Affiliate Marketing Secrets

We have a small online business, it’s very much a niche business related to domain names – not selling them by the way. Anyway, business was great when it started initially as we were the only non-domain register affiliated service out there (and still are) but very quiet now – we did very little advertising initially and really pretty much none after that.
We run it basically as a hobby but it does have potential. So, we’re thinking – we charge x for our service, we setup some type of coupon code system with a unique code for each affiliate, the customer gets lets say 10% off when they arrive at the site and enter the code to purchase our service, we can then track which affiliate gets how much. We’re thinking generous commissions of say 50% on the net take. Would something like that work? Never tried anything like it so just wondering? By the way we have a service which folks absolutely have to use – if not from us from someone else but we are quite literally the cheapest such service on the net, problem is we don’t advertise and we don’t advertise because we don’t get the business….a loop, lol. Thanks.

I have an idea for a women’s bra line and I’d like to start delving into making this a reality instead of just a general notion. I know the niche I’d like to fill, and I would like to just do this as a small business from home, selling the pieces via the internet. The thing is, I’m only 19 and have no background in design or any idea where to start in producing quality bras, nor which manufacturing companies to look into. I’d like to find a way to manufacture a few designs inexpensively, rather than hand-sewing or anything like that.
Basically, does anyone know of any sites that might be helpful research areas for my business idea? I’m doing research on my own, but it’s always good to check with others who might know better where I should be looking. Thanks!

Hello,
I am a 16 year old male looking into starting my own business, preferably clothing ranges. I have already got research done for products i.e. T-shirts and designs and have seen several suitable companies which will print my products, however i am slightly stumped when it comes down to the legal sides of things. I am still in school (Will be leaving in 12 days) and currently studying business and hopefully in college too.
The main question i would like to ask is how old do i have to be to set up a business in the clothing market? How would i set up my bank accounts, as i do not know if i am old enough? I know about book keeping, account keeping etc as i learnt it in my spare time, i just have no idea on some legal requirements.
If anyone can answer them questions and perhaps add more legal requirements if you know of any (Uk citizen) i would appretiate it alot! Thankyou for your time!

I am experiencing some trouble at work . . . Specifically, I’ve completed my third year at the company, but my managers are still having a hard time trying to figure out where I fit into the company, what to do with me. I had a hunch about this problem before they became aware of this problem – primarily because I saw that there really isn’t a specific opening in the business unit for me to occupy. I brought up the problem to my project manager, and he basically told me that it’s up to me figure things out. It’s not exactly the most supportive atittude, but I’ve moved on from this setback, and I’ve decided to focus on the solutions. I’ve came up with several, and I was wondering if I can get some feedback as to which one would be the best for me (financially and professional-development-wise).
1. Look for other opportunities within the company, and help my current business unit part-time. This way, I don’t burn bridges with my exisitng managers; I can still have a niche.
2. Apply for opportunities outside the company.
I am aware that 1 and 2 need to happen concurrently.
3. Apply to medical school, and become a physician. I feel that there will be a shortage of physicians in the workforce later on. Physicians are paid well; have a prestigious profession; never laid off; and the financial rewards at the end of residency + fellowship are something that I’d never be able to attain if I keep doing what I do now.
What are your thoughts? Or maybe I should just look for a new job (both inside and outside the company), while taking the coursework at night to gain admission to medical school. In other words, I should be doing all these 3 things.
I may have answered my own question there, but I am still feeling very undecided about which field to pursue while searching/working at my full-time job. I have narrowed it down to: medicine, accounting, computer science.
While I feel that medicine is the most financially lucrative field of all 3, it is also the one that is least related to my job and the most expensive route. I know that there are people who start medical school well beyond their early twenties (That’d be the case for me – probably will not make it to medical school until late 30s if I start now.) And I am wondering how I’d feel about that – surrounded by twenty-somethings who are much more adept at school and taking tests. I also have to hold down my full-time job as an analyst while trying to gain admission, and that makes for limited time in all the clinical experience that I must obtain for medical school admission. It is certainly do-able, but given how medical-school admission is more and more competitive every year, I don’t know if I want to spend a lot of time trying to gain admission into something that may not happen. What if I never get in? Wouldn’t all of that time spent on MCAT, admission, interviews simply go to waste?
Computer science and accounting are more related to what I do as an analyst; however, I feel that the downfall of jobs in these fields are just like that of my current job. When there isn’t work, you’re always afraid that your job is on the chopping block. Also, the financial rewards are simply not as lucrative as that of a physician. It’d cost considerably less to do degrees in computer science and accounting than a medical degree. Of course, the latter is also more prestigious.
Any thoughts?

A group of parents from my son’s school is trying to initiate a campaign to raise fund for people in need in Japan after the devastating Earthquake and the Tsunami on March 11. We decided to collect money and send it to a small fishing town that we have a personal connection with. We are not affiliated with the school, in fact, the school PTA could not help us collect the money since the money collected by PTA has to be used for the school. We don’t have any entity or non-profit status. We are just moms. We are not planning to donate the money to an organization at this time.
Can anyone help us the best way to collect money from individual and local businesses? Would they write a check to an individual?

I have 7 years of mortgage finance experience, I am an amateur photographer, I am a Registered Sleep Tech, I have a few secret recipe’s that I’m told should be making money, and I have no college. I have 2 boys, my younger son will be out of the house in just over a year. I am married. I have make very nice money as a loan officer in mortgages. The market for mortgages is not good. Photography is very competitive and costs alot of money for equipment. I am unable to work nights as a sleep tech. Getting into a restaurant business costs alot of money, and it may not work once I’ve spent the money. I’ve already spent quite a bit on photography equipment including photoshop, and have taught myself everything I know. I am currently unemployed so not too willing to let money go easily. I really want to be my own boss, just not sure what to do to make money. I find it difficult to stick to something also, because I’m afraid of spending all my time on something and it (or me) not succeeding. What in the world should I do, am driving my self crazy!!!