Ok, I've looked, but I can't find the answer..

1. 91

   Urbane Chaosposted 14 years ago

   So far, I've been here for about a month. I'm getting "decent" traffic (I think - hopefully it will improve), so I would like to expand on that.
   
   I'm curious to know about different affiliate sites.  While looking up information for a hub, I came across allposters.com. 
   
   That site allows one to place a link inside of a hub that refers the reader back to that site.  However, there's a couple things that I don't understand.
   
   First, from what I've seen, this isn't against HubPages T.O.S. - Am I right in assuming this?  (I know, the two link rule, but I would only have one advert in a hub, if that many.)
   
   Second, I want to make sure that it's done "tastefully." Are there any suggestions for this?  I've only used the affiliate programs that HubPages offers, and have never tried anything outside of HubPages.
   
   And finally, does anyone have any experience with doing this?  I looked around, but all I really saw was information on how to use Amazon in a hub, or how to use other affiliates on a website.
   
   Any information would be greatly appreciated.
   
   Thanks!

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2. 63

   Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

   Urbane, look at my hubs, in particular the making money hubs and the Ipad hubs. I use affiliate links as well and you can read those to see how I lead in to the links and how I am not at all spammy about them. I give valuable info and let the reader know the link is there and do not try to hide the fact that it is an external link.

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   1. 91

      Urbane Chaosposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I spent some time going through some of your hubs.. You have a lot of great information there!  Thanks for that..
      
      You're right, I see how you've done your affiliates and they are very tasteful without distracting the reader from the content.  I like that a lot.
      
      I tried earlier, in a test hub, to "combine" a photo capsule and a link capsule, but it didn't work out too well.  There was too much white space between the product and the link.  I'm sure there's a way to do it, I just haven't figured it out yet.  But, I can easily use the ideas that you've given me here.  I really appreciate that!
      
      Thanks for your help!

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      1. 71

         sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         thats ok, contextual links are far better performers than banners anyway.
         
         people know a banner is an ad, and its obvious whats behind it.
         
         a text link still has a little veil of mystery

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         1. 91

            Urbane Chaosposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Oh dear God no.. If I ever use a banner ad, you have my permission to castrate me!
            
            Seriously, I agree completely.  I used to do the banner ad thing way back in the day, but then again, that was a few million years ago.
            
            What I had in mind was with allposters.com - displaying a poster and a link that fits with what my article is about..
            
            As far as contextual links, I'm still researching that.  I want to make sure to get the right one before I run with it..

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3. 60

   Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

   Has_Away - thanks for that answer.  I didn't think we could use our other affiliates on here.  I "assumed" adsense & amazon were the only two authorized on the site.

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   1. 63

      Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Affiliates are ok just don't cross the line of overly promotional or spam, If the hub is informative and gives information that is unique and then there is a link to some of that you are usually ok. I suggest making sure you are offering more than one option, like comparing products then offering a link where someone can get either product. Also make sure it is not a product that violates Google's TOS

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      1. 91

         Urbane Chaosposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I agree completely with this..  Personally, if I see a page that's just full of advertisements and no content, I'll run away.. quick.  I think a couple products here and there are fine, and occasionally I'll see something I like, but pages that only list products?  I'll pass.
         
         On the other hand, if I'm looking for a product review site, then that's fine - but I don't think of HubPages like that.. I think the people on site are a little more..er.. refined.

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4. 63

   Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

   Glad you liked what you saw, also when it comes to promotion remember that backlinks are great but blogs can help too. I have a hub about using other peoples blog to get traffic, again must be done tastefully and not the least bit spammy but it will drive traffic.

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   1. 91

      Urbane Chaosposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'll have to check that out.  I've gotten a lot of backlinks from other forums that I've been on, but any new idea always helps.   Thanks for all the help, you've been awesome!

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