First, you have to understand that there is a difference between being an authority and being an expert. Most people try to create authority by pretending to be an expert. This is most obvious in the “make money online” niche. I see people every day spouting off about their expertise, yet they have never made a dime from their own websites.

So, what is an Authority Figure?

An authority figure is anyone who can give you guidance and direction within the topic of choice. They do not know everything about the topic, but they know enough to help you get started, and they know how to find the real experts.

Think of the authority figures in your offline world. A police officer is not an expert on every aspect or definition of the law. They know enough to know if you are breaking it. However, they may not know all the fine points and details. They leave that for the lawyers.

If you are building an authority website, think of yourself as a traffic director. You are there to provide valuable advice, and point people in the direction of the experts. You do not have to fix everyone’s problem. Your job is to build interest, give them a few tips to help them get started, and point your visitors to the experts who can solve their problem.

Affiliate Marketing on Your Authority Website

Now that you understand what makes an authority, how can you direct that traffic and be paid for it? The easiest way is through affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing is where you get a commission for referring sales to a product or service. The best way to do this is to build up a site with around  30 articles about your topic. Focus those articles on the most common problems within your niche, why people need to solve this problem, and what they need to learn how to do. Then, give show them an affiliate product, which will show them how to solve the problem you discussed in the article.

Over time, you should continue adding more articles to your website. Start a blog, or your own forum. By doing this, you will add the ability for your users to create content for you. An authority website usually will have around 100 articles, as well as some social aspects, where your readers can join in a discussion about the problems.

This will take a long time to build up. I recommend starting out with the 30 articles, and getting your website known within the niche. Then, you can test the profitability of the niche, without wasting months of work building up a site that never makes any money.

Using Social Media to Establish Authority

As you build up your authority website, you need to start driving traffic as early as possible.  After all, if you do not market your website effectively, you will fall on your face. One way to do this is by using social media. Social media is simply any website that allows readers to join in the discussion by posting comments, and building up a conversation.

Use social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. Meet people interested in your topic, and start up a conversation. You will be amazed by how hungry these people are for the information that you have to share. Remember, you do not have to know everything in order to be successful. Be honest about your knowledge.

Do not just spam these sites with promotions. Get to know the people there. Create relationships, help people, and then promote your website. This will give you readers who already know and trust you before they even see your website.

Building your own online business is a rewarding experience. If you are taking that first step to financial freedom, then you deserve congratulations. Focus on how you can build an authority website in your niche starting today. You will the success you want, which eludes most people who try to start their own online business.

Are you still confused about how to build an authority website?  James Pruitt is the owner of  IMRelations.com, where he teaches people the wonder of creating  customer satisfaction online. He owns several websites in various niches, is the author of several e-books. Learn more about James Pruitt, and how he can help you ease  into your marketing business today.

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Make no mistake, an at home affiliate Internet marketing business is not a get rich quick scheme. It takes work and discipline. It’s not easy but it’s rewarding and there’s no hoopla. Here are six reasons why affiliate internet marketing is the ideal choice for starting a home based business.

1. Your opportunities to make money are unlimited. As an affiliate marketer, there are thousands of products and services to choose from. According to U.S. Department of Commerce, consumers spent $26 billion dollars online last year.

2. Your start-up costs are minimal. You can start for less than $10. The one expense you should make is to purchase a domain name. You can buy a domain name for less than $10. With special promotions, you can buy a domain name for less than $5! You can create a website for free. Google offers free website creation; use the Internet and search for “Google sites”. It’s perfect for a first website. You can sell products or services for free. No purchase is necessary. You can advertise for free.

3. You have no inventory. There are no worries about deliveries; no customers to pacify; no product returns; no employees to pay! If you have ever owned a small retail business, you know the headaches of constantly juggling revenues to pay for inventory and to pay your employees while trying to make a profit. This is not the case with an at home affiliate marketing business!

4. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to begin. Anyone can start an affiliate internet marketing business. There are no formal prerequisites. Like any other business, there is a learning curve. But, free training and coaching are available on the Internet for any imaginable Internet marketing subject.

5. You work from the privacy of your home. There’s no punching a clock; no breaks that are limited to 15 minutes; no deadlines to meet. It’s perfect because it allows you to work at your own pace. But because you have the freedom to work at your own pace, you can develop bad work habits. Affiliate Internet marketing demands discipline, organization, and motivation.

6. You are your own boss! Imagine the freedom of being your own boss! Imagine not having a job, nine to five.  Many of us dream of not having to answer to a boss. With affiliate Internet marketing that dream can become a reality. Many have done it. You can too!

There may be other more compelling reasons for choosing affiliate Internet marketing as your home based business, but making money, low cost, no inventory, no prerequisites, privacy, and having your independence are hard to beat. Affiliate Internet marketing is profitable and rewarding but you must act. Without action there is no success. You must take that first step. Dare to create your own destiny. Start today.

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Can you think of a business that has access to over 3.5 Billion potential customers? You guessed right.  Internet marketing is the answer.  Never mind language barriers, many browsers now have translators that will translate text in their browsers.  That makes for one heck of a potential market.

Is it easy? Before I answer that, let me ask you a couple of questions.  Is working nine to five for a boss easy? Is sitting in some office pushing paper easy? Is lifting a pick and shovel easy? You get my drift.

Article marketing is effective because it does not cost you, the marketer, any money to advertise. Wouldn’t you like to advertise across the World Wide Web free? Sure, you would. Imagine reaching out to the billions of internet users with your free advertising.  Wouldn’t you like to own a business and have a potential customer base of over 3.5 billion customers? Of course, you would.  Who would not?

Article marketing/article writing has a learning curve but you can easily learn to turn your words into money.  It is not just about writing an article with good content. It is also about writing with persuasion.  Article marketing is a craft. You can learn it. It’s not hard. It just takes knowledge and practice. As some say, “It’s not rocket science.”

It is effective because it stays on the Internet indefinitely.  Years later, your article will be there. It will continue to generate income.  Even your heirs can benefit from your work.  Assuming of course, you hire a good lawyer to draw up a good will.

It is effective because the search engines in their infinite wisdom catalog your article and rank your article. With proper training and experience, you can have your article appear on the first page of a search engine’s catalog.  With that kind of exposure, called “organic” advertising, you are sure to have a large amount of traffic going to your own site or your product site and you will make more money. And, it’s FREE!

Affiliate marketing/article writing offers you an opportunity like no other.  You can own your own business without the hassle of inventory, employees or customers and make money.  You can get started with a very small investment; under a hundred dollars maybe even less.

It will cost you, mostly your time and energy. Best of all, the potential for financial independence and freedom is near unlimited. You owe it to yourself to try it.

Do you want to start a home based business and make money as an article marketer/writer? Learn how to write, submit, and market your articles.

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