Affiliate Marketing for Dummies (or Beginners)

When you go to Google and type in “affiliate marketing”, one of the top suggestions is gonna be:

Chances are that you’ve landed on this page precisely because you’ve chosen that “affiliate marketing for dummies” option.

If you are trying to find out if there’s a “for Dummies” book (as in: from the world-famous Wiley’s series) on affiliate marketing, the answer is negative.

Interestingly though, when you choose that “Affiliate Marketing for Dummies” Google suggestion, on the right you see two product listings (one from Target, and another one from Barnes and Noble):

That is a book, and it’s a book written by me (by the way, Amazon sells it for cheaper).

However, it may, or may not be right for you.

First and foremost, we need to figure out what for-dummies type “education” you’re looking for: as an affiliate (someone looking to earn money on affiliate marketing by selling/marketing other people’s stuff) or as a merchant (someone looking to sell stuff through affiliates)? If it’s the latter, the above book is just right for you. If it’s the former, it’s a good book to read (to understand what makes up a good merchant), but not exactly a “for dummies” type manual you may be looking for.

Whether you are looking to learn about affiliate marketing as an affiliate, or as a merchant, I do have something for you, and something that you can start using right away. I’ve compiled (and am constantly expanding) two online-based 100% free guides — one for affiliates, and one for beginning affiliate managers (or merchants):

• “How To” Guide to Affiliate Marketing [for Affiliates]
  Learn what affiliate marketing is and how you can get involved in it.

• Online Guide to Affiliate Marketing [for Merchants]
  Learn how to start and run a successful affiliate program.

I hope you will find the above compilations of help, and if there is a question that hasn’t been answered there, just post it in the “Comments” area below, and I will make sure it is entertained.