It's no coincidence that in late January, everything that is new and adorable online is heart themed! I'm sure this is super annoying for some of you, and if that's the case, then I'm only annoying you more right now, with this post.
Eat your heart out. har har.
3. Etsy Heart Necklace / 4. Etsy Infinity Scarf or the COACH love scarf) / 5. Hearts a Flutter Bracelet from C. Wonder
9. Kate Spade Be Mine Studs (on SALE as of 4/1/13) / 10. Coach Love Cosmetics case (or heart pouch/wristlet)
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Off topic(OT): I've been reading a lot about affiliate links and other types of monetizing technology lately. I've been scouring through tons of commentary in posts about how some people despise the links, about how some people are indifferent and about how others' are OK with them. What are your thoughts on this? The Fashionable ESQ uses affiliate links (mostly RewardStyle), so that if you make a purchase from an item that I post, I may get a commission, depending on the item. This disclosure is also in my About Me section. Not every link I post is a commission based link. If I like something, I post it. If it's expensive and I like it, I post it. If it's inexpensive and I like it, I post it.
Because I use them, I'm obviously OK with them, but I was sort of surprised to read that some people hate them so much that they 1. stop reading a blog that uses affiliate links altogether, and 2. go out of their way to bypass any link that that blogger posts, and actually Google the item themselves, so they can purchase it without giving the blogger commission.
Really? Give me a break. . .
A couple of months ago, a blogger that is much bigger than me, and snarkier, wrote a comment on my blog about how I had used a lot of "key words" in order to trigger search engines to direct site traffic to my blog. Before she had written this, I hadn't even looked into that topic (and for the record, I still do not understand Google Adsense or Adwords, or their charts). Her comment was couched in a passive aggressive tone and "LOL's." I looked at her blog and she uses affiliate links and has banner ads all over her site margin. So what was her point? Why does this topic arouse such anger in people?
Thoughts, please.
I LOVE the sequin heart headband, it's so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the affiliate links, I really see no problem with them. your just being a smart person and you know how to direct traffic to your site. People shouldn't be a over your case, what are they trying to accomplish? being rude? it's not like you went to her blog and called her out over a link? kinda silly.
anywhooo, wonderful post!
xo KCN
I use tags all the freaking time, I have no idea how it works with Google for SEO but half of it is for me to remember what I wore and pull up posts! That is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteLove both of the Coach bags, I haven't seen those yet. I just love everything hearts and will be doing yet another post this week since there is so much cuteness to share.
ReplyDeleteNow on to the affiliate talk.. I have just started using the links on my blog and when I first started doing it I felt like maybe I shouldn't because I honestly didn't want even 1 person to think that was the reason for the post, since like you I would never put anything on my site that I didn't 100% love, want,or bought for myself. I really do find myself debating it with every post and don't use it every time. I've read on sites like IFB that not using it is just being a bad business blogger and it is really too bad that some readers don't want to click on something we post because they don't want us to earn a nickel a click, etc. I don't think many people realize that most of us do this for free and if you like what we are showing you, we took the time to build it and find it, give us this little something, I don't think that is too much to ask. Ps. It amazes me that a big time blogger remarked about your "links", like you I am still learning everything and I have no idea how all of that works either, geez.
Tracy
www.TracysNotebookofStyle.com
I absolutely love the infinity ring! And I don't know much about affiliate links but I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now and I haven't ever noticed that you write in a way to direct traffic to your blog! Seems a bit odd that someone would leave a snarky comment about it, especially because so many bloggers use affiliate links! Don't worry about it :)
ReplyDeleteEllie | Ellalogy
I feel the same way as you Netty. The items I post on my blog are things I would buy myself, it is not b/c I can make more money off of people for doing so. Although I use affiliate links, I don't use them often and have not made a dime off of any I have used anyways. I don't know what these people think we are earning as bloggers, many of us do it as a creative outlet or hobby.
ReplyDeleteI find it so rude that someone commented on your blog with passive aggressive remarks! Even though I've been blogging for years, since it's something I do for fun, I am not familiar with ANY of these ways to monetize my blog & I know you are in a similar boat. Like another commenter mentioned above, I add keywords to my posts so that I can find them later. I'm sorry you had to deal with all that. Don't let it get you down! ;)
Meli
www.melificent.com
I think affiliate links are a great way for bloggers to monetize their content and have no problem with them as long as there is some sort of disclosure policy. Some people simply don't know what an affiliate link is and I can see in that sense how it might seem a bit "shady." Sorry someone left you that comment... that type of thing seems better dealt with in a private e-mail if it is bothering someone so much.
ReplyDeletexo, alison*elle
Hi dear
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment some weeks ago on my blog
LOVE the acessories, so beautiful
Kiss kiss.*Jo
http://joandcompanystyle.blogspot.com/
The turquoise heart necklace is so pretty and subtle - it's a tiny pop of color!
ReplyDeleteLove love love that Equipment blouse - so cute!
ReplyDeleteAnnie
The Other Side of Gray
I love Valentine's Day! It is my birthday :)
ReplyDeleteXX,
Miranda
I'm a huge heart fan....February is my birth month!!!
ReplyDeleteREBECCA
www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
That jewelry! In love with so many of those pieces :-)
ReplyDeleteI sometimes try to use the full names of certain items (e.g., Anthropologie Dually Clad Pilcro sweater) just so they'll come up in Google image searches, because I've found lots of cute blogs that way. Definitely not for Adsense or whatever. I also have no idea how that works (although I would like to know). As of now I don't have any affiliate links on my blog or any way to monetize any of my content. But I'm totally open to the idea and I think it's fantastic that so many bloggers have found a way to do so.
ReplyDeleteI guess people might think that by having affiliate links you make some money every time someone clicks on an ad. I do know one thing: that's not how it works! And if that was how it works, I would be clicking on everything for every blogger I like, because I'd want to help them out! People are also bothered if there's no transparency. But I think bloggers do a good job of disclosing which posts, items, and giveaways are sponsored, and of telling their readers that some links are affiliate links. Having to say which links are affiliate links would be ridiculous and a waste of valuable text/picture space. Some people just need to take a chill pill (as we said in the 90's), don't ya think?
I'm definitely curious about what drove that blogger to leave such a nasty comment on here, especially considering the fact that she also uses affiliate links. So sorry that happened to you.
xo,
-Nathy
http://earnestyle.blogspot.com/
i will kill that blogger for being rude to you :)
ReplyDelete