1) Identify the Market Demand: Don't choose affiliates based on trendy products, or ‘of the moment' items. Do your research, identify areas of demand, and choose your affiliates in accordance with what people want, but also keep in mind your long-term strategy for business.

2) Offer Multiple Products/Services: When it comes to online affiliate marketing, it would be in your best interest to offer a range of products and/or services to clients. Most stores don't get rich by only selling one thing to people, so why should it be any different in the online world?

3) Promote a 2-Tier Program: If possible, try to steer yourself toward developing a two-tier affiliate marketing program in your business. By using sub-affiliates, they can do the hard work for you – promoting the products – and you can sit back and wait for the commission from their sales to roll in. You'll need to keep them motivated, of course, and be very attentive to managing your sub-affiliates. Done well, this can be a very rewarding strategy.

4) Deliver What You Offer: When it comes to sales, your products or services need to be delivered in a timely manner, meeting or exceeding the customers' expectations. This is how you develop long-term relationships with buyers, and keep them coming back for your products time after time. Delivering exactly what you offer will also help when it comes to word-of-mouth advertising – something very valuable in the online world.

5) Be Honest: If you can, review what you're selling! Obviously in affiliate marketing, this means that you'll have to buy and try the product yourself, but an honest and unbiased review is always more appealing to a potential buyer than just making a cold purchase. People want to hear opinions from other real people before they buy something, especially if it's a large or unusual purchase. Give the pros and the cons – just talking about good things will make you sound like a commercial. Be honest, be thorough, and watch your affiliate marketing program grow into the successful business you want!