3.) Post to Affiliate Forums and Newsgroups Approach this method with caution. No one will be impressed if you post a blatant advertisement or a plea to join your affiliate program. If you find a forum that contains such messages, don’t even bother making a post there. The forum probably isn’t moderated, and almost certainly isn’t read by many people. The place to include information about your website and program is in your profile (and in your signature line if other posters do so). A serious forum, read by type of people you want to have as affiliates, will only contain posts with relevant and useful content instead of advertising fluff messages.

How can you add relevant and useful content? The first step is to read some of existing posts and get a feel for general personality of forum. At best, reading old posts will spark questions that can be turned into relevant posts and generate interested responses. At worst, you’ll see what’s been talked about recently, so you don’t make awkward mistake of asking a question that was answered a few days ago.

If no topics come to mind after reading old posts, a possible strategy is to ask for advice of some experienced affiliates in how you could improve your program. You’ll find different ideas on what constitutes a solid compensation plan, tracking system, or incentive program. Beyond getting attention for your program, this is a great opportunity to improve your program by picking brains of people who’ve been in game longer than you.

This list is obviously not comprehensive, but it contains a few forums worth investigating:

http://www.ablake.net/forum/ http://iwiz2.richdad.com/jive/application2/forum.jsp?forum=33 http://www.affiliatesdirectory.com/forum/gforum.cgi?forum=7

Actually, you probably wouldn't want to join all same programs. Many of these affiliate links lead to sites and products that you wouldn't want to buy yourself. Do you want to risk your business reputation by offering them to your site's visitors?

Don't forget that same offer is made to thousands of people every day, each of them looking for same magic bullet - quick and easy business opportunity. That means that there are copies of 'your' site all over web, and more coming online everyday. So much for being unique.

Not having a niche has another disadvantage. How many surfers will find your flea market affiliate link site when they are searching for 'handheld computer' or 'treadmills'? Approximately none. Niche sites get ranked by search engines while flea markets don't get found.

All in all, these 'opportunities' are a waste of time and money, and benefit only scheme's originator.

Real affiliate marketing opportunities abound, and many have excellent potential for earning serious income. Thousands of affiliate marketers enjoy very large incomes by promoting merchant programs and products.

While they avoid hassles of carrying inventory, order processing and customer service - super affiliates do not avoid effort.

They know that success comes from investing time, effort and forging of one's own path.

In other words, do work, reap rewards.