Affiliate Links - Where Do You Draw The Line?

12 replies
Warriors,

I need your advice. I have created a couple of reports recently and they sometimes reference products that have affiliate programs. These are not reports I give away for joining my email list.

The main point of the reports is to deliver something valuable.

Inside the report I also point the reader to a squeeze page where they can optin to get more related info.

But then I get a little stuck trying to figure out whether to monetize the reports by using affiliate links.

Personally, I don't mind when marketers use affiliate links as long as there is some value in the report too.

How do you usually do it?
#affiliate #draw #line #links
  • Profile picture of the author Oliver Hayes
    As long as you're referring them to good stuff. Don't be afraid to give yourself the opportunity to get paid.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lana Hampton
      Depending upon how many affiliate links you want to use, since no one wants to read a report full of affiliate links, I would add a Resources or Recommended Tools page at the end of your report.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnnyPlan
    If the only point of the reports or books are to advertise the link, then the content is likely to be flimsy. However, it sounds like you are taking great care to ensure that your content stands on it's own without the links. If you are very sure the content is good enough, then don't be afraid to include some relevant links inside that point to products or services which you feel could truly benefit your customer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    When I first started online marketing I got on a site (no longer exists) full of good information. I literally read on that site for days. I clicked numerous links and signed up for a bunch of the services.

    At the time I didn't know they were affiliate links and it wouldn't have mattered. The information was good.
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    • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      When I first started online marketing I got on a site (no longer exists) full of good information. I literally read on that site for days. I clicked numerous links and signed up for a bunch of the services.

      At the time I didn't know they were affiliate links and it wouldn't have mattered. The information was good.
      It all boils down to value.

      If you're over-delivering on what they are expecting to get, then they won't notice or care that they are affiliate links.

      If, as some other mentioned, you are just writing reports for the sake of stuffing them with affiliate links, they will notice and stop reading your stuff.
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      "Human thoughts have the tendency to transform themselves into their physical equivalent." Earl Nightingale

      Super Affiliates Hang Out Here

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  • Profile picture of the author extrememan
    Provide value and use affiliate links to make sales. That's basic affiliate marketing. With out sales you will make no money. Give, Give, Give then ask.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    they sometimes reference products that have affiliate programs
    If you include these links in your report and the content has value then those should be your affiliate links. It only makes snse to do this IMO.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      When I first started online marketing I got on a site (no longer exists) full of good information. I literally read on that site for days. I clicked numerous links and signed up for a bunch of the services.

      At the time I didn't know they were affiliate links and it wouldn't have mattered. The information was good.
      Create that reaction, and you'll be golden...
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  • Profile picture of the author DURABLEOILCOM
    Add quality affiliate links.
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  • Profile picture of the author cyberzolo
    Reffering them to the affiliate programs that could you see helping your email subs.
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