Even more pervasive is multi-level marketing (MLM). This model provides “opportunities” for people to engage in businesses with simple MLM websites, MLM directories, MLM companies, online training courses, and investment clubs. Work at home scams are another type of online racket, and one of the most commonly advertised, both online and offline. You may be required to pay a registration fee upftong, and after collecting the fee, the company may simply close up shop.

The variety of online scams and frauds preying on those seeking to make an honest living online is nearly limitless, and trying to sort out the worthwhile opportunities that can actually work from the ripoffs and cons that fill your e-mail inbox can be a frustrating task.

Because of this, many people have developed the misconception that all Internet businesses are scams, and that the only people making money are the ones selling them. This is simply not true. While there are quite a few at home business scams, convincing yourself that they are are all scams is limiting both your thinking and your income potential.

Online business is a lot like any other industry: You have the good, the bad and the indifferent. There are some not-so-nice people on the internet doing some not-so-nice things, but there are also programs out there that teach lucrative (and honest) ways for beginners to start making a real income. You will just have to spend some time finding them, and then follow what they do.

When you find them, then just follow them and do what they tell you to do, and soon you will actually make your first dollar online. And you will later laugh at yourself and wonder why you ever though the Internet was only a place where scammers hang out.

If you want to be successful and make money online, you are going to have to be willing to grit your teeth through a lot of hard work and a ton of trail and error. There are going to be times when you feel like giving up, and there are going to be times when you feel like you are being weighed down by information overload, because there is a ton to learn. But if you stick with it, you will become very successful at making money online, probably to the point where you could make this your main source of income.

What you really need more than anything in the beginning is a clear set of directions to follow from someone who started from scratch just like you, and managed to find a legitimate way to full-time online income. Zero Friction Marketing can give you just the kind of perspective you need to take your mind off all the endless e-mail sales pitches and start working toward concrete, achievable goals.

Market research is the first step in the process.

First, you must research markets you are interested in. This is your most important starting point, and you can do this by finding out what your potential customers are looking for. This is the essence of “keyword research” – finding the actual words or phrases people type into search engines to find answers to their problems, and you can be sure that if you do not do your research, you will regret it later.

By finding and using keywords that consumers are actively entering into the search engines, you will be able to help your websites and landing pages rank higher, generating a nonstop flood of organic, targeted traffic.

Keyword research doesn’t have to be a difficult task, however. Start with the free Google Keyword Tool, which can be found by searching for “Google keyword tool external,” and enter in a keyword or phrase that identifies the product or niche that you are interested in promoting as an affiliate.

Click on “get keyword ideas” to generate a list of keywords and gauge the competitiveness of the the market by taking a look at the number of times people are searching for your main keywords per month.

What you want to do is find a market with existing demand that also has existing competition and products readily available, but not so competitive that ranking highly is next to impossible.

What’s important here is that you remember there must be an audience for whatever you choose to market. Since you are an affiliate, your costs for entering a market are not very high, but  it’s still a good idea to take the time to do niche research in order to avoid wasting your time.

For more information on market research and keyword research in affiliate marketing, particularly as it applies to CPA, check out the newly-released Zero Friction CPA Marketing course.