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Affiliate Marketing vs Direct Sales Internet Business

by sdentrepreneur
14 replies
Which of these two has the most long term success and income potential?

I personally feel that Affiliate Marketing is way more difficult and smaller commissions than a Direct Sales Internet Business. Chasing one niche to the next can be very difficult. I have tried both and all my success is from the Direct Sales Industry. Have been with the same company for over 2 years now.

2010 is going to be a huge year !!! Happy New Year and Happy Marketing to you all !!!
#affiliate #business #direct #internet #marketing #sales
  • Profile picture of the author The GoTo Team
    This can be an interesting question.

    Both types of IM sales offer good revenues, but it really comes down to the simple fact. The Product.

    With direct sales you more or less have to develop the product yourself or get a hold of the product in some way. On either side getting started can be a pain, and it will only pan out as much as you put into it.

    With Affiliate Marketing the product is developed and stabilized by others. To me its more like being an employee and getting paid a commission just for spreading the word around.

    Ultimately its the risk of getting stuck with a product that wont move as oppose to letting another deal with the product side of things.

    So do you take a smaller cut? A commission cut? Or do you keep all the proceeds but have the burden of dealing with the product and bearing the risks.

    I say? Why not both?



    -Trevor
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    • Profile picture of the author anthony2
      I believe there both great ways to make money online.

      there people that are creating million dollar a year businesses.

      using those online methods....So basicly it comes down to you

      what you prefer.
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      • Profile picture of the author The GoTo Team
        Originally Posted by anthony2 View Post

        I believe there both great ways to make money online.

        there people that are creating million dollar a year businesses.

        using those online methods....So basicly it comes down to you

        what you prefer.
        Exactly. What is more of a drawback to you? Balance that with the monetary side of things and see which option ends up more appealing.


        -Trevor
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      • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
        Originally Posted by anthony2 View Post

        I believe there both great ways to make money online.

        there people that are creating million dollar a year businesses.

        using those online methods....So basicly it comes down to you

        what you prefer.
        Great point, I think one of the other differences, is with affiliate marketing, you don't really have to deal with customers. With Direct Marketing, its more about branding yourself and being more transparent.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    I've done both and both can work. But I much prefer selling my own stuff. I want the control. And I really want the direct relationship with my customers. Affiliates are ultimately turning the human beings involved over to someone else. Yes, you can capture their contact details as an affiliate in the process, but it's not the same. Not as valuable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin_Hutto
    Selling my own products... Almost anyone can build squidoo pages and backlinks,etc... Very very few people can create a product that sells. And then do it again and again. Better moat.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    Both models can work very well if implemented correctly. In the past I've been doing mostly affiliate marketing, but I'm starting to create and sell products of my own as well, and I'll be doing a launch with my JV partners early in this coming year. There are pros and cons to both models, and I think it'd be great if you could do both so as to diversify your earnings and not put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. It is true that having your own product to sell gives you a lot more control, and also gives you the ability to access your earnings from sales almost immediately, which is definitely not the case with affiliate marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Puddy
    the two go hand in hand, and are not mutually exclusive. I build and sell my own products and still market affiliate products to my subscribers and members

    Robert
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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Avis
      Originally Posted by Robert Puddy View Post

      the two go hand in hand, and are not mutually exclusive. I build and sell my own products and still market affiliate products to my subscribers and members

      Robert
      Me too. Why put all your eggs in one basket?

      Martin
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    • Profile picture of the author Alminc
      It's (somewhat) easier to start as an affiliate because it is cheaper.
      But even as a serious affiliate you need to have your own products
      in order to offer bonuses etc.
      I think that everybody must be both affiliate and product owner in
      order to make real money.
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      No links :)
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  • Profile picture of the author hamed
    One of the biggest benefits of affiliate marketing, is you can work from home and the work is minimal. Your hours will be flexible, and you will basically be your own boss. You may never become a millionaire from affiliate marketing, but it is very possible to make a good living, and do so with many benefits. Affiliate marketing can offer you unlimited earning potential, enable you to work from home, and provide you with flexible working hours. For these reasons alone, affiliate marketing is fast becoming an extremely popular way to earn a living.
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  • Profile picture of the author gautam42
    my bit 1) depends on what suits your intrest long term - sustainable model. very important. You must want to jump out of your bed to do it.Excitement to excitement.
    2) Then aim for being in the top runk in that area, give laser focus.benchmark, get a mentoring coach, have a mastermind group....go all the way to the top.
    3) Check out what skills are required in each choice, compare them to your strengths.
    Lastly, always go with your feeling.
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