If you're ready to draw the line, and start earning real money as an affiliate marketer, then you can't afford not to have a "whatever-it-takes" mentality. Study the following, then take action. Your success is in your hands!

1. Don't let the merchant steal your customer for life! If you really want to quit your day job, then you need your own opt-in list. You'll be able to promote to this list week in and week out, for years on end.

You can get a free autoresponder account at SendFree, GetResponse, or through a number of other autoresponder providers online. How many people have you sent to your affiliate links by now? Imagine how many opt-in subscribers you'll have if 20% of these people join your list in the future!

Additionally, think about creating an autoresponder series with a minimum of ten installments. The more, the better. These installments could be part of a marketing e-course that neatly ties in several high-paying affiliate programs. Think outside of the box!

2. Diversify your efforts; don't rely solely on affiliate marketing. Consider selling quality resale rights products and promoting your affiliate links on the order thank you page once your customer has made a purchase.

Create free reports that pre-sell the products you intend to earn commission from. Make these products irresistable by making them "feel the hurt" of what it will be like if they don't take action and buy.

3. Be creative - brand yourself and separate yourself from the crowd. Stone Evans calls himself "The Home Biz Guy". Make a name for yourself by building relationships with your opt-in subscribers, and by making a concerted effort to help them succeed.

Also, give visitors to your website or blog plenty of quality content that keeps them coming back for more. The more you give, the more you'll receive in return. Give your visitors and subscribers something that no one else can, or will.

4. Create an empire by doing something no one has ever done before. The greatest successes are often the greatest innovators. How can you offer something of value in a way that sets you apart from everyone else in the world of affiliate marketing? Study the "experts", and then blow right by them.

Just like in the sports world, you'll rarely get far by "playing not to lose". Play to win, and stake a claim to runaway success as a top affiliate marketer!