I'm Curious. Question for Warriors re: affiliate links.

Here's perhaps the biggest reason. They just spent $7 to $97 hoping for their magic answer to make money. You did promise a miracle in your WSO, didn't you?

You are now telling them they need to invest more money to buy tools, or more information. They are frustrated because the magic is not happening.

If you are recommending tools which could benefit them in accelerating their success, tell them that is the only reason for the offer, and include a free way to accomplish the same tasks. Example: Buy SocialBot for Social Bookmarking, or Do it Manually for Free.

Make it clear you are planning to make money through the link by telling them exactly that. At every affiliate link you include, make it clear it is an affiliate link. You can include a non-affiliate link if you wish, and ask them to use your affiliate links if they are getting value from your Ebook. (Many times people are frustrated because they believe the only purpose of your Ebook is to sell more items.)

What you are doing is actually the proper thing. You SHOULD be recommending the proper tools, and even added learning resources. If you don't you are actually harming them much more than having the links in your book.

One more suggestion.....while you create your primary Ebook, create a second one using exactly the same content, but remove all affiliate links. When someone complains, offer them the stripped copy, but warn them if they need the tools they will need to hand type in the URL's.

Last comment....The higher quality your guide, the less complaints you will receive about affiliate links. When someone is able to take your guide, easily read it, understand it, and quickly apply it, they will be more likely to appreciate your affiliate links, rather than believe you are just trying to sell them more. While your guide may not be a miracle, if they start making money, they may feel it is.

You could also put an affiliate link in your report if the link goes to a freebie (such as a free report, free membership, etc) but includes a backend sale. (Mention the backend - recommend it to the reader, but don't push it - and make sure they understand they'll still get good use out of the freebie...)

I like KansasDragon's suggestion here.

For every affiliate link that you've put in, clearly tell the readers that it is an affiliate link, and provide a free link as well. This would keep the complainers from complaining, and still get you quite a few sales.

Everyone likes honesty

Kind of a ridiculous issue in my opinion. Never ran into myself. In fact, about 3 or 4 people sent me emails saying an affiliate link in my FlipAce was broken and they wanted me to get credit.

It comes down to two things - setting expectations appropriately and providing great , great quality content.

Great idea to offer both a free and a paid version of a resource if both exists KansasDragon. People often don't want to pay for tools or solutions but there are times when you get what you pay for.

With new FDA regs I believe you are required to disclose if its an affiliate link and you will be making money from it.