This is a guest post by Miles Baker

Like the Ghost of Christmas Past, I’m going to detail some of my experiences and predictions in affiliate marketing that may sound somewhat like yours. Similar to how Ebenezer Scrooge saw changes he needed to make in his life, you may see some of the necessities of changing the way you’re marketing online. Whether you’re an inexperienced marketer or big-time Super Affiliate, I know you’ll relate to what I’m about to share with you. My hope is you will discover something about your affiliate marketing business and perhaps yourself…

Past:

I started marketing online back in the late 90’s, so I’ve been around a while and have seen a lot of changes take place over the years. Back in my newbie days of marketing I would get suckered into the latest Internet marketing fad over and over again. It seemed there was always some kind of ‘secret’ that if I found out just a simple ‘trick’ or ‘secret shortcut’ I could make thousands of dollars.

In the past I had no clue what I was doing really. I had some basic marketing knowledge, good computer skills, and a lot of determination, but I was young, had little money, and was full of more wishful thinking than common sense sometimes. Without determination I NEVER would have been successful online, and neither will you. In fact, if there is one simple ‘trick’ or ‘secret shortcut’ it’s determination, the unwillingness to quit which goes hand in hand with plain hard work.

In the past I spent an INCREDIBLE amount of time learning. Reading, studying, and experimenting; something we should all do more of. As I look back I see this was something that made me who I am today, but it is also something that I’ve neglected lately.

In the past I was hungry! I would stay up until all hours of the night reading marketing tips and editing my websites. My determination was much greater in the past than it is presently. In fact, perhaps lately I’ve gotten a little lazy with my success. Has that happened to you?

In the past some things were easier (SEO for instance). Some things were harder due to the lack of resources that weren’t available. But if the past has taught me anything, it’s that things will always change and persistence will prevail no matter what may be hard or easy at the time.

Present:

Presently life is good. My affiliate marketing is successful, and it seems there are a gazillion more legitimate resources for affiliate marketers. There’s much more sound advice online, and the amount of misinformation does seem to be dwindling. This is especially true in the presence of the growing social atmosphere of the web, where what you say is becoming ever more analyzed and scrutinized.

Now it seems marketers (most anyway) are really catching on! Not only is information about affiliate marketing becoming more prevalent, but it’s becoming better! It seems every year I’m increasingly surprised by what people have discovered and shared.

As it did in the past, the present is always changing. The way I see it, there wasn’t any more opportunity in the past than there is now, and there will be no less opportunity in the future. People will always be making millions and discovering new ways to do things online. However, the playing field is always changing and we must continually adapt with it.

Recently I’ve noticed the barrier to entry in many markets is growing. For example, it’s not as easy as it once was to set up a website and get traffic from SEO. However, I’ve noticed that with the increase of resources and tools available it’s still very possible to get over that barrier for those who are committed.

Today, there are a lot of new developments and opportunities still waiting to be exploited that haven’t quite found their footing yet. Facebook comes to mind. Can you think of any in your business? Opportunities are here now for those who are looking for them.

Presently it seems we are at the brink of a new age online. There are so many things on the forefront that will change the way we market that those who are presently staying ahead of the curve are the only ones who will ensure their survival as affiliate marketers.

Future:

The future is amazing. It’s profitable, fun, and not to mention the possibility of fulfillment for whatever you want. There are so many new services coming out that I can see eventually the ways in which we are connected will be instantaneous, unlimited, and even larger.

I will lay out a few of my future predictions and ideas about where affiliate marketing is going. If you stay ahead of the curve, keep focused and motivated, and don’t repeat the mistakes of your past, success in affiliate marketing is yours for the taking…

Social networking is going to turn affiliate marketing into referral marketing and it already has. If you want to stay ahead of the game, I recommend building up an audience, allowing your audience to interact, and give them what they want. Think forums, review sites, social user reviews, and other forms of social recommendations. Either you or your website needs to become a trusted authority, expert resource, and dare I say ‘guru’ for your niche.

Thin affiliate sites, affiliate based review sites, and anything with little value is on its way out and always has been. The web is a large place that is very well connected and it won’t be long before the majority sees what the minority (us affiliate marketers) can see, such as review websites only reviewing products to sell to unsuspecting visitors with no actual ‘reviewing’ taking place.

Rip-offs such as fake MP3 and movie download sites, and all other forms of scams are already losing ground. Remember, as we become more connected we all become more informed.

Although neither you nor I can really predict the future with 100% accuracy your best bet to secure your affiliate business is to continually stay on the cutting edge of the present. I know after writing this I will be reading and learning more, as well as setting my 2008 goals for increased motivation. Do the same and secure your affiliate marketing business now before you become a ghost of affiliate marketing past.

Miles Baker is a 10 year Internet marketing veteran. For more information on him visit his website MarketingWithMiles.com