past of just assuming that everyone was nice enough to pay. Alas, this isn’t true.

I'm not saying you should never promote anyone with a private affiliate program. It's just that you need to look at their reputation first. This is crucial.

One way to tell if they're on the up-and-up is to see how long their affiliate program has been around. Do they have any references? Virtually any company would be willing to check with a top affiliate and see if they wouldn't mind being a reference.

Affiliate marketing is known in internet marketing circles as the day job killer.

There's no faster way to get started with your own online business than with affiliate marketing. You don't need to create your own product, keep stock of any inventory, or set-up customer service systems. Instead, all you do is market someone else's product.

But take heed, there are quite a few affiliate marketing programs out there that aren't worth your time.

I've taken the liberty of classifying them for you here. There are three classifications in all; we have the “cheapskate programs”, the “poor marketer”, and the “commission thief”.

First let's start with the cheapskate programs. These include programs that pay minuscule amounts of commission. Take for example a program that will pay you 5% commission for a $100 sale. Wow, shouldn't everyone be clamoring for the chance to earn an extra five bucks? I think not. Keep your day job at that point.

What about the poor marketer? I don't mean poor in the financial sense (although more than likely, their bank account isn't too fat). I mean someone who couldn't sell ice-cold water to a thirsty crowd. They just don't know how to present their product or service. That likely means that no matter what you do, you won't be able to sell their product or service either.

So even if you find a poor marketer offering upwards of 75% commissions, I'd steer clear (unless they'd be willing to let you help them out with their poor presentation first).

Lastly, let's move onto the commission thief. Obviously, you don't want to deal with them. So how do you spot them? For starters, consider anyone with their own private affiliate program (i.e. not Clickbank, Commission Junction, Linkshare, etc…) a potential affiliate thief. If you have to sign up through a private program where the company is going to write you the check personally (or send you the paypal commission) then there's cause to worry.

I've made the mistake in the past of just assuming that everyone was nice enough to pay. Alas, this isn’t true.

I'm not saying you should never promote anyone with a private affiliate program. It's just that you need to look at their reputation first. This is crucial.

One way to tell if they're on the up-and-up is to see how long their affiliate program has been around. Do they have any references? Virtually any company would be willing to check with a top affiliate and see if they wouldn't mind being a reference.

m for you here. There are three classifications in all; we have the “cheapskate programs”, the “poor marketer”, and the “commission thief”.

First let's start with the cheapskate programs. These include programs that pay minuscule amounts of commission. Take for example a program that will pay you 5% commission for a $100 sale. Wow, shouldn't everyone be clamoring for the chance to earn an extra five bucks? I think not. Keep your day job at that point.

What about the poor marketer? I don't mean poor in the financial sense (although more than likely, their bank account isn't too fat). I mean someone who couldn't sell ice-cold water to a thirsty crowd. They just don't know how to present their product or service. That likely means that no matter what you do, you won't be able to sell their product or service either.

So even if you find a poor marketer offering upwards of 75% commissions, I'd steer clear (unless they'd be willing to let you help them out with their poor presentation first).

Lastly, let's move onto the commission thief. Obviously, you don't want to deal with them. So how do you spot them? For starters, consider anyone with their own private affiliate program (i.e. not Clickbank, Commission Junction, Linkshare, etc…) a potential affiliate thief. If you have to sign up through a private program where the company is going to write you the check personally (or send you the paypal commission) then there's cause to worry.

I've made the mistake in the past of just assuming that everyone was nice enough to pay. Alas, this isn’t true.

I'm not saying you should never promote anyone with a private affiliate program. It's just that you need to look at their reputation first. This is crucial.

One way to tell if they're on the up-and-up is to see how long their affiliate program has been around. Do they have any references? Virtually any company would be willing to check with a top affiliate and see if they wouldn't mind being a reference.

on't mean poor in the financial sense (although more than likely, their bank account isn't too fat). I mean someone who couldn't sell ice-cold water to a thirsty crowd. They just don't know how to present their product or service. That likely means that no matter what you do, you won't be able to sell their product or service either.

So even if you find a poor marketer offering upwards of 75% commissions, I'd steer clear (unless they'd be willing to let you help them out with their poor presentation first).

Lastly, let's move onto the commission thief. Obviously, you don't want to deal with them. So how do you spot them? For starters, consider anyone with their own private affiliate program (i.e. not Clickbank, Commission Junction, Linkshare, etc…) a potential affiliate thief. If you have to sign up through a private program where the company is going to write you the check personally (or send you the paypal commission) then there's cause to worry.

I've made the mistake in the past of just assuming that everyone was nice enough to pay. Alas, this isn’t true.

I'm not saying you should never promote anyone with a private affiliate program. It's just that you need to look at their reputation first. This is crucial.

One way to tell if they're on the up-and-up is to see how long their affiliate program has been around. Do they have any references? Virtually any company would be willing to check with a top affiliate and see if they wouldn't mind being a reference.

ation first).

Lastly, let's move onto the commission thief. Obviously, you don't want to deal with them. So how do you spot them? For starters, consider anyone with their own private affiliate program (i.e. not Clickbank, Commission Junction, Linkshare, etc…) a potential affiliate thief. If you have to sign up through a private program where the company is going to write you the check personally (or send you the paypal commission) then there's cause to worry.

I've made the mistake in the past of just assuming that everyone was nice enough to pay. Alas, this isn’t true.

I'm not saying you should never promote anyone with a private affiliate program. It's just that you need to look at their reputation first. This is crucial.

One way to tell if they're on the up-and-up is to see how long their affiliate program has been around. Do they have any references? Virtually any company would be willing to check with a top affiliate and see if they wouldn't mind being a reference.

past of just assuming that everyone was nice enough to pay. Alas, this isn’t true.

I'm not saying you should never promote anyone with a private affiliate program. It's just that you need to look at their reputation first. This is crucial.

One way to tell if they're on the up-and-up is to see how long their affiliate program has been around. Do they have any references? Virtually any company would be willing to check with a top affiliate and see if they wouldn't mind being a reference. Hey, you have every right to make sure you’re going to get paid.

Another factor to consider is the business itself. Have they been around for a while? Are there other affiliates promoting the products? Do they have a good reputation? If so, you're probably in the clear. If not, go slow and make sure you receive your first check on-time and without hassle. Also make sure you're being credited for all the money you should receive.

So remember, if you're looking for a Day Job Killer, affiliate marketing has real potential. Just make sure to follow these tips and steer clear of bad programs to promote including the “cheapskate programs”, the “poor marketer”, and the “commission thief”.