Have you noticed how many programs come and go on the Internet? Have you ever wondered why? So many of those claiming to be foolproof are nothing better than scams. The experts report that the majority of conventional, brick and mortar small businesses fail during their first two years of trading. On the internet, it’s worse, it’s more like the first 90 days. How can programs that seem so hot today, be gone tomorrow?  How can you avoid wasting your time and money on programs that promise the earth and then only deliver disappointment?

Here are a couple of things to watch out for, in checking if a business will pass the test of time and how to avoid those, that are destined for the internet marketing junkyard.

First, you must know if the product is good. Affiliate companies that focus on recruiting, instead of providing great products and services, will ultimately fail, in the long run. These companies always seem like the next big thing and end up in the junkyard every time.

If the focus is on how much money you can make, by recruiting a ton of people, run away as fast as you can. Yes, there is a role, for recruiting others into a business, hat you are succeeding in. A big role, in fact, because sharing real success, is a very good thing. But, when the affiliate site wants you to recruit 10-20, or more, before you succeed, or their program is all about recruitment, or their claims are untrue, then there’s just no way, that anyone will succeed, except those who own the company. No one can show you how to succeed, unless they’ve done it first. Period.

The best affiliate sites provide decent products and services, that solve real problems, create real value and have outstanding customer service. Write to them requesting more information. If you don’t get a reply, you have hit a nerve. Run!

Don’t believe the lies. All of these hyped up sites, are going to tell you the same lies. Here are the top three lies they tell.

1. Get in early, or you’ll lose out.
Anytime an affiliate plan pushes you to sign up, based on fear (do it Now or Lose your chance) it’s a sure sign, that they are headed for the scrap-yard and you will waste time and money with them. They are more than likely to be scams.

2. We will do the work for you.
Yes, well, umm…why in the world would anyone build a downline under you, when they could just go out and build a bigger downline themselves? Why would they pay you, if they are doing all the work? They wouldn’t and they won’t.

Some say that the makeup of their matrix, means that they actually do better, by building your business, than their own. Give me a break. If that were true, they’d build a downline under their mother, not you.

Helping is one thing. Giving advice is another, but, when they say that they will do the work for you, run as fast as you can. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it isn’t an Aardvark - it’s definitely a Duck. Doing the work for you, after you pay a small fee of course, is a lie every time.

3. You won’t have to spend any more money.
No, not if you are prepared to laugh it off, but if you are serious about your success, you will have to pay more, in order to elevate your status. They will expect those who are serious, to order their “high quality leads and use our so affordable back office”.

Do you see the scam at work here? When they recruit you, only to sell you leads, they are not telling the truth.

Stay Informed.
The best way to avoid these companies, is to know the truth.  When I need to find information about a program, there is only one site I visit: ScamBusters. http://www.scambusters.org/  There’s one section on the ScamBusters website, which I particularly like, called Lists of Scams.

Use this knowledge to protect yourself from being taken in by the latest scams. Utilize this as a starting point, and learn how to spot the telltale signs of a company that’s about to waste your time, take your money and end up on the scrapheap.

The internet is ripe, with real opportunities, for those who are willing to do a little work and learn the skills needed to succeed, but the internet works just like the real world, in this way. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you use your common sense and make sure that the businesses you get involved with, passes the duck test, you can look forward to a long and happy future of success on the internet.

Instead of hooking up with an unknown site, scheme, or product, rather take advice from some of the marketers you know. For the most part, if the marketer recommends something to his list, or to his website visitors, then he should be able to stand by that recommendation. The marketer should be able to give you some more advice and information, so ask for some.

Take your time. Search for affiliate programs, there are plenty. Read the terms of service and their privacy clause and any other small print which most people ignore. Compare their affiliate plans and compensations and only settle on the best.

There are also many good books and reports on the internet, showing you how to use various tactics. Stick to these, rather than getting involved with the more devious programs.

Find out how to become a Super Affiliate. Get this book by one of the world’s top affiliate marketers and heed the good advice. http://www.dersalsites.com/superaff/

Derek Robson is a South African Internet marketer. 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 daily postings and 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, visit Derek at: http://dersalsites.com/southafricanbusiness/  

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