Monetising my website, does this look bad?

[roxyruby]

So I added a chat room to my Social Anxiety site, and go on there, a couple of people had been talking about me and my website. A new visitor was asking if my website was just about me selling some products I'm affiliated too.

I know that's only one person, but I don't want people having a negative experience of my site,

and I'd like to make money from the website, so I have some pictures up of affiliate products with links to them, but do you think this turns people off & makes them not like me or not trust me?

NoSocialAnxiety

Ahhhhhh. Perhaps I am just over-sensitive. Like I don't know what to say when people ask me about the affiliate products.
Do I tell them they are just to make money, like advertising? (And they are to make money, except if people didn't like the product I would remove it)
Does that sound bad?
Is there anything you recommend?

When I have enough money I plan on buying all the products so I can review them and recommend them properly, but I can't do that now.

Have any ideas? What do you think?

It's not that bad is it? Does it look like a normal sort of website? It doesn't look like I'm too greedy for money?

[Brutha]

Do I tell them they are just to make money?

Does that happen to be your true reason?

[CoolBee]

I think it's a pretty nice website given the subject matter. Not too fussy and I think actually your affiliate links are quite discreet - unobtrusive.

I think it's understandable that you got asked this question -some people would not feel too kindly towards someone if they thought the ONLY reason they were focusing on this issue was the affiliate sales.

I would guess that reassuring people that you have had your own struggle with some of these things, and that you have chosen affiliate products which you personally believe may help (whether your own experience or that of people you know) would do it? Perhaps do some reviews of some of these or get other people to do them for you?

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Does that happen to be your true reason?

Yes. Except if people didn't like the product I'd remove it

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by CoolBee

I would guess that reassuring people that you have had your own struggle with some of these things, and that you have chosen affiliate products which you personally believe may help (whether your own experience or that of people you know) would do it? Perhaps do some reviews of some of these or get other people to do them for you?

Thank you? Do you mean reassuring people that I have had my own struggle with some of these things, as in, telling them more about my struggle with social anxiety, or about my struggle with my website & working out how to make money?

Thanks for your advice!!! Means a lot guys

[roxyruby]

I get this awful feeling about telling people "These links to products are for me to make money"

I get a feeling like saying that is wrong and unacceptable or something. Like if I say that, they won't like me, or will think less of me.

But other people have the purpose of making money don't they? Like everyone that sells stuff on their website, say, Steve pavlina, his intention is to make money as well as help people is it not?

Yet he doesn't say he is trying to make money from them, he only says he is trying to help people?

Is there this rule in society where you cannot say "I am trying to make money from this?"

I don't know....

This should probably be in the emotional master section not for harsh business folks to read

[MattMacola]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

I know that's only one person, but I don't want people having a negative experience of my site

I'm going to steal the words of one of the greats for this..

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." Bill Cosby

How many people visited your site this month? I guess it was quite a lot. And it was just one guy who complained? Are you serious? Quit getting all emotional about this guy. How many people said good things about your site? I guess it was more than one and I guess there were a lot more who loved your site and never told you.

If your promoting something that's good and actually gets results then there is no reason not to sell hard. If you are selling something that works (and I guess you are) then that guy who complained and didn't buy the book... he will have anixety issues forever and will die a lonely old man. And it's all cos he didn't buy the book.

[Curtis2011]

You don't have to apologize for trying to make money.

If you think about it, them wanting you to provide stuff and never try to make a profit is THEM being greedy. They want you to "work for free" per se.

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

You don't have to apologize for trying to make money.

If you think about it, them wanting you to provide stuff and never try to make a profit is THEM being greedy. They want you to "work for free" per se.

ahhh Thank YOU!!

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by MattMacola

I'm going to steal the words of one of the greats for this..



How many people visited your site this month? I guess it was quite a lot. And it was just one guy who complained? Are you serious? Quit getting all emotional about this guy. How many people said good things about your site? I guess it was more than one and I guess there were a lot more who loved your site and never told you.

If your promoting something that's good and actually gets results then there is no reason not to sell hard. If you are selling something that works (and I guess you are) then that guy who complained and didn't buy the book... he will have anixety issues forever and will die a lonely old man. And it's all cos he didn't buy the book.

thank you thank you thank you. You're right. I actually have received probably 95% positive feedback about my website

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

I get this awful feeling about telling people "These links to products are for me to make money"

Why not say the same, in a different way?

"I really want to help people to get over their social anxiety because I personally know what a struggle that is. I really want to do this full time, therefor I have put on some affiliate links of products that might be of interest of the people reading here. There is also a ton of free stuff and information and I will of course continue to provide that free information. But, a girl's got to eat right?"

or something like that.

Your website is not about affiliate links but the affiliate links are about making money. No need to hide that fact, but also no need to make it more important then it really is.

[CoolBee]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

Thank you? Do you mean reassuring people that I have had my own struggle with some of these things, as in, telling them more about my struggle with social anxiety, or about my struggle with my website & working out how to make money?

Thanks for your advice!!! Means a lot guys

I meant either your own personal struggle (or that of people close to you with social anxiety) rather than the website side of it. I guess I mean - what is your personal motivation for wanting to do a site on social anxiety when you could have done one on, I don't know, great surfing beaches in Aus!

I think what they would be looking for is reassurance that you're not just in it for the money - not that wanting to earn money from it per se is wrong.

However, like Matt says - it was one guy. If it turns out to be a view shared by lots then address it! If not, and most people are happy (or don't comment) then it's fine.

I think this can be a problem with any of us working with people in this sort of sensitive area - there can be a lot of pressure to do it 'free' because it's 'worthwhile' - but you can't live on 'worthwhileness'!


Yes - what Ssandra said - she put it better than me.

[roxyruby]

thank you so much ssandra and coolbee! This means so much to me and is so helpful! ^ ^

& Yes, my main motivation is because I am very passionate about the subject of social anxiety (I suffered from severe social anxiety, & have made great progress in overcoming it in the last year or 2) Social Anxiety Disorder & Depression etc has been my life basically. & also I need money in order to move out, and so I can live with my boyfriend, and not have to live with people that disrespect me

[roxyruby]

& it was funny, when that guy asked if I was just trying to sell affiliate products, someone (who must be familiar with me and what I give to people)

answered for me, saying that I don't sell anything, but just promote stuff to support what I'm doing

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

answered for me, saying that I don't sell anything, but just promote stuff to support what I'm doing

Good way to put it

And after all.. if you are recommending good products, then you are helping people by doing so.

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

Good way to put it

And after all.. if you are recommending good products, then you are helping people by doing so.

But I don't know if they are good. I have only bought 2 of them. And they were helpful, but I don't know if they were good or not because I don't know what a good product should be like.

The others that I haven't bought, All I know is that they are decently popular based on the clickbank statistics about them.

[Manomanman]

Try and get into Steve's mindset about making money. A lot of his early stuff talks about how making money isn't evil and such.

This person harassing you is not a paying customer, so who cares what they think?

[inri]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

So I added a chat room to my Social Anxiety site, and go on there, a couple of people had been talking about me and my website. A new visitor was asking if my website was just about me selling some products I'm affiliated too.

I know that's only one person, but I don't want people having a negative experience of my site,

and I'd like to make money from the website, so I have some pictures up of affiliate products with links to them, but do you think this turns people off & makes them not like me or not trust me?

NoSocialAnxiety

Ahhhhhh. Perhaps I am just over-sensitive. Like I don't know what to say when people ask me about the affiliate products.
Do I tell them they are just to make money, like advertising? (And they are to make money, except if people didn't like the product I would remove it)
Does that sound bad?
Is there anything you recommend?

When I have enough money I plan on buying all the products so I can review them and recommend them properly, but I can't do that now.

Have any ideas? What do you think?

It's not that bad is it? Does it look like a normal sort of website? It doesn't look like I'm too greedy for money?

I had a look at your website Roxyruby....you've obviously put alot of hours of work into writing all your articles and putting your site together.There's some real valuable information there, that will help many people with this issue! As has already been said....why should people have the the benefit of receiving help from you without you receiving something back?

It's really about framing it all properly in your mind. I used to do professional psychic readings....anyone who knew me personally seemed to think that I had nothing better to do than do free readings for them. For some crazy reason (poor self esteem!) I caved in and provided these readings, often putting paying sessions on the back-burner to do so. When I finally put my foot down, some of these people actually had the nerve to be angry - and most of them did not offer to pay me to have a reading. It became really clear they only wanted one IF it was free.

WEll, I've evolved many years past that time in my life, But now I'm facing the same situation you're in. I've got a web-site that has hit the traffic milestone where I'm thinking about putting up some ads. While I'm not near as bad as I used to be re: this issue of being paid for my efforts, I must admit to still having a bit of residual issues in this area. amazing how they can rear up again, just when you think you're over them!

Anyway, the short of it is; you've put in a huge effort. Others are reaping the benefit of that effort....you shouldn't worry about being paid for your part!...now if I can just take my own advice!

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by inri

WEll, I've evolved many years past that time in my life, But now I'm facing the same situation you're in. I've got a web-site that has hit the traffic milestone where I'm thinking about putting up some ads. While I'm not near as bad as I used to be re: this issue of being paid for my efforts, I must admit to still having a bit of residual issues in this area. amazing how they can rear up again, just when you think you're over them!

Maybe a small change of mindset can help you here?

Instead of thinking about it as getting paid, think about it as people showing appreciation? It works perfectly for me when I have to "pay" for things. Feel a lot better about it.

(from the book "Bursting loose from the Money Game")

[LoneW0LF]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

When I have enough money I plan on buying all the products so I can review them and recommend them properly, but I can't do that now.

Have any ideas? What do you think?

The problem I see is that you are "recommending" products that you haven't even tried or tested yourself. This is probably where your conflict lies rather than whether it's earning you money or not.

Originally Posted by roxyruby

But other people have the purpose of making money don't they? Like everyone that sells stuff on their website, say, Steve pavlina, his intention is to make money as well as help people is it not?

I'm pretty sure Steve only sells stuff he's tried and endorses. If your true aim is to help people then you need to recommend only products you agree with and will further that aim.

That way it won't matter what people say about you making money because you will know that the products you promote will provide true value.

[Marth]

The Snap Shots roll over is annoying & the quote at the top doesn't fit with the border. I really like your site though I could have used it 2 weeks ago before my job interview and friend got back in town Best of luck dude

[MattMacola]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

But I don't know if they are good. I have only bought 2 of them. And they were helpful, but I don't know if they were good or not because I don't know what a good product should be like.

Roxy,

You might want to read the wordpress rules...

Advertising Support — WordPress.com

They do inforce these rules but I know they are pretty relaxed with the ads if your blog is really great. I'm just playing devil's advocate... nothing wrong in my mind with making some money from the work you do.

[roxyruby]

I just wrote a new blog post on my website explaining to people about the products I have on my site.

Thanks to all your advice, it helped me a lot in figuring out what to say to people.

This is what I wrote About the Products on my website NoSocialAnxiety

Let me know what you think

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by Marth

The Snap Shots roll over is annoying & the quote at the top doesn't fit with the border. I really like your site though I could have used it 2 weeks ago before my job interview and friend got back in town Best of luck dude

Thanks. I turned it off. Hopefully this means its turned off for everyone now.

[spirit4711]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

Let me know what you think

It's too much text and too apologizing. Especially the 'Why are you affiliated' part. Make it short and snappy. 1, max 2 paragraphs for this part.

You don't need to explain why you need money. But up to you to do so if you wish.

The other parts are excellent.

[roxyruby]

Thanks spirit, more opinions from others please

[spirit4711]

What!!! You need others' opinions before you follow my EXCELLENT advice??? You ungrateful little <unprintable>! Oh, woe is me! Nobody loves me!

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by spirit4711

What!!! You need others' opinions before you follow my EXCELLENT advice??? You ungrateful little <unprintable>! Oh, woe is me! Nobody loves me!

sorry spirit. I meant your advice is good. But I need several different opinions to get an accurate sort of idea of what people generally think by what the average sort of opinion is

[roxyruby]

Originally Posted by spirit4711

It's too much text and too apologizing. Especially the 'Why are you affiliated' part. Make it short and snappy. 1, max 2 paragraphs for this part.

You don't need to explain why you need money. But up to you to do so if you wish.

The other parts are excellent.

lol spirit. it's just that, i guess when you've had an anxiety disorder and had it beaten into you that you're not important, it's hard to know if I'm being too apologetic or not. That's why I need others opinions.

[spirit4711]

Originally Posted by roxyruby

.. had it beaten into you that you're not important, it's hard to know if I'm being too apologetic or not. That's why I need others opinions.

Let me counterbeat for a bit then. You're important to many forum members. I can see that from the replies they give you.

You're important to me too. Many days you make me laugh because of your crazy humour.

Now, go and make lots of money.