What does he want, I thought, a medal?

I think it’s sad when marketers brag about NOT profiting off their readership. So you want to make it clear that you’re not an affiliate marketer. That’s fine. But what’s with the self-righteous tone? Since when did the purpose of e-mail marketing go from providing customers with value to profiting off them?

Lately I feel like internet marketing has gone from “How will this benefit my audience?” to “How will this benefit me?” And I think that’s a mistake.

For that very reason, I tend to shy away from affiliate marketing opportunities and link exchanges. I know these marketing methods could benefit me, but they also feel kind of slimy.

Wondering if I was the only one feeling this way, I asked the women on my mailing list to offer their opinion about affiliate marketing. I was surprised by the diversity of their replies.

Readers Chime In On Affiliate Marketing

Artist Jan Blencowe wrote,  “I like affiliate programs. Maybe this is because I’m new to them and the shine hasn’t worn off yet.  I think it’s a win-win-win.  I get to recommend products and services that I’ve really and truly found valuable.

“Because of the value that I’ve received I’m happy to help the creator of the materials reach a wider audience and earn more money so they can continue to produce new materials that I am likely to also benefit from.

“I’m honored that they are willing to compensate me for any efforts I make to promote their product; I view that as a “thank you” gesture, and an acknowledgment that my time and resources used to promote their product is valuable also.

“It’s also nice when people come back to me and say how grateful they are for the introduction I gave them to something that’s also been of value to them.  I believe the key is choosing quality people and products to affiliate yourself with. Taking a spam-ish approach to affiliate marketing is a turn off, but done with careful consideration and integrity, I think it works out for everyone.”

Jennifer Murphy of the Project Management Institute and the newly-launched apparel company Mae And June, took a middle-of-the-road approach.

“I’m in favor of affiliate marketing when it helps bring a product to a suitable audience,” she said. “It’s not a bad thing to want to make a profit.  That’s what we’re all in business for.  And if affiliate marketing can help companies reach a wider audience that can genuinely benefit from their product, great.

“Having said that, when I get an email like the one you’ve described wherein the sender takes pains to make clear that they’re not profiting by it, I begin to think ‘he doth protest too much.’ Good affiliate marketing stresses the value to the recipient rather than stressing that the sender isn’t looking to benefit.”

Emina D. Seovic, a freelance graphic designer, wrote, “ I completely agree with you that it is wrong to ask to make money off of you and your website, and I would never agree on something like that. I like the fact that when someone finds a valuable information and thinks that it could help someone else out there, then why not share it?

“Yes, that link that I post on my website or blog will direct a reader to your website or someone else’s website, but why not? If the person has something valuable to offer I am always for awarding them and sharing their links.”

What do you think? Join the conversation! Have any experiences with affiliate marketing, or do you try to stay away? Leave comments below.