Affiliate marketing is Not Multi level marketing
I read enjoy reading all of the blogs, posts and questions that everyone contributes here. I learn so much, and hopefully I am able to repay that by being helpful to others in return. One common struggle for people is trying to "convince" people to sign up with with WA. Trying to sell the idea to family members and friends like you would if you were involved in an MLM isn't going to work.
For those who aren't familiar with MLMs, think Mary Kay. It's one of the oldest and most successful. You sign up with the company and pay wholesale for products that you intend to sell to family, friends and strangers. You host parties and provide free samples. However, the main goal is sign people up and train them to to do the same as you. It's not a pyramid scheme, but you do build your business by adding people to your downline. Most people have come across someone trying to sell them a product or pitch a compensation plan. It can be annoying and it tends puts people off. The product and/or comp plan might be great, but if you're being obviously sold something our brains immediately tell us to say No. Nothing wrong with MLMs, it just doesn't work the way affiliate marketing does.
Affiliate marketing is different because you want to build a business through trust and being helpful. We should simplify offer great advice, tips, help and resources to our audience. If your niche is gardening for example, all you have to do is write interesting, helpful blog posts and if there are products that you use or recommend simply provide the link (your affiliate link) and your customers will be able to make the decision to click on the link - or not. Keep producing quality posts and they will appreciate your knowledge and most likely take a look at the product(s) you recommend.
For those who are promoting WA, share your passion and knowledge. Provide info on affiliate marketing. Give them your review of the company. Start a dialog. No selling. No pushing. Give them knowledge and the opportunity to make a decision.
I hope so much this was helpful. I would be happy to receive questions, comments and additional input!
Wish you all luck and success,
Nicole
Recent Comments
3
Great post, Nicole, and not what I was expecting when I saw the title.
There is quite a lot of negativity about MLM here in the Community, including from some Leaders who, quite honestly, ought to be better informed before they put 'pen to paper'.
There are huge differences between legitimate Network Marketing opportunity and the Pyramid / Ponzi scams they are so often accused incorrectly of being but that is a different article for a different day and one I must get round to writing!
Whilst what you say about affiliate marketing not being MLM is absolutely correct - MLM certainly IS a form of affiliate marketing. It is simply an extension of it. With affiliate marketing, you get paid a commission for selling someone else's product - usually through a recommendation. With MLM, it's the exact same process, only if the person you introduced also makes a sale, not only will that person get their own commission like you did, you will also get one because the company recognizes that they would not have got that second sale had you not introduced the person who made it :-)
Wishing you much deserved success on your WA journey :-)
Cheers,
Rich
Great post here Nicole and you cover many oft he points that I have been preaching about over the years. I have written a lot on the affiliate marketing topic of course, but also on MLM.
The problem I see these days is that many unscrupulous MLM programs, with very little substance (digital programs) are trying to pretend that they are "affiliate marketing" when they are not.
Affiliate marketing programs do not have multiple levels, so that is a key difference, but also you will find that the way people promote products/services differs vastly.
MLM often times you will see people not really telling you what they are selling, they are very cryptic just to get you "in" the scheme.
Affiliate marketing, you will see people helping others, and then making recommending products/service in a very ethical way. They also choose the product that best serves a person, versus the products they are naturally encourage/forced to promote because of the MLM they are in. Big difference and the focus becomes what is best for the customer, versus what is best for the person trying to make money.
There are definitely a lot of legitimate programs within the MLM worlds, and there are lots of network marketers starting to create "hybrid" sites where they leverage affiliate marketing as well.
It just comes down to being ethical, and there tends to be a lot more of this within the affiliate marketing world.