I've been doing a lot of thinking recently regarding the right and wrong way to make money online. Depending on where you look the term Affiliate, Network, and Internet seem to be used interchangeably when related to the products being marketed online.

Having been burned many times in the past by the "Guru" set it and forget it programs, I still keep finding myself getting confused by the right and wrong programs to promote. Based on my training here at WA, I know that I need to choose a niche, create a website, then market products that are relevant to that niche on the website. 

But where I get confused is how do you tell the difference between legitimate programs/products to market and those that are classified as scams. One realm that commonly confuses the heck out of me are those that classify themselves as network or affiliate marketing programs, many times referred to as MLM programs. 

In these programs you recruit other members and your earnings are based on the number of people you recruit. I assumed many of these programs were SCAM's in the past simply because i had no clue on how to market a particular product. But with knowledge comes even more confusion. 

 Two programs that I currently find myself up in the air about are www.bizoppers.com and www.swom.com. These sites promote themselves as social networks for building an online business with a built in earnings program if you so choose to upgrade your account. 

Do programs like these and other network marketing programs fall in line with what we are learning here at WA, or are they nothing more than the "GURU" programs that Kyle mentioned in one of his recent blog posts.

I don't mind putting in the time and effort required to promote something if its really worth it. At this point I find myself utterly confused and looking for help from those who are more seasoned than I am. I know making money online is not easy, otherwise everyone would do it. I just need help clarifying what to look for when it comes to promoting.

Part of me thinks that it must be a physical product, or ebook. Something that gives the customer something of value and worth for their time and money.  But then the other part of me wonders if these network marketing programs provide value, or if their nothing more than "pipe dreams" with one goal in mind, to make the Guru's rich.

NOTE: Referral links are NOT included in this post. I provided links in hopes of getting honest feedback from my fellow members