Comments on: To Link or Not to Link: The Grocery Store Analogy http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/ Author of the best-selling affiliate marketing training book shares free money-making affiliate tips. Tue, 22 May 2012 05:31:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jon http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-37027 Jon Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:12:59 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-37027 Yes exactly Rosalind.. I was another who didnt like the project mask and I find it funny that most people who complain about people giving them affiliate links are the same people who want a year later to have others click on their links.. We are in the business of referral.. Keep up the good work.. Yes exactly Rosalind.. I was another who didnt like the project mask and I find it funny that most people who complain about people giving them affiliate links are the same people who want a year later to have others click on their links..

We are in the business of referral..

Keep up the good work..

]]> By: shane http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-36009 shane Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:35:30 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-36009 This is one of the more master posts responding to negative commentary I have EVER seen, wicked job Ros (Even though I commented in the negatory) Nothing like a healthy debate to get the blood pumpin !!! Again wicked A$$ job. Many blogger dont know how to properly respond to negative comments, maybe they should come here and see how its done This is one of the more master posts responding to negative commentary I have EVER seen, wicked job Ros (Even though I commented in the negatory) Nothing like a healthy debate to get the blood pumpin !!! Again wicked A$$ job. Many blogger dont know how to properly respond to negative comments, maybe they should come here and see how its done

]]> By: Fabien Mannessier http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35728 Fabien Mannessier Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:10:06 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35728 This is the rude part of computation, when you deal with people. Anytime you make decision, you'll have people saying that white was wrong because black was better, and others who say the contrary. That's the only rule. You cannot satisfy everybody. Tastes and favorite colors make a whole world. So, I think that what is important is that you made a decision and that you find it's correct according your values and principles. Somebody can find it's unethic, but again, according his values and principles, not YOURS. That what will also make his website different than yours. In this case, I would not have put my affiliate link, but I respect your choice. This is the rude part of computation, when you deal with people. Anytime you make decision, you’ll have people saying that white was wrong because black was better, and others who say the contrary. That’s the only rule. You cannot satisfy everybody. Tastes and favorite colors make a whole world.

So, I think that what is important is that you made a decision and that you find it’s correct according your values and principles. Somebody can find it’s unethic, but again, according his values and principles, not YOURS. That what will also make his website different than yours.

In this case, I would not have put my affiliate link, but I respect your choice.

]]> By: A Posse Ad Esse http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35681 A Posse Ad Esse Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:23:39 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35681 Hey Ros, Personally, I don't see a thing wrong with your including your aff id in the link. You gave an honest, balanced review. You respected your readers enough to warn them of the product's downfalls but felt the section on keyword research was good enough to put your name behind and make a commission from. ...I'm not sure about the (uneeded) justification so much lol. Certainly caveat emptor should be a watchwords for anyone looking into money making online but if you honestly believed this product wasn't giving /any/ benefit to your readers, you shouldn't (and wouldn't) have included a link. I'm sure I've seen you say many times, "make sure the product you recommend is a quality one that you would feel happy using yourself..." [para] As you made it clear you thought there /was/ some value in it, you linked to it! To those with a problem with Ros getting commissions, wake up! Balanced reviews are affiliate marketing 101! Safe journeys, Mark Hey Ros,

Personally, I don’t see a thing wrong with your including your aff id in the link. You gave an honest, balanced review.

You respected your readers enough to warn them of the product’s downfalls but felt the section on keyword research was good enough to put your name behind and make a commission from.

…I’m not sure about the (uneeded) justification so much lol.

Certainly caveat emptor should be a watchwords for anyone looking into money making online but if you honestly believed this product wasn’t giving /any/ benefit to your readers, you shouldn’t (and wouldn’t) have included a link. I’m sure I’ve seen you say many times, “make sure the product you recommend is a quality one that you would feel happy using yourself…” [para]

As you made it clear you thought there /was/ some value in it, you linked to it!

To those with a problem with Ros getting commissions, wake up! Balanced reviews are affiliate marketing 101!

Safe journeys,
Mark

]]> By: Alex Ribeiro http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35669 Alex Ribeiro Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:32:25 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35669 Hi Rosalind, I always admire when people stand up a face up to what they are doing. You are no exception and I really like the fact that you allow people to know about a product(good or bad). The fact is what may be bad for you might just be the exact thing someone else is looking for and therefore it's good for them. There are limits when doing business both online and offline, you should always add an affiliate link to your review or recommendations (good or bad), the exception being links to sites or business opportunities that are illegal by all definitions. In business like everything else we are exposed to in life everyday, people need to make a choice for themselves. Where would be be if we had someone telling us that something is not good for us just because that individual said so. What you did was in my honest opinion was perfectly fine. You were honest in saying that it was not a product you recommended but that it was something we had to decide was right or wrong. You gave us your feedback and we had to decide what path to take. Anyone else telling you that you were profiting from the opportunity doesn't really grasp the idea behind your review, site and what business is all about. Just like Shawn Casey commented . . . " If you’re going to run a business. You run it to make a profit…legally, morally and ethically. The people who fail to recognize this are running a hobby. They just have not figured it out yet and they’re not going to see much in the way of profits." Keeping doing what you always do best . . . Tell People what you feel and believe in. Let the rest of us decide what to do next. Cheers, Alex Ribeiro Hi Rosalind,

I always admire when people stand up a face up to what they are doing. You are no exception and I really like the fact that you allow people to know about a product(good or bad). The fact is what may be bad for you might just be the exact thing someone else is looking for and therefore it’s good for them. There are limits when doing business both online and offline, you should always add an affiliate link to your review or recommendations (good or bad), the exception being links to sites or business opportunities that are illegal by all definitions. In business like everything else we are exposed to in life everyday, people need to make a choice for themselves. Where would be be if we had someone telling us that something is not good for us just because that individual said so.

What you did was in my honest opinion was perfectly fine. You were honest in saying that it was not a product you recommended but that it was something we had to decide was right or wrong. You gave us your feedback and we had to decide what path to take.

Anyone else telling you that you were profiting from the opportunity doesn’t really grasp the idea behind your review, site and what business is all about.

Just like Shawn Casey commented . . . ” If you’re going to run a business. You run it to make a profit…legally, morally and ethically. The people who fail to recognize this are running a hobby. They just have not figured it out yet and they’re not going to see much in the way of profits.”

Keeping doing what you always do best . . . Tell People what you feel and believe in. Let the rest of us decide what to do next.

Cheers,

Alex Ribeiro

]]> By: James Dorans http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35654 James Dorans Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:41:30 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35654 Actually adding a link to your review anyway probably shows you trust you customers and lets them see the product themselves instead of just your words, as wise as they are. ;) Actually adding a link to your review anyway probably shows you trust you customers and lets them see the product themselves instead of just your words, as wise as they are. ;)

]]> By: CatherineL http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35626 CatherineL Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:37:56 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35626 Hi Ros, Great response. I don't think you were encouraging people to buy Black Mask Project at all. You always make it quite clear that you wouldn't touch black hat SEO. I was pleased that you alerted me of it's availability. Sometimes I like to read some of the black SEO stuff just to keep myself up to date with what others are doing on the Internet. Personally, it's not for me. I lurked in one of the black hat seo forums recently, and did not find anything of value there. It's all so very spammy isn't it? I know how frustrating it is to search for some decent info, and have to fight my way through heaps of rubbishy sites just to get something good, so I would hate to be one of those who actually contributed to all the spam. But, I suppose for some, it's a way of making easy money, in the short term. Perhaps if I was suddenly in dire need of some fast cash I would use it. Hi Ros, Great response. I don’t think you were encouraging people to buy Black Mask Project at all. You always make it quite clear that you wouldn’t touch black hat SEO. I was pleased that you alerted me of it’s availability. Sometimes I like to read some of the black SEO stuff just to keep myself up to date with what others are doing on the Internet.

Personally, it’s not for me. I lurked in one of the black hat seo forums recently, and did not find anything of value there. It’s all so very spammy isn’t it? I know how frustrating it is to search for some decent info, and have to fight my way through heaps of rubbishy sites just to get something good, so I would hate to be one of those who actually contributed to all the spam. But, I suppose for some, it’s a way of making easy money, in the short term. Perhaps if I was suddenly in dire need of some fast cash I would use it.

]]> By: Stephanie http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35511 Stephanie Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:23:55 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35511 So let's see... love the product, use your link. Hate it, you're unethical to use your affiliate link. Sounds ever so (un)reasonable. I think it's just another sign of how much even people in the industry feel mixed about affiliate marketing. They're so used to the sleeze who recommend everything wholeheartedly that they consider using an affiliate link wrong if you don't really approve of the product. That it makes sense to earn if anyone sees something they like despite your disapproval is one of the annoyances. So let’s see… love the product, use your link. Hate it, you’re unethical to use your affiliate link. Sounds ever so (un)reasonable.

I think it’s just another sign of how much even people in the industry feel mixed about affiliate marketing. They’re so used to the sleeze who recommend everything wholeheartedly that they consider using an affiliate link wrong if you don’t really approve of the product. That it makes sense to earn if anyone sees something they like despite your disapproval is one of the annoyances.

]]> By: Sue http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35508 Sue Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:59:27 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35508 I find nothing wrong with what you did at all! You had bought the product yourself and you gave an honest review. Isn't that what we all want, honesty? If someone buys it after reading your review, you should get the commission. I congratulate you on any commissions you did earn from your honest review. You earned it! Sue I find nothing wrong with what you did at all! You had bought the product yourself and you gave an honest review. Isn’t that what we all want, honesty? If someone buys it after reading your review, you should get the commission. I congratulate you on any commissions you did earn from your honest review. You earned it!

Sue

]]> By: Susan http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/comment-page-1/#comment-35470 Susan Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:15:09 +0000 http://www.netprofitstoday.com/blog/to-link-or-not-to-link-the-grocery-store-analogy/#comment-35470 Hi Ros, As another online publisher, I knew when you wrote your review you had to make a choice of using your affiliate link or not - not an easy decision! I know it's a hard call because whatever you decide, someone will blast you for it. Don't use it and people say you're not letting them make up their own minds. Do use it and people say you're trying to make a profit - no matter what. I think you made the right choice! Let people know what's inside and then make up their own minds. We're all adults. If they still want the product after reading your review, you were the affiliate who sent them to the product and should make the commission. There's nothing unethical or unacceptable about listing the negatives when providing a link. At least that's what many of my readers have told me. Thanks again for your previous post. To Your Success, Susan Hi Ros,

As another online publisher, I knew when you wrote your review you had to make a choice of using your affiliate link or not – not an easy decision!

I know it’s a hard call because whatever you decide, someone will blast you for it.

Don’t use it and people say you’re not letting them make up their own minds.

Do use it and people say you’re trying to make a profit – no matter what.

I think you made the right choice! Let people know what’s inside and then make up their own minds. We’re all adults. If they still want the product after reading your review, you were the affiliate who sent them to the product and should make the commission. There’s nothing unethical or unacceptable about listing the negatives when providing a link. At least that’s what many of my readers have told me.

Thanks again for your previous post.

To Your Success,
Susan

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