Just as in any other business, if you plan on starting an affiliate marketing business, you'll need to have a business plan.
I cannot stress the importance of this enough and have actually learned quite a bit about this recently from super affiliate, Michael Campbell.
He always stresses treating your business as you would an offline entity and brings other things to light that, honestly, I hadn't even considered.
You should have a legitimate idea of where your business is going and how it's going to get there, from the day you actually begin working.
You must have a regular schedule that you work each day with tasks lined out, just as you would at a regular job.
You must set realistic goals and do your best to achieve them.
You must reinvest a portion of your profits back into your business on a regular basis in order for it to grow and prosper.
The best thing you can do after getting your work schedule lined out, is get together with an accountant that specializes in internet marketing business.
There is a difference in accountants that are familiar with online needs and expenses, and having someone that's already well versed in these areas will save you a lot of time.
You'll know a lot more about where your business is headed after the first six months.
Just stick with your affiliate marketing business plan, burn the midnite oil in order to get the money rolling in, listen to your accountant, wash, rinse and repeat.