As an affiliate, you advertise the products or services of others. Convenient because you don't have to go through the rigmarole of creating your own products. You simply place a Google Ad which directs readers to the website you are representing.



But which company? Choosing an affiliate company to promote deserves serious consideration. Here are some tips:

1. Join for free. Associate with a company that doesn't charge a monthly fee.

2. Don't waste time with low commission programs. Your time is valuable. As an affiliate, it's just as easy to earn $20 as it is to earn $1

3. Study the company's web site. Does it Look professional? Does it do a good job of convincing people to buy? A good site with a great sales pitch or letter will make money For you.

4. The best sites: 1) offer a moneyback guarantee 2) have testimonials from satisfied customers 3) accept online payments 4) offersecure online ordering.

5. Choose companies that pay every few weeks (vs those that make you wait 2-3 months)

6. Do you simply want to make money with affiliate programs of any kind , or do you want to go with a product or service related to your personal interests? A combination of the two is ideal.

7. Company statistics (tracking your sales) should be in real time and available 24/7

8. Set up should be easy. For some programs, you can take up to an hour just trying to figure out how to sign up. Not worth the hassle.

9. To make money with affiliate programs on a long term basis, look for companies that offer lifetime commissions. When a customer you referred buys again, you get paid.

10. Do a Google search and find out what other affiliates think about the company. Type in the company name and study the reviews.

11. Preferably the company you join offers products or services people need and use.

12. Go with what is popular. What is popular offline will be popular online, like golf, weight loss, etc.

13. Join the 2 biggest affiliate networks: the best way I know to make money online with affiliate programs is by joining Clickbank and Commission Junction. By signing up once with either of these, you have access to thousands of programs.

Clickbank offers digital products, downloadable in minutes. Some other Clickbank advantages are: 1) high commissions, up to 75% of product's value 2) real time stats, 24/7 3) sends checks every 2 weeks.

Commission Junction offers physical goods available via snail mail.

14. You want to be able to reach someone at the company if you have questions. Send a test question via email. 24 hours or less to respond is good.

15. Don't dilute your focus by signing up with too many companies at once. You will never make money with affiliate programs if you spread yourself too thin. As a beginner, focus. Iron out the kinks then move on to the next program once the first one is on autopilot.

16. Companies to avoid: 1) get-paid-to-surf programs 2) programs that offer guaranteed Traffic 3) send-cash-in-the-mail programs 4) gifting programs 5) chain letters.

17. Be willing to be offbeat. The subject of online marketing is saturated and the competition is stiff. Look for hidden nuggets, subjects where the competition is not as tough.

18. Go with a program that pays you to recruit others. That way, you double your efforts.

19. Here's my favorite wat to make money online with affiliate programs: Promote programs that only require reader to sign up or register. Reader doesn't have to buy anything! For example, lending programs that pay you when reader only fills out an application.

20. If you already have a web site, choose a program that complements your site.

If you want to make money with affiliate programs the easy way, you need a proven formula that will guide you step-by-step through the entire process