subject: 5 Key Strategies All Successful Marketers Possess [print this page] Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular business models in the internet marketing community. The upside potential if fantastic. You don't have a boss, there aren't any deadlines to meet and there's no work that has to be finished by the end of the day. To succeed, you need 5 key strategies.
1. Trainable
You need to have the desire to learn and be willing to put your learning into action. In the beginning, you'll be in unfamiliar territory, but as you progress in your learning, things will become easier and easier until your daily process is second nature. Couple your training with a good work ethic and you've got the perfect combination.
2. Invest Time, Effort and Resources
To grow your business, you need to invest time, effort and resources. You're business probably won't take off like a rocket right at the beginning, but over time you'll see progress. Don't be afraid to put in whatever time it takes to get it right the first time. Take the time you need to understand what and why you're doing things. And keep at it.
Many people give up, just before they would have become successful. Don't be one of them. Thomas Edison tried 10,000 versions of the light bulb before he got one to work.
And add some capital to your business. It doesn't have to be thousands of dollars, but invest a bit here and there for the proper tools and some marketing.
3. Determination
This one is a tough one sometimes. Your determination is a battle with your mind. When you meet a fork in the road you have to make a decision and stick with it. You're investing blood and sweat equity in your business today so you'll be able to reap the rewards tomorrow. Stay determined and don't lose your focus.
4. Discipline
Discipline is one of the most important characteristics you'll need to work in your business. It's very easy when you're running a home based business to get side tracked. You have to discipline yourself to work even though the laundry needs to be done, the house needs to be vacuumed, the dishes need to be put away and there is a really good show on TV. Put it all on hold and discipline yourself to work on your business.
Some people find it easier to set specific times to work, just like a job. You work from 9-12 and break for lunch, then work from 1-5. The hours you set aren't important, the fact that you're working on your business during your working hours is the important part.
5. Optimism
Sometimes it's hard to stay optimistic, especially in the beginning. When you go for weeks before you make a sale and you're in the process of setting up your marketing, it's hard to stay optimistic. But soon you make your first sale and your optimism spikes, then you make another sale and it spikes again, until you are making sales every day and your optimism is at an all time high.
With these 5 strategies in place, your affiliate marketing career has a bright future. There are lots of tools online that will help you set up your business and market whatever you decide to promote, but the most important pieces of the puzzle are within you. Make sure you put them to good use.
