I need everyone who regularly reads this site to give me some feedback in the comments about something rolling around in my head.
If you haven’t noticed, every time I talk about a specific book or CD, I usually link to Amazon so you can buy it if what I have to say is interesting to you. I do this because I want people to enjoy something as much as I do, and I love shopping on Amazon. I don’t get paid a lick for doing this; I’ve just had wonderful buying and selling experiences with them.
The other day Jen-An and Owen gave me an article about how to make a little cash if I were to join Amazon’s Associates program. The idea would be that every time I do what I normally do - link to a product on Amazon - I would get a little bit of money when you click on that link and buy.
My goal would be to not change the way I do things already. I talk about books and music only when I’m having a hard time forming thoughts about something else in my life. In other words the “product post,” is really a kind of fallback post. I would like to keep it that way, as I think most people that regularly read this are more interested in my relationships and stream-of-consciousness ramblings than they are in my opinions on books and music.
You may have also noticed that in a “product post” that while I offer up the negatives on a work, I usually have an overall good experience with it. I generally don’t talk about things I hate because ranting, while sometimes fun to read, can be tiresome. If I don’t like something, I just won’t write about it…in general. If I can come up with a really well thought-out rant, I’m not above posting it.
This is my request. I want to know what your opinion is of this Associates thing I’m thinking about. How would it change your opinion of this site if you knew I got a kick-back from Amazon? Would my opinion be suspect? Do you take comfort in knowing that I write on this site purely for self-gratification without monetary reward? What would you think if this site, or some version of this site, became a money-making enterprise for me? Do you care at all?
m_rturnage | 29-Mar-07 at 8:26 am | Permalink
You do so much work for free, I don’t see any issues with getting a little extra money. Especially since the Amazon Associates program works out to something like $2 a month, if you are lucky. I just spend mine on more stuff at Amazon.
-RT
Junior | 29-Mar-07 at 8:43 am | Permalink
I wouldn’t buy anything (unless you gave me some money… I’m broke), but this sounds like a positive thing for you. Do it up big.
MagnusFromBerlin | 29-Mar-07 at 9:03 am | Permalink
Everyone has their price
And you too will learn to live the lie
Aggression
Competition
Ambition
Consumer fascism
Capitalism is the most barbaric of all religions
Department stores are our new cathedrals
Our cars are martyrs to the cause
We are all prostitutes
Our children shall rise up against us
Because we are the ones to blame
We are the ones to blame
They will give us a new name
We shall be
Hypocrites hypocrites hypocrites
crumpet | 29-Mar-07 at 9:16 am | Permalink
I have no problem with this. From time to time I think about doing something similar myself. And then I see a shiny thing, get distracted, and forget…
saltine | 30-Mar-07 at 6:34 pm | Permalink
I really like the layout of your blog. Would ads appear on the blog? If so, don’t sell out. If not, go for it.
alex | 30-Mar-07 at 10:00 pm | Permalink
Saltine, I’m not sure. I really like a very clean look to a site also. I can’t stand an ad-cluttered site. One of my favorite podcasts, Coverville, has an atrocious, ad-laden site. I don’t ever go there, and when I do I get off as soon as possible. If I were to do ads, they would be discreet and off to the side. The Amazon Associates thing does not require any kind of banner, just a specially formed link. And somewhere on this site, I would have to disclose that I’m in association with Amazon.