From personal experience I would say it is very similar to word of mouth marketing, which in itself is a multi-billion dollar industry. You tell someone about something you are using and you brag to them about how good it is.

Guess what: Because you spoke so highly of that particular product, whoever you talked to about it, decides that they too have to have this product. It is called word of mouth advertising and it works like magic.

Here is how affiliate marketing works: You tell someone something good about the product or service you are using - and in return, you get paid commissions when they too decide to purchase or signup for that particular product.

Now, don't get me wrong... there is a lot of solid products and services on the internet, but too often you see people recommending something that they themselves don't even have a clue about.

For example: you come accross someones website and see that they are selling a product on listbuilding. You contact them and find out that they don't even believe in list building. As a matter of fact, they don't even know what the product is all about. So it becomes clear to you that the only reason they are promoting (or should I say "recommending") the product is because they are wanting to make a quick dollar.

Now that you know that, how much do you trust them? Would you ever buy something else from them or through them because they recommended it to you? I really don't think so.

Especially if you bought something from them before that was over promised and under delivered. Their name and reputation has become a curse rather than a positive blessing.

Having said that, do you realize how much your reputation is on the line when you recommend an affiliate product to someone? Especially if it is your very own mailing list. They quickly find out how much you really appreciate them and what it is about them that you are after. If it is their wellbeing and success... your long term success is guaranteed.

If, however, you are only after their wallet, guess what? They will keep it as far away from you as possible.

Be the affiliate marketer that everyone loves... be honest, stand behind your word and reward those that repeatedly buy from you. Afterall, they are and have been the lifeblood of your affiliate marketing success!