Affiliate Marketing and MLM - Vive Le DifferenceWritten by Stephen Brennan
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The major difference, and in my opinion, whole difference, is that Affiliates don't BUY products from their 'sponsor', who buy from their ‘sponsor’, and so on up line (as is case in a true MLM type business). Affiliates, regardless of where they are in Downline, simply refer customers directly to merchant, who is only one who does any selling at all. All are paid same commissions by merchant. There is no discrimination between an Affiliate who has no downline and one who has hundreds (like bigger discount that MLMer’s get for buying more product), nor is there usually any difference in commission between an Affiliate who refers more customers. Affiliates also do not touch product, it is delivered directly by merchant, whether it be downloaded or physically shipped. In nutshell, an Affiliate is in fact, an Agent (not unlike, say...an Insurance or Real Estate Agent), who is paid a fee for introducing a buyer to a seller. A 'spotter' for merchant, if you like. Affiliates are an advertising tool used by merchants because of great amount of website visitors that their products can be exposed to. So, I cannot see how two can be compared. There are fundamental differences in business model and activities of those working program. There is also absolutely no similarity in way in which products are sold and distributed. Basically, products are NOT sold or distributed by Affiliates, at all. The merchant does all this after customer has been referred. Again, not so in a true MLM model, where products are physically sold (even at ‘parties’) and usually delivered by MLMer. No cash, checks or credit cards are seen or handled by Affiliates, who have no need of these often-cumbersome aspects of any business. MLMers collect payment and generally use that to pay for goods that they have purchased from their ‘sponsor’ and resold. The number of hands that MLM products pass through before they get to a user can be astounding. Not so in Affiliate Marketing. The goods are sold once, from merchant to buyer. Finito. NO, to be honest, I simply cannot see how there can be any confusion. Regardless of what real reason is for these comparisons, one thing is certain; Affiliates do not like being told they are involved in MLM. Perhaps MLMer's feel same way about Affiliate Programs. I don't know, but I'm sure both are all very nice people :-)
Stephen Brennan runs the ‘Home Based Business and Affiliate Center’- http://www.online-plus.biz, is publisher of 'HomeBasedBiz' newsletter and is the author of ‘The Affiliate Guide Book’ - The definitive guide to becoming a successful Internet Affiliate (at little or no cost) - available at http://www.ebooks.online-plus.biz
| | Affiliate Programs - Rags to RichesWritten by Ratliff J
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I will list a few of my favorite affiliate programs near end of this article, but if you want to know exactly how affiliate programs work and need a basic manual complete with sample listings for advertising, visit Internet Cash System. My favorite affiliate programs: 1. Progressive Health. 2. Zenmed Affiliate Program. 3. Quality Generics. For a listing of many more, visit my Affiliate Directory.
J. Ratliff is an avid affiliate and internet business guru. His affiliate directory is located at www.affiliate-directory.us.
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