Being more Honest with my Affiliate Links!

Google Affiliate Network Summit 035 (Photo credit: Affiliate

Testing the Waters!

A friend told me, a couple days ago that I should be telling my readers when I have affiliate links.  He said I would would get even more sales if I were to be a little more honest with which ones are actually the ones that I make money off of!   It would better help those decide if your going to be a a good blog or not.   I really didn't have much to say on the matter because I didn't know what to say. I am sure there will always be those who will not tell you.   I thought it was quite obvious when I didn't tell you but then I forgot I was hiding my affiliate links, not to be dishonest but to prevent programs and virus from taking away from all the work I have done.   I know there will always be people who will got the site directly and not give the site the credit.  I understand that, and somewhat expect that.

Honesty is the best Policy!

That being said, if you ever come to one of my posts and you see the (Affiliate links) or (Affiliate link) then it will be linked to this post.   So you can read about my honesty and understand that I am working really hard at changing.   Here is how this will work:

• Reviews -- I promise to my readers that I believe in the review of the product and that it is a recommendation from me.


• Reimbursement -- Hosting isn't cheap now a days, that is I put up my Affiliate links and also to try supplement my working income.


• If Gifted to me -- I will clearly state that in my post and my review will no be swayed by the free gift of the item.  If it sucks, you will know about it and if it is something useful then you will also know about it.  I may however have affiliate links for the item.


• Nicer URLS -- even though I have hidden the urls and you have to click the URL to go the affiliate site in question, it is because the URL aren't really neat and tidy.   If you feel offended because you can't see URL then please feel free not to click those links.  (I wouldn't want to see http://www.amazon.com/blah/blah/blah/blah/etc, anyways and I bet you don't either)


• Gift Cards -- If you are wanting me to review a certain item and it is on Amazon or some other place then I will gladly accept a gift card through email(First name @ this domain).  However if it is something else please don't hesitate to email me.


• Review UNITS -- Same as Gifted cards, if your wanting me to review an item but don't know where to send it.   Please email me and I'll discuss with you where to send it.  (First Name @ this domain)  Please bear in mind that I may not give a nice review, so I make no PROMISES and there are no expectations.

Prove to me!

I've done the unthinkable and stopped hiding all my links on this site.   So if you want me to continue to do it this way,  I will need to see a positive out come.   I was making money hiding sites links and not telling people about them being affiliate links.   Now I don't want to see a drop in sales and money by being honest.   Help support my love to blog and being able to read about the stuff that matters to you.   Just like Glasses USA (Affiliate link) matters to me because I have to wear glasses everyday and I can't afford to go buy some really expensive pairs of glasses.   They have been the one source for me, when I need to buy new glasses.  If you find a post that you really think is good, then don't be afraid to share it on Facebook or Twitter.   Those are one ways to show your support of my blog.

Nothing shows support like sharing a post!

Paul Sylvester

Related articles

• The Best Way to Monetize Your Blog with Affiliate Programs (leccoworkshop.com)


• Eight Ways to Make More Money as an Affiliate (blogworld.com)


• An app provides Amazon affiliates with quick access to earnings reports (intomobile.com)


• Is Affiliate Marketing Right for Your Business? (openforum.com)


• Serious About Affiliate Marketing? Then Don't Miss These Tips (famousbloggers.net)

How to find the right Tech gift your significant other (Christmas Tips)

Image by swarna rajan - ஸ்வர்ணா ராஜன via Flickr

We have all been there!

I know this type of year is always the hardest with some people and I am no exception to the rule!   Christmas is around the corner and your probably still trying to find that perfect gift.   I've been there and so has many others out there.   Unlike most others you don't quite know what He or she will want but do know they like Technology.    If I am betting man I'd have to bet that your sweating in your seat because your are so stressed over finding the perfect gift.

Before I start suggestions, I must tell you some things NOT to do.  Here are some very important points to this:

• Don't GO overboard with the gift.   (Not to expensive)


• Don't buy an item because you think it is cute.  (Guys don't want cute)


• Avoid buying accessories. (You might buy an accessory that doesn't go with the tech gift!)


• Don't buy things from sites that are NEW.  (Your just asking for problems)

These are just a few things that you shouldn't do.   Nothing is set in stone but you are going to have to figure out what you are going to and stick to it.

Get inside your Tech sweet heart!

Now this isn't trying to be literal but figuratively speaking.   It is however important to know what he or she likes and buy accordingly.   Some technology gurus like big things and others just like the useful things.   It really doesn't mean the size of the gift is the most important or the price of the gift.   It however is just that, the thought that really counts.  If you know your other half is complaining about their Cell phone, maybe it is time to think about buying a new plan or even buying an unlocked cell phone.   Have they commented about liking the Kindle Fire?  Or Maybe they like the Ipad, they may even have said they like to have an android device?  Nothing is really set in stone per say but it can be helpful if you think about what your are buying and ask your self this question "Is this something that he will truly love?"

Perfect gifts are all their cracked up to be!

Just because you know that might be the perfect gift for your doesn't always translate well to the other.   If your like me sometimes the  best approach is to let them decide what they want to buy.   So here are some great ideas:

• Give Giftcards -- They let him buy what he wants when he wants and where ever he wants.   This is something like a good way to give him permission to buy that tech toy that he always wanted but felt you would not allow because of money or some other reason.


• Prepaid Credit Cards -- This is something that is even more simpler than buying a gift card from one site or store.   This allows him to go to any store he choices and buy there.   Again this means you must accept the consequences if he buys something you don't like or want.   Sometimes men just have to be boys.

I've not forgotten about you females!

Although I am a male, I haven't forgotten about what you might like and though this is mainly a mans perspective and what men would really want that doesn't mean that you should be left hanging.   So I thought I would try to give some good technology suggest to the men to buy for women.

• Tablets are great gifts for women -- I really hate to say this but I have found my family who are all females simply want to be able to surf the web and do other stuff without the need for a laptop or desktop.  They also like it to be able to read their books while traveling or go to basketball practices.


• A GPS is good for women --  I for sure know this to be true.   My sister sometimes can't go anyplace with her GPS to tell you how to get there and for that matter my mother who isn't good with directions will use a GPS to get to where she needs to go.

If any doubts about it it then you can always refer back to prepaid credit cards for women also and let them choice the perfect gift.   This isn't going to be rocket science but it is something that everyone has to decide on when it comes to buying that perfect gift.

I hope this helps but I know it is an ever changing world and something new will pop up next year or even before Christmas that they may want.

Merry Christmas

Paul Sylvester

Related articles

• The 5 Worst Tech Gifts To Give This Christmas (gizmodo.com.au)


• Top Tips - Don't go out of control this Christmas (moneyexpert.com)


• Christmas Buying Suggestions for 2011 (socyberty.com)


• Christmas Gifts - Looking for a Christmas Present for Someone You Love (socyberty.com)


• Christmas Presents for Girlfriends (socyberty.com)


• Tips for Buying Christmas Gifts This Year (socyberty.com)


• Greatest Christmas Present to Get a Wife or Girlfriend in 2011 (socyberty.com)

Win 2 10$ Amazon Gift Cards!

Another chance to win!

Last month, I gave away two Pairs of eyeglasses. If you weren't one of the lucky two winners, you can still enter this contest. So it is time to give away something else for this month. I've decided to give out two 10 dollars gift cards. This will be an easy to enter and you will also help me in the same process. Like last time, I will be using Random.org to find those two lucky people. So here are the rules!

Rules for entry!

First way to earn 10$ is a simple one. Just sign up for my Mailing List, nothing else is required. If your already signed up, your automatically entered into the running of the first 10$ gift card. Just sit back and wait!

The Second way, Is to tweet:

How to Win a 10$ gift card go to: http://bit.ly/iXi2iA #paulstechtalk #giftcard #free

You may only tweet this once per day, I will be watching the tweets if you start to spam people on twitter, I will know. So don't do it to many times, or your will be disqualified for the 10$ gift card. The more you tweet the better your chances are at getting the prize, so tweet 30 times and you could be the winner, that is tweet from 06/14/2011 12:01am EST to 07/13/2011 11:59pm EST and I will be watching. Good luck to all the people who enter and We will see who winds next Month!

If you like me to give out even more from Amazon, please bookmark the Amazon link and use that anytime you shop at Amazon and that way I will be able to give away even more cards down the road.  For your convience, you can use this bit.ly url to buy from Amazon:

http://amzn.to/jCdF1y or http://www.amazon.com/?tag=paulstechtalk-20

Anytime you use that link, I will make a small amount off the sale of anything you buy that day.   So the more you use it the more I will make and in turn be able to give away even more stuff from Amazon!

 

Good Luck to All That enter

Paul Sylvester