Comments on: Step-by-step affiliate program evaluation checklist

By: 4 Tips to Turn Your Blog into an Income Stream with Content

4 Tips to Turn Your Blog into an Income Stream with Content — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:48:06 +0000

[...] topics that make sense to your blog and look for affiliates later. Although it might be tempting to set up your blog to make money right away, remember that [...]

By: Antti Kokkonen

Antti Kokkonen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:43:34 +0000

I see a difference between recommending/endorsing and linking to something – I might link to the product with an affiliate link, but I don't recommend / promote it the same way I can do with products I personally know. With that said, linking doesn't bring you near the results recommending does.

Products recommended by people I trust is very likely how I get introduced to a new product, but I don't recommend them unless I go and buy (and use) it myself. If I don't find a product or service worth buying and testing, how could it be beneficial to my following?

By: Antti Kokkonen

Antti Kokkonen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:43:34 +0000

By: tombabinszki

tombabinszki — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:58:37 +0000

Antti,
What do you think about promoting products which you have never tested, but are recommended to you by people whom you trust?

By: Mike CJ

Mike CJ — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:00:47 +0000

I know others have said it, but the most important point for me is that I've bought the product and have used or read it. I would never promote anything “blind.”

By: Mike CJ

Mike CJ — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:00:47 +0000

I know others have said it, but the most important point for me is that I've bought the product and have used or read it. I would never promote anything “blind.”

By: Antti Kokkonen

Antti Kokkonen — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:31:45 +0000

This is something I've been thinking lately. I have linked quite liberally to both free and affiliate resources without much thinking. So I link a lot, but I only want to link to places I think are useful and/or trustworthy, whether it's a link to a blog post or to a product, free or paid.

Even when you are “just linking”, and not thinking as you would be “recommending” it, the principle is not much different than writing a review and really promoting something.

By: Antti Kokkonen

Antti Kokkonen — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:26:29 +0000

Recommending and linking to just a couple really good products or services can work great. It might even work better than having loads there, since you can concentrate your efforts on the selected few. (and possibly build credibility by recommending great free resources too)

By: Hesham @ FamousBloggers

Hesham @ FamousBloggers — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:57:26 +0000

You are right about the trust Antti, I am so afraid to make a mistake and prefer to take my time and never push affiliates links specially for those products that I didn't try them or services not tested personally by me!

Very good advise on your post, deserve to be shared!

By: Kevin Tea

Kevin Tea — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:55:15 +0000

Antti, good check-list and one that I will revisit as I am planning to re-examine what I already have on my site – just two affiliate links – and whether I should re-open my Amazon store. Surprisingly there is very little worth linking to in my niche but there are three or four that may be worth looking at again.

By: Nathan Hangen

Nathan Hangen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:44:29 +0000

All very important, and this checklist is the exact reason why I've been successful with affiliate products. I take a lot of time to validate both the content and the products that I share with my readers. They appreciate that.

#2 is huge too…sometimes a $10 commissions isn't worth it, and I'll simply refer the main URL. People appreciate that too, because it shows I'm not always in it just for the cash.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:07:44 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by JimiJones: RT @Zemalf Step-by-Step Affiliate Program Evaluation Checklist http://bit.ly/djPd88…

By: justinmatthews

justinmatthews — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:48:40 +0000

Great checklist here Antti. I am just working on getting some affiliate stuff on my site so this is valuable info. See you in the #pre-writing challenge!
Justin

By: Jimi Jones

Jimi Jones — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:46:37 +0000

Good post, solid advice.
I have always chosen very carefully as I do not want my name associated with anything shaky.

I tend to stay with what I use myself or has been used by a trusted source that I know only rolls with products that are solid.
Take no chances is the name of the game for me.

Nathan and you both make a great point.Why pitch something for a $10. profit? Just pass it on and avoid looking/being petty.