You give away your power. With all the hype and "bling" that can be found online, it's so easy to get caught up in it, and see it as something that's going to make your business successful, and make you tons of money.

But then it doesn't do that. It seems that in the end all you've done is send all YOUR traffic to someone else through their affiliate program, and your business is still where it was, or worse, because you've neglected it in favor of promoting someone else. Or maybe what they've taught you doesn't work for your business, because you're not in the same position as they are with their business. They have a bigger list, more reach, more money to invest, or they're more well-known. You get the picture.

Too often people put others on a pedestal, thinking they can do no wrong, and that what they teach is the best thing since sliced bread. So often though, it ends up just being something that's bright, shiny and attractive… with no substance behind it, or benefit for the customer.

Now, we're not saying that affiliate programs are terrible, or that you shouldn't purchase online training from other people… it's just that you need to ensure that what you are buying into will work for you. Make sure it won't lead you down a path that takes you farther away from your own success. And understand… these people are not better than you, they have just reached a different level in their business and have some things that they can teach you.

So… when an attractive offer comes by, check it out before you buy. Understand exactly what they are going to teach you and determine if it's something that will benefit you. Are they doing what you want to do? Or have they gone a totally different path?

Signing up for other people's affiliate programs and promoting them is great, and can make you some money in the process. Just understand that you may be sending the traffic that you spent time and money in attracting to someone else. Only you can determine if that is something you and your business can handle. Just think about it before you jump in.

So yes, things can appear brilliant and amazingly beneficial to you at first glance (the "bling" factor), just make sure you use your magnifying glass to determine if there is substance behind that shiny facade.