The idea of using affiliate programs is to produce extra income and in the process attain total financial freedom. More and more people from all over the world are looking for a real winner.

The problem is, affiliate programs are sprouting up all over the place and there's just too many of them to keep up with. This makes the choice of the best one or ones to signup for a frustrating and time consuming process.

Before you signup for any affiliate program, I advise you to run through this check list:

1. Think about the product:

Is it a product that you would use regularly and freely recommend to your friends? Is it lower priced and more convenient to use than similar products/services available elsewhere? Finally, what about delivery. How much of a time interval is involved from when your customer orders until they receive the product/service?

2. Find out as much about the operation as you possibly can:

Beware of chain letters, pyramid scams, and exorbitant claims relative to distributor profits. Be sure to find out exactly what you will be getting in return for your initial signup fee.

3. Find out about the companies financial backing and corporate officers:

Are they in it as full-time professional sales people? Be sure to understand/know how the company keeps track of all the incoming orders and when as well as how you will be paid.

In essence, before deciding to become involved in an affiliate program and expect to make a profit, it is essential that you understand:

It is a selling proposition. You will be required to do atleast some advertising.

You must have a product/service that appeals to most people. In other words, information or services that will enable people to fulfill their basic wants and/or needs.

You need assistance, instruction and help, in not only selling the product/service but in how to find new customers on an ongoing basis. Once you have decided to try your hand at affiliate programs and you have become affiliated with a company that has a product/service you feel will appeal to most people. The next thing is to determine how YOU want to sell it.

Remember the amount of time you spend in actually trying to sell the product will determine the amount of money you will make.

It's up to you to decide just how much time you will spend with your extra income producing project.

Picking a winning affiliate program can be exasperating because there are so many to choose from, but the ordeal can be a lot more profitable if you will ask yourself the questions I have outlined for you here.