Two basic rules should hang over your head and be posted on every door in your house. Rule Number One: Try everything. Rule Number Two: Track everything. Adhering to these two rules is the only way to tell if your affiliate marketing program is effective. Generally, programs that contain promotions convert better. This process helps an interested prospect become a buyer. Combining an offer with a promotion also ensures that the program will be more timely and original and this is bound to make the affiliate happier.

Banners used in the affiliate program are now somewhat passé. The best affiliate marketers are using opt-in email campaigns to direct customers to buy products or services on the merchant's site. A “frequently-asked questions" file is also a tremendous confidence builder for the new prospect or returning customer. This tool can provide an overview of your program, promotions, and any other relevant questions.

Communication with your customers can't be stressed enough, and you may opt to provide a newsletter as part of your overall affiliate program. Stay on top of all the new marketing trends, as these are going to drive the market, and if you're not on top of these, it will appear that you're out of touch. You can always count on something new being developed - and today's development is tomorrow's way of doing business.

Dedication to the cause is being dedicated to making money. Make and keep your goals. If your plan is to be a super affiliate, then you can count on that happening before long. It helps a great deal if you can find a super affiliate to emulate and learn from. You may discover that what makes them super is something very simple, and you can incorporate that into your own affiliate program.

If your game is together, and your program is hitting on all eight cylinders, it's not uncommon to expect anywhere from a $1,000 to $10,000 a month just selling the products or services on other people's web sites. However, the journey begins when you adapt the mindset to be completely open to trying anything that may work - and then to test and retest until you come up with a winning formula.