A year ago, learning about online marketing brought up thoughts that now seem crazy. People make money at home? That's nuts! No boss, no workers and no salary cap? Show me how! For most of us, internet marketing was too out of the box to imagine. Our parents never raised us to make money from the comfort of home. The education system never preached to finish college, learn IM, then work from home using a computer to make money online. It is an unbelievable way of life that few are ever taught.

Now, our email boxes are filled with "opportunities" in super guru videos filled with expensive cars, beaches and we can't leave out the tale of living in their cars until a friend of theirs shared...such and such. You know the drill. The truth must be that we should sit at the hotel bar, approach any group of rich kids or walk in dark alleys until a guy in a trench coat offers us the magic code. Then we can provide the code to everyone for a price. Heads Up...that's not internet marketing and buying the software is not quite the answer to all.

The first step to affiliate marketing success is to stop looking for the quick millions everywhere. All that will be found are distractions, free reports you'll never read and useless garbage. What you need is a road map of the dirt trails that lead to the highways of affiliate marketing success. The gurus' maps are outdated as they are aware. Instead of trying to pass off useless maps, you get offers for magic "one click" software that guarantees wealth tomorrow. We all are aware now that it isn't going to happen like that.

Here's a plan that has worked for centuries. Stop and take a few minutes to think about hobbies and experiences. Write down as many things that you have bought and what made you choose it. Also note any specialties you are passionate about whether it is counseling, repairing or ancestry. Next look on the affiliate networks and keyword databases to find products that are searched for or develop one yourself. Try using the old fashion way of finding an issue or ailment that a lot of people are having, then show them a solution, product or service to fill that need.

I also fell into the guru high pressure sales pitches as everyone has. For longer than I should have and after paying the newbie fees, as it's sometimes called, I eventually came to my senses. The quick money is not the software, it's finding people's desires and services then filling the gap. Affiliate marketing is about connecting the producers to the customers. It's your mission as an online marketer to reach out and connect them and receive a commission for the efforts.

It's reality, time to get back to basics so you can prevail in online marketing. Take the time to check out the list that you made (or going to make) and match a market that fits with the desires. Then use one of the many keyword programs to find the words commonly used in search engines. Finally apply those keywords to your chosen strategy of marketing.

The marketing technique is often determined by your cash flow available. Forums,postings and blogs are effective but take time to get moving. Pay Per Click, Adsense and paying for solos convert quickly but can be expensive and some can't afford it. The reality is that there are numerous ways to make money out there. However, money will not be made if you keep falling for every software product offered. Success will not come by reading or gathering every free eBook available. Be selective then take action. Latch onto recently successful as well as the experienced marketer that walked the path to successful affiliate marketing. Start today so you can see real results in your future. Take a moment and...