If the idea of pursuing a living on the net has repeatedly crossed your mind but you still haven't found a way to implement it, then affiliate programs are going to break the ice for you.

Affiliate programs are a lot like learning how to swim in a pool before you go to the open sea. Anyone can try them at least once without having to worry about the consequences.

The good ones are usually safe and do not require a great commitment of time and money from your part. Of course, at this point, some people would argue that this is the exact reason why most people fail. But that's another issue.

Besides, in many cases, signing up for the right program can be as rewarding as launching your very own enterprise. But above all, it's a good start.

You see, good affiliate programs are ready to share a wealth of information with you in order to make you successful. They provide resources packed with vital information, give you access to proven online strategies and techniques and teach you how to begin correctly exploiting them. They also save you from making too many mistakes.

Some companies have ongoing seminars that last for months or even longer. The lessons cover all aspects of internet marketing and in your early days as an internet marketer they prove to be part of an invaluable training.

But, in case you're still wondering what is so great about being an affiliate when there are thousands of them out there, here's another way to look at things :

1.Each affiliate is unique.

When you sign an agreement with a company to become their affiliate and promote their products you are requested to follow basic guidelines. These primarily deal with things such as privacy, business ethics and general company policy.

Apart from these issues, a company can supply you with resources and business strategies, as mentioned before, but they cannot determine the actions you are going to take in order to promote your business. In a word, you are free to choose any way you like (as long as you're not breaking any law) to build and promote your business.

If, for instance, you want to use a weblog to talk about your product when no one else in your field is doing it, then you are free to do so. You can use any number of options and techniques to make yourself stand out and draw people to your offer. Again, you and only you get to decide which ones.

2. There is no real conflict of interests.

Now, imagine that you decide to create your business in the real world. Let's say that you're opening up a store selling mobile phones and other hi-tech stuff made by a well known company.

Yours, of course, is not the only place in town where you can get these items. You are not an exclusive dealer. Just like an affiliate.

But unlike an affiliate, you have to do everything in your power to make people come to your store and buy from you instead of going to another store that sells exactly the same products.

Why? Because, if you don't make the sale then there's absolutely nothing in it for you. Not to mention the cost of running a business which in the offline world can be a nightmare.

I am not saying here, that if you are an affiliate for a company you'll be making money without making any sales. I am just pointing out that there are great affiliate programs that will reward you with a small amount of extra cash generated by other affiliates.

So, there's really no reason to get upset when other people make sales. This is good for you too. Think about it for a moment, you could actually be helping others making sales and still help yourself growing revenue at the same time.

3. The more affiliates the better for you.

How do you think your competitors would react to your opening up a new store and tightening the competition? Well, they're not going to be thrilled, that's for sure! They have a lot to loose and nothing to gain.

But what about you, the affiliate?

Let's face it. The internet is a huge place. Credibility and trust are hard to come by and a lot harder to build.

New affiliates being added to a program everyday helps build a reputation. It means that the program works and the company's plans are sound.

You could have an unlimited number of affiliates under you or above you and you would all be working to spread the word. Wouldn't you yourself feel more comfortable signing up for a program that you've stumbled upon more than a few times already?

A constantly growing number of affiliate sites stands as proof to potential earnings. They are the best kind of publicity for the company behind them. They benefit and so do you.

So, it all comes down to this : don't discard affiliate programs so easily when trying to build an online future. They can be an excellent way of earning and learning at the same time.