Most authoritative experts on Internet marketing or money making opportunities recommend affiliate programs as the starting point for Internet entrepreneurs. Although affiliate marketing is a powerful technique to increase revenue, it is *NOT* an easy way.

After trying out affiliate programs, most budding entrepreneurs end up frustrated, disillusioned and even confused. Despite the hard work, time and money invested, results are below average at best.

This post would not discuss the benefits or the details of embarking on an affiliate marketing. Instead it would discuss the potential show stoppers that new, startup entrepreneurs would face.

In short the perils of affiliate marketing:

a) Affiliate marketing, just like any other online marketing technique relies on traffic. Most affiliate marketing programs gloss over this important and crucial aspect. Instead, they mislead the new entrepreneur by driving the focus on good affiliate selection and good product selection without explaining the importance of traffic. Put it this way, you may be able to sell the best converting product or offer, but without a sound traffic management program, your sales would most likely to be zero.

b) The techniques outlined by most affiliate marketing techniques are outdated and not effective. They are outdated as these techniques are already well known on the Internet. You would be practically doing the same thing as what 1 million other affiliates are doing. Worse, most affiliate programs promise a step by step system. Such a system might have been effective a few months ago, but in Internet time, they are already outdated.

c) Most people purchase an E Book or a subscription to an affiliate marketing system due to impulse purchase. Most customers have been converted by the blood boiling and full of hype sales page (eg. "Become an Instant Millionaire Through affiliate Programs"). Such purchases are poor as they prey on the emotions of the entrepreneur. Affiliate marketing is not for everyone, by forcing affiliate programs down the throat, most budding entrepreneurs would be instantly closed to other opportunities such as Search Engine Marketing and Viral Marketing.

Entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to expand their minds and consider other forms of Internet Marketing before committing their resources to affiliate Programs. Even experienced entrepreneurs in affiliate Marketing should take some time off to explore other forms of Internet Marketing to optimize their monthly earnings.

Here are some helpful (some of them are free) resources to explore the vast world of Internet Marketing, without having a narrow focus on affiliate marketing only:

a) Google:
http://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=free+affiliate+marketing&btnG=Search&meta=

b) Money Making Techniques on the Internet (Blog):
http://mymoneymakingtips.blogspot.com