It ís never too early to start saying thanks to your clients, vendors and referral sources for what they contribute to your business. Everyone loves to be appreciated and acknowledged, so start now and do something every month.

Keep in contact with your clients and vendors by sending articles you have written or that would be of interest to them. Add a little "How are you?" note to these people and keep lines of communication open. Include current information about any new value-added products or services, such as a newsletter, or tele-class you will be presenting.

Marketing doesnít have to be expensive. You just have to do it.

Communication and relationship are keys to marketing. Attending numerous networking meetings may be worthwhile to some, but that strategy doesn't work for everyone because, as a mentor once told me, people who love you will always refer business to you.

The people who are your advocates or supporters are ones who require nurturing. Send them an e-mail, e-zine, note, or article at least once a month.

Gather your internal and external management teams in an informal meeting such as breakfast or lunch. Advise them of your upcoming plans, get feedback and give acknowledgement for all their support and advice.

But how can you use free articles to promote an affiliate link? Putting your affiliate link in your Resource Box is not going to work, for a number of reasons:

- people can easily remove your affiliate ID and just visit main website of affiliate program (you get no commission)

- an affiliate link makes you look like just another beginner, instead of an expert with something unique to offer

So how do you use articles to promote affiliate products? Here are some strategies:

(1) Turn your website into a 'Marketing Resources Directory'

On your website display book covers and provide brief reviews for a range of eBooks or software that deal with web marketing.

You could divide your directory into categories: Web Marketing (general), Affiliate Programs, Search Engine Positioning, Email Marketing, Copywriting, Ezine Publishing, etc.

In your Resource Box at bottom of your article you could say: John Doe shows webmasters how to succeed in online business. Visit his collection of marketing resources at: http://www.yourdomain.com

(2) Write a Free Report

Write a free report on web marketing and turn it into an exe format free eBook.