Affiliate marketing VS Multilevel marketing (MLM)
Which is really better?
When someone asks me whether I think affiliate marketing is better than MLM, I literally raise an eyebrow or give some “Are you serious” kind of look.
Personally, I don’t see how you can even compare the two.
But to be completely unbiased and give a little more truth than the obvious, I think it’s best that I do a whole post on such a question.
Is affiliate marketing really better than MLM (network marketing)?
The short answer, of course.
The not-so-short answer is definitely because…
There are so many reasons why affiliate marketing is better than MLM and a lot of other business models, and I really can’t help anyone if I don’t elaborate.
So, without giving such a bleh answer, I figured I’d dedicate a whole post on why I think affiliate marketing and multilevel marketing are not even comparable.
1. Recruiting
This is by far the best reason why affiliate marketing is better than MLM.
Recruiting?
That does not even fall under the jargon for affiliate marketing.
In the MLM world, you HAVE to recruit others in order for you to make any money.
I didn’t even feel right saying that, but that’s exactly how it is.
What’s even worse about this is when someone acts like your friend just to try to recruit you and then ignores you after you show no interest.
How in the world is that even okay?
And you expect me to join you?
With affiliate marketing, you do absolutely no recruiting.
This alone is the same reason I always recommend you start your very own affiliate marketing business.
2. Products
MLMs are all about products.
The problem is that there are only several products that you will promote.
Not to say that it’s a bad thing but you are recruiting others who might be interested in these same exact products.
Some focus on facial creams, while others focus on essential oils.
Then you have companies like Melaleuca that cover household items and other necessities.
These products come with their own brand, but they are way overpriced and usually aren’t the greatest.
Trust me, I know this because I have been a part of many.
With affiliate marketing, you aren’t just stuck with one product, and you don’t even have to buy any products for that matter.
You take other people’s products from big-name stores (Amazon, Walmart, Macy’s, etc.), and you simply sell them to make a commission.
These are the same products that people are buying in the first place.
Regular price and no crazy salesperson trying to persuade you to buy anything.
This is just another big difference with the affiliate marketing business model.
3. Talking to People
I know this might sound like I’m some kind of anti-social person, but I’m actually quite the opposite.
I mention this because of the fact that you aren’t just talking about random things when it comes to MLM.
Yeah, maybe when you first start talking, but then comes the sales pitch that the person you were talking to probably expected.
With affiliate marketing, you don’t even have a conversation with anyone.
Period.
You throw your products on your website, talk about it a little, and let the internet do the rest.
4. Who’s the Boss?
I’m sure all MLM-ers think that they are in charge.
That’s what they think until they’re talking to their up-line who is getting paid for your monthly auto-ship.
On top of that, their up-lines and the up-lines of those people will be getting paid as well.
And on top of all this up-lining, the owners of these multilevel marketing companies will be the ultimate winner.
Some might compare this with affiliate marketing, but let’s not go there.
Affiliate marketing is just like a regular old store, minus all the crazy overhead costs.
5. Real Business
MLM is more of a people business, correct?
Not affiliate marketing.
Instead of getting people, you deal with real products.
The same products that a normal store buys from a wholesaler to place in their store to make a profit.
Now, with affiliate marketing, you don’t even have to purchase these products before you sell them.
You simply sell them at the normal price, and you just get a commission for doing so.
So you can say that even affiliate marketing has its advantages over a brick-and-mortar business, but we will save that for another day.
5. Monthly Auto-ship
Every MLMer knows that you are required to purchase a monthly stock of products.
Without doing so, you will most likely not be eligible to earn any commissions from the people you bring in.
Now, who would want such a thing to happen?
No one, of course.
Affiliate marketing requires you to purchase nothing.
You can pick or choose whatever products you want to “sell,” and you do just that.
Every MLM I was involved with had their auto-ship set to no less than $60.
I mean, even if you set it at a lower price, how could you make a decent profit?
There is a very fine line with pricing, and that is the reason why it is priced so high.
Think about that the next time you complain about price.
Hey, that was kudos to network marketing!
But I digress.
Affiliate Marketing Will ALWAYS Beat MLM
As you can see, there are many reasons why affiliate marketing and MLM cannot even be compared.
Can you think of just one reason why MLM is better than affiliate marketing?
Maybe the multiple levels that you can make money with?
Unique branding?
Whatever you can come up with will still not be enough for me to think that MLM is better than affiliate marketing.
This is not to say that I won’t because I love all business models, but this post is simply a comparison of the two.
I have done both businesses, and I can give you my experience from both, but there is no way I can actually compare the two.
So, for those of you who were confused, I hope this post can at least clarify the differences between the two businesses.
Now you tell me, is there even a comparison here?