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7.15.2010

Book Blogging 101 - Amazon Associates


Spawned from the Big Sis, Little Blog program, Book Blogging 101 was born. Do you have a question? Leave it in the comments section or email me parajunkee at gmail dot com




Q. What is Amazon Associates?

The reason for the recent buzz regarding Amazon Associates is because of the recent launch of the Amazon Associates for Blogger. The companion app that you sign up for adds a very handy Amazon Finder feature to your blogger dashboard which allows you to insert product images, widgets and product links into your blog posts.

So what is Amazon Associates really?

Amazon Associates is you acting as a reseller for Amazon. You promote amazon products and in turn they give you a percentage of the sales generated from your site. Not a big percentage, but it still might put some change into your pocket.
Pros & Cons
or





The Finder is the reason I signed up for Amazon Associates. Searching for book covers, saving them to my desktop, reuploading to blogger takes awhile. One click image insertion by using the finder made the Associates program worthwhile to me.


Some extra change in your pocket.




You are pushing amazon.com, which is slowly taking over the world, one bookstore, one publisher at a time. I have a fondness for small indie presses and bookstores and there is always a fear that amazon.com is the WalMart of the publishing industry and will put all the smaller stores out of business. Being an Associate might give you a feeling of perpetuating Big Business.



Gives readers the feeling that you are just pushing click-throughs.




My personal philosophy on using Associates is that I really try not to pimp out the links. It comes in real handy to include book cover images and product links and I use that, but for everything else, I try not to push it.

There are some kinks in it, especially when I’m doing a lot of product links, like for my New Releases post. Sometimes I find that when I publish it drops the images, and the only way I can add them is by putting that BUY NOW amazon link+image button. And by this time, I’ve published, I’ve got to fix it quick, so it really tends to anger me a bit. Considering that this is where I use the Associates the most, because it is so easy to just insert the images for the tons of books that I’m showing.

On blogwithbite.com I do tend to pimp the links a bit more, using the handy associates widgets to show off the monthly books. One again ease of use and it’s so flashy...those in and out scrolling and such, and I can put the date of the sign-up deadline.  If you want to do something like this, once you have an Associates account, there is tab called Widgets and it will walk you through creating those.








What do you guys think of Amazon Associates do you use it? Have you made any money?

Personally in the 3 months I’ve been using it, I’ve made $10, which I was very excited about because I just threw it back into amazon.com and I am going to buy books on my kindle.




How do I sign up for Amazon Associates?

Step 1: Sign in to Blogger
Step 2: On the blog that you want to add the Associates program, click settings
Step 3: Monetize
Step 4: Click Amazon Associates
Step 5: Check “I want to create a new Associates ID”
Step 6: Click SET UP AMAZON ASSOCIATES button
Step 7: Follow the steps to set up your account, it is that easy!







24 comments:

Tynga said...

I didn't sign up because quite honestly I just didn't understand their small characters and I don't trust them. Also none of the ways to get payment for the money you've earned is appealing to me (money sent through paypal would've rock). So I'm sticking to Book Depository, because it's where I buy all of my books, amazon.ca is a lot more expensive then .com, it's not worth buying from them for books.

Gaby G said...

Thanks for the information...I'm going to think about it.

Barbara said...

Sadly I live in the land of suckitude so I can't do Amazon anymore thanks to being stuck in stupid CO. Right now I'm stuck in limbo about whether or not I'll even get paid the little bit I did earn with Amazon. Sounds interesting because I do look for book covers but unfortunately I won't benefit from this at all so I guess I'm a bit bitter about that.

Felicia the Geeky Blogger said...

I use it out of pure laziness (and I admit that)! I have made zero money on it but since I am just using it for covers and such, I am not at all surprised. I do like the convenience of it though.

Melissa @ Mel's Books and Info said...

I have been debating about doing this for a while. I currently use goodreads.com's blog it option for all the book covers and everything I need for my posts. They all link to goodreads, but I am not selling anything. I admit, my book habit could use some financing, and I do order from Amazon; my local bookstore (BAM) doesn't always have what I want, and the Supersaver Shipping is great. I just can't seem to decide if the pros outweigh the cons. Thank you for posting this. You gave me more to think about.

Julie@My5monkeys said...

just using it for the quick picture of book covers..already sucked enough to amazon.com but haven't signed up yet.

Blodeuedd said...

The whole easy to find covers sells this for me...BUT the whole pimping Amazon thing is a big no, I am torn

Alyssa Kirk said...

I think the easy links are a great reason to use it - such a time saver!

~Alyssa
Teens Read and Write

Anonymous said...

I don't think there is anything wrong with providing a link for a book you are reviewing. If people like your review and are willing to shall out a couple of bucks for a book, which they will do anyway, why not put a few of those in your pocket?

Of course, you can't be too tacky or overt. People don't want to be sold to, but you are just providing information.

John Smith said...

I'm not going to use the amazon gadget for my blog right now. However, if one day I publish a book on amazon with an amazing cover, I might just use that gadget.

Tara SG (25 Hour Books) said...

I just started using it a few weeks ago (I only use the links in my reviews). I haven't made anything yet, but it would all go back to books if I did.

I have added an "Amazon link" section to my "To Buy" Google Form. See I have OCD and like to link back to where I heard about a book when I review one. Now I make sure that whoever first made me want to buy the book gets a little out of it :)

Cardnoc said...

I don't have a blog but have no problem with links to amazon (or anyone else) on the blogs that i read. No system is perfect and while i would love to buy books from independant bookstores there are none local to me and the chains that are around rarely have the books i want in stock so i use amazon for about 95% of my book buys anyway.

I love reading book blogs and have got loads of great recommendations from them so from my point of view anything you guys can do to make your life easier while keeping people like me well informed can only be a good thing.

Anonymous said...

I've gone back and forth on whether I want to put an add up on my blog. I just can't decide if that is really what I want.


Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven

Jackie said...

I have found can use the widgets without being an Associate and having any ads and since have no real desire for a "payday" will continue to play with the widgets and see what can be done on my test blog. Now on to does it bother me on other blogs to see them have an Amazon link up where they can make a percentage off sales? No, buy everything from Book Depository because of course the books I buy new cost less and never any shipping and handling no matter if 1 or 20. Interesting post and love the different answers though because always nice to know how to use things that make it one step easier...

jackie ^_^

Emily said...

I have no issue with people wanting to monetize blogs or things like that, but my question (and the reason I don't do google ads or amazon affiliates or anything like that) is, all of my logos, images, summaries, basically everything on my blog that came from another source, is licensed for non commercial use only. Once I start making money, even a small amount, from my blog, which includes these elements, am I violating the terms of use for those items?

Riv Re said...

I have AA, but not a plan that I get money, only the widget next to my Posting page. I wish AA could be connected directly to your Amazon account, so you don't have to put in your credit card, etc. Meaning, I have an Amazon account, but I don't actually buy anything. I wish I could get the money put directly on my Amazon account so I could just buy it, not have it put on my [non-existing] credit card first.

Unknown said...

I adore your blog, which is why I have presented you with an award. Claim your award Here

Keep up the great work!

As for the whole Amazon program, I just joined it a few days ago. I'll let you know how it works out. I figured that I would try it since it's free, easy, and wasn't too time consuming. Now to see if it works...

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

Hmmm, the pictures thing is pretty interesting. I didn't know you could do that. Are the pics big? I've seen some blogs with amazon links and the pics are tiny, like 1 inch, and I definitely wouldn't want that. thanks for the info, i'll think about it!!

Unknown said...

I signed up for it months ago, but I haven't made any money and I don't pimp out links as much as I use to. Besides, why would someone buy from me when they could just buy directly from Amazon? I use the widget for the pictures though, because it IS a ton easier :)

nymfaux said...

I definitely like the aspect of finding pictures easily--If Barnes&Noble did something similar, I would be so on top of it--Because they're my go-to for the best descriptions.

Currently, I link to books and authors, because I know that if I had never heard of them, as a reader, I would appreciate being able to click on a link and find out more information.

I have the same question as Emily--I always try to give credit where credit is due, and wouldn't want to violate or infringe on anything.

Also, I remember hearing on of my college profs talking about ideas becoming common knowledge when you could find the same info in five or more places--It was a rule of thumb regarding when we had to site sources, vs. when it was common knowledge and not necessary--And I've been wondering if something like this applies to something like the picture of a book cover--obviously, it isn't ACTUALLY mine, but if the publisher, author, every bookstore, and every blogger, and interview has a picture, does it become common knowledge--is it fair game? is it enough that I make sure that I have a link to the author and the book, so that people can find it???

Book Savvy Babe said...

Thank you so much for the info! I signed up to be an amazon associate so I can easily get covers and links. I am just starting out, and your information is very helpful, so, thanks again!

Jennifer @ The Book Nympho said...

Thanks for the info. I won't be signing up just because I have a Nook and would want the pocket change for books from B&N.

nymfaux said...

@Jennifer--I have a Nook, too--does BN have anything similar?

Lisa said...

You are just terrific! I have just started blogging and setting up my site. Your site is one of my favorites. Thank you so much for such great information on blogging 101. You have helped out so much.

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