Are you among the cool group in your city (usually in cities)? Are there others like you or who want to be like you? Are you an acknowledged style setter? If so, you’re in the position to not only craft a website to communicate with like people, but you stand to effectively monetize your position, without the cloud of crass commercialism that would turn off the members of your group.

Think about it – What did the athletic shoe makers do to make inroads with the inner city kids who shoot hoops, dance and skateboard? They knew they had to immerse themselves into the culture. If you are a style setter, in clothing, footwear, music, etc. you can pull together a site that reaches your group.

Your site will be as different as night and day from, say a site for a business consultant. But you’ll both have news, blogs, photos, info, articles. And you both can sell product. You’re in the position of becoming an affiliate and offering prime placement to the merchants who produce specific products you and your group considers cool. You know the products. Go on the web and find the contacts and list any vendor you like. Contact them to discuss an affiliate arrangement. It’s likely they will have the software in place for the processing aspects of affiliate arrangements, but even if they don’t, you are worth the investment on their part.

You are in the position of negotiating better commissions than a less-focused affiliate. You can ask for a special version of a product, in a limited edition. You can even earn money advising them on mini web sites that your group may access on their cell phones. You know the lifestyle, and even if they can research it, they’ll always be behind if you aren’t there to clue them in on what’s coming up tomorrow. With your focused advice and their responsiveness, you both win.

Karen Kari's articles and more information on the affiliate business can be found at:

http://www.affiliatebandit.com
http://www.advertisingcellar.com
http://www.billionfreeads.com