Affiliate marketing is a method of promoting web businesses (merchants/advertisers) in which an affiliate (publisher) is rewarded for every visitor, subscriber, customer, and/or sale provided through his/her efforts. Affiliate marketing is also the name of the industry where a number of different types of companies and individuals are performing this form of internet marketing, including affiliate networks, affiliate management companies and in-house affiliate managers, specialized 3rd party vendors and various types of affiliates/publishers who utilize a number of different methods to advertise the products and services of their merchant/advertiser partners. Affiliate marketing is about long-term and mutual beneficial partnerships between advertisers and affiliates. Affiliate marketing is driven by entrepreneurs who are working at the forefront of internet marketing. Affiliate marketing is bigger than ever, because the rewards can be greater for those who are willing to put the effort into promoting affiliate products to their communities.
Affiliate
Affiliate marketing has grown quickly since its inception. Affiliate sites are often categorized by merchants (advertisers) and affiliate networks. Affiliate programs directories are one way to find affiliate programs, another way is large affiliate networks that provide the platform for dozens or even hundreds of advertisers. Affiliate marketing will only get bigger with time, and unlike the fragile web economy of 10 years ago, the economy on the internet today is worth several trillion dollars. Affiliate marketing is one of the most lucrative businesses in the world, so perhaps it’s time you got started.
Programs
Affiliate programs are almost always free, so all a marketer has to do is pay for internet access and for web space. Some affiliate programs have no approval process, while some very definitely do require a review of your websites and personal information. 80% of affiliate programs today use revenue share (Cost per sale) as compensation method. Some advertisers offer multi-tier programs that distribute commission into a hierarchical referral network of sign-ups and sub-partners. Two-tier programs exist in the minority of affiliate programs; most are simply one-tier. Some merchants run their own affiliate programs (In House) while others use third party services provided by intermediaries to track traffic or sales that are referred from affiliates.
Products
The most successful affiliate marketers build communities and promote products to their communities. Another basic model works something like this: A small website owner registers with an affiliate program, they then puts various links, banners, and products onto their web site so their visitors have the opportunity to purchase products that are related to what they are viewing. You still have to find a source of great products to sell, but the opportunity is there. There are thousands of affiliate programs and products to choose from, which gives you an endless amount of options.
Affiliate marketing is still new enough that it’s anyone’s game. Affiliate Marketing is a brilliant way to begin earning on the Internet, for those of us who haven’t as yet got our own products. Affiliate marketing is a really fun and exciting home business that you can run from your personal computer, or notebook. Affiliate marketing is the number one way to make money through the power of the internet. Affiliate marketing is the quick, convenient wealth generator of choice today. Affiliate marketing is the “job” of the future that’s already here TODAY.
