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Affiliate Links in ebooks?

by jlucas
28 replies
Hi everybody, I'm new to email marketing so bear with me if this question is a no brainer.

I've identified my niche, built a blog, fb site, opt-in page, etc. I went to track down a free ebook for my niche to entice people to join my list and they were all terrible, so I wrote my own.

How do the experienced email marketers feel about placing affiliate links to relevant products in their ebooks? Do they ever convert and is it worth it to put them there before I've built trust with a subscriber?

Thanks in advance!
#affiliate #ebooks #links
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by jlucas View Post

    How do the experienced email marketers feel about placing affiliate links to relevant products in their ebooks? Do they ever convert and is it worth it to put them there before I've built trust with a subscriber?
    Used with restraint, affiliate links in ebooks can convert. The trick is to use them in such a way that readers don't feel that the only reason the ebook exists is to provide somewhere to hang affiliate links.

    The fact that they've handed over their email address at all indicates that, while the relationship may not be all that deep yet, they do have at least a minimal degree of trust.

    Don't try to hide the fact that you're using an affiliate link. I usually say something like "this is an affiliate link, meaning that if you buy this after following my link, I'll get a small cut of the price (which will come out of the seller's pocket, not yours). Rest assured, I'd recommend this whether I got paid for doing so or not."

    If there are free alternatives, link to those as well.

    The key is to be open and helpful, not sneaky and "sales-y".
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    • Profile picture of the author NicoleMarFer
      I only put affiliate links in my books if they'll benefit the end user in a way such as save them money. I've noticed that they do convert but that's because I spent time building up why I use it over competitors. I don't add affiliate links for any product or service that pays only the ones that I think are valuable and have had a positive experience with.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by NicoleMarFer View Post

        I only put affiliate links in my books if they'll benefit the end user in a way such as save them money. I've noticed that they do convert but that's because I spent time building up why I use it over competitors. I don't add affiliate links for any product or service that pays only the ones that I think are valuable and have had a positive experience with.
        Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!
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    • Profile picture of the author RoniShwartz
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Used with restraint, affiliate links in ebooks can convert. The trick is to use them in such a way that readers don't feel that the only reason the ebook exists is to provide somewhere to hang affiliate links.
      If I'm not wrong, John, the law requires you to clearly state whether there are affiliate links in the eBook / report ! I read it in several law websites (I'll try to find the sources and I will create a post about it, so everybody is aware).


      Cheers, Roni

      BTW: I'm not sure if this legal requirement still holds water when you send your readers to a webpage (in your website) and THERE there are affiliate links...
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  • Profile picture of the author jlucas
    Thank you John and Nicole for putting me on the right track. I wasn't even thinking about adding links until one of the products I wanted to promote was relevant and helpful so I'm glad to hear from both of you. My main concern was dirtying up my nice ebook and sullying my list. The product doesn't save them "money" directly, but it would save them a great deal of time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
    Let me add a trick here... I use Pretty Link - and all my affiliate links go through my main website's Pretty Link plugin ...

    So, for example, my affiliate link might be 'mywebsitename.com/hosting' - and it would come to 'mywebsitename.com' and run through the Pretty Link plugin, and end up at Hostgator.

    But if Hostgator ever got to the point where I didn't want to recommend them, I could simply change where the link points to in my Pretty Link Plugin, and ALL MY LINKS - no matter where they were, would instantly change to point to a new hosting package.

    Links that never go dead - at least, as long as my website is live.

    Have you ever read an ebook, clicked on the link, and it went nowhere?

    This will never happen if you use your site to route your affiliate links through...

    Hope this was understandable...
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    • Profile picture of the author RoniShwartz
      Originally Posted by Ben Holmes View Post

      Let me add a trick here... I use Pretty Link - and all my affiliate links go through my main website's Pretty Link plugin ...

      So, for example, my affiliate link might be 'mywebsitename.com/hosting' - and it would come to 'mywebsitename.com' and run through the Pretty Link plugin, and end up at Hostgator.

      But if Hostgator ever got to the point where I didn't want to recommend them, I could simply change where the link points to in my Pretty Link Plugin, and ALL MY LINKS - no matter where they were, would instantly change to point to a new hosting package.

      Links that never go dead - at least, as long as my website is live.

      Have you ever read an ebook, clicked on the link, and it went nowhere?

      This will never happen if you use your site to route your affiliate links through...

      Hope this was understandable...

      This is actually the right way to go, Ben Holmes, for various reasons :

      1) You can always change the products that you wish to promote.

      2) You provide some extra protection to your affiliate links


      Roni
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  • Profile picture of the author jlucas
    Thanks Ben, that was very clear and super helpful once my brain started turning. I just checked out pretty links on WP and I'm going to implement ASAP. I like the tracking feature so I can also see how many clicks I get from the ebook. I might have to dirty up my pretty links a tad so I can track without a referrer page, (site.com/product-ebook) but good stuff!
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    I might have to dirty up my pretty links a tad so I can track without a referrer page,
    I end all my links with tracking code and it doesn't affect click through at all. So, they don't have to be "pretty."
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  • Profile picture of the author Luke Dennison
    If you do, don't apologize and make a fuss.

    If you don't, make a fuss.

    Seriously, if your ebook is clean from affiliate links, let your readers know.

    "I've included no affiliate links in this eBook. You guys aren't cash cows for me. This ebook was designed to help you, not boost my bank balance."

    Works like a charm, and people will be more likely to take a product recommendation from you seriously.
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  • Profile picture of the author Christian Swift
    Hi jlucas,

    Affiliate links in Ebooks are fine if they are used wisely, and if they link to products that actually add value to the reader - that is the key.

    As John McCabe stated above, it is also a good idea to tell the reader that it is an affiliate link, but do state that you only recommend things that add value because you care about the success of your clients.

    Hope this helps!

    Christian
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  • Profile picture of the author elusian
    Putting affiliate links in your book is fine, as long as they are relevant and not on every page. You just can't have them in books that you intend to put on Kindle. If it is just something that you are giving away on your site, you are fine.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
      Originally Posted by elusian View Post

      Putting affiliate links in your book is fine, as long as they are relevant and not on every page. You just can't have them in books that you intend to put on Kindle. If it is just something that you are giving away on your site, you are fine.
      You can, however, put in links that go to your website - where you utilize affiliate links.

      This is the best way to do it anyway... so you can always change the links on your site... if someone has your Kindle book, you can't take it from them and change the link to point to a better product.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Ben Holmes View Post

        You can, however, put in links that go to your website - where you utilize affiliate links.

        This is the best way to do it anyway... so you can always change the links on your site... if someone has your Kindle book, you can't take it from them and change the link to point to a better product.
        Actually, you can. Sort of.

        You can make changes to your manuscript and upload it to Kindle. Once approved, when someone tries to access your book, they'll get the updated version automatically.

        I do think utilizing a resource page and linking to that is better than loading up the book itself with affiliate links. Based on hundreds of reviews I've read, the former comes across as a value-add and the latter as a money grub. Of course, the first thing on your resource page should be your opt-in offer.
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        • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          Actually, you can. Sort of.

          You can make changes to your manuscript and upload it to Kindle. Once approved, when someone tries to access your book, they'll get the updated version automatically.
          Ah! Good to know. I've only recently begun using Kindle as a platform. I was thinking more in terms of ebooks that I've sent out into the vast Internet, never to see again...

          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          I do think utilizing a resource page and linking to that is better than loading up the book itself with affiliate links. Based on hundreds of reviews I've read, the former comes across as a value-add and the latter as a money grub. Of course, the first thing on your resource page should be your opt-in offer.
          I include my opt-in offer right at the beginning of the Kindle book, and again at the end. Then again, that's more what I'm using Kindle books for, as a traffic driver to my opt-in page. I also have a specific squeeze page that's only for my Kindle books - that is more tightly 'tied together' - so to speak. (The squeeze page says something about the 'Bonus Offer' for the Kindle purchaser...)
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  • Profile picture of the author jlucas
    Thanks for the input, great community you guys and gals have going here and I'm hooked!

    @elusian: I'm just doing a PDF for this one, but for future reference I have a question. If I would convert it to .mobi or something like that, would the links not work on the kindle, or are you saying that I couldn't get it on amazon because of their rules?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenny O
    Hi jlucas,

    It can convert if it's helpful for your readers. You should tell more information about product and convince readers to use it.
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    • Profile picture of the author drcayenne
      I think there is a WSO around this subject...The name Tube Dynamite comes to mind, by Matthew Olson.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidpham
    It 's one of good way to convert sales, but the real thing is before the affiliate link appear you need to share enough. I mean you need to show users that they already got somethings useful before they can help you make a little money. Almost people will know and understand why you do the ebook so don't need to hide it
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  • Profile picture of the author Javisito
    Same here all links put in a book or in any product is affiliate links.. By not doing so you would leave a lot of money on the table.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisWJohnson
    Banned
    Yeah, Monetizing your eBooks with affiliates links is good way. You can offer free reports containing your affiliate links and you will build your list as well in your Squeeze page!

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Kipson
    Yes, you can put affiliate links on your ebooks and they can convert, but you don't want to make this the main selling point of your ebook. It will set the tone for your subscribers, and if they think that you're prioritizing sales over giving them pertinent information, they might lose interest.
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  • Profile picture of the author QueenMelanie
    don't force aff links into an e-book. If it seems natural and not forced, aff links can do very well at converting from an ebook!
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  • Profile picture of the author jamescanz
    Originally Posted by jlucas View Post

    How do the experienced email marketers feel about placing affiliate links to relevant products in their ebooks? Do they ever convert and is it worth it to put them there before I've built trust with a subscriber?
    Do it all the time, it works well.

    Most systems tend to need to some tools to go with it, or can be used to speed up the process.

    Any autoresponder is a perfect example of a needed tool.

    OptimizePress or any other page builder is an example of something that can be used to speed up the process or make life easier.

    If not that, you can always put a...

    "You might be interested in" section at the end.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      The key is to be open and helpful, not sneaky and "sales-y".
      Originally Posted by RoniShwartz View Post


      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Used with restraint, affiliate links in ebooks can convert. The trick is to use them in such a way that readers don't feel that the only reason the ebook exists is to provide somewhere to hang affiliate links.
      If I'm not wrong, John, the law requires you to clearly state whether there are affiliate links in the eBook / report ! I read it in several law websites (I'll try to find the sources and I will create a post about it, so everybody is aware).


      Cheers, Roni

      BTW: I'm not sure if this legal requirement still holds water when you send your readers to a webpage (in your website) and THERE there are affiliate links...
      I won't challenge you on the legal requirements. I wasn't talking about not disclosing affiliate relationships. I would do so even if it were not required. As I said in the line omitted when you clipped my post for quoting, the key is to be open and helpful.

      If one of my books contains affiliate links, there is a notice right in the book, usually part of the introduction, that some of the links may benefit me if the buyer purchases something I recommend.

      Actually, from my layman's reading, disclosing affiliate links is still required if you use a resource page on the web and put the affiliate links there. Again, even if this were not so, I would still do it in the interest of transparency.
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  • Profile picture of the author Samfakroon
    John I think you have driven the point home, and Ben yes I agree using redirect links is good too. I use wp conversion tracker, but you can also just use a redirect of a sub-domian. though with conversion tracker you can know if the link is being clicked and detailed conversion report but that's bit advanced so I suggest you stick to the redirect method.
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