What strategy do you use? Plus I'd like to introduce myself to the WF!

Hello all!

Back in September of 2012, one night while getting a ride home from my sisters fiance, he was talking about quitting his job to start affiliate marketing. (Which I thought was CRAZY at the time because who makes money online, and he still hadn't started a site or anything). He told me he had purchased Google Sniper 2 and it had a lot of great tips.

So once I had gotten home, I did a little research and found out this method was now pretty much dead as sniper sites are no longer a great way to make money in the business. And then I noticed it, in my inbox was a message from him to access Google Sniper.

So I opened it and read a little bit for only 30 mins. I learned about SEO in what I read and left it at that. About a week later, I noticed one product I use on a regular basis has an affiliate program so I signed up. At this point, I was trying to start up a Zippo online store so I knew how to purchase Domain names and set up a basic site.

I set up a quick little website for the affiliation with little research done on it, only a quick keyword research. I now make a good side income, enough to pay a bill or two. And I also have a high conversion rate.

I don't think I can repeat this so easily without a strategy as I want to take on affiliate marketing more seriously.

I would like to know what you the WF can advise on strategies there are other than SEO. What kind of startegy worked best for you on your most successful niche?

Also, he was all talk and no action unfortunately... I took action with little research and now make money so on top of my question, I'd like to say to those who haven't taken any action. JUST DO IT! All research and no action is just lost time.