The Key To Amazon Affiliate Linking

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In the three months since I first wrote about how to use Amazon’s Quick Links on your blog I’ve been pleased to see my affiliate income grow. No doubt part of the reason is that I’m linking Amazon products more often — using the quick link script just makes it so darned easy. Multiply that times 5 blogs and a email newsletter about cooking, house keeping and home organization and, well, it’s beginning to produce a nice revenue stream.

Some of my blog consultation clients aren’t having as much success, and a question from one recently prompted the realization that affiliate links within blog entries are best treated differently than, say, a link to someone else’s blog.

The context of your links should cue readers about what to expect. Whether we’re talking about a link to Joe’s blog or to a product listed on Amazon (or some other affiliate link), the copy of the anchor text gives readers a cue about whether clicking through is worth their time.

When it comes to promoting affiliate products, you want to motivate people to click without overselling them. Motivating affiliate click-throughs can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but first and foremost is candor.

Make the benefit of clicking obvious so readers know the link will take them to some new product, tool or site that will help them. As Katy explains, affiliate links should be obvious in the sense that people know a link is leading to a product, and not simply someone else’s site. Not only does this avoid readers feeling “hoodwinked” into landing on an attempt to sell them something, but it will bolster your credibility with your audience.

Then lather, rinse and repeat. The more often you use affiliate links the more people will see them, which means eventually someone will click through and make a purchase. When these links are combined with personal reviews, they can become powerful, regular revenue streams for both their immediate audience and those who find your site through search engines.

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Tagged in: affiliate income | affiliate products | email newsletter | revenue streams

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1 Comment

Comment by Tsoniki

2008-05-10 23:47:07

I started using QuickLinks after reading about your success with the ease of use - and have been having problems with getting the code to stay in. Do I have to write and edit posts using only the html tab? Clicking over to “visual” often has the code disappear.

But when it does work, it’s awesome!

Tsonikis last blog post..Crafter Cast Show #9

From Kate: It doesn’t work correctly with the visual editor so, yes, you’ve got to use the HTML tab the entire time.

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