I’m not sure how long you’ve been reading my blog. If you’re a new reader – welcome!

If you’ve been following my escapades for a while (thank you!) then you’ll know this is not my first business. I have been a soapmaker, a securities salesperson, an information marketer, a virtual assistant, an affiliate manager, a candle salesperson and a few more.

The common thread about every single one of those businesses is that I never considered the lifestyle I wanted when I choose them.

Why I Choose Affiliate Marketing

After many years of experimenting with various businesses I got a real good idea of what I DIDN’T want from a business. I developed a uniquely personal set of things I did want from a business that were important to me and with each new business I got closer to that goal:

- Travel not required
- Freedom built in
- Work now, profit now AND later
- No need to build a team
- Low expenses
- Unlimited opportunity

Affiliate marketing satisfies all of these requirements. I recently read on Rosalind Gardner’s blog (one of my affiliate marketing hero’s!) that she just turned 50. I’m 33. It’s so exciting for me to think where I will be in 17 years from the efforts of my affiliate marketing. I don’t know when Rosalind started her business but I know that affiliate marketing is something that’s effort is compounded as time goes by.

I remember when I first explained affiliate marketing to my father. He related it to an insurance salesman. The insurance salesman gets a commission from every insurance policy he sells. In the beginning it might be tough but over the years the results of that effort add up. The same is true for affiliate marketing, especially when you choose to promote affiliate programs with residual commissions and long-term customers.

Affiliate marketing fits the lifestyle I want to have. I mean who doesn’t want to have time freedom and commissions coming in long after the work has been completed? Yes the results are awesome but also the means to achieve those results are very attractive to me as well.

How Do I Plan to Successfully Make Affiliate Sales?

Sure, the results of many businesses sound great but it’s the work itself and your ability to get ‘er done that really determine success. I’m sure the work I need to put in to be a successful and even a ‘super’ affiliate are something I will enjoy and continue with long-term.

Here are just some of the things I’d consider important to long term affiliate marketing success:
1. Persistence – You gotta do more than the average affiliate and that means being persistent and consistent in your marketing efforts.
2. Communication – I’ll be communicating with my readers here through the blog, in my email messages, through article marketing, through my podcast and more all in an effort to provide the best help I can to those who are on the same path I am in their work at home careers.
3. Planning – Oh yes I’m getting so much better at planning. I’ve listed out all the programs I’d like to promote here on Marketers Mojo and I’ve also started a Blogging, Email Marketing & Article Marketing Calendar to plan out my content and promotions (thanks to the advice and challenges over at Lynn Terry’s Elite Membership)

Are You Still Deciding?

So I guess my question to you right now is why did you choose the business you are doing right now? Did you think about it or just dive in? Is it really suiting your lifestyle needs?

Ok so that’s three questions.

Maybe you haven’t decided on a business yet. If not, good! Now you have the opportunity to really design a business that fits a lifestyle goal that will bring you what you truly want.

I know thinking about the lifestyle my current efforts will support keeps me motivated and excited about the little details that I need to take daily to get to my bigger goals!

p.s. I’ve mentioned that Rosalind Gardner is my affiliate marketing hero. If you’re considering affiliate marketing as a career yourself then I recommend you check out her Super Affiliate Handbook. It is one of the most respected and complete guides to starting an affiliate marketing business. Click the link below to check it out: