Affiliate marketing or Network marketing ?

This is exactly what I was going to say when I saw that hipman87 already said it here - lol.
But, yes, I tried both and I found out that I am more of an affiliate/direct marketer than a network marketer, so I must repeat: it depends on what type of person you are.

Network marketing is not something that you can do entirely online. As the name implies, you have to network with people in order o build trust and bring them on board your program. You make money from selling the product while building a team of people who sell the product and pass on part of their commissions to you through a system set up by the company you represent,
On the other hand, affiliate marketing requires you to only sell other people's product for a commission. If you decide to make your own products you can potentially make a lot of money by building a team of affiliates to sell the product for you and you pay them a commission.

I agree with you about affiliate marketing, however not on your view about MLM.

MLM is a business, you are an independent contractor, just like an affiliate and you also get paid commissions just like an affiliate, they are essentially the same business model, however most affiliate programs will only pay you on your personal sales or those of other affiliates you refer/recruit to be affiliates, where with MLM you are usually paid on multiple levels of sales of other reps you have referred and the reps they have referred.

Affiliate programs, usually have no qualifiers to earn commissions, you make a sale you earn, your team makes a sale, you earn and they normally do not have a fee associated with joining.

MLM programs, typically do have qualifiers to earn commissions and have a fee for joining the company as a rep.

As an MLM Rep your income is passive, after you have built your sales organization, this also means that when you will your MLM Business to your kids... they can't screw it up... unlike a brick and mortar business or affiliate business, which they may have no clue how to run... your MLM business is passive income, so as long as the MLM stays in business... their future income is secure. Also, as income and not a "tangible" asset, such as an estate, the inheritance is taxed as regular income as it is received moving forward and they will not pay inheritance tax on future income etc.

Really both an Affiliate or an MLM rep's business would operate in the same manner, the difference being how income is generated, primarily your personal sales as an affiliate or from the collective sales of your organization as an MLM Rep.

Personally, I like both models for sales, it all depends on your preference and also the particular program's structure for compensation.

I think you need to define what you are saying more..

An affiliate marketer promoting other people's products has no tangible assets.

A product creator/owner who recruits affiliate marketers to promote his products does have a tangible asset.

Many affiliate marketers, especially new ones, never create a list, because they just drive traffic to product offers.

In both cases, the biggest asset you are building is your contacts, be it a list of people you talk to on the phone, in person, or via email.

Both forms of marketing can be highly successful for the right person. Many MLM/Network marketers build huge businesses today without using the phone or meeting people in person, until they meet at seminars.

In both marketing methods, you are going to continue marketing as long as you stay in business. Products/Companies will probably change in both cases.

Well, that's not even close to true. It's a marketing business. The tangible asset
is the revenue it produces. MLM businesses are sold quite frequently. I sold a very
profitable PrePaid Legal business many years ago to pursue another venture.

Great question, It would be interesting to compare the signature line with reality!

Lol... now that's hilarious haha

Affiliate marketing is the best as compared to network marketing. With affiliate marketing you send people to a product that will help people solve a specific problem, so you make money by helping people.

Network marketing is a pyramid scam and most of them benefit no one except those who're at the top of the pyramid so go with affiliate marketing.

They are both in essence the same thing you are still marketing someone else's product...

The difference is:

Internet Marketing - Marketing through the internet
Network Marketing - Marketing through a Network of people
Affiliate Marketing - Marketing as an affiliate

You need to concentrate more on learning how to market don't worry about the first word.

This is what you do

1. Build your own space online (blog) etc...
2. Gather you a list of like minded people (list building)
3. Give great content to your people or fans
4. Find out what they want and their problems
5. Then offer affiliate products

I am involved with an affiliate program taht I can make money each month residually and also many per month.

So not sure I 100% agree with you, but to each and their own really.

Remember there is NOT one way to SKIN A CAT.

So in the end, you must pick something that is good for you and your personality it may take some time, but that is ok.

The main thing is that you are learning for the leaders, and taking consistant action. If you keep doing that, you will get some serious results.