An ethical question about affiliate links in an ebook

13 years ago

I don't think it's unethical if you tell them. If this thing actually presells a product where you'll make more money, I'd allow affiliates to change the links and swap them out though. But not sure if you want them editing your ebook and not sure of a slick way to do that.

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Andyhenry

13 years ago

My line on this is different to most people's.

I think:

If you're giving the book away - go crazy with relevant affiliate links that make sense.

If you're selling it - Don't include them.

Many people seem to be ok with selling people an ebook full of affiliate links so I know my view is not the same as many others so I guess it's up to you to decide what you feel is right.

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ShayB

13 years ago

If it's a free ebook - go crazy with links. Knock yourself out.

If it's a paid e-book - I don't mind a link or two, but when the e-book seems like it's just a way to promote a bunch of affiliate products (and I paid for "privilege" of reading it), it's a turnoff to me.

JMHO and YMMV

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SUPER Louie

13 years ago

Originally Posted by ShayRockhold

If it's a free ebook - go crazy with links. Knock yourself out.

If it's a paid e-book - I don't mind a link or two, but when the e-book seems like it's just a way to promote a bunch of affiliate products (and I paid for "privilege" of reading it), it's a turnoff to me.

JMHO and YMMV

I completely agree. Don't feel guilty putting affiliate links in your eBook since it's yours anyway. I've already read many eBooks before that are loaded with affiliate links and see no problem with it.

Thanks

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JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Originally Posted by DianaHeuser

I am busy writing an ebook at the moment. In it I will be detailing additional resources for my readers to access that I consider useful and valuable. Most of these resources, if not free, will be affiliate links.

The question I have is, if I decide to let affiliates market the book as well, would it be ethical to have my own affiliate links to various products in that book while other marketers are earning a commision on the sale of my ebook?

Obviously I would make that quite clear to any potential affiliates but I would be interested in your responses please.

Is it ethical to put affiliate links in an ebook for which an affiliate can earn a commission?

Yes. The affiliate is signing up to promote your product - the ebook - including the affiliate links. Turn the tables. Is it ethical for an affiliate to lure people onto a list and make further commissions after promoting your ebook by offering them other products? Yes, again.

I wouldn't make a big deal out of announcing it to affiliates. I think most would assume that any links you could get paid for would be monetized.

I'd be more concerned with telling my buyers.

"I've included a list of resources that I believe are worthwhile. Some of them may pay me a commission if you buy through my link. Enough so that using an affiliate link is worthwhile because it helps keep the lights on. Not enough to jeopardize your trust and my integrity and reputation."

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Ryan David 13 years ago

Kind of related, but I actually got started in IM by reading Tom Antion's book called "Electronic Marketing For Small Business". I think it was released in 2005 by a REAL publisher (WILEY). You could actually buy it in bookstores or Amazon.

Anyways, he included affiliate links in his book. That's not the strange part, to me anyways. The strange part was that he included the long affiliate links given out by the merchant. Even I at the time was surprised that someone would put out a book and leave links in there that he didn't control (what happens if Clickbank changes links?)

Even more surprising was that Tom Antion was at Traffic Secrets seminar where John Reese said specifically NOT to include merchant domain links in ebooks. Instead to include links that you control so you can change the offer. Unless I have the time frame wrong, the seminar was far ahead of when he released the book.
- Thanks
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Greg guitar

13 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Is it ethical to put affiliate links in an ebook for which an affiliate can earn a commission?

Yes. The affiliate is signing up to promote your product - the ebook - including the affiliate links. Turn the tables. Is it ethical for an affiliate to lure people onto a list and make further commissions after promoting your ebook by offering them other products? Yes, again.

I wouldn't make a big deal out of announcing it to affiliates. I think most would assume that any links you could get paid for would be monetized.

I'd be more concerned with telling my buyers.

"I've included a list of resources that I believe are worthwhile. Some of them may pay me a commission if you buy through my link. Enough so that using an affiliate link is worthwhile because it helps keep the lights on. Not enough to jeopardize your trust and my integrity and reputation."

I agree with this 100%-except I'd leave out the the last sentence in the post, as I don't think it will occur to most people, and wouldn't want to suggest the possibility.

I agree that it's not worth announcing to affiliates-the links are just part of the package, and they already know what they get out of promoting it-they never were told that you would give up your income from the links on copies they sell, and the experienced ones will know it's standard.

Edit: thanks for the thanks John, and I wanted to take a stab at my version of the affiliate commissions disclosure, which might go something like this (probably it's way too wordy

):

Part of the value I offer you in this [book or whatever] is that I continually research products and services, whether free or paid, that promise to help [niche people]. I do my best to figure out which ones are best. Often I make affiliate commissions for referred sales, but I only recommend what I love, (and bought, in most cases). Some things I recommend are free. I refuse to refer you to anything I don't think is great, and you'll have my honest thoughts on all of it. I want long term, happy clients-not short term profits on junk that helps no one. Rest assured that I'd make the same recommendations to my own family if they were [niche members].

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JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Greg guitar

I agree with this 100%-except I'd leave out the the last sentence in the post, as I don't think it will occur to most people, and wouldn't want to suggest the possibility.

I agree that it's not worth announcing to affiliates-the links are just part of the package, and they already know what they get out of promoting it-they never were told that you would give up your income from the links on copies they sell, and the experienced ones will know it's standard.

Greg, you have a point. I'd probably leave that last bit out in a product intended to be someone's first experience with me. Similar to leaving out the 'we hate spam' line near opt-in forms, I don't want to put ideas in peoples' heads.

I have used that line in reply to someone challenging me about including affiliate links, as I don't use the naked link for both flexibility and tracking.

Thanks for the catch...

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Steve B

13 years ago

Diana:

Think beyond just whether to include affiliate links or not.

In my humble opinion, affiliate links are a "turn off" when
a) they are irrelevant to the present conversation
b) they are so numerous that they make you think the author is only concerned about his/her own bank account rather than giving you great information in the book
c) the author has never used or doesn't really believe in the affiliate product

As the author, you can control (a) and (b) easily. (c) is a bit more of a challenge, but here's my approach (it's well worth the time).

Instead of just throwing out links hoping for a click and eventual commission (which rarely happen on their own), why not put a little more effort into it and turn your link into a "godsend" for your readers needing whatever product or service you're promoting?

One way to do that is to take the time to explain "what's in it for me" (WIIFM) to the reader. You can do that in a short little paragraph that some would call "an aside" or "by the way." The idea is to tell your reader "I had this same problem and this is where I found a (wonderful -fast - inexpensive - complete) solution."

Simply talk to the reader, one on one, the same way you would tell your sister or your best friend about this great new service you discovered. Tell them WHO it's for, HOW it solved your problem, and WHY this is the best solution.

If you do that, your reader will know that you used the service or product you're pushing, you liked it, and it solved your problem.

This strategy is impossible if you haven't had any experience with the affiliate product. But if that's the case, why are you recommending it to the reader in the first place?

Good luck on your new project.

Steve

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DeadGuy 13 years ago

Of course the inclusion of affiliate links in your ebook is perfectly legit and not at all unethical. Very few folks write ebooks for the "greater good" or just to be a nice gal (guy). If the ebook you have written has value to the reader, they will return to your site over and over or they might even buy one of the products you are recommending.
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Greg guitar

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve B

Diana:

Think beyond just whether to include affiliate links or not.

In my humble opinion, affiliate links are a "turn off" when
a) they are irrelevant to the present conversation
b) they are so numerous that they make you think the author is only concerned about his/her own bank account rather than giving you great information in the book
c) the author has never used or doesn't really believe in the affiliate product

As the author, you can control (a) and (b) easily. (c) is a bit more of a challenge, but here's my approach (it's well worth the time).

Instead of just throwing out links hoping for a click and eventual commission (which rarely happen on their own), why not put a little more effort into it and turn your link into a "godsend" for your readers needing whatever product or service you're promoting?

One way to do that is to take the time to explain "what's in it for me" (WIIFM) to the reader. You can do that in a short little paragraph that some would call "an aside" or "by the way." The idea is to tell your reader "I had this same problem and this is where I found a (wonderful -fast - inexpensive - complete) solution."

Simply talk to the reader, one on one, the same way you would tell your sister or your best friend about this great new service you discovered. Tell them WHO it's for, HOW it solved your problem, and WHY this is the best solution.

If you do that, your reader will know that you used the service or product you're pushing, you liked it, and it solved your problem.

This strategy is impossible if you haven't had any experience with the affiliate product. But if that's the case, why are you recommending it to the reader in the first place?

Good luck on your new project.

Steve

I think this is great advice-if you care about your audience, and really love the stuff you recommend, you might as well pre-sell it properly, because you really do want them to have the benefit.

It's always good to be reminded to continually answer "what's in it for me?" Your advice on how to write salescopy is fantastic; combining the mindset of talking to a family member, with answering "WIIFM", is great-keeps it casual, friendly, and real, while staying on point-the benefits to them.

In general, and ideally, I agree that you should stick to marketing stuff you've tested.

I think there are a few possible exceptions, but only for people who are great at research, and willing to take the time to do their "due diligence" so they can find the best stuff in a niche they don't necessarily belong to.

Some people might want to sell an expensive item that they've done a ton of research on, and that's beyond their own budget, but they might know more about it than most owners, and know that it's the best product of it's kind. But they would be missing the edge of being able to describe their own experience as an owner.

Then there are those outside a niche, that are just good at online marketing, SEO, etc. If they do their due diligence, making sure they only recommend great stuff, I see nothing wrong with, for example, a woman selling menswear, or a non-fan finding his Star Wars customers great deals on action figures, that he knows are great deals from his market research.

Still, when starting out, it's easiest to start with what you already know, and nothing beats being able to provide your own personal story. As a comic once said (maybe one of the Marx Brothers?), "Sincerity sells, and if you can learn to fake that, you've got it made!"

Thanks
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JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Greg guitar

Still, when starting out, it's easiest to start with what you already know, and nothing beats being able to provide your own personal story. As a comic once said (maybe one of the Marx Brothers?), "Sincerity sells, and if you can learn to fake that, you've got it made!"

Sure sounds like something Groucho would have said.

He also said, "I would never belong to a club that would have me as a member."

Thanks
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Greg guitar

13 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Sure sounds like something Groucho would have said.

He also said, "I would never belong to a club that would have me as a member."

I love Groucho-in one of my favorite scenes, he's dining in a fancy restaurant with a date, and when the bill comes, he picks it up, stands up and loudly proclaims "Why this is an outrage; if I were you I wouldn't pay it!", addressing his remarks to a woman at the next table, as he slams it down in front of her, before stomping angrily out. That one killed me!

(sorry that wasn't about the ethics of affiliate link placement)

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thriftgirl62

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

My line on this is different to most people's.

I think:

If you're giving the book away - go crazy with relevant affiliate links that make sense.

If you're selling it - Don't include them.

Many people seem to be ok with selling people an ebook full of affiliate links so I know my view is not the same as many others so I guess it's up to you to decide what you feel is right.

No, not too different. The "Freemium" Version always includes advertising referrals that pay for the work. Blatant ads [aka affiliate links], put there for nothing but profit should be avoided.

Don't include them if you're selling the ebook is just as wrong because what if you've got some really hard-to-find killer resources that have been kept secret for decades? Okay, that might be a bit extreme. . . and extremely rude which you don't want to be or you wouldn't be concerned with proper ebook etiquette.

Where there's a will there's a way and if you still can't find one, ask someone else to make one for you. Duh? You're doing that right here - and that's a good thing. The goal is to help and benefit others as much as possible, regardless of money. If you're selling the book, then donate the rest to charity or something like that. You'll help more people and sell more ebooks at the same time. OMG!! I just noticed your signature! Did I hit that one on the head or what!! You go Girl!!

You can't let what people think turn money into a reason for anything, but on the other hand, you still have to watch your reputation until your name can withstand the pressure. Choose 10 top affiliates and offer each one a strategically placed odd-shaped box or rectangle to say something profound with one personal recommendation relevant to that page in your ebook and that way you won't have to deal with a bunch of "what's in it for me" affiliates.

Originally Posted by Ryan David

Kind of related, but I actually got started in IM by reading Tom Antion's book called "Electronic Marketing For Small Business". I think it was released in 2005 by a REAL publisher (WILEY). You could actually buy it in bookstores or Amazon.

Anyways, he included affiliate links in his book. That's not the strange part, to me anyways. The strange part was that he included the long affiliate links given out by the merchant. Even I at the time was surprised that someone would put out a book and leave links in there that he didn't control (what happens if Clickbank changes links?)

Even more surprising was that Tom Antion was at Traffic Secrets seminar where John Reese said specifically NOT to include merchant domain links in ebooks. Instead to include links that you control so you can change the offer. Unless I have the time frame wrong, the seminar was far ahead of when he released the book.

Here's some more very strange information on that guy?? One of the posts from "JC on March 10, 2010" near the end was down right eerie and that's not just because it's Holloween either. ..." His mother locked me in a room for 3 days... Tom was living in DC and came up once a week.. He took me to DC to a small horrible dirty unkept apartment with hundreds of his “wake them up” tapes and books.." - very creepy.

Originally Posted by Greg guitar

Edit: thanks for the thanks John, and I wanted to take a stab at my version of the affiliate commissions disclosure, which might go something like this (probably it's way too wordy):

Part of the value I offer you in this [book or whatever] is that I continually research products and services, whether free or paid, that promise to help [niche people]. I do my best to figure out which ones are best. Often I make affiliate commissions for referred sales, but I only recommend what I love, (and bought, in most cases). Some things I recommend are free. I refuse to refer you to anything I don't think is great, and you'll have my honest thoughts on all of it. I want long term, happy clients-not short term profits on junk that helps no one. Rest assured that I'd make the same recommendations to my own family if they were [niche members].

Very Well Said and Welcome to the Wordy Club of Us!!

Thanks

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DianaHeuser

13 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to answer. Just want to summarise.

Affiliate links are ok in a paid ebook as long as there are only a few that are actually relevant to the topic of the book.
Let your readers know about the links
Most affiliate marketers would be ok with this.

Thanks Ryan for the good idea of using the book as a 'pre-sell' for another product. Never thought of that.

Never too old to learn

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Jacob Hargreave

13 years ago

Originally Posted by DianaHeuser

I am busy writing an ebook at the moment. In it I will be detailing additional resources for my readers to access that I consider useful and valuable. Most of these resources, if not free, will be affiliate links.

The question I have is, if I decide to let affiliates market the book as well, would it be ethical to have my own affiliate links to various products in that book while other marketers are earning a commision on the sale of my ebook?

Obviously I would make that quite clear to any potential affiliates but I would be interested in your responses please.

Hello Diana,

In my opinion if the additional resources are helpful and or needed then you can put those links in with confidence as you are solving potential problems of your readers.

Now if you want to be transparent and explain that they are affiliate links then by all means feel free because that gives your readers more reason to trust and support your cause.

I know there are a lot of mixed signals when it comes to affiliate links and how to promote them but if you stand by that product or service 100% then you should not feel guilty about sharing it with others.

Thanks

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Rach72

13 years ago

Just adding to the support for using links that are relevant and which will extend the subject should the reader want to learn more. Used sparingly most readers and affiliates will hardly notice them.

I wouldn't worry too much about your affiliates - they do have an obligation and personal responsibility to check any product out for themselves before promoting it.

Thanks Ryan for the good idea of using the book as a 'pre-sell' for another product. Never thought of that

Just watch that that does not become your main goal with this eBook - Selling a product with the real goal being the up-sell is a pretty slippery slope that few can master without ruffling feathers.
(Just My opinion

)

Rach

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David Keith

13 years ago

of course with the increasing ftc oversight, i think you do need to disclose and affiliations.

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Brian Terry

13 years ago

The other option is to find 2-tier affiliate products to include in your ebook. If you can also brand the ebook with your affiliate links to those products with 2-tier products everyone wins. They get commissions on their sales and so do you.

Here are some places you can find 2-tier programs:
Two Tier Affiliates Programs :: Affiliates Directory

Russel Brunson has a 2-tier program:
Best Affiliate Marketing Training - The SecondTier

I hope this helps.

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Pixel Minisite

13 years ago

most Internet marketers are doing this and it's ok, for me I only tolerate 1 or 2 affiliate links in a paid ebook

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Cool Hand Luke

13 years ago

I was wondering about this myself...I have a WSO coming out shortly and a lot of the info and resources provided have to have links to recommended sites/products anyways...why not make them affiliate links?

I've purchased quite a few WSOs, and never once did I begrudge a WSO creator for their affiliate links, in fact it made their teaching more valuable because they obviously knew further monetization methods.

Other Senior warriors have also told me a great reason to add affiliate links is simply so if my product is pirated, I can still potentially make some money back from those who steal the PDF section but do use the resources provided.

I guess it's a fine balance. Personally, I think its just a smart marketing move.

Thanks

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DianaHeuser

13 years ago

Thank you all. I learnt a huge amount from this. Really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

Thanks

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An ethical question about affiliate links in an ebook

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