Research shows most visitors don't buy the first time they visit your website. In fact it may take them many more times before they actually trust you enough and feel comfortable enough to buy from you.

That's why it's so important to have newsletter subscribers which you send offers to on a regular basis (along with quality information too). Give your visitors an incentive to sign up for your free newsletter by offering a special gift.

Don't let this step intimidate you. The gift can be something as simple as a free report you put together or you can even give them someone else's freebie. There are many webmasters who allow you to distribute their free content. Simply do a search and you'll find plenty of free products you can use.

Once your visitor signs up to your mailing list, send them to a thank you page which has a link for them to download their free gift. This is also the perfect page to include your affiliate product offer. If someone has just signed up to your mailing list chances are they will click over to check out what you're offering.

Write a sequence of autoresponder messages which will automatically be sent to your mailing list on set dates. Now don't just send them sales pitch after sales pitch. The idea is you send them more valuable information. You can also take the opportunity and get them to ask you questions.

On every mailing you send them valuable information include a small blurb about your product or send them to your product review page so they can read your full unbiased review.

And don't worry about having to write a newsletter. It doesn't have to be anything too formal or containing too much extra information. A short message of high value will help you build a strong relationship with your subscribers.

Stay in touch with your visitors on a regular basis and you'll soon start to see your affiliate marketing efforts pay off.

Stay in touch with them through a newsletter and give them even more valuable information. Let your free information blow them away. You want them to say “wow, if this is their free information then the paid information must be fantastic”.

By putting your visitors first, you will gain their trust. They will like you for solving their problems and they will buy from you instead of your competitors.

There are many affiliate marketers out there who just aren't in it to build relationships and unfortunately a lot of them give up because of lack of sales. So always think of your customers first and you'll be ahead of the competition.

I always say, over deliver and do just that little bit extra and you'll stand out from your competitors.