Some (but not all) links on this site are part of affiliate programs with the respective vendors. That means that when you buy something through a link on my site, it may (or may not) result in me being compensated, by receiving a percentage of the sale. I does not increase the price you pay. I simply get a referral fee for referring you to the site/vendor.
Below you can read my opinion and stance on affiliate marketing, what it means for you, and me:)
Why leave money on the table?
Affiliate marketing is rightfully frowned upon by some people. I hate eager, hyper-aggressive affiliate marketers more than most people do. You know the breed: those people with nothing on their minds or hearts to share. All they have, is a million links to share. Links to crap. Stuff they themselves care little about. All they care about is the EPC ratio (affiliate speak for the equivalent of ROI) – to hell with what they’re promoting.
I’m not one of them! Never will be. I find the above downright disgusting and despicable. I have zero respect for that way of making a living. Why? Because it lacks purpose. And it lacks integrity and honesty, which are key values of mine. I was born WAY too honest. I tell things like I feel. Not doing so, would mean I wouldn’t be me. I wouldn’t be living. Yes, that may sound far-stretched, I can hear that, but nevertheless, it’s how it is, for me. Heck, a psychologist/coach I spend around 50 hours talking to, was convinced I was on the asperger spectrum.
Most of my friends, partners and family members have experienced my honesty first-hand:
“Oliver doesn’t lie. Would almost be nice if he did, then I’d probably feel better… and less fat”
–could easily be a quote from several of them.
Now, I’m way too social to be an aspie, but I share their intense dislike of dishonesty – and their obsessive compulsive tendencies regarding peculiar, narrow interests, rigid black and white opinions on certain matters, etc.
Anyway, back to business:
I care about what I share. I only share what I feel worthy sharing with you. I hate wasting peoples time, let alone yours (as a valuable reader/participant on my blog/site).
Why affiliate links then? Well, I’m of the opinion that it’s dumb to leave money on the table. When I already spend so much time blogging, raving and ranting about certain products, why not make sure I get compensated for the traffic I send to those sites/vendors?
It’s a triple win-win-win situation:
Win for YOU:
The product or service doesn’t get more expensive, for you as the customer. In fact, however, I love to let you know whenever there’s a deal going on, letting you save money.
Win for the VENDOR:
They get a sale, via a referral they may have otherwise not gotten.
Win for ME:
I get a percentage of the sale.
Affiliate income isn’t a lot, but it helps me justify the many hours I put into writing my blog posts and caring for my subscribers by sharing knowledge and giving stuff away for free.
Without integrity and authenticity – I wouldn’t be here
Affiliate links does not skew or bias my opinions one iota. There are plenty affiliate programs I could join and promote instead of the ones I do. But I don’t do that. It would sacrifice my integrity, and that would be shooting myself in the foot. After all, if you can’t trust what I’m saying, writing, recommending, ranting or raving about: it would all be a giant waste of time. At least to me. I write my blog to share my knowledge and experience, learn from you and the rest of the community. Rest assured, you can trust me, and I wanna earn that trust.
As a few last examples:
I’d never recommend something to you, that I knew was crap, or was something you didn’t really need, or something I didn’t have a solid idea about being good, either based on my own experience, or by its (personally and thoroughly investigated) reputation.
Likewise, I’ll never prioritise nor recommend one product over another, based on that product being more profitable, affiliate-/ROI-wise.
My authenticity and honesty, is a much more valuable asset, in the long run. Integrity lasts. Dishonesty and shortsightedness in the name of a quick profit, doesn’t.
Oliver Nielsen, WebMatros.com