Like it says above, your main objective is to get people to click on your links to create traffic for your merchant. This takes some clever planning, a persistent attitude and a little luck! Here are some tips to help generate traffic:

Don't stop at banner advertising! Look to see if your merchant offers additional linking methods like articles, email ads, signature files, rotating images, product images, guest books and so on! The more links you post - the better your chances are of making a sale.

If you simply place a banner on one of your web pages and expect the commission checks to come rolling in - you're going to be disappointed! In order to earn commissions - you have to become an active Affiliate. Place a few banners on your site, an article and a guest book in your resource section, another article and an ad in your newsletter and a testimonial wherever you can fit one!

If your merchant doesn't offer extra linking methods -- tell them you want more. No merchant will argue with an Affiliate that wants more ways to promote their site!

Study after study shows that following up with prospects is the best way to make the sale. As an Affiliate - it can mean the difference in getting a commission or not. Do your best to get information from your visitors while they are at your site. Offer them a contest entry, a "FREE Report" or other information in exchange for their email address. Then, use their address to follow-up with them with information about your merchant's products and services. Ask your merchant - they may have just the right tools to help you get addresses.

You should also consider starting your own ezine. This will allow you to consistently get in touch with your contacts with any messages you choose. Ezines are easy to start, cheap to run and a GREAT way to get and keep prospects.

Don't Be Afraid to Pay

Being an Affiliate - even a successful Affiliate - doesn't have to cost a ton of money. But, it doesn't hurt to pay for a few targeted placements in ezines, on websites and so on. Figure out your costs for placing the ads and then estimate the amount you think you can make from the ad. Do a few test ads and compute your profits.