A good way to get started is to choose affiliates you are interested in based on ads you have seen. Go to their site and look for a link that says "join affiliate program" or "partner program".

On the next page are some some instructions to give you an idea of what's involved. Various banners are on "Page 2" of the banner page. Click on the links to go to the site. As mentioned, find the link to "affiliate program" to read what each has to offer; usually either a "click thru" rate, a percentage of sales originating from your site, the number of partners you refer, or some combination of these. Each program is a little different.

There are various examples given and various ways of placement on the page; standard size banners (468x60); "box" size, ranging from 125X125 to 150X150; button size banners and textual links. Most affiliate applications state that the textual links are the most effective; something that surprised me. I have been more inclined to click on a professional looking button or banner rather than text only links.

In addition, there are numerous affiliate programs that pay you just for having their "viewbar" on your computer while you are online. The pay can range from $25.00 every three months, going up to almost limitless if you are able to get others to join as well and can tolerate multiple viewbars. This isn't really affiliate marketing; no one else see's these. But you can link to the site with your ID and get referrals under you. And again, simple instructions are provided. For every referral you make you receive a percentage of their activity, and they receive the same pay regardless. If they refer, you receive a percentage of those referrals as well. These companies are paid by advertizers who are finding this type of advertizing quite lucrative, and everyone wins. I will be showing you examples of these as well.