The concept of "Affiliate Programs" has been a part of the business world for a long time, even before the advent of the internet. In the realm of mailorder publishing, these were known as dealerships. The process was simple: a person would self-publish a book or report, sell it through advertisements or direct mail, and often allow others to sell it for a commission. This model has evolved with the advent of the internet, but the core principles remain the same.
In the past, books and reports sold by mail have now transformed into eBooks and websites. The promotional flyers that dealers used to print have now become computer-generated affiliate sites. The payment methods have also evolved from cash, checks, and money orders sent through the mail to automatic tracking of credit card payments.
The goal of a successful mailorder publisher was to have many dealers selling their product, which would result in substantial profits. However, the dealers often struggled to cover the costs of their mailings. They needed products that they could sell for the small cost of printing, as a 50% commission was often not enough.
In the online world, the competition is fierce. There are countless affiliate programs to choose from, and many people are trying to sell the same products to the same market. However, this doesn't mean that quality affiliate programs can't be profitable. They can be, if used correctly.
Just like in mailorder, the best use of online affiliate programs is to integrate them into your existing business. By finding programs that align with your business, you can generate additional revenue. These programs can be directly or indirectly related to your product or service.
For instance, I recently completed an eBook titled "Build It Online! - How to Find, Sponsor & Duplicate MLM Success Over the Internet." This book is my product, but I've been able to use it to introduce some things that I can recommend to readers who may need them. These include a lead program directly tied to Multi-Level Marketing, and a helpful piece of software that is indirectly related, as it can benefit anyone doing business online.
When choosing products to tie into your online business, it's crucial to only affiliate yourself with valuable products. Your reputation is linked to the products you promote, so it's essential to stand behind your recommendations.
In my journey in online marketing, I've bought into more things than I've ever promoted. However, there are only two business angles I want to work online. The first is to continue to develop and sell my own products. The second is to continue to promote select MLM companies I believe in.
If you're not interested in creating your own products, I'd recommend joining a good MLM company and working that instead of an affiliate program. With MLM, when you make a sale, your customer becomes an affiliate or associate of yours. You earn on his sales and on the sales of those to whom he sells. This is called leveraging, and it's something that being an affiliate dealer won't give you.
In conclusion, the world of online selling has much to learn from the principles of mailorder publishing. By integrating valuable affiliate programs into your business and leveraging the power of MLM, you can achieve great success in the online world.
