Affiliate Marketing How-To

Whether you want to use affiliate marketing as your primary way to make money online, or as an added extra source of revenue to be used with another area of marketing online, it can be a valuable resource.

Definition can sometimes be a problem, because the terms are often defined differently depending where you are online.

Affiliate/publisher-An affiliate is someone who pre-sells a product owned or produced by someone else. Commission junction uses the term publisher in place of affiliate.

Merchant/advertiser/vendor-A merchant owns or produces a product. Some networks use the term merchant and others use advertiser, or vendor.

And sometimes the term affiliate is used to refer to the merchant. I tell you all this to forewarn you that it can sometimes be confusing. You just have to read carefully and determine the context in which the terms are used.

Affiliate marketing is a good system for both a successful affiliate and the merchant

A merchant has products to sell and sets up an affiliate program. This basically gives the merchant an army of sales people. The advantage to the merchant is that it only costs the merchant when a sale or a required action is transacted.

For an affiliate there are also a number of advantages

1. Genuine affiliate programs are free to sign up for
2. The affiliate does not have to process sales transactions
3. The affiliate is not responsible for customer service
4. The affiliate doesn't have to own or produce a product
5. The affiliate is not responsible for shipping physical products

Where to find affiliate programs

There are a number of affiliate networks online. An affiliate network is kind of like a broker. They represent many different merchants. Each different network has it's own way of doing things, so when you join be sure to read all the fine print. Some of the networks will pay you in one check for all the programs you sign up for and will assign you an account where you can keep track of sales and earnings. Affiliate networks make it convenient to find many programs in one place.

Commission Junction list physical products and services from many merchants.

Linkshare also offers affiliates a wide choice of both physical products and services

Clickbank offers a wide selection of digital products such as ebooks and software programs

Aside from the networks listed above, you will find many more by doing a search online. Using different networks can expose you to a larger variety of programs and products. You will like some networks better than others.

Affiliate programs can also be found one at a time by doing a search online. This sometimes is necessary if you are looking for a specific thing that is not offered in the networks. Always read agreements whether it is an affiliate network or a single program. You can find specific programs by doing a search such as  +fishing+fly fishing+gear+affiliate. You will need to fill in your own words, depending on what kind of product you are seeking.

Continue to Affiliate Marketing How-To Page 2 for more on how affiliate marketing works, and how marketers are compensated.

Profitable Home Based Internet Businesses | Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Marketing How-To Page 2