I'm sure you've heard of Affiliates, but have you figured out how to make Affiliate programs work for you? Typically Affiliate programs are designed so you can find a product on Clickbank.com or CommissionJunction.com, send it to your database and make a commission (25-50%) from what your database sells.

But let's turn the tables on the Affiliate program. By now you should have your Facebook account and have been adding friends who are authors and in the media. You can build some great relations, interviews and instigate impressive Affiliate Programs.

I also use SelfGrowth.com and Amazon (search) to find authors who have books related to my topic. You can set up interviews so you are interviewing them and they are interviewing you. (refer to the July 6th posting for more information)

Imagine how you can increase your database by having each author send a notice to their database that they are being interviewed by you. Their database is sent to your capture page to get the information and you now have their details in your database. After both interviews, you each send a notice to your databases promoting each others books and voila, you have a great interview product for your membership site, new names in your database and you've sold more books!

Be sure to check back for the next posting where I will detail “Listing Your Products on Affiliate Sites”

I have never been as impressed as I have been during the past year with the immense generosity of people I've met on Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, SelfGrowth, MySpace and Jason's Network. I have asked for help in getting publicity for my sixth book and was given twelve interviews, three in other countries.

I have been included in teleseminars, webinars, radio and even television interviews through the joint venture relationships I have developed through social media. If you listen to the powers to be (and why would I adhere to anyone's rules) they will insist you are not to use their platforms to generate business. As far as I can tell, it would be pointless to involve myself in the environments otherwise.

This is what I have done fairly successfully. I seek others who are authors, speakers and media specialists. I make a point of getting to know them throughout a period of three months or so. This involves a minimum of three to five emails and two or three live conversations prior to attempting to engage them in a joint venture.

I have been turned down on once in all the times I have attempted to engage authors and media personalities. That is a great ratio. I love the process of getting to know authors and people in general. It is not as self-serving as you might think. Everyone enjoys being part of others’ success. 

There are several mp3 files on how to set up teleseminars and interviews in the program so I've made it easy for you to create the kind of programs that will help you create a level of visibility as an author that you need to be successful.