When this happens you get additional visitors back to your site. And these visitors may in turn feature one of your other articles at their site or in their newsletter. Before you know it you are in 50 newsletters and on 100 web sites!

3. Visitors will stay at your web site longer because there are lots of articles to read. This gives you additional opportunities at getting more click throughs to your affiliate programs. You could feature links to your affiliate programs on each page you have articles.

More affiliate click throughs translate into more commissions.

4. You have given your visitors an instant feeling of trust. If you just featured other people's content then you are just a face in crowd.

However, when you feature your own content, you immediately 'stand out' and people are more inclined to trust you. If people trust you, then they are more inclined to buy from you.

For an affiliate, good content makes a site. Don't just use other people's content. Start featuring your own articles. If you keep adding your own new articles on a regular basis then people come back to your site again and again.

Positives to affiliate programs:

+ You're free to concentrate on just one thing: marketing. The affiliate company handles everything else - billing, inventory, delivery, customer service, and all other stuff that goes with territory. This is one reason why affiliate programs are so popular; they give you opportunity learn how to market online without being overwhelmed by everything else.

+ Startup costs are lower than if you had your own product. There are numerous costs associated with research, development, and delivery of your own product. When you run an affiliate business, only thing you're responsible for is marketing - and you have option of using free methods only.

+ You get a 'head-start' while researching product ideas. Affiliate programs allow you to sell a product or service while you're still trying to come up with a product of your own. That's not to say that they're an 'easy' way to riches - they're not - but you can learn how to market while earning an income.

+ Multiple streams of income. A bunch of 'smaller' pay cheques can really add up! It's even better if you already have your own product or service and just want to use affiliate programs to add another stream of income.

Many people from all walks of life make hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month through affiliate programs alone. Affiliate programs aren't perfect, but they provide a great option for those who are willing and able to put in necessary time and effort.

___________ Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide to building a profitable Internet business on a beginner's budget. Each issue is packed with valuable tips and tools to help you to nurture your business to success! http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html