Affiliate marketing is very popular these days. Many beginners decide that affiliate marketing is an easier route, than starting their own business from scratch. They reckon that it is too difficult to create websites, sales pages, download links, payment buttons and so on, so they will just use ready prepared tools, supplied by the various affiliate programs. Their reasoning might be true, but bear in mind that thousands of other affiliates are also selling the same products, with the same tools and of course, you only earn a part of the sale. You have to be that much better.

Ken contacted me the other day, for some advice on something and we got chatting. Ken is a South African expat, who, by his own admission, is "technically challenged", but a very successful affiliate marketer. I asked what a typical day involved and this was his reply.

"Being in the affiliate marketing business, is not that hard now, with the internet at your disposal. It is much easier now, compared to the old days, when people had to make use of the telephones and other mediums of information, just to get the latest updates, on the way their program was coming along.

So with technology at hand, and assuming that the affiliate is working from home, a day in his, or her life, would go along these lines…

After having woken and eating breakfast, the computer is turned on, to check out new developments, in the network and look over emails. As far as the marketer is concerned, there are always  new things to update and statistics to keep track of.

Then next,  site design and content has to be revised. I know that a well-designed site, can increase sign ups, from visitors. It can also help tremendously, with the affiliate’s conversion rates.

Once that done, it is time to submit the affiliate programs to directories. This is a daily task.  These directories are a means of attracting people, to join your affiliate programs. It is a sure way, of promoting the affiliate programs.

After that is done, it’s time to track down the sales I'm getting, from my sub affiliates, fairly and accurately. There are phone orders and mails, to track down. I must see if they are new clients, checking the products out. I make a note of the contact information, that might be a viable source, in the future.

Then there are lots of resources to sort out, like ads, banners, button ads and sample recommendations to give out, because I know, that this is one way, of ensuring more sales. It's best to stay visible and be accessible, too.

Then I need to answer questions from the visitors. This has to be done quickly. Nothing can turn off a customer, quicker than an unanswered email. You cannot keep them waiting. To prove that that I am accessible and I'm working effectively and efficiently, these enquiries need to be paid attention to. Nobody likes to be ignored and customers are often very demanding. I need to give quick answers, professionally, yet friendly too.

In the process of attending to all these necessities, I'm also logged on to a chat room, where I can interact with other affiliates and those under the same programs. This is where we can discuss things, on how to best promote the products.

With affiliate marketing, there are always new things to be learned and it is a continuous process. Sharing tips and advice is a good way, of showing support. There may be others out there, who want to join and they may be enticed, by the discussion that is going on.

The newsletters and e-zines were updated a couple of days ago, so it is time for me to see if there are any new products and innovations in the marketplace. I will write about these in my email news publication, which is distributed to both the old and new customers.

These same publications are also an important tool, in keeping up to date with the newly introduced products. I have just put up a sale and promotion, that the customers may want to know about. Besides, they have to keep up with the deadline dates, of these sales, as outlined in the publications.

Now it’s time to show some appreciation, to those who have helped me in the promotions and recent sales increase. There is nothing better for them, than mentioning their names or their sites and the processes they have used, to make their sales. Of course, this will also be published in the newsletters. I put it among the more important information, that I have already prepared.

Next, I  must find time, to write out recommendations, to those who want credible sources, for the products being promoted. Then I still need to post some comments, on how to be a successful affiliate marketer, on a site where there are lots of wannabee marketers looking for advice. This allows me to cover two objectives, at the same time. I, as the marketer, get to promote the product, as well as the program. Who knows, someone may be inclined to join up.

Wow, time flies. I missed lunch, but I'm quite happy with the tasks I have done so far. Bed time still seems so far away! Now I must fetch the kids from school, attend a meeting with Janie’s teacher, do their homework with them, bath them, then get supper done, before Monique gets home. She is a nursing sister and works shift, so as a stay home dad, I have to do the chores. Once the kids are in bed, I can get back to my work again. Ok, so this may not be all done on every single day, but that is an average list of tasks, for most days. This gives you some idea of how an affiliate marketer, a dedicated one,  spends the marketing day.

Well that should give you some idea, of how busy Ken’s days are. Do you still think that affiliate marketing is easy?

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Derek Robson has been a successful Internet marketer since 2003. He has a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and other non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet, by finding solutions to the many obstacles facing them. He is a syndicated article writer. He and his wife Sally, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. For informative articles on Internet marketing, South African online business, list building, affiliate marketing, article marketing, blogging, seo, the law of attraction, rugby and other general topics, such as gardening and fitness, visit Derek and Sally at their blog, part of http://dersalsites.com/