What is a "Lead"

[Livenomadic]

Ok, this is a silly question, but I have never learned this...

In affiliate marketing there are two ways to earn money, "SALES" and "LEADS".

SALES seems pretty straight forwards, if someone clicks through and buys the item you get your commission...

But how do LEADS work?

[ncw164x]

A lead is the same as an enquiry, it's then up to the salesperson to close the lead and make a sale

[gomer]

Leads can be defined as completed applications.

Examples of leads would be completed applications to do any of the following: apply for a mortgage loan, find a realtor, get a price quote on a car.

[gomer]

Forgot to mention in my last post that upon completion of an application, you, the affiliate are paid a fixed amount for the lead generated.

In almost all cases, you are paid for the lead whether or not the person filling out the application is 'closed'. For example: for a completed mortgage application you may be paid $25. You are paid the commission even if the person filling out the application does not actually get the loan.

[KarenHudgins]

One difference with the lead gen programs is that those that pay per completed application and those that pay per completed form. What's the difference?

An application can be sometimes 3-5 pages in length think filling out an employment application for a company.

A completed form is generally shorter in length and depth of questions, think inquiring if the company is hiring.

Generally programs with applications will pay higher rates since their forms are longer. However, don't just look at the price. The conversion rate is really the deciding factor on how much you'll earn in the end.