Affiliate marketing represents a performance-based sales channel in which companies reward affiliate partners for generating high quality leads and sales. Affiliate partners promote the company's products and services through various online and offline platforms. In exchange they earn an agreed commission on resulting sign-ups, subscriptions, or purchases.

Affiliate relationships enable companies to tap into an affiliate's audience reach and expertise to generate awareness, leads, and revenue at minimal upfront cost. Businesses seeking growth should identify affiliate partners whose target demographics and content align well with the brand's offerings. Ensuring proper tracking attribution is in place to credit affiliates is essential.

When managed strategically, affiliate programs provide a scalable, cost-efficient way to expand an organization's marketing and sales distribution. They also offer access to turnkey sales channels outside the company's traditional operations. But close monitoring is required to ensure brand consistency and avoid excessive discounting.

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