people who've never been crazy about computers and Internet will get online just to check out your offer. It's middle of winter, you're waiting on light to change to red but little do you know that middle-aged motorist behind you is taking a keen interest in your sticker on your back windshield which says: "Wouldn't YOU like to be in Jamaica right now?" http://www.yaddayaddayadada.com which would be your vacations site outlining benefits to reader of a sunny getaway in Caribbean climaxed with your cloaked hotel affiliate website.

There are many creative ways to spur your affiliate income if you just sit and think about it. Brainstorm and try them out. Eventually, you'll soar and become eagle you're supposed to be.