Write Out Your Goals and Objectives

This seems so simple yet the majority of people in business never get around to doing it. I know this was the case with me in the early days. I used to think I'd keep all of my affiliate marketing goals in my head and that I was above having to make a formal statement of my objectives. But I found out I was wrong.

Having your objectives in writing helps to legitimize them. They become real, and more important, they become measurable. Goals and objectives change as market conditions and circumstances change. Having them in writing and revising them as needed provides an account of not only where you're going, but where you've been.

Create a Business Plan

How does a business plan differ from your goals and objectives? Your goals define what you want to achieve. For example, you might plan to achieve a certain income by a certain date. Or you might want to be promoting five successful affiliate programs by the end of the year. Those are goals and objectives. Your business plan outlines the specifics for achieving your goals.

A business plan doesn't need to be elaborate or extremely detailed. It might be little more than an outline. I think people see the phrase ?business plan? and immediately think of a comprehensive diagram designed to get financing from a bank. That's not what I'm talking about. The great thing about planning for affiliate marketing success is there are plenty of great ready-made plans available for you. Which leads me to my next item.

Become a Student of Successful Affiliate Marketers

This one is a no-brainer. There's a mountain of information out there on affiliate marketing and a lot of it can be had for free. Before setting out on your venture take a look as what's available. Decide for yourself what will work for you and what won't.

Virtually all Internet marketing, including affiliate marketing, comes down to three essential components:

?A profitable product with a great sales page

?A credible, functional Website pointing to the sales page

?Getting lots of targeted traffic to that Website

With those three items in mind it shouldn't be hard to find plenty of material to use as a guide to successful affiliate marketing. Oh, and it's okay to spend a few bucks to get the best information available. As one of my mentors used to say, ?don't go tripping over pennies on the way to the big money.?

Allocate Your Time

Everything we've talked about up until now will be useless unless you take action. Create a schedule where you can work on your affiliate marketing and stick to it. You're going to read about marketers that are able to juggle more than one promotion at a time. And there will come a day where you'll be able to do that too.

But at the outset it's best to be sharply focused on your first promotion. This is the time you're going to be testing and learning. Once you've had success with your first and then second promotion you can branch out. But until you get a handle on the ways of the affiliate marketer it's best to take it one project at a time

Be Relentless

I guess I could have titled this section, don't give up. Anything that will bring you riches will require work. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a relative beginner, you're going to have to stick with it and put in some time. Sure, your friends might be out having a good time or glued to the television but you have a greater purpose. Success comes in part from discipline. Get in the habit of getting your work finished before you play. In the long run, you'll be gland you did. Good luck!