A couple years ago I decided to try my hand at internet marketing. Did I have a clue what I was doing? Not only did I not have a clue about what I was doing but I also had no idea about what I was getting into. Of course everything I read about affiliate marketing had me believing that I would be raking in the cash in no time at all. All I had to supposedly do was buy the books, follow the vague directions and everything would fall into place.

What lots of people never understand is the time and effort that's required to succeed in affiliate marketing. They think if they put a couple of banners up on a few websites then the cheques will start rolling in. By now most of us no that's the farthest from the truth. However people become angry and of course they blame the industry. While they should have taken more time to learn and study new techniques. So that brings us to 5 of the most important factors in determining how successful you will become with affiliate marketing.

1. Probably the most important part for a person interested in affiliate marketing is they have to be willing to invest time and effort into their new business. They also have to realize that outcomes won't be realized over night. But if they are consistent and determined then results will be achieved.

2. If you are just starting out in affiliate marketing of course you have to have a strong desire but you also have to be coachable. Most people getting into affiliate marketing are extremely new to it so it does tend to be a long learning curve. You have to find qualified people and follow their advice. To make it in this business you have to be strong minded and you must have the desire to learn.

3. So not only do you need to be trainable and hard working. You also have to be disciplined and consistent in learning and applying new techniques in your new affiliate marketing business. What I have learned is that the most useful skill is consistency.

4. Something very close to discipline is determination. It is also a quality that is very important in affiliate marketing. You can't rest on success too long before looking for the next great target or niche. That's how successful internet marketers grow and build their businesses.

5. Now last, if you are a newbie it is very important that you stay optimistic. If you are pessimistic in any business at the beginning you will fail. You are your own boss when you come to work on the internet and that was probably what lured you here. So in turn at the end of the day you have to be accountable for all your own actions. If you do this you stand a very good chance at succeeding.

Everything that you read here is nothing new and they are not special to affiliate marketing. To succeed in anything these are basics for everyone to learn. If you want your own business then strong abilities in work ethic, determination, and being positive are a must. By being strong at these you can realize your dreams. Now when it comes to affiliate marketing it's not for everyone, however if you do have the desire to succeed and are willing to learn many new things then affiliate marketing could drastically change your life.