Affiliate marketing can help you use your website or a blog to generate some extra income. Participating in an affiliate program takes advantage of traffic to your website to create an additional source of revenue. This page will outline how to become an affiliate marketer, using affiliate marketing programs to your advantage.

While there are many affiliate marketing programs on the web that proclaim that you can earn thousands of dollars and retire on what you generate from their affiliate program, most people do not generate substantial income from affiliate marketing. In order to make money from affiliate programs, you need to have a web presence that receives traffic, and people need to click through on your links and make a purchase.

• The first step in becoming an affiliate marketer is to create a website. Think carefully about the niche you select, as that will drive the affiliate links you can add successfully. Parenting sites might add toys and books, book review sites have a natural affinity with book stores, cooking sites can link to cookbooks, food products and kitchen supplies, for example.

• In order to benefit from affiliate links, you need to build traffic to your site.

1. Be an active member of related forums, developing credibility, and linking back to your site when you post
2. Read other blogs in your niches, commenting when you have value to, and linking back to your blog.
3. Use keyword tools to select keywords and phrases to include in your content that will improve your search rankings.
4. Use tools like Digg or Stumble Upon to promote your content, where appropriate.
5. Develop a following in your niche using using social media vehicles like Twitter.
6. If your blog relates to your bricks and mortar job, include the url on your business's cards and letterhead.

• Once you have a web presence, and an audience, you can attempt to monetize your site by adding affiliate links.

1. Investigate affiliate programs that relate to your niche.
2. Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.
3. Place affiliate links carefully on your site. You want them to be displayed prominently enough to attract attention from those who might be interested, but you don't want them to detract from your content and alienate visitors.
4. Balance content with links, as too many links might cause search engines to see your site as spam, and feature you less prominently in your results.
5. Check your affiliate programs frequently, as there may be bonuses or specials that would be appropriate for you to tie into.

• If carefully used, affiliate links may not make you rich, but they can help you to earn money from your online presence. Select your niche carefully, and continue to provide valuable information, as well as affiliate links.

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