Maximize Your Profits With Affiliate Programs For Affiliate Marketing

Obviously, affiliate marketing is a huge draw for budding entrepreneurs or you wouldn't be here reading this article. Most affiliate marketers look for affiliate marketing opportunities that cater to the consumer market. This makes sense because there are far more consumers surfing the web than small business owners. That said, there is a growing market for B2b (business to business) affiliate marketing. Affiliate programs for affiliate marketers fall under this heading.

Whatever the business, every web owner is going to need to track traffic and incoming keywords, not just affiliate marketers. Unlike some other B2b programs, a site-tracking program caters to every type of business.

B2b affiliate marketing products are either product or service based, much like B2c (business to consumer) affiliate marketing programs. When it comes to affiliate marketing, you have to look at those programs that affiliate marketers need most. Just look how this site itself is set up. We provide affiliate links to web hosts, site meter software and more.

Affiliate Programs For Marketers

Affiliate marketers have specific needs compared to other types of business. Of course, some of these affiliate programs can cross over into other types of business (such as web hosting). Let's look at affiliate programs specifically aimed at marketers.

Web Hosting

As mentioned, this could apply to all ebusinesses, but as affiliate marketing is web-only, this is a highly important affiliate program for marketers. What's also good about a web hosting affiliate program is it can be placed on virtually any affiliate marketing site. It's always recommended that affiliate links be on topic with the main purpose of the site.

Basically, any type of affiliate marketing site could include a web-hosting program and remain on topic. Even more importantly, web-hosting programs have some of the better payouts of all affiliate-marketing programs.

Site Tracking Software

Every affiliate marketer needs keyword tracking software. Again, this type of program can be cross-topic, like web hosting. Whatever the business, every web owner is going to need to track traffic and incoming keywords, not just affiliate marketers. Unlike some other B2b programs, a site-tracking program caters to every type of business. Check our site for available software programs for both affiliate marketers and other web entrepreneurs.

The other affiliate programs we mention online are demographic specific: poker, education, dating, etc. Every affiliate marketer could add links to both web hosting and web software, regardless of the main theme of the website. As these types of programs also have a high payout, there's no reason not to offer these programs on any affiliate marketing site.

Demographic Targeting for Affiliates

Advertisers are constantly looking for ways to make their marketing efforts more effective. The first realized benefit of the Internet for advertisers was the ability to "blast" advertisements to millions more people than before, quickly, cheaply and easily. The problem with this approach is that the advertising is still reaching a great many people who can or will never make use of it, which is not the most effective approach. New Internet technologies allow advertisers to modify their Internet sales techniques by adding precision targeting, focusing on many consumers, but only ones likely to be interested in their product. One of these precision methods is demographic targeting.

Demographic targeting is a method by which advertisers focus on sites that specifically target certain demographic groups.

What is Demographic Targeting?

Demographic targeting is a method by which advertisers focus on sites that specifically target certain demographic groups. For example, an affiliate marketer sells a product that you feel will appeal particularly to women ages 21-34 with children. A demographic targeting application can search for websites that appeal to these three specific groups. The marketer then knows which sites he wants as affiliates.

Why Is Demographic Targeting Useful?

Demographics is a science. More women will buy bras than men. More people with children are going to be buying diapers than people without children. Making sure that ads for products that certain groups are more likely to buy are directed at those groups is an efficient way of generating sales.

How Can Demographic Targeting Help Affiliates?

When affiliates design their sites, they should keep demographics in mind. Try to build sites that will either appeal to a broad range of demographics or that will appeal very strongly to one or two large demographics. This may get the attention of advertisers who will wish to take you on as affiliates.

The Eight Best Publications on Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make money on the Internet. Even still, it helps to have an understanding for how the system works. As with any industry, the more you know about it, the better your chances for success. Thankfully, there are a number of notable publications available to help you reach your affiliate goals. Here are the eight best publications on affiliate marketing (in no particular order).

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make money on the Internet. Even still, it helps to have an understanding for how the system works. As with any industry, the more you know about it, the better your chances for success.

Must-Read Affiliate Marketing Publications

A Practical Guide to Affiliate Marketing: Quick Reference for Affiliate Managers & Merchants by Evgenii Prussakov

- Published in May of 2007, this guide is both timely and well organized. Prussakov targets affiliates and merchants in this indispensable book, answering many common and not so common questions about affiliate marketing. An expert on affiliate marketing, ABestWeb.com has voted Prussakov "Best Outsourced Affiliate Program Manager of the Year 2006."

Make a Fortune Promoting Other People's Stuff Online by Rosalind Gardener

- This publication on affiliate marketing can help affiliates get their businesses up and running quickly and easily. Gardner includes a five-step plan designed to make you a pro affiliate in no time flat! Allan Gardyne of AssociatePrograms.com said, "It took me years to discover many of the techniques she spells out in her book. I wish it had been available when I started."

Internet Riches: The Simple Money-Making Secrets of Online Millionaires by Scott C. Fox

- As one of the top e-business consultants in Los Angeles, Fox has a client list that includes such notable names as Larry King and Bill O'Reilly. In this publication on affiliate marketing, he offers secrets that can turn anyone into an Internet Millionaire. Included are inspiring interviews with those who have already done it!

Affiliate Millions: Make a Fortune Using Search Marketing on Google and Beyond by Anthony Borelli and Greg Holden

- In his first year, Anthony Borelli managed to make over a million dollars using affiliate advertising and paid search marketing. In this publication, he promises to help you achieve the same level of success, if not more!

The Complete Guide to Associate & Affiliate Programs on the Net: Turning Clicks Into Cash by Daniel Gray

- This comprehensive guide collects information from the top 100 associate and affiliate programs and makes them easily accessible in one volume. Additionally, you'll learn which affiliate marketing programs are legitimate and which ones to avoid.

Successful Affiliate Marketing for Merchants by Shawn Collins and Frank Fiore

- Written in 2001, this publication stands as one of the most relevant resources on affiliate marketing. Collins and Fiore break down the advantages a business will gain by using affiliate marketing in this hugely popular title.

31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles by Tracy Repchuk

- Tracy Repchuk has taken all of the most important information on affiliate marketing and condensed it into this excellent, easy-to-read publication. This is among those new to Internet marketing, as well as seasoned professionals.

Online Marketing Success Stories: Insider Secrets, From the Experts Who Are Making Millions on the Internet Today by Rene V. Richards

- Get the secrets direct from the people who have actually used them to perfection! In this book, Richards provides the reader with tales of inspiration, practical advice and the tools one can use to harness the potential income-generating power of affiliate marketing.

To sum up

These publications offer a wealth of information that can greatly increase your chance of affiliate marketing success. Taking the time to read just one is vital -- reading all eight is time very well spent! It doesn't matter whether you are a merchant looking to start an affiliate program to promote your product or service, or an individual in search of a way to increase your income, these books will certainly help you reach your goal.

In early 2008, the Atlantic Publishing Company will release "The Complete Guide to Affiliate Marketing on the Web: How to Use and Profit from Affiliate Marketing Programs." Once printed, this book will definitely be included on the list of "must-read" affiliate marketing publications.

Six Business Plan Tips For Your Online Business

Every business needs one. The dreaded business plan. Creating the business plan is quite possibly, the least exciting part of starting your own online business. It takes a lot of time, plenty of research and it can be quite bland.

A mission statement is the backbone of a company. It houses the core values of the company and what it represents. Come up with a solid mission statement so everyone who reads it can understand your intention, desire and goal

However, whatever you do, don't short-change the process, as this is a very important step in starting your business. That is right, you can run your affiliate marketing business online, but a concrete business plan is still crucial for your success. To make things a little easier, here are six tips for creating an affiliate marketing business plan.

Tip No. 1 -- State Your Mission

A mission statement is the backbone of a company. It houses the core values of the company and what it represents. Come up with a solid mission statement so everyone who reads it can understand your intention, desire and goal. This is like a roadmap for your business. Use it to shine a light on your short-term goals and your ultimate vision.

Tip No. 2 -- Remember The Customers

Just because you have a great idea for a business doesn't mean that the world will be on board with you. Take the time to discover if your business will be filling a need that customers have. Look at your target audience and see if you can address their needs or desires. Work this into your business plan as how you plan to attract and keep customers.

Tip No. 3 -- Market Research

Having a firm grasp of what is happening in your market is important to the creation of a solid business plan. Take the time to research your industry, your competitors and your customers. This way, you'll have a good idea of what kind of budget you are going to need, as well as what kind of financial forecast you can present.

Tip No. 4 -- Accept The Risks

Starting an online business takes courage, fortitude and a determination to succeed. The Internet is a huge landscape, and your business is but a spec of sand on a beach of competitors. Your business plan should help you manage and minimize your risks by helping you avoid making reckless decisions. Your business plan should anticipate bumps in the road and help you maneuver around them.

Tip No. 5 -- Keep It Unique

While there are many business plan programs available to help you create a business plan, the truth is, you should only use them as a guideline. Cookie-cutter business plans are never well received. By keeping your business plan unique, it can give the reader an idea of the personality behind the business and sometimes, that's the decision maker.

Tip No. 6 -- Get A Second Opinion

To you, your business plan may look perfect. Like a babe born of your hard work, sweat and tears. Before you go ahead and send it to a potential investor, have a trusted source look at it. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can help catch any problems or inconsistencies before your business plan makes its way out into the world.

As stated earlier, creating a business plan can take a lot of time and work, but with these tips, you should be able to streamline the process into more manageable chunks and thus be up and running in no time!