First of all, if you've ever used Craigslist to explore any number of their ads, they imply "affiliate marketing" is a scam!
I got news for you; affiliate marketing is 100% free and can be very profitable. (Unlike Network Marketing...I'll be exposing the major differences in my next blog)
In fact, affiliate marketing is an age old marketing platform, whereby, merchandisers and manufactures allow you to advertise their products using free banner ads, text links, and creatives to make more sales. Almost every company in the world offers an "Affiliate Program" or "Partnership", whereby you can post ads (much like Google Adsense) on your blog or website, and if someone "clicks" your free ad, they'll pay you a commission or by PPC (Pay Per Click) and credit you for the sale.
If you really want to understand "affiliate marketing" I sincerely suggest looking into LinkShare.com
, they offer 1000's of merchants offering commissions. Furthermore, LinkShare is a Rakuten Company who recently purchased Buy.com for $250 Million. They are NOT some fly-by-night operation. Nor do they allow shady merchants into their network of companies housed in their free program.LinkShare is a legit opportunity that offers you access to name brand products like; Microsoft Store, iTunes, Ed Hardy, Affliction, even giants like WalMart and JC Penny, just to name a few.
Honestly, Affiliate Marketing is NOT a scam at all.
"Network Marketing" on the other hand is flooded with cheap pyramid type schemers selling you programs that can easily cost a $1000 (or more) to join, that teach you to encourage others to do the same. Hence, it's a recruiting station of sort.
In short, most (not all) Network Marketing operates on a system that costs you a "chunk" of money upfront, then in order to profit, you have to in turn "recruit" others to buy-in. While not all of them are bad....most are nothing short of a quick con job, whereby few ever recover their initial investment!
Affiliate Marketing is a completely different marketing strategy supported by nearly every major corporation across the globe.
Simply put, by joining a solid affiliate program you can copy and paste a HTML code into your blog or website, and easily generate profits by selling name brand products without ever spending a penny on merchandise, inventory, warehousing, shipping, or any expense whatsoever!
You get paid for referring buyers to the products they are already seeking, or willing to purchase. The way to master this technique is to build websites or blogs that support the interests of your followers, and then have a few ads that center around similar interests. Thus, stick with what you know. Use ads from entrusted companies, and products you yourself use, purchase, or recommend.
My interests focus on building successful business relationships, and a profitable business online. Therefore, throughout this blog, I'll be offering links, and ads that an enable you or another the tools to achieve success.
Honestly, I care if you buy anything or not. The goal is to present the ads in an environment, whereas, the product matches the damand. Therefore, if your a musician, and know music; create a blog about music, and use a free program like LInkShare to find ads concentrating on music related products.
For obvious reasons you don't want to post "Barbie Doll Ads" on a Heavy Metal website. You get my point. It's really a simple concept. Also, unlike with certain Google ads, be it they are often randomly chosen, they can clutte a site, and in essence defeat their own purpose.
So, don't assume that all marketing is bad. If your interested, I suggest you join a credible platform, like LinkShare who maintains a tight grip on the retail market, and houses 1000's of merchants to fit any niche you can imagine. (Music was just one of a million examples)
Affiliate Marketing is a good way to get your feet wet if your seeking to establish an online business, without any expensive start-up fees. There is no membership fee, it's 100% FREE.
Simply post ads like the one below by copy and pasting the banner code into your blog or website. That's it! If someone clicks the ad, and purchases any merchandise, the code you pasted includes your unique tracking number, and you earn the established commision. (Ranging from 3% - 100%)
While LinkShare is 100% FREE to join, anyone you get to join will earn you a $1.50 for the referral, should they use the platform, and apply and effort. In this case, it's nothing major, but they appreciate the referrals, and as such will pay you for those who use their system.
Click the ad below to learn more or join for FREE, you'll be redirected to their main site that confirms the information I've provided, and they'll provide any answers you may still have....again, for nothing.
More to come, subscribe to our RSS feed, as we'll have plenty more great tools to get your business jump started.
May you have a prosperous New Year!
T & A (Terri and Art)
