The Affiliate Classroom Review 

Intro:
Anik Singal is the founder of The Affiliate Classroom, a membership
site that has established itself as one of the most trusted and
complete sources of information on affiliate marketing on both sides
of the 'pond.' 

But it could also work as a 'first stop' for someone brand-new to
internet marketing; someone looking to start any online career--
affiliate-based or not.  It's just that the focus is obviously on
affiliate marketing. 

Affiliate:  The 'front man,' publisher of a sales page that's trying
to sell a product or service for another company.  In return, the
affiliate gets a percentage of each sale, known as the "affiliate
commission."  The affiliate does not work directly for the company,
and as an affiliate, can sell products for hundreds of companies. 
It's really an outstanding idea.

So, "affiliate marketing" obviously means any marketing effort
related to getting affiliate sales.  And this simply involves the
same things you would do if you worked for a company directly---you'd
want to know everything about the product you're promoting, you'd
want to own it yourself, you'd want to know who the competition is
and how they're marketing the product.  (That way, you can improve
on or at least make your marketing and advertising unique.)

If a company really wants to make more sales thru its affiliates, it
will provide its affiliates with all kinds of marketing materials to
use in the promotions.  Like sample email messages, banner ads,
images of the product 'box,' testimonials, etc. 

Price:  $29.97 per month

Cons:
No bad ones.
But some of the earlier info-products that were made available for
students (when you join Affiliate Classroom, you're a "student")
were a  little  questionable;  I got the feeling that they weren't
checked out thoroughly.  The contributors of these e-books
gladly offer them free to the Affiliate Classroom, even though
they're sold elsewhere.  (This way their info-products and the
links within get good exposure.)  There's nothing wrong with this,
but just because something normally has a price on it doesn't mean
it's necessarily good.

But that was back when the Affiliate Classroom was launched, and I
suspect Anik was taking pretty much any contributor's stuff at the
time.

The Affiliate Classroom "magazine" (that you get with your
membership) is a little too stuffed with advertisements, in my
opinion. 

Pros:
Anik Singal has risen to stardom in the internet marketing industry,
and the Affiliate Classroom is the ship that's taken him there.  Not
only do you get a comprehensive source of internet marketing
knowledge, but you get a subscription to what is arguably the best
"magazine" on affiliate marketing in existence.  And it is setup just like
a magazine, with photo layouts and a "cover" that looks 'magazine-
ish.'  And even though it has lots of ads throughout, doesn't every
magazine?  Matter of fact, magazines wouldn't be magazines if they
weren't jammed-packed full of ads, right?  (Otherwise they'd be known
as "newsletters." ;)

Some of the great things you get with membership in Affiliate
Classroom:

Constantly updated information.  The Affiliate Classroom is a full-time job for several people and Anik is looking for qualified new-hires as we speak.  Between the monthly magazine and the website, you can be sure you will always be on the leading edge of affiliate marketing, and also be aware of other latest trends in internet marketing in general.

Step-by-step training:  If you have no experience whatsoever, you start at the beginning; if you have a little experience you start at another point, and so on.  The whole Affiliate Classroom concept is a structured, step-by -step process.  A lot of thought has gone into this.  A year, according to Anik, with the most valuable input coming from other experienced affiliate marketers "around the world."

Coaching for an unlimited number of affiliate projects.  Not phone consultations, but a classroom setting where everyone is encouraged to submit their projects for ideas and advice from more experienced "upper classmen" and staff to comment on.  The value of this can't be underestimated.

Free weekly newsletter on affiliate marketing.  (This is also offered to non-Affiliate Classroom members, though.)

Monthly expert audio interviews--live; so you want to ask questions and you also get the recording to download to listen to later.

Dozens of Case Studies of real websites and other areas like these:     * Affiliate Managers     * Internet Marketers     * Search Engine Optimizers     * Pay Per Click Experts     * Business Plan Developers     * Niche Marketing Experts

The "super-affiliates" who are masters in the above fields are made available for you to grill them with any questions that you want so that you can duplicate their successes.  Usually, you won't have to actually ask your questions because someone else will have already asked the one you were thinking of!

Niche Profiles:  On this part of the site at least one new niche area is explored for its potential to be a money-maker.  If you like the product, you can just put your affiliate I.D. on it with a click of your mouse and then start promoting it. This feature is pretty incredible, if I do say so myself.

Personally:
If you are brand-spanking new to internet marketing, I would go with
one of the other A-Z programs or membership sites.  Reason is that
although all of that information can be gotten from the Affiliate
Classroom, those other programs are designed from the ground up to
give you a more well-rounded launch into making a living online...
 
Having said that, after you get going with one of the other programs,
the Affiliate Classroom should be your first stop, because there's lots
of dough waiting for you in affiliate marketing. 

But DO NOT give in to the temptation to join two big programs at
once!!  Because what will happen is neither one will get the effort it
deserves and you won't get the results you deserve!...you will be
burying yourself in information overload.

However, if you already know a little about internet marketing and you
are ready to start making good money in lucrative affilate marketing
with a tried-and-true organization, The Affiliate Classroom is taking
new enrollees and it is very, very inexpensive:  For only $1.00 you
get access to their award-winning 14-day course.   (If you don't
cancel at the end of the 14-day period, you'll be billed $29.97/month--
a steal if you're planning on making $$ in affiliate marketing.) 

Check out their cool Affiliate Classroom video tour before you decide
one way or the other.

(Remember "The Path Through The Forest" story?  Go with a program
that's got a proven track record; for affiliate marketing, this
program is definitely the 'right path.')