What is affiliate marketing, according to the presenter?

Affiliate marketing is best understood as a performance-based marketing strategy where businesses reward affiliates (partners) for each customer or visitor brought by the affiliate's marketing efforts. This approach is grounded in the effectiveness of measurable outcomes, meaning that affiliates earn commissions based on the actual sales or leads they generate. This commission structure motivates affiliates to create and implement effective marketing techniques, as their earnings are directly tied to their performance.

In the context of how affiliate marketing operates, it is distinct from other marketing methods because it relies heavily on tracking and quantifying results, thus categorizing it as performance-based. This framework distinguishes it in the marketplace, making it an attractive option for companies looking to expand their reach with potentially lower risk since they only pay for results.

Other options do not encapsulate the essence of affiliate marketing accurately. While affiliate marketing can indeed lead to significant sales and company growth, the core characteristic that defines it is the performance-based nature, which is what sets it apart as a unique promotional strategy.