The difference between super-successful affiliate marketers and those who fail to make much money from affiliate marketing is often due to three (3) factors.

These factors or keys are not rocket science. Far from it. Perhaps it's their simplicity that makes them more likely to be ignored by so many. Yet, as you'll soon appreciate, they are critical to your success in affiliate marketing...

1. Choose The Right Affiliate Marketing Model

Whether you realize it or not, you have a choice between five (5) basic affiliate marketing models. You can be a storefront, rebate/coupon site, trusted advisor, arbitrageur/broker or eclectic (combination of the foregoing).

To understand what each of these models is, the differences between them, and which suits you best, check out my book, Fast Track To Affiliate Profits. For now, just know that your business strategies and tactics should be different depending on which model you choose. If you don't specifically choose a business model, you're unlikely to make optimal decisions about who to market to... where and what to promote... how much money to invest in marketing... and other crucial decisions. Which means you'll end up leaving money -- maybe a lot of money -- on the table.

2. Build a Unique Business

How do you ensure that most of your prospects buy through YOUR affiliate links and NOT those of the other affiliate marketers promoting the same products or services? The answer is: you build a unique business.

You realise that your objective is to deliver a powerful and compelling customer value proposition (CVP) that goes beyond the individual affiliate products and services you promote. In practical terms, that may translate into developing a strong relationship with your target audience where they know, like and trust you... offering top-notch bonuses to those who buy through your affiliate links... and maybe bundling affiliate offers with other products and services you sell.

3. Choose The Right Affiliate Promotions

There are hundreds of affiliate programs -- let alone individual promotions -- that you could participate in at any given point in time. Some will earn you affiliate commissions, many won't. So how do you know which to choose?

The short answer is: any promotion likely to appeal to enough of your web visitors, subscribers or customers to generate a desirable return on investment (ROI). Of course, knowing the answer to THAT question -- i.e. which affiliate promotions will yield the highest ROI -- is a matter of being clear about your affiliate marketing model and customer value proposition! When you're clear on these, you'll have a better idea of the most appropriate affiliate promotions to participate in.

By applying these 3 steps you're likely to build a solid business, where you needn't worry so much about others promoting the same affiliate offers, and where everything is calculated to achieve maximum results and profitability. I urge you to apply them in your affiliate marketing business.