Product recommendation is a very effective method for introducing buyers to a product that you're affiliated with. However, there are a number of things to be aware of before you start to use this method. Let's look at what you should and shouldn't do if you want to radically increase your profits.

1. Where affiliates get it wrong. Most affiliates feel that they have to recommend every new product as being the greatest thing invented - since the previous recommendation that is - but this tactic may be doing more to damage your reputation than it is to bring in extra money.

Your list will quickly start to lose confidence in your understanding of their niche, if the product proves to be overhyped. They'll start to form a 'boy who cried wolf' mentality, meaning they're less likely to buy any worthwhile product that you do recommend - assuming you still have a list left by that stage.

2. The other way to recommend it to your list. If you find a product that fits your niche buy it and test it first. Your list will have built up trust in you and your judgement over time - never abuse this trust just to make a quick buck!

Online shoppers are more likely to buy a product based on the advice of someone they trust. Give products an honest review, which includes highlighting any faults they may have, and your list are more likely to keep buying from you in the future, this is because you'll be seen to be putting their needs before your profits.

Also, having actually used the product, you'll be in a position to know if there's anything it lacks that you could provide a solution for - this helps to increase the potential takings by opening the way to a second or third complimentary product, thereby radically increase your profits.

If done correctly you can make a lot of money affiliate marketing to your list, but if you get it wrong you can easily lose their trust. Only recommend a few products that you've bought and tested yourself, give honest reviews of them and be able to capitalise on any short falls they may have.

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular was of making money when first starting out online. It has the benefits of not requiring you to have a product of your own, a website or a way of processing payments. However there are some traps that you can fall into quite easily, so let's look at three of the most common and how we can avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not choosing the right affiliate product. Every affiliate program will have a product that's 'hot', but that product might not always be best the product for you.

To start with you'll need to know all about your product, so pick something you won't mind spending time researching. You really should buy it so you can go through the buying process to make sure it runs smoothly, then of course you can review it once you have it yourself.

Mistake 2: Spreading yourself too thin. With so many free affiliate programs available it can be tempting to join too many. To maximize your efforts you should just join one or two programs that pay high commissions.

While it's a good idea to have several streams of income, taking on too many affiliate products at one time can become overwhelming. Spending more time on fewer products will help you become an authority on that product - which will lead to more sales from people who'll trust your recommendation.

When you have a successful campaign up and running you can start to look for your next product. You may want to start by selling products that compliment your previous one and sell it to the same group of people, if you've captured their email addresses.

Mistake 3: Not buying or using the products or services. This was touched on briefly before, but seeing it's such an important thing its worth expanding on.

You need to be convincing when you're promoting products and services, if you've never used them you won't be able to give an authoritative recommendation. If potential buyers pick up on the fact that you haven't even used it they'll wonder why, and wonder if it's worth them paying out their hard earned cash for.

So, choose a product that interests you; remain focused by not try to do too much at one time and make sure you've actually tried the product or service you're promoting. If you take care to avoid these mistakes you'll already be ahead of the majority of affiliate marketers.