When you look into affiliate programs, you will notice that there are all kinds of them. The ones that I am interested in right now are the single-tier programs, two-tier affiliate programs, and multi-tier affiliate programs. You may not understand what the difference is, but there is a difference. These types of affiliate marketing are based on the different levels or tiers that you will get paid within the network. Let me explain.

Single-tier programs are when you sign up with an affiliate program to sell their product or service. The only time you are paid is if you make a direct sale or for traffic you have referred to the companies website. Some examples of single-tier are the pay per click (PPC), and pay per lead (PPL) affiliate programs.

With two-tier affiliate programs, there are two ways to make money. You get paid for direct sales or traffic you referred, but also on other traffic or sales made by affiliates that signed up under you. You get money for the work of the affiliates two-tiers or levels down from you. An example of a two-tier program is Ken Envoy's Site Sell.

Multi-tier affiliate programs works pretty much the same way as the two-tier. The only difference is that you get paid a commission on a wider number of affiliates in the different levels or tiers of the affiliate network. So for example: You sign up with a multi-tier program, and they may pay you for any affiliates under you that goes down 5 levels or tiers deep.

So how can you tell if a program is a single, two-tier, or multi-tier? Do a search on any major search engine for the different types of affiliate programs. Once you find them, read about the program. Read the faq section if one is provided. This is the best way to find out whether it is a single-tier, two-tier affiliate program or multi-tier affiliate program. It will tell you how many levels or tiers deep that they pay you on. If you can't find anything on the website that says, send them an email before signing up with them. Don't be afraid to ask them questions. Always be sure about the product or service, and the company before joining them.

Whatever type of affiliate program you are promoting, you want to make sure you concentrate on selling the product or service first. This is the best way to make money with any program. Signing up other affiliates under you is just a bonus way to make money. Just because you can sign up other affiliates does not guarantee that they will do anything with the program. They may get side tracked by other things online, or they may not do anything at all. So sell the product or service first, and sign up affiliates second. That way you will be able to make money. Don't rely on others to make you money, it is up to you to become successful.

Deciding which type of program to promote is totally up to you. Do your research, and learn all you can about the company first. That way you can decide if you should be promoting single-tier, two-tier affiliate programs, or multi -tier affiliate programs. No one can decide for you. Make the best decision for you and your business by finding out information before you start promoting anything. You can make money with any type of affiliate program. You just have to be able to find the right one, and do the work that will get you to the top. Don't let anyone stop you from achieving your dreams.

Copyright ? Melody Heddings