Your Associate Guide : Beginners
by David Seitz - Associatesearch.com

New to the associate world? It can be an overwhelming experience when it comes to choosing and working associate programs. One of the main reasons I created Associatesearch.com was due the tremendous amount of e-mail I was receiving from less experienced users. Questions ranged from how do I link to a program, what is the best associate program, how do I market my program, how do I create my own program, where do I find other programs and so on and so on...... Instead of answering the same questions over and over I decided to create the Associate Search Web Site. By the amount of e-mail and new visitors, I take it I am not the only one who thinks it's a good idea. Thanks for stopping by!

• What exactly is an associate program?
• How do they work?
• How do I make money with associate programs?
• How do I know who is buying?
  

What exactly is an associate program?
Simply put, an associate program is a very effective sales tool used by various companies to market their goods and services. Companies allow associates (you) to market their goods and services and claim a percent of the profit. In most cases you act as a subcontractor and must pay your own taxes if you generate enough income. With a little work you can have a very successful web site generating income 24 hours a day by taking advantage of associate programs. The great thing about associate programs is that there is no need to have any inventory, no billing, none of the headaches involved in other types of business. Most are absolutely free to join and many have very generous commissions.

How do they work?
Most associate, affiliate, revenue sharing etc. programs work in a similar fashion in which a company will give the associate a special link address to use on their web sites. Most will pay a percentage on sales generated by visitor you send using your special link. Not every program is the same and most vary greatly, be sure to read the fine print and understand the terms of each program you are joining. Some programs will only pay you after you reach a certain rate of commission.

How do I make money with associate programs?
Many associate programs (the better ones anyway) provide fantastic support and a wealth of tools for you to use to market their programs. You can use banners, links, reviews, images, etc. throughout your web site using your special web link to generate income. Many programs have special associate centers on their web sites with suggested marketing, tip's, advice, articles, and tool's to help you make the most of your associate program. Most of the programs provide helpful support through e-mail and will be glad to answer your questions and listen to your ideas.

How do I know who is buying?
Almost all associate programs have some kind of tracking system available either online, through e-mail, or mail. Some send you a detailed report via e-mail with statistics on how many visitors clicked over from your site, how many sales were generated, how much commission you have earned, etc. Some give you access to a private members area where you can log in and view your statistics online in real time.

Where can I find associate programs?
The easiest way to find associate programs for your web site is by using a web directory that caters to the world of associate/affiliate programs. Associatesearch.com is one for your bookmarks. Programs are listed by category, searchable and rated. You can join several mailing lists as well to stay informed of new programs. Check out the next section of this guide for help on selecting a good program.

Your Associate Guide © 1999 David Seitz
www.associatesearch.com

Next: Choosing a Program