That question actually really has two answers. To become an affiliate for a specific program, you'll simply need to complete an online application for the program that you want to join. Each time you apply and are accepted to an affiliate program, you've now become an affiliate of that business, and can send them traffic using your custom-made tracking code. The reality is that being an affiliate requires much more than just signing up to a program. Most affiliates are successful webmasters and are capable of building websites or using the Internet to market programs successfully. In this light, it can take a great deal of research and a lot of learning to understand the techniques and technologies required to become a successful affiliate. Affiliates are first-and-foremost expert marketers, and usually have creative ideas about how to promote on the web or build unique campaigns or sites to drive traffic.