| How is affiliate internet marketing like the 1849 gold | | | | Putnam Ph.D of Harvard University published a popular |
| rush in the United States? The Gold Rush started at | | | | book about the decline of community and trust in |
| Sutter's Mill, near Coloma, California. On January 24, | | | | America. |
| 1848, James W. Marshall, a foreman working for John | | | | In "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of |
| Sutter, a Sacramento pioneer, found pieces of shiny | | | | American Community," Professor Putnam illustrated |
| metal in the tailrace of a lumber mill Marshall was | | | | how families spend less time eating dinner and going |
| building for Sutter. The property was next to the | | | | on fewer picnics together, and don't share time or |
| American River. Marshall quietly brought what he | | | | activities that build social contacts like being on a |
| found to Sutter, and their tests revealed the metal | | | | bowling team or attending church. This lower level of |
| to be gold. Sutter was dismayed by this; he was | | | | trust has isolated people from each other. In his |
| afraid that his business plans for an agricultural empire | | | | lectures and his book, Professor Putnam calls people |
| would be disrupted if there were a mass search for | | | | to form community by bonding and bridging in social |
| gold. | | | | networking. |
| How does this relate to affiliate internet marketing? | | | | Affiliate products come in many sizes, shapes and |
| The myth of "do-it-yourself" entrepreneurs on the | | | | from many sources. For example, affiliate networks, |
| Internet is dying. Oh yes, you do have to work to | | | | like Commission Junction, offer thousands of physical |
| succeed in an online business. However, it takes a | | | | products in many different categories from garden |
| community of customers, sellers, marketers, | | | | hoes to perfume to tractors. Another source is cost |
| manufacturers and distributors to create that | | | | per action networks like Modern Click, that pay from |
| success. | | | | $6 to $20 for each person who fills out a form. |
| An online affiliate business relies on merchants who | | | | Both niche retailers and mega-retailers have online |
| willing share commissions for those who direct buyers | | | | affiliate programs where you can earn a commission |
| to their web sites or portals. The profits that | | | | on sales. Depending on the merchant, you can earn |
| affiliates earn depend upon the amount of sales | | | | from 2 to 20 percent of the sales. Mega-retailers like |
| made through their affiliate links from those vendors. | | | | Best Buy or Sears offer smaller percentages, while |
| Find and refining gold through affiliate Internet | | | | niche sites can offer up to 20% of a sale. |
| marketing is much easier in modern times. Now a | | | | The goal of the merchant is to increase sales, which |
| multi-billion dollar industry, e-commerce is growing | | | | other people can offer and earn profits. All you need |
| dramatically. Many people are too busy to visit | | | | to do is to complete an online form at the affiliate |
| stores; they can search online to find products that | | | | networks of your choice and you can get links and |
| serve every imaginable need and desire. However, | | | | creatives to start selling their products. |
| since you don't meet the seller face-to-face on the | | | | So, how can affiliate internet marketing business |
| Internet , people need to build trust in the online | | | | serve both your income needs and forge new links |
| marketing community. In 2003, Professor Robert | | | | of service and community? |