Of course, this question typically comes from a completely fresh potential client who hasn’t yet run a program. Oftentimes we work with new clients who at least are familiar, but for those of you who are not, have no fear.

The simplest explanation is that affiliate marketing is when you offer your product or service to publishers ( affiliates) to promote on your behalf.

In return, you’ll be expected to pay a commission every time a sale is made that can be directly attributed to that publisher (or affiliate).

Since affiliate marketing is inherently performance-based, you only pay for results in the form of increased revenue.

An affiliate program is the all-encompassing package you create for your product or service that is then presented to potential publishers. It should include details about the product, the retail value of the product, commission levels and promotional materials.

The term “affiliate” actually applies to many different types of partners, including individual people, companies and organizations.

Affiliate Partners: Individuals and companies that promote brands’ products and services.

Affiliate marketing is the process of earning income every time you promote someone elses products or services. If you generate a sale for the company, you get paid. If you don't generate a sale, you do not get paid.

Affiliates get paid when they refer a sale to the company. ( For example, if someone clicks on an affiliate link and buys a product from the company, the affiliate will receive a commission for that purchase.)

Affiliates must have a unique referral code or tracking link to receive credit for a sale. This is usually done by pasting one of these codes into their website or blog post.

There is no cost to affiliates who sign up for a TCART’s affiliate/partner program. Affiliates can also sign up for as many affiliate programs as they want across multiple affiliate networks or SaaS platforms.