7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Do you have an aversion to...

by Kim Standerline
6 replies
Clicking on someone's affiliate thread

Curious to know after reading this thread http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/44536-i-quit-using-tinyurl-bitly-etc-will-boost-my-traffic-new-post.html it got me thinking.

We try reasonably hard to hide affiliate links, why do you think we do that. I have my own ideas, but it would be interesting to see what others think.

I was talking to someone the other day who said they had cut off the affiliate link at the end of someone's recommendation the other day when buying so that person wouldn't get the credit. I thought that was a tad mean, but when I asked them why they did it, they didn't really have an answer. Curious as to why people have this mindset

Kim
#aversion
  • Profile picture of the author Glenn Grundberg
    Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

    Clicking on someone's affiliate thread

    Curious to know after reading this thread http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/44536-i-quit-using-tinyurl-bitly-etc-will-boost-my-traffic-new-post.html it got me thinking.

    We try reasonably hard to hide affiliate links, why do you think we do that. I have my own ideas, but it would be interesting to see what others think.

    I was talking to someone the other day who said they had cut off the affiliate link at the end of someone's recommendation the other day when buying so that person wouldn't get the credit. I thought that was a tad mean, but when I asked them why they did it, they didn't really have an answer. Curious as to why people have this mindset

    Kim
    Hey Kim:

    Personally I found when I started in the biz that I had a knee-jerk reaction to an affiliate link.

    After much self-analysis I believe it was a visceral feeling that the affiliate was somehow "improperly" profiting at my expense with no "work product" involved.

    Of course, I've since "come to my senses" on the issue and realize that there's a LOT of work involved, although nothing tangible that you can point at like, say, a bookcase or a new floor, LOL.

    Although I'll bet the affiliate could point at their adwords bill as proof of tangibility, right?

    I've also spoken to others on this issue, including clients and users of an affiliate site I own, and many uber-n00bs labor under the misapprehension that an affiliate commission costs THEM money...

    Of course it doesn't...an affiliate commission doesn't change your final price one way or another: You're still gonna pay the final price anyways.

    So, stripping off the affiliate's link just screws some poor soul that worked hard for the traffic out of a just and rightful payday, and that's BAD JUJU, man.

    What goes around, comes around...

    My 2c worth...

    Gman
    Signature

    I'm Baaaaaack...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[411672].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
    Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

    We try reasonably hard to hide affiliate links, why do you think we do that. I have my own ideas, but it would be interesting to see what others think.
    Well, one reason could be , people don't like to be sold. If it the person knows you're trying to sell them AND you're getting a commission, its not really not always recipe for greater conversions. Remember, People Love to buy, but Hate to be sold.

    Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

    I was talking to someone the other day who said they had cut off the affiliate link at the end of someone's recommendation the other day when buying so that person wouldn't get the credit. I thought that was a tad mean, but when I asked them why they did it, they didn't really have an answer. Curious as to why people have this mindset
    I believe it's some type of sub conscious reason why- which is why this person has no idea why they did it.

    I can't find or don't remember the exact study, but I read research somewhere that reflects why someone might do what you've described above.
    Signature

    "One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor    "

    "I Pay Less Attention to What Men Say. I Just Watch What They Do."
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[411739].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
      Some folks believe that the item will cost more if they're going through an affiliate so they want to go "direct"--especially outside of the IM bubble where folks don't know anything about affiliate marketing. Also they don't believe that what you're doing deserves a commission. So you setup a site, put up a review, or whatever you did to show them this product they don't think it's worth you getting paid. "Go work for a living you bum" type of a mentality.

      Another factor is fear. Again outside our little IM world, people see those affiliate links and they think good Lord what the hell is that thing. It must be spyware/trojan/etc. I asked my wife, sister, and two friends who don't know much about IM/Affiliate stuff--what do you think about this link and would you click it and they all said no. It was a CJ affiliate link. They just thought it looked scary. One friend he thought it was a tracking thing that would spy on him. Especially on a site that's not Amazon, Best Buy, etc.

      I think that those are two driving forces why folks have an aversion to clicking affiliate links.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[411772].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Melody
    Having been in outside sales all my life - it doesn't bother me at all to click on an affiliate's link - because I personally feel that the person that introduced me to the product has the right to earn something for their efforts.

    Unfortunately, that same history in outside sales has also taught me that most people don't feel that way - even people that should know better!

    It's pretty tough for me to get cut out of a deal today because the nature of my relationship with clients is way beyond the sales rep level - but that doesn't mean that the person I'm presenting the product to doesn't still try to take me out of the loop occasionally - under the mistaken belief that they will get a lower price if the consultant is not in the 'middle'.

    The general populace just doesn't really understand the work that goes into the sales process - they don't really consider sales a 'profession'.

    And it's going to be a long time before the average person considers affiliate marketing a 'career' or a 'business'.

    Until they do - they will probably continue to try and bypass an affiliate's link without considering that they just took someone's paycheck away from them.
    Signature
    Our first "Digital Yard Sale"! A massive PLR Blowout Sale to help a friend pay medical expenses.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[411762].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
      Originally Posted by Melody View Post

      The general populace just doesn't really understand the work that goes into the sales process - they don't really consider sales a 'profession'.

      And it's going to be a long time before the average person considers affiliate marketing a 'career' or a 'business'.

      Until they do - they will probably continue to try and bypass an affiliate's link without considering that they just took someone's paycheck away from them.
      Because most people don't view affiliate marketing as a career or business- what some people recommend, they have never used, or tried. Its simply about making money. There is more to business than making money.

      And sales and marketing is evolving into something greater- imo.
      Signature

      "One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor      "

      "I Pay Less Attention to What Men Say. I Just Watch What They Do."
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[411792].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sunnyman
    Good points raised here.

    I guess it has to do with fear ow the un-known for some. A strange-looking link - yes, MUST be something sinister!

    Btw, I notice some people promoting CB stuff have started using a "Full disclosure" page. Whoa, if visitors actually READ that page, they will run away and never come back!
    (Maybe never dare buy anyting online?)
    Signature

    » Get Started Making Money Online - How To

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[411826].message }}

Trending Topics