Most of the affiliate programs are, in reality, multi-level marketing business opportunities. The reason many MLMs are called "associate programs" or "affiliate programs" is because the principals fear the term MLM applied to their program. There are many forms a MLM can take. The most profitable on the web are two level and the forced matrix business opportunities. It doesn't matter what term you use, its name has very little to do with it's ability to earn money. The best on-line marketing opportunities have more than one way to earn money. The key is to determine exactly how much income you can realistically earn and how hard it will be for YOU to earn it?

Are the product(s) priced to sell?
      The product needs to be priced to sell, and at the same time, it should pay enough to earn your attention. I look for products that offer commissions in the $20 to $50 range.

Are you required to purchase the product in order to resell it?
      Many of the best home business opportunities now require that you purchase their product in order to qualify to earn commissions re-selling it

I think this is a good development. I purchase every product I sell, FIRST. If you own the product, it's much easier to re-sell it to others. If you purchase the product and are not satisfied, you probably wouldn't do well re-selling it anyway.

Does the product come with a satisfaction guarantee or return policy?
      If so, you have nothing to lose. Don't spend your time or money on marketing or advertising. If the product isn't good enough and you return it, chances are many of your customers will do the same.

Whenever possible, use a credit card to make your purchases. If it turns out that the product is unsatisfactory you can usually return it.

If you can't get a return from the vendor directly, you can challenge the charge on your card (just phone your credit card company). Merchants hate charge-backs. Too many charge-backs and the credit card vendor will shut down the merchant's account.

Often just a suggestion that you will challenge the purchase will be enough to secure a prompt refund.

Is some or all the income residual?
      Amway built an empire selling soap. Everyone uses soap. We all buy it over and over. I like reselling anything that has a monthly fee for services. It shouldn't be a problem keeping your customers if you choose your opportunities wisely.

Does the opportunity company emphasize recruiting or retail sales?
      Retail selling is by far the best. For example, I have been with Third Sphere Hosting Hosting for a while now. I have 318 second level marketers, in which I earn 10%. On my direct sales I earn 25%. All 318 resellers account for only 17% of my income with that business.

Focus on selling products - NOT on recruiting sub affiliate members. It's not surprising that almost all of the sales made by my down line group are from re-sellers that became customers. You will want to spread the word.if you are happy with the company and it's services.

Third Sphere Hosting Re-selling Opportunity is Free
     http://www.smithfam.com/host.html

Will the product sell off-line?
      Some products just don't sell well on-line, but sell well off the Internet. Third Sphere Hosting Hosting service sells best for me off-line because they have over 30,000 on-line re-sellers.

Will the parent company train & support you?
      Most companies emphasize obtaining training from your sponsor. But most sponsors are not already successful, so how can they train you? The sponsor model works poorly on-line because of time and distance differences. I am working with a customer on the other side of the world. He sends me a email message dated tomorrow and I answer it dated yesterday.

I usually steer clear if the company doesn't offer extensive training materials directly to their re-sellers Time is too valuable to waste.

In the future, more companies will require you to pass a product knowledge exam, or at least purchase the product, to qualify as an independent re-seller. Others require that re-sellers own their own domain and web site. This is done to weed out tire kickers.

Is the business tied to any geographical area?
      Many feel that because it CAN be marketed on-line, it MUST be marketed on-line. Multi-level marketing opportunities do well on the web because you have access to an almost unlimited worldwide customer base. You can reach them for a very low price on-line. I prefer to choose products that can ALSO be marketed off-line. In fact, almost a third of my income is earned through conventional marketing methods off-line.

Does the income pay you enough to deserve your attention?
      I look for at least 50% to 60% split on the first 2 levels. More than two commission levels tend to over inflate the price of the product(s), which makes them harder to sell. A 50% - 60% commission split is fair, because with a good commission the affiliate can afford to spend more time and money marketing the product(s).

If you add up the commissions on each level, they should usually total under 60%. The higher the price, the fewer sales you will likely get, and the lower the price, the smaller the commission you will earn.

Are you required to qualify to earn income?
      The web is over-crowded with FREE business opportunities. In general, you will get what you pay for. If it costs you nothing, in many cases that's exactly what you will earn, NOTHING. Always ask yourself if you can meet qualifications BEFORE putting up much time or any money.

I just signed up with a multi-level marketing company. It's the only MLM I have joined this year. The product is a new state-of-art computer system. They offer several sign-up options. The two that make the most sense on-line follow.

1 ) FREE AFFILIATE PROGRAM.
You simply place a referral link or banner on your web site. When people visit the virtual computer store, they can purchase computer hardware, software, or computer training.

For every sale that you make, you will receive up to 10% commission on all computers and peripherals, 25% commission on online training courses, and 5% on all software purchases through the virtual store.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM SIGN-UP
     http://www.nmtg.com/users/rsmith/

2 ) THE NEW MILLENNIUM DISTRIBUTOR PLUS PROGRAM
New Millennium Uses a unique combination of direct sales and a single 3 x 2 forced matrix. To qualify, you are only responsible for selling three distributorships during the lifetime of your franchise. The cost to participate in Distributor Plus Program is a one-time $175.00.

ASK YOURSELF TWO QUESTIONS
    a) Can YOU CHOOSE three people who want to earn a fully loaded 400 MHZ Computer System for $175.00?
    b) Are they capable of doing the same?

Master items one and two above, and you will have the 12 total sales required to earn your 400MHZ fully loaded computer system. You'll earn $50 for each personal sale. In addition, you can cycle through as many times as you want with no additional qualifications

SIGN UP AT THE DISTRIBUTOR PLUS LEVEL ($175.00)
You will receive the following:

• A 50 MB website server you can use as you wish (no sex sites)
• Your own personalized online store.
• Replicated website &email address
• Complete training course and marketing materials
• 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE on all business packages.

MORE INFORMATION & SIGN-UP
     http://www.nmtg.com/users/rsmith/

Use ID #93-1162640 Robert Smith
Questions Call (541) 689-1847

AUTORESPONDERS
      http://www.smithfam.com/ai/ai_nmtg.html

VISIT MY NEW MILLENNIUM WEBSITE
      http://www.smithfam.com/nmtg/

I hope you will consider this business opportunity, and work with me. The New Millennium Internet business opportunity is the easiest business opportunity I have seen for the average person. I intend to market this business extensively this fall.

Timing is important. The first people who sign up will be most likely to achieve success. Please don't bother signing up @ $ 175.00 if you are not prepared to qualify. You won't make anything without qualifying. Again timing is important.

Best Wishes

Bob

The Best Programable Follow-up System Available Today
      http://www.smithfam.com/autoresponder.html

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