Learning About Affiliate Marketing

Short phrases like, learning about Affiliate Marketing, make money online, make good money on the Internet, make money with Internet affiliate programs, are all expressions which for some individuals may sound like swear words or curses. This is not so surprising really - not when you consider that an alleged 90 - 95% of those who go in for learning about Affiliate Marketing will end up flattened by the experience and quit before they make any money.

Those dreams of financial independence and oodles of free time to spend at home with the family, or to languish in the sunshine on those long vacations in exotic climes, now become like so much flotsam strewn upon the desolate shoreline of mundane tomorrows.

This will not be an uncommon experience and it is sad that so much hope must end with so much disappointment and feelings of failure. But does it have to be this way?

Something is fundamentally wrong. How can so many people with sincere determination turn away from their goal before even making a red cent?

I think one of the main reasons why newbies to Affiliate Marketing do not pass go, is because of the confusion which occurs due to what is known in the trade as, 'information overload'. It is as though even the beginnings of searching for information about online marketing or affiliate marketing, is like ducking underwater, opening your mouth and breathing in. Pretty soon you are drowning in subscription emails, mini courses, research software programs, keyword analysis alchemy etc, etc, and this is even before you face the dilemma of a plethora of products to choose from, and have to decide which of them to start promoting. There is PPC, Adwords, Adsense, article writing and submission, blogging, website building, blah, blah, blah... Excuse me a second while I just come up for air.

Ahh, that's better!

Then there are the sharks!

Just as you are getting used to the temperature and you are treading water well enough to be able to think about which direction to take, - the sharks arrive. But these aren't ordinary sharks. These are sharks disguised as mermaids, or mermen (for the ladies). They tempt, alluringly inviting you to partake in the offerings they bring. They tell you that if you will but believe in them and be guided by them, you will surely be safely taken to your desired destination. Some will tell you that they are wise gurus who know the waters you swim in and that they were once vulnerable like you, but now are masters of the tides.

The name of this mermaid/man species is SCAMSTER, and anyone who listens, and is lured by their lilting banter will soon find themselves parting with money and precious time.

The fundamental truth is that without honest guidance from genuine teachers, the pitfalls and byways that abound are too treacherous for most people to be able to learn about Affiliate Marketing with the necessary competence required.

I came across, "a student's appraisal" by someone called Pete Sonderby and refreshingly, he says it like it is. You can read what he has to say here, http://howdoipal.synthasite.com/

As unattractive as it may sound to some, Pete makes no bones about the fact that success in Internet Marketing is going to have a lot to do with how much "WORK" you put into it. But he also emphasizes the need for direction and a reliable Internet Marketing EDUCATION, as obtained for himself from the impressively named, Wealthy Affiliate University.

For anyone interested, and who possesses an attitude of realism and doesn't want to waste either their time or money, or be exposed to the often debilitating experience of going it alone, I thoroughly recommend that you take a look at both Pete Sonderby's appraisal and the Wealthy Affiliate University on the link below.

by Mark Partridge.

For an introduction to the benefits of a good education in affiliate marketing take a look at http://www.educashion.com