I was looking at a blog yesterday, which was an affiliate of a certain wordpress theme. I noticed instantly that the blog wasn’t using the theme itself; which struck me as odd. I emailed the blog’s owner and asked if he was using that theme on any other sites, so I could take a look. His reply was;
“No, I don’t use it anywhere now. I just decided to keep the affiliate banner on the site after I switched to the current theme.”
By suggesting that his readers buy a product, which he himself no longer uses, this blogger is unlikely to gain the trust of his audience or make many sales. It’s like those sites that sell SEO books; yet score very low on SEO themselves. Obviously, either they have not read the books they are selling or the SEO tactics in the book are ineffective.
Too often, we see bloggers offering affiliate products simply because these particular products pay the highest affiliate commissions. Of course, these commissions are meaningless if the product is low value and no one wants to buy it!
Keep it real
In my experience, it’s massively more effective to only become an affiliate of something you use and believe in. This selective approach means you can proactively recommend (whatever it is) to people; knowing they will probably love it too. It also shows your readers that you are being consistent and honest in what you share with them.
Well said Jim! I’ve always operated on the principle that I only recommend, or join affiliate programs, for products or services which I’ve personally experienced or purchased. Glad to read that congruency is still alive & well.
Good point. I always find it a little weird, when people expect me to buy something that they themselves didn’t buy or use.
I’m just getting into affiliate marketing but I always wondered how people could sell products they have no real investment in. Especially those that write reviews.
I’m just now working on a review of my own for a product I’ve tested and loved and I’m hoping to earn some commissions. =)
Thanks for the awesome post. More people could definitely stand to read it. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Corey – glad you found it useful.
I have a second post to publish today, all about affiliate links, which you might also find useful. It goes out in just over 2 hours.
Ha! Great point Jim – I’ve seen so many folks do this. For example, the Headway theme you use on this blog, I’ve seen people advertise it but use Thesis and not have Headway anywhere at all (wonder if this is the example you’re using, hehe). It does strike me as kind of hypocritical, and that’s where you get the feeling that someone’s in it just for the money, and not for the real love of a product.
Bah humbug!
Hello Danny. The theme they were selling was Thesis and they were using one of the Woo themes (which they were not advertising!)
It’s hardly a glowing endorsement, when a blogger recommends you use something, which he himself no longer uses for whatever reason.
Agree 100% mate – it’s almost like saying “Well, I did use this but found something better, which I currently use, but you’re welcome to my sloppy seconds…”
Really want to treat your readers that way? Good luck!
Loving this new addition to your arsenal, by the way, fella
Thanks!
Have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised how well the blog’s been received so far. I’ll keep plugging away – who knows