@nickmessenger I don’t have an issue with affiliate links in blog posts, however make sure you disclose on your site that you may be getting revenue from products that are sold as you don’t want the FTC knocking at your door. 

The caveat of the above is I don’t, nor would I suggest, always having an affiliate promotion in each post. 

I feel you need to provide value to your readers in order to grow and I don’t consider a pitch fest providing value. 

As for what will I promote?  Personally I only promote things I either use/have purchased and liked or things that are by people who I’ve bought from in the past and received great value (in the case of a new program by the author). 

While it’s nice to make a few bucks, you should keep in mind that if you promote the wrong thing your guests may turn on you and therefore cause your relationship to be tarnished. 

Promotional methods depend on the specific offer.  I don’t do many banners, I prefer to write a post that’s related and introduce the product that way. 

I know there are others who don’t follow my philosophy so feel free to take what you like and leave the rest.  Hope that helps.

@nickmessenger I’ve had a lot of trouble in the past reconciling affiliate marketing with building credibility as a consultant. 

My current solution is affiliate links in posts only on the marketing side. On the consulting side, I do not and will not promote because the client’s needs trump. Which is why I charge a lot for consulting. 

So, “free information” comes with affiliate links. Someone paying for my opinion will not be directed to an affiliate link.

@atlantarobin - 

Here is how I see it:

If I’m serving free content to people dropping in from search, or reading along from my (exceedingly intermittent) email newsletters, I have no problem promoting using affiliate links. Example: I use and promote a major and well-known hosting company. 

When someone hires me to determine what their best course of action is, their needs drive. For example, this last spring in a workshop, my colleague and I determined that one of our participants was *much* better served on WordPress.com rather than dealing with a self-hosted site. She does quantitative analysis of large highway projects as a consultant. It would irresponsible for her to spend time and money on self-hosting, and irresponsible for us to recommend such. Yes, it cost us an affiliate link. $65. Big whoop. The client came back later for several hundred dollars of straightforward (i.e., profitable) design work.

I’m also attempting a move to an “opinion-free” model, where I present the facts, people can choose what to do. If they want my opinion, they can pay for it. Or they can get free opinions elsewhere. This is harder than it may seem; the web seems to bring the “why wasn’t I consulted” in almost everyone!

I have a page on my blog called Recommended Services where I list all affiliates.  But then if I’m referring to Constant Contact and doing a how-to article on that, I may have a link to CC using my affiliate link. Same with things like WishList Member.  But I don’t do that often, only where I see relevant. But there’s nothing wrong with using them. 

Heather