Considering Promoting a product? Buy it first
There could be valid reasons to buy rather than asking the author for a freebie.
1. You won't get special treatment and you can see exactly how "your" customers will be treated.
2. You get to experience the sales process and see the joy or hell your customers will go through
3. You learn what upsells and cross sells the author really has for which you may or may not get a commission
4. You learn what happens after the sale and what list/s your customers will be on
To be fair from some authors you just know your customers will have a great experience and you don't need to pay full price.
I like to get free stuff as much as the next guy, but often I've purchased just to see what happens. Sometimes I've been horrified and was glad I didn't start promoting blindly.
Fair warning: It's possible I'm arguing with you because I have nothing better to do.
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