Before I jump into this week’s topic, I wanted to pass along a big “THANK YOU” to everyone who weighed in on last week’s post regarding the FTC guidelines. I am gratified that many of you think my reviews are balanced and honest. I’m always trying to strengthen my reviews to make them even more helpful, so any feedback is always welcome. I do think publishers have figured out what I like to read — a win/win situation for all involved since I seem to be receiving books that I truly enjoy and am happy to write representative glowing reviews!
However, after reading all of the comments last week, I was surprised to learn that a number of you were not aware that I DO receive compensation for the Amazon links in my site. So, I thought I would explain a bit about how the affiliate program works and then hopefully hear your thoughts on this as well!
Whenever one of my readers clicks an Amazon link in my blog (which is usually found in the title and cover image of each review), I do not automatically get paid. However, if you decide to either buy the book you clicked — or another book during that visit to Amazon — then I receive a percentage of the sale (6.5%, which is usually pennies, but every penny counts!). If a reader searches for a title or product using the Amazon search box I have in my sidebar, and then decides to buy the product, I am also compenstated.
In the course of a month, I usually recieve $20 or $30 in what we bloggers call “passive income” – last month my “earnings” were $36.28, which is a bit higher than usual but my mom and a few other family members know that I get compenstated for anything purchased through my site, so I’m sure the upcoming holiday season may be helping out my sales (thanks, Mom!). By the way, the more products I successfully refer, the higher my referral percentage, too.
Last month I had quite a variety of products purchased through my site — from various novels, as expected (although out of the 50 products purchased, I had only reviewed 2), to jewelry to Hot Wheels! I do love checking my reports each month to see which novels seem to interest my readers enough to actually purchase them. I also get a weekly report listing every item visitors have searched for using my non-Amazon search box (which is an internal search engine and I do not profit from this).
So, that is a snapshot of my relationship to Amazon. I had actually assumed that my readers were familiar with Amazon’s affiliate program and assumed I was participating, so here are a few questions…
- If you were not aware of this information already, do you wish you had known?
- Should I include my relationship with Amazon — and, if so, how?
- Any other thoughts are welcome, too!
I was not aware there was an Amazon affiliate program, though it does make perfect sense. I also feel a bit naive, not having assumed you would obviously be in a position to profit from your reviews. I do really enjoy reading your blog, and I find myself purchasing several books a month based solely on your reviews. Now had I been aware you were compensated for anything purchased through your website, I surely would have been buying them through your site. And I will from now on. Thank you.
Thank you, Angie!! Both for leaving a comment and for your kind words — I’m so glad to hear my reviews have been helpful, too! I’ll keep reading and recommending…
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