by: Tim Knox

Q: I am considering starting an ebusiness using affiliate programs,
but there is so much hype out there I can't figure out which
programs would work best for me. Everybody claims their program is
best. I'd really appreciate some guidance here.

A: Affiliate programs can be an excellent way to start an ebusiness.
Before we dive into the specifics, let me explain how an affiliate
program works.

An affiliate program simply means that you sign on as an affiliate
marketer for someone else's product. It's your job to market the
product, send the company customers, and get a cut each time a sale
is made from your efforts. Affiliate program commissions can range
from as little as 2% for high ticket items up to 50% for ebooks and
informational type products.

As an example, let's say you sign up with Amazon.com's affiliate
program. You are assigned an affiliate code which you use to promote
Amazon's books on your website. When someone clicks to purchase an
Amazon product from your website, your affiliate code is included in
the URL and you get a commission for the sale. Some folks have built
elaborate websites that sell nothing but Amazon.com's books, and
each time they make a sale they get a piece of the pie.

At dropshipwholesale.net we are affiliates for many products that
fit our entrepreneurial niche. We market mostly ebooks and software,
but we do have an Amazon page for business books.

One of the most appealing aspects of affiliate programs is how
quickly you can begin making money. You can literally sign up as an
affiliate and begin making money in minutes. I've done it, I know it
works.

Admittedly, I am not an affiliate program expert, so I sought out
the person that many call the Ultimate Affiliate Program Authority,
Rosalind Gardner.

Rosalind Gardner began making money with affiliate programs in 1997.
She has since grown her affiliate business into a $400,000 a year
business and is now considered the authority on the subject. Her
book 'The Super Affiliate Handbook: How to Make a Fortune Selling
Other People's Stuff Online' has been out since March and is already
considered by many to be the affiliate marketers bible.

I ordered Rosalind's book as research for this article and I have to
tell you I found it to be one of the best books on the subject I
have ever read. It's a hype-fr*e approach to what affiliate
marketing is really all about and how to make it work. The book is
270 pages and leaves no stone unturned. For anyone serious about
making money with affiliate programs, I highly recommend this book.

The bottom line is this: you can make a lot of money with affiliate
programs, if you pick the right product and do your part to promote
it. As for which programs would be best for you, I advise that you
concentrate your efforts on one or two products instead of starting
with a shotgun approach. Pick only top quality products that hold
some personal interest you. Never pick an affiliate product just
because you think you'll make a ton of money with it.

Remember, you are starting a business. If it's not a business that
holds your interest, you won't be in business very long.

Here's to you success!

Tim Knox

About the Author
For more information on affiliate programs: THE SUPER AFFILIATE
HANDBOOK Rosalind Gardner -
http://hop.clickbank.net/?tknox/webvista2 CLICKIN' IT RICH Michael
Campbell
--- http://hop.clickbank.net/?tknox/dmcorp -
http://www.prosperityandprofits.com