One of the most frequent questions asked by tenants and residents groups is "how can we raise money for..." The need for money is always there! So create a system which can be always there to raise money! Yes! You've guessed it! Raising money online! There are many ways of doing this - but this article deals with Affiliate Programs. What is an affiliate program? An affiliate program is when you sell goods for someone else in return for commission. The best known of these is probably amazon.com What can we sell? Almost anything! You don't need to restrict yourself to books! You can sell clothes, software, anything! Isn't this complicated to set up? Will it cost us anything? no - its as easy as cutting and pasting - and its free. You don't need to have a secure server, a merchant account, and there is deinitely no outlay! There are lots of affiliate programs - so which should we join? There is no reason why you shouldn't try a couple of programs - until you find one that works for you. Recommended UK/European Affiliate Program Amazon UK - best known online bookstore! Also sells videos and software! TradeDoubler - covers many european countries Buy.at - get your own shop to raise funds for your association Recommended World Wide Affiliate Program Commission Junction - such a wide range of products that you'll be able to find relevant products whatever your site is about. Turn your traffic into profit How to make your affiliate program work for you? You obviously need a web site and traffic - although it doesn't matter if you've not got much traffic at the moment - For more information on traffic building read Traffic Articles at htmlcook.com You need to target the products you're advertising - make the products match the existing content. This is one of the most important steps! If you don't match the products properly they they stand out as adverts! Admittedly many people will know an advert when they see one - but if it is relevant to the site, and of use - then they may click on the link to find out more! Make the products relevant to the site content Don't go overboard with the number of products Try different size links - don't stick with one size - text links work well Read up on improving traffic Try different products until you find one which people want Give something away free - Books for Fundraising - a great selection of books packed with excellent advice for funders and fundraising For UK Visitors - UK Funding Books at Amazon.co.uk