Affiliate Programs provide the profit answer to every marketers dream - If it doesn't work, you don't pay. If it does you make money. Maybe this sounds way too easy.

Can you just purchase an affiliate software solution, compile an Affiliate offer and add banners hoping the offer will turn readers into buyers? It's a bit more complicated than it might sound. So the question remains, "how does one start a profitable affiliate program?"

There is no doubt that Affiliate Marketing can be effective and profitable. It will take time, careful planning, execution and ongoing management to create a successful program There is no easy way to build a program quickly. Like most good things in life, you must put forth effort and time to build a successful business. You must be constantly on the lookout for other people to join with you in selling your product. Does your web site or emails have a good explanation of what you expect and what they can get out of this association? Is it easy to join? Keep a list of questions and answers handy when communicating with potential affiliates. This is a numbers game. You can't have too many affiliates.

Some products are just naturally appealing to Internet surfers. Others will sell with the right promotion. The good news is that there are many tactics, that when used in combination, can give a program the boost it needs to reach its full profit potential over time. An affiliate program is a long-term business plan that will out perform many other marketing plans. It will take you at least 120 days before an affiliate program starts to really show results. What you do in those first 120 days is important to your programs success or failure. Remember, if you dedicate consistent time and effort to the management of your program, you will surely find profitable sales numbers growing faster than you can imagine.

You need a plan that is clear with an understanding of how much money and time it will take to succeed. This is going to be a fun filled but difficult time for you and your family. Yes, your family needs to commit to your dream as you will be spending a lot of time at the computer. Try to include other members of your family in different aspects of your new business. This will help them to better understand just what you are trying to accomplish.

The affiliates' traffic represents revenue. To maximize profit per visitor, the question really is how well can you get traffic clicking onto your site to buy. Monitoring impressions in your affiliate software will allow you to evaluate these affiliates and to contact them and make suggestions for improvement.

A successful affiliate program needs the human touch. No software can replace that. You should keep the lines of communication open with your affiliates. This is a critical step on your way to substantial profits. Take whatever time is required to insure that they understand your plan and implement it correctly. You can not spend too much time communicating with your affiliates. Statistically speaking you can expect 20% of your affiliates to produce 80% of your income. You might improve the numbers a bit but that breakdown is usually accurate. Once you find out who the 20% is treat them like the pot of gold they are!