AWeber help - cloaking affiliate links in plain text messages?

[redbox]

Hi - newbie here! I'm definitely not technologically literate so it has taken me ages to get to a stage where I have actually made some traction!

Am looking at putting up a site to sell an affiliate product and am using aweber for the autoresponder series. However, it recommneds that I have a plain text as well as a HTML message.

I know how to make certain words or phrases in the HTML message convert into hyperlinks when you click on it but I dont know how to do this in my plain text message without having to type the whole affiliate link - this looks completely ugly and if I received that plain text message there is no way I would click on that link!

If anyone knows how to do this, it would be much appreciated.

Also, wondering if it is worthwhile to get a link cloaking software/program for my affiliate links in my aweber series and on my website.

Thanks!
Michelle

[dsmpublishing]

I would recommend using tinyurl.com it looks so much better than a long ugly one with the text format and that is what i personally use unless it is a link to my own product.

kind regards


sam
X

[redbox]

Thanks! I have had a look at tinyurl, but the link still says tinyurl.com/xxx i.e. it doesn't have the website name that I am trying to link to using my affiliate link. Is there a way that I can change this? or maybe use a different program?

[TheNightOwl]

If you can install a database (it's not so hard; If you need help, PM me), then go grab yourself a copy of php link cloaker, which is sold for some ridiculously low price by fellow Warrior, Blue Squares.

[sarahstaar]

you could always buy a .inf domain name for $1 and redirect it.

[mikeyman120]

I bought my own semi-short domain name and just create subfolders on it and put a .php redirect in the folder to my affiliate link.

For example the link would look like this:
shortdomain.com/clickbankcode

you would then create the folder called "clickbank code" and put the php redirect in it that folder and it will send them to your affiliate link.

Here is the code I use to redirect(without the asterisks):

**************
**************
<?php
header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
header("Location: your-affiliate-link-here");
exit();
?>
**************
**************
Take this code and paste it into notepad. Edit your affiliate link. Go to File>Save As and then set file types to ALL FILES then save as clickbankcode.php this will make it easy to remember which file this is. Then when you upload it you must rename it to index.php

Hope that helps. It would also be smart to name your domain something clever. This is just an example and is actually taken by me but a good one would be:
shortdomain.com/clickbankcode which looks much better ecspecially if you get a clever domain name like sendmeto or sendmeoverto or kickmeto.

That's just one way.

Mike

[medallion]

Redbox,

Hi there.

I understand your predicament, and I use Easy Redirect Scripts.

Essentially, I have a domain name, and I have installed software on my domain, and then, I create as many redirects as I like, with my domain name.

An example is hostingsuccess.com/ers

My domain name is hostingsuccess and I have added other options after the / and thus, programmed a redirect to any page of my choice.

Another example would be

hostingsuccess.com/delavo

Essentially, once the software is installed, it is easy to configure, and you can make as many redirects as you want.

The requirement is to have your own hosting account first, where you can upload the files to, with a domain name.

I hope this helps, as I understand the need to keep your link slooking good, and reduce the steakling of affiliate commissions.

Martin

[The Expert]

Redbox,

If you go to Tinyurl's page (don't use the browser widget) to shorten your URL you'll see a note under the box where you put your URL where you can create a "Custom Alias"

If you were promoting SEO Elite you would simply enter "SEOElite" (or something similar) in the Custom Alias Box before shrinking your URL.

As in this example, the URL would end up being: http://tinyurl.com/SEOElite

This is a fast and simple way to do this...however if you can use a redirect sofware then it's better as all your links can be "bolted" to your brand.

If your site is a Wordpress site, then you can just use the free "Redirect" plugin to do this.

[MikeGriffith]

My best advice is to buy a domain from GoDaddy and redirect it. It's much simpler. That way you get to use your domain name in your link.

[redbox]

Thanks to all (i dont yet know how to actually thank within a thread :P). Will have to re-read some of the suggestions as I am really really new with this internet/technology thing (have only just learnt about affiliate links) so feel a little overwhelmed with all the info. But will digest and hopefully be able to implement one of the suggestions!!

Thanks for all your advice and patience..

[redbox]

Hi All (again)
In trying to understand the various options, can I ask a few more questions?

I have bought a .com domain and installed wordpress on it. I was intending to use this site as a landing page rather than just using the .com to redirect (and for branding pruposes).

Should i then buy another .com or .info site and redirect? or use the wordpress plugin?

I am just conscious that with a plain text email message it shows the exact http: address that i type in so if I have my own website that i am intending to keep/brand, that another domain name in my email would look odd.

sorry.. i am kinda lost with all this stuff... so my questions may sound quite simplistic..

[pmlharry]

If you already have a domain specifically for your landing pages, then I suggest you "brand" that domain and use it for any redirect links you create (using any of the ideas mentioned above).

Am I making sense?

[redbox]

sorry, i know i keep asking this question again and again but its taking a while for me to understnad, but can i use any of these methods in a plain text email?