Make WISH Your Affiliate Program Guidelines

Make WISH Your Affiliate Program Guidelines
Many people enter the affiliate marketing business with little more than a wish and a prayer. Now you can use that "wish" to your advantage. With some forethought and strategic planning, choosing the right affiliate program can be easy as pie.

The WISH Fundamentals

W - What Affiliate Program to Join?

While many believe this is the hardest part of the equation, this couldn't be farther from the truth. There are almost too many affiliate programs out there! But, it can be tricky sorting the winners from the losers. You need to set your own personal criteria that will define what sort of affiliate programs you are interested in, and which ones do not appeal to you.

Consider these factors:

o What's the program's guarantee?

o Do you have a personal affinity for a certain product or service?

o Are there other related products that may tie into this one?

Make making up your mind your top priority as you research affiliate program opportunities.

I - Income: How Much, How Little

Making "Easy money" through any online business, including affiliate promotions, should not be your top-most thought or basis for choosing an affiliate program. Again, referring back to "W" above, will your choice be one you will have the wherewithal to at least try marketing, advertising, and tell your friends about it? While high payouts are nice (and definitely recommended), it's always easier to sell a product that you are at least interested in.

S - Support: Does Your Affiliate Program Really Provide It?

Not all affiliate programs are created equal, that's just a fact of business. Some programs offer tools and support for their new affiliates, but many offer very little. It's strange, but true. Before joining any program, you may want to contact the product owner and see how responsive they are. See if you actually get a reply. This is a good way of determining whether this program is going to be worth investing time in.

H - How Hard Are You Willing to Work?

While it is incredibly easy to want to believe that you will not have to "do anything," common sense should tell you that you will have to work any affiliate program you chose. Even when an affiliate program makes the statements "no selling" or "Can't lose," you've got to sell SOMETHING if you want to get paid? At a minimum, you will need money to cover the cost of advertising and marketing your chosen affiliate program. This, too, is just common sense. The reality is you will have to "do something" to tell the world, "Hey, here it is, here I am!"

Common sense and a deep desire to succeed online are critical components to making your endeavors successful. Use the WISH list above as you scour the net for an affiliate program to your liking. By using WISH, you will help ensure your own personal level of success.