I have heard people describe the “Affiliate” business as easy, simple, and even say that you “set it and forget it”. Now, that doesn’t mean I have not used the above aforementioned descriptions before - I I think that many may have taken the terms to literal.

I’ve been in the “Affiliate Marketer” business for a short time. At least compared to some to have 20 plus years in the business and earn a lucrative income. But, while I openly admit that this type of business [ work ] may be easier than say laying bricks, or construction work - their still needs to be some type of work ethic needed to succeed. Plain English - you need to do some work, and it starts on how you approach it. Do you treat it as a hobby or a business?

To give you an idea of what I mean, let me give you a short snap shot of how I manage my “Affiliate Marketer” business.

Run down of my day:

1 - I wake up at 6 AM in the morning and say hello to my computer, turn it on and brush my teeth..

2 - I look over any ideas, thoughts, goals & information I have jotted down from the day before. Always keep notes - it helps when the mind is either to full of new ideas or having a hard time remembering your thoughts [ ageing is a terrible thing ]

3 - I check and read all my incoming emails that pertain to my “affiliate” business and niche market. It’s easy to get distracted with other things - stay focus on the business at hand.

4 - Simultaneously I check my reports, daily tracking, revenue reports [ what I’ve earned daily - not all companies are honest ] and review data to get a grasp at what is working and what isn’t - and compare it to 30 days data.

5 - I prepare, write, construct articles for today, tomorrow or next week. These articles are written in triplicate - one being a bit different than the other so I can place one on my site, one on article distributor site, and any blogs or social media site I want. [ this is where writing things down and looking over emails and notes help. Don’t have to start from scratch with my thoughts. ]

6 - By now it’s 8 AM to 9 AM, I post any articles or new content to their respective websites. I then begin to look over tracking data, analytics, and such - get a feel for where my sites visitors come from and what people like to see on my site. It helps to know in which direction I should lead my new info. And articles. { always remembering that you need “good content above “SEO” - my personal opinion ]

7 - I go back to my emails and finish looking up any tips, info. or research I may have received from my sources on my business and niche. [ info. Is always coming in and in the net - info. Changes as fast as the wind blows ]

8 - By now it’s about 10 AM and I’ll do the grooming thing, eat, play with my kids, take time for the family. [ life is not only about the net, if you live only for your computer you will die alone with your computer ]

9 - At this time it is about 12 noon and I am off to work on my other “self employed” business. [ you can never have all your eggs in one basket ] Especially for you beginners.

10 - I am back around 5 pm on my computer checking up on emails, reports, and minor stuff I left over from the morning activities. Sometimes all my sources do not come in the morning email and the day may have “breaking news” that needs my attention.

11 - I may spend a half hour or so on my “social media” sites [ I try not to be like many who live on myspace and the like ].

12 - By now it could be 6:30 to 7:30 pm and I turn everything off, and relax with my family. One thing I learned when my first child was born children grow up so fast. What good is being self employed if you don’t take time to be with the one’s you love.

Conclusion: This doesn’t mean I expect you to do exactly as I do, figure out what works best for you. But I do believe that if you want to succeed in this business - you have to treat it as a business. Organize yourself, prioritize, set goals, be responsible and set [ and keep ] working hours. And above all - be productive - it’s so easy to get lost doing non-profitable things online.