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How do I get started with affiliate marketing?

I've been researching blog marketing, affiliate programs, and online sales, and it was both surprising and not surprising to read that you met many affiliate marketers who earn upwards of $10,000 per month using the affiliate marketing model. For someone who is interested in breaking into some of that potential income, do you have any advice as to where to begin?

I've found so many offers for potential affiliates out there, in many fields. There are so many programs regarding "money-making" that it's hard to weed through all of them to find the gems. Are there any programs or marketers which you would suggest I align myself with, who are providing excellent services and products right now?

Dave's Answer:

This is, of course, the proverbial $64,000 question!

Here's what I'd suggest you do:

First, sign up to join Commission Junction as a publisher then dig around in their affiliate programs, paying particular attention to the payout numbers and ratings that CJ presents: they pay close attention to the best affiliate programs to help answer the exact question you asked.

Then, click over to Revenue Magazine, the publication of record for the affiliate community. You can also subscribe via Amazon, if you'd prefer using that service (and yes, that's an affiliate link. Amazon has a huge affiliate program that's well worth exploring).

I also strongly suggest that you need to check out the Affiliate Summit: the next conference is going to be July in Orlando, Florida, though registration isn't yet open. It's really the best way to meet all of the top affiliate marketing people - from both sides of the equation - face to face, and there's no better way to jump-start in this space than talking to this community. I'm planning on attending!

Shawn Collins, who runs the Affiliate Summits, also has a smart weblog that you should be reading: Affiliate Tip.com.

And don't forget to set yourself up in the world of online business too, and there's no better way to do that than to pick up a copy of my popular book Growing Your Business with Google.

Good luck to you!

Useful additional reading:

• The Future of Sales? Affiliate Marketing.

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Categorized: Business and Management (Article 5834)
Tagged: affiliate marketing, affiliate summit, amazon.com, revenue magazine
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Comments

I, too, like the Affiliate Summit, where I had an opportunity to listen to an excellent lecture on the subject given by Dave Taylor. Thank you, it was inspiring.

I also agree that Revenue Magazine is a must - the only magazine I read anymore.

You might also want to check out the CAC conference in Vegas. http://www.cac2005.com/innerpage-LasVegas.php

This is for online Casino/Poker/Bingo affiliates, many of whom make in excess of $10,000 a month.

Even if you are not interested in promoting these online activities, you can still learn a lot about the tricks of the affiliate trade there. Due to the great competition in that field, many affiliates have very good skills and the lectures tend to be quite interesting.

Of course my webmaster pages and blogs at http://www.gamesandcasino.com/webmasters.htm are also very informative on the subject. :)

Thank you for providing this great site, Dave!

Posted by: dominique at January 18, 2006 12:35 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!