We have a web hosting / SaaS solution particularly for "do-it-your self" web design and we are developing various partner programs .. Right now we have several independent sales reps that are on straight commission (pay per signup)doing business the traditional sales methods B2B cold calls etc but I want them to now start promoting our various partner programs which for now just include our affiliate program. I want them to be able to make a commission "override" for their efforts in recruiting and managing offline and online affiliate partners to promote our service offering. So they can continuing doing the "old-fashioned" sales techniques but I want them to eventually become affiliate recruiters focusing on establishing partnerships and earning a commission for maintaining active affiliate partners in our affiliate program. Unlike other affiliate programs which really are just "online" our is also going to be spread to physical brick and mortar locations. My questions to you guys are: 1. Does "channel sales" also include promotion of affiliate programs or affiliate partner programs? Do other companies consider this channel sales or is there a better name for it.. What is "channel sales" and what isn't? 2. First, right now the title of our reps are "independent sales representatives" would we have to change their roles to "channel sales representatives"? 3. I want to avoid labeling our reps as just "affiliate managers" as I want them to actively sell and earn commissions for both Direct B2B sales ( direct comissions / pay per signup) AND by establishing partnerships (either affiliate or reseller partnerships ) and earn a comission for their partner sales whether those sales are made offline (at the partners store) or online (on the partners website) or both... So should I just keep their title as "independent sales representatives" and allow them to earn direct commissions off their sales and "commission overrides" of their partners/affiliates? What do you recommend? 4. Is this a popular practice out there? Is it legal? Are their any regulations regarding indirect sales and paying reps a commission override for there efforts? Do companies have their reps promote and earn commissions from all types of sales activity (direct/partner/affiliate/reseller etc). The reason I ask is I've searched job sites and various places and I see a unique separation between direct sales, indirect sales (partner / affiliate ) . I don't know of , nor have I seen, companies that have their sales reps promote and earn from creating affiliate partnerships (affiliate program signups). I'm trying to give our reps all the options possible for them to effectively generate sales. Many of our reps want a mix of the day to day income from direct sales but also if they run into a potential partner/affiliiate partner that has a website or has a physical location where they want to promote our offering, I want the same rep to be able to do sign them up as a partner/affiliate/reseller etc and earn a commission for finding and managing that partnership.. Your thoughts?