Network marketing is very similar to affiliate marketing, but instead of getting paid on one or two levels, you can get paid up to infinity levels and also earn money off the efforts of other people's work or leveraged income. Network marketing money also tends to be residual or ongoing monthly income as opposed to affiliate income which is usually a one time deal per sale.
I've made my living as an online network marketer for years. Network marketing is simply another way of distributing and promoting products or services. If you've got the right mindset and are prepared to work and train others, you can do quite well with it.