Earning from Affiliate Programs - What to Avoid
Being an affiliate marketer is a good way to earn money without having to create a product yourself. Many affiliate programs offer a way for people to sell information packages online, or promote a service or subscription. Before you agree to sell for a company and become an affiliate, there are a few things you should consider.
First, it is a good idea to do some research on the company. Go to the Better Business Bureau website or to RipOffReport.com. These sites will have some information on the company if affiliates have had bad experiences. Also, visit the blogs that discuss internet marketing and affiliate programs. Usually if an affiliate program isn't good for the marketing reps who have tried it, the news gets out very quickly.
Second, if the affiliate program costs money to be part of, it's not a good deal. I am part of several affiliate programs and I have never paid anything to the companies I sell for. I've heard bad things about several programs which charge a monthly membership fee, charge you for proprietary printed matter, and require mandatory meetings which sometimes involve overnight travel and hotel stays. That shouldn't be part of any affiliate program requirements. A certain pre-paid attorney program requires a lot of spending by it's affiliates which has caused some negative feedback from its ex-affiliates. There are also several affiliate programs which market prescription drug discount cards that seem much more interested in selling affiliate memberships than selling the actual product.
Check out the company, make sure you don't have to pay to get involved and probably the most important thing: Make sure you are able to communicate with your company before and after you become an affiliate. A good affiliate relationship is one in which both parties make money and work together well.
Daniel Walch publishes articles on business and psychology. See his blog at http://affmarketingtopics.blogspot.com/.