a. 3rd party like Clickbank. You will pay a $50 set up fee and Clickbank will take care of the rest. 2 points to remember provide a way for affiliates to cloak their affiliate URL, as Clickbank URLs are easy to hijack. Also bear in mind that Clickbank will charge a fee to you for every sale made so this must be calculated into your profit margin.
b. Software like Assoctrac: after the initial cost, which is fairly heavy, this is a wonderful system. If you plan on making a large and profitable affiliate network this is the way to eventually go.

3. Marketing for affiliates-write or have written a compelling sales letter to join your free affiliate program. Make it 2 tiered as this will attract more people. When you have done this drive targeted traffic to your sales page. These will be people looking for an opportunity to make some money.

4. Looking after affiliates- In order to be successful with your Affiliate program you must be prepared to look after your affiliates. Build a training center for them Remember many of your associates will be brand new to the internet and literally just starting out and will need some guidance. Make sure you give them good tips and help. They will also need some promotional material, try to have this professionally done. It will pay off. If possible have a monthly newsletter and always have great support. Try to have a generous commission and a bonus system for good sellers. You need to look after your affiliates well they are your sales men and vital to the success of your business.

5. Developing new products on a regular basis: It is very important to supply new products to your affiliates. This will enable them to keep selling and tapping into your market. It will also enable you to expand your markets and give your affiliates a wider range of people to sell to.

6. Combine your affiliate program with Joint Ventures-when you JV with others you will be attracting “super affiliates” who know how to sell and will sell a lot of your products.