How do you know who to trust these days? Should you regard everyone as being out to get you, or should you let your guard down and open up the door knowing that you face the risk of being ripped off by some smooth-talking-self-professed business guru?

The online business world is full of cut-throat methods and tactics designed to make people jump on each and every opportunity that claims to make them rich overnight, and the sad but true reality is; people fall for these claims thousands of times every day.

If you are smart and try to think with your head and not your empty wallet, it's very easy to distinguish these scams and too-good-to-be-true claims from the legitimate work-at-home businesses.

The thing is, there really are some legitimate affiliate marketing businesses out there and one good way to tell that they are legit, is the fact that they don't ask for any money up front. They don't beg you to pay them $297 dollars just so you can access their website or so they can send you some crappy E-book that has nothing to do with affiliate marketing.

The point I'm trying to get to is these bad programs and scam artists have ruined the reputation of the good programs such as the popular Acme-People-Search that is presently taking the affiliate marketing world by storm, and THAT is what torques my trigger. You see, when people even hear the words "Affiliate Program" most of them automatically think SCAM, am I right? Seriously, isn't that the first thing that comes to mind?

I have to admit that I used to smirk when I heard those words too, but that's only because I've been scammed before and it's not something that you forget easily. You can always go back to the old adage "fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice..." well you know the rest.

I've been taken too and felt like an absolute idiot for believing the ridiculous get rich claims not to mention losing decent amounts of money....GRRRR....it really burns my chops!

Ok so now that I've ranted away, I feel a little better, but I just wish there were a way to help people to understand how to spot a really good affiliate program and a really bad one so they don't get taken to the cleaners. Like I said before, the best way to tell a scam is a program that asks for money up front while offering you literally nothing in return but a zillion dollars overnight...now come on....really?

I do understand that the tactics these thieves use are intriguing and catch the eye of those who are looking for an opportunity, they make their claims hard to resist. Another thing to look out for are flashy, blinking, brightly colored sites that look like they were built by a 2 year old. Tackiness does not denote a legitimate affiliate program. Promotional sites that are simple, easy to read and well written, full of information on all aspects of the program, and that DON'T ASK FOR MONEY UPFRONT are the best.


So, if you are looking for a real, legitimate affiliate program just remember the tips above, use your best judgment...if it looks like a duck.......it's most likely...a duck!!!

Best of luck in your online business ventures. Choose wisely, don't expect to become rich overnight and be prepared to work hard to make your affiliate program work!!!