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Question for Amazon Affiliate Site Owners: Are you willing to share earnings to a partner?

by marcyscreed
20 replies
Additional information:

Amazon affiliate site owner claims to be earning a hefty amount from sales and wants to share the earnings (not by half but by at least 1/3 or just the new upcoming sales by assigning a new affiliate ID). I am yet to see the statistics for traffic and earnings while logged in because he only showed screenshots.

Joining as supposed partner will entail providing blog/review copies which I was previously providing as a copywriter (paid per completed copy).

Since this supposed partnership will be passive and not active, there's no more fee for the copies but will potentially have earnings for sales. His projection is about 6 months to one year.

It's not that I don't believe in passive income but it does need time and money shelled out at first. I am also thinking he just wants to have free content. If the site earns that much, he can just pay for the copies and keep all earnings for himself.

What do you think?
#affiliate #amazon #earnings #owners #partner #question #share #site
  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    create my own review site.

    Another option would be to provide the content at a lesser upfront cost and then take a percentage on top.

    I would stay away from straight out commission sharing as you can not control the marketing efforts of this partner.

    al
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

      create my own review site.

      Another option would be to provide the content at a lesser upfront cost and then take a percentage on top.

      I would stay away from straight out commission sharing as you can not control the marketing efforts of this partner.

      al
      Thanks for answering. In this case, I am the one who won't be able to provide as much time needed for marketing efforts but I can definitely provide the copy (like all other copies before).

      Thank you for your suggestions too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Here's what I don't like, though:

    claims to be earning a hefty amount from sales and wants to share the earnings
    will potentially have earnings for sales. His projection is about 6 months to one year.
    If earnings are good NOW - why would it take 6-12 months for you to see profit?

    If he's earning a 'hefty' amount why not just keep paying for content if it's that profitable?

    Right now what I see is "write content for free and if there is profit in 6-12 months from your content....you get a share of it". That's a win win for HIM.
    He has nothing at risk in that offer and no obligation to you.

    When I wrote content and sales pages that earned money for clients - they "shred the profit" by giving me bonuses on the work I was doing for them. They wanted to be certain I would keep writing for them.

    If you decide to take a chance - make it shorter term - have a contract and specify everything from how much content - how often - to how you can verify results for yourself.
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Here's what I don't like, though:





      If earnings are good NOW - why would it take 6-12 months for you to see profit?

      If he's earning a 'hefty' amount why not just keep paying for content if it's that profitable?

      Right now what I see is "write content for free and if there is profit in 6-12 months from your content....you get a share of it". That's a win win for HIM.
      He has nothing at risk in that offer and no obligation to you.

      When I wrote content and sales pages that earned money for clients - they "shred the profit" by giving me bonuses on the work I was doing for them. They wanted to be certain I would keep writing for them.

      If you decide to take a chance - make it shorter term - have a contract and specify everything from how much content - how often - to how you can verify results for yourself.
      From our conversation, he wasn't willing to share the earnings for already converting pages/products since it's a bit established now long before he wanted me to join. So I suggested that we start splitting the share starting with the new content I will be adding. I have already posted one very lengthy post which would have been paid well for the content itself alone, had it been not for this arrangement. So the content is unpaid and free.

      The contract and results verification are great suggestions. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I have already posted one very lengthy post which would have been paid well for the content itself alone, had it been not for this arrangement. So the content is unpaid and free.
    Why do people ask what to do - after they've already decided to do it?

    You can't choose to do this and then worry about what you "would have been paid" - the content you posted is not "unpaid" because you provided it FREE so nothing was owed.

    Do it with the right mindset. It's a risk but you've decided the potential of future income is there - so think of it as "a partner" rather than "not getting paid".

    Hope it works out well for you.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    It actually doesn't take much to be considered a 'difficult woman' -
    that's why there are so many of us.
    ...jane goodall
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Why do people ask what to do - after they've already decided to do it?

      You can't choose to do this and then worry about what you "would have been paid" - the content you posted is not "unpaid" because you provided it FREE so nothing was owed.

      Do it with the right mindset. It's a risk but you've decided the potential of future income is there - so think of it as "a partner" rather than "not getting paid".

      Hope it works out well for you.
      I'm thinking of quitting now before I provide more content. He gave me a list of what to write next.
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Why is all the risk on you?

    You could be a partner, he could be paying for your articles like always and, as soon as any income comes in, you share it: he gets 50%, you get 50% less what he paid you for the content you created. This could also work, in the end, to the same thing.

    He can get free content for a while, then claim your pages didn't earn anything, and you two part ways, he replaces you but you're out a stream of income.

    I don't like it. I'd like it if it was my brother or sister offering it as I could trust them.
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by DABK View Post

      Why is all the risk on you?

      You could be a partner, he could be paying for your articles like always and, as soon as any income comes in, you share it: he gets 50%, you get 50% less what he paid you for the content you created. This could also work, in the end, to the same thing.

      He can get free content for a while, then claim your pages didn't earn anything, and you two part ways, he replaces you but you're out a stream of income.

      I don't like it. I'd like it if it was my brother or sister offering it as I could trust them.
      My thoughts exactly, although there are good suggestions above which I may follow.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    The top tier copywriters, like Kennedy, Carlton or Makepeace often work on a fee + royalty deal. You charge the partner a set fee and then you collect a percentage of the sales you generate - on top of the fee. That way, if the project flops (and many do in spite of one's best efforts) you still get paid for your efforts.

    One arrangement I might go for, either as the publisher or the copywriter, is an upfront payment, then all royalties are applied until the advance is paid for, then an ongoing royalty payment. This is similar to the way mainstream publishing houses work with authors.
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      The top tier copywriters, like Kennedy, Carlton or Makepeace often work on a fee + royalty deal. You charge the partner a set fee and then you collect a percentage of the sales you generate - on top of the fee. That way, if the project flops (and many do in spite of one's best efforts) you still get paid for your efforts.

      One arrangement I might go for, either as the publisher or the copywriter, is an upfront payment, then all royalties are applied until the advance is paid for, then an ongoing royalty payment. This is similar to the way mainstream publishing houses work with authors.
      Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not a top notch copywriter like those you've listed though so I doubt if I can collect any royalties.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by marcyscreed View Post

        Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not a top notch copywriter like those you've listed though so I doubt if I can collect any royalties.
        There's only one way to find out, right?

        There's an old saying among sales trainers - "never say no for your prospect - make them do it".
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        • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          There's only one way to find out, right?

          There's an old saying among sales trainers - "never say no for your prospect - make them do it".
          I guess I have to try. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Marcy,

    You are in business to make money . . . and you should be minimizing your risk whenever possible.

    Right now, the risk is all on you. Who knows where this guy might be six months from now?

    Mind you, everything could be on the up and up . . . but you just don't know at this point. I have my doubts because you are the one who stands to not be paid - you control nothing. You can trust people all you want, but the anonymity of the Internet allows some people to do things to strangers that are dishonest.

    If he wants your writing that bad, let him pay for it up front.

    You've been warned . . .

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      Marcy,

      You are in business to make money . . . and you should be minimizing your risk whenever possible.

      Right now, the risk is all on you. Who knows where this guy might be six months from now?

      Mind you, everything could be on the up and up . . . but you just don't know at this point. I have my doubts because you are the one who stands to not be paid - you control nothing. You can trust people all you want, but the anonymity of the Internet allows some people to do things to strangers that are dishonest.

      If he wants your writing that bad, let him pay for it up front.

      You've been warned . . .

      Steve
      I have indeed worked with the guy for some time now but all our communication is purely on the web. I don't really know him personally. I've been scammed before when I was still new to the whole web work. I definitely don't want to go through the same thing again.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    You aren't being scammed that I can see - it's just that you have all the risk. You agreed to do it and contributed one (?) article - I wouldn't quit now but I would talk to your partner and express your concern.

    You might limit the articles to 10 or so and tell him you will wait and see how the 'money part' works before adding more content.

    That would be a reasonable contribution....if in 3 months those pages are in profit....you can dive back in.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    It actually doesn't take much to be considered a 'difficult woman' -
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    ...jane goodall
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      You aren't being scammed that I can see - it's just that you have all the risk. You agreed to do it and contributed one (?) article - I wouldn't quit now but I would talk to your partner and express your concern.

      You might limit the articles to 10 or so and tell him you will wait and see how the 'money part' works before adding more content.

      That would be a reasonable contribution....if in 3 months those pages are in profit....you can dive back in.
      Thanks for the suggestion. I can't afford to spare free content at the moment though. I'm finally done with it. I don't know if there's a way to close threads?
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  • Profile picture of the author ANDREIS
    You should ask him to allow you to log in and see his traffic statistics. It's all about traffic. Based on how the site gets traffic you would be able to see if the way of getting traffic is reliable. If the website has been successful in attracting traffic so far, then you can believe you would earn some money in the future. If I were you I would ask him to allow me the access to his traffic analytics account and also Amazon associates account. This would be the only way for you to know whether you're getting traffic and making money or not. Screenshots and other "proofs" can be faked and you can't rely on his word.
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    • Profile picture of the author marcyscreed
      Originally Posted by ANDREIS View Post

      You should ask him to allow you to log in and see his traffic statistics. It's all about traffic. Based on how the site gets traffic you would be able to see if the way of getting traffic is reliable. If the website has been successful in attracting traffic so far, then you can believe you would earn some money in the future. If I were you I would ask him to allow me the access to his traffic analytics account and also Amazon associates account. This would be the only way for you to know whether you're getting traffic and making money or not. Screenshots and other "proofs" can be faked and you can't rely on his word.
      I mentioned about the login as suggested by others above. That's the problem. He keeps giving me screenshots about the supposed earnings and how he has been doing this since 2005. He doesn't seem to be willing to let me login just to take a peak.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    You don't close threads. They just gradually disappear under the mass of new postings.

    I'm left wondering if this is something you have been doing for a while or a new partnership. Re-reading the posts just now- it doesn't make much sense.

    You started by asking if this partnership would be a good idea but an hour then ...

    You said you could provide the copy....

    Then said you had provided one long article....

    Then said you might quit....

    Now seems you have quit and say you can't afford "to spare free content"

    All of this since yesterday morning?
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    It actually doesn't take much to be considered a 'difficult woman' -
    that's why there are so many of us.
    ...jane goodall
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by marcyscreed View Post

    I mentioned about the login as suggested by others above. That's the problem. He keeps giving me screenshots about the supposed earnings and how he has been doing this since 2005. He doesn't seem to be willing to let me login just to take a peak.
    With this, you should be nearly blinded by the glow from the gigantic red flag waving in the breeze with multiple spotlights on it. Cut the cord and run like hell...
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