Finding the affiliate marketing program can be a daunting task. There are hundreds if not thousands of products, services and marketing plans to choose from, so how does someone get started finding which is best for them. Choosing a program on profit or percentage may seem like a good thing to consider first but it is not the best place to start. Personality and interests or hobbies, should be the starting point in deciding which program is right for you.

Don't underestimate the importance of choosing an affiliate marketing program that fits your personality type and here's why.

There are a number of internet based plans that really are best suited being promoted all, or at least mostly, offline. In this case you would likely have telephone or in-person contact and these plans really are ideal for extroverted people. If you're not an extrovert, you know the type. He or she is usually called a "people person". Extroverts can often strike up a conversation with almost anyone in almost any setting and excel in an environment when they are looking someone directly in the eye.

Introverts are the opposite. If you are, like myself, an introvert the all-online plans are our best opportunity for success. Introverts are often far better at crafting a written sales pitch than speaking one. Most introverts do not necessary shun face-to-fact contact, but we do tend to excel better in an online setting.

The rest of the population is somewhere in the middle. They are comfortable with either face to face contact or online marketing and subsequently have more options.

The next aspect in choosing the right affiliate plan is matching your interests with the product or service you will be promoting.

Now, you may not think that selecting a plan based on your likes and dislikes makes sense but it can have a huge impact on your success. Why? You are likely to be more enthusiastic about a product or service that is complimentary to one of your hobbies or interests. For example, most people who are artistic are best suited for promoting products or services that would be marketed to other artistic people. They will have similar interests and already know what other artistic people like and dislike. They will also see an item that is perhaps designed for one use and be able to imagine different ways that item can be used in artistic pursuits.

People who are predominately analytical thinkers tend more to be drawn to plans with statistics, numbers and linear thinking. They will pick a plan that matches their thinking and then organize the various items, software, planning tools, etc. they will need to reach the goals in the projected time frame that they will almost certainly set for themselves.

It is important not just to know, but to understand which type you are. Then you can proceed to choose the affiliate marketing program best suited to you.