Often, I get spammed by "friends" whom I have varying degrees of friendship with. Some are complete strangers.
They will write to me and give me all their affiliate links. Some will just give me the links without any opener while others would write a flourish statement of how they are helping me by giving me their affiliate links - so much so that I am unsure whether I should just fall down on my knees and thank them.
The rare few politely ask if I might be interested and if yes, if I would please get back to them. I like this last category the best. If you ask me nicely and I am keen, I will write back and actively ask to have your link. I feel this should be the way to do things despite a somewhat lack of efficiency for the "friend".
When people push things to me just because they have my contact, I get put off. Even if I happen to be interested, I usually make it a point to remove their affiliate IDs and sign up from the root site. How about you?
[question posted by lordwarwizard]
responses and comments:
Just a sec I'll send you my affiliate links [psychopath]
I sure hope it is LOL. blinkrasp [lordwarwizard]
So true & i couldnt agree more Lord. lots of people do that here,constantly either ading people to get referrals,which is either sending PMs or leaving links in comment box.Best is they try to make out they are doing you a favour..NOT its all for their own selfish needs.Those people probably sit & do nothing & excpect us to do it for them.Just because someone is on our list, that does not automatically mean we want their links. Saying all that tho there are people who do it the nice way. That is all lol [LoudnProud]
@hcpoirot: That's why I disabled comments on my profile page - after seeing what happened to my friends'. rasp [lordwarwizard]
Its nice to share with friends, but most people do it in a way only to make you a refferal and gain by it? I do the same as you! Sign up from the root site if I think they only want to use me. [Gollywog]
I don't have a problem with them sending the link if I'm interested i look at it if not i just delete it. Although it is much more polite for them to inquire before sending it along, i don't think they are being purposely rude they just haven't learned their manners yet. Or they could have sent it by mistake (lord knows i have hit wrong Buttons more than once). [cjgrooms]
LOL GardenGerty, you are indeed cynical! rasp [lordwarwizard]
It depends. If it was a friend, and happen once in a while, I will try to read his/her offer and if I liked it, i will sign under them. Thats whats friend are for. helping friends . as lons as they dont spam me with mails links each day. But if strangers just spam me, I willd eleted their mails without reading it at all. And I do like people asked me first if i wanted the links or not. And them sent me the link if I asked. The problem was I forgot if I ever just send my frinds here links before i asked them politely.lol For those of you who probably annoyed by me if I ever send you links without your permission or you never asked for the links, I am sorry. happy Too caught up in this referrals business. But I do remember i had never sent you any links, lordwarwizard.............................yet lol [hcpoirot]
I do make exceptions if they are pretty decent friends. happy Just to clarify, I have signed up as many friends' referrals. It's just that if someone pushes a link on me, I rather sign up from the root site or give the referral to another friend. I wouldn't remember if you had sent me anything lol. Anyway I don't take it personally so you can go ahead and spam me LOL. [lordwarwizard]
droolthat could be devestating, if a mylot friend like me send affiliate link to you via PM, all you need do is either accept by clicking the link to see what it is all about, if you are interested you can join otherwise ignore the message.rolleyes [okwusman1]
That is what I do. As I was just telling hcpoirot, I don't take it personally. I just ignore the message if it is of no interest to me. I do understand everyone is out to earn some money and I don't begrudge anyone that. happy [lordwarwizard]
Yeah. I hate to be spammed by other members of Mylot. I do not mind joining programs and being someone's referral, but I like to be the one to ask for these links instead of them spamming me in private messages without even asking me first or knowing that I may be interested in it. I join programs that I know pay and that is about it. I have alot of spam on my profile homepage from someone. they posted all of their referral links there in the comment section. [stephcjh]
And most links don't even pay in the end. [lordwarwizard]
I like the falling to your knees part. LOL I do know what you mean though. It seems it never ceases either. I have gotten very selective and really only answer or sign up with sites I have requested. I do believe the polite asking manner is much better received. What really gets me are the ones who write like you are long lost buddies and you have never heard of this guy/gal before. Seems dumb to me. Have a great day my friend and if you ever need a link for darn near anything I got at least one. [eeyore39]
*wink* >> What really gets me are the ones who write like you are long lost buddies and you have never heard of this guy/gal before. Yes, yes! That cracked me up. rasp [lordwarwizard]
Well here check out my links.........im kidding of course. I dont do this to anyone. If someone asks me well Ill give them Mylots link since it is really the only site I care alot for. I do a few others but not worth mentioning in my opinion. I guess if I tried I might have referals lol. [minnie_98214]
*goes to check.............* Im kidding of course. rasp [lordwarwizard]
I really think the proper way to do this is in a signature link at the bottom of your email. Post to groups that share your common interests, and put the link in at the bottom in your signature. I keep a blog and I put the link in my signature. I have gotten many readers that way! [fec139]
Signature links are fine because it is "impersonal". I have tons of links on my blog too. If you like me, you might check on my blog. And if you check on my blog, you might like me enough to use my link. But I don't push and pm every single friend on my list with my referral links. rasp [lordwarwizard]
I am not signing up for much lately. I really like it when they will let me know, either directly, or in a discussion, that there are some good and profitable links on their profile. I have been naughty and signed up from the root on some things I learned about on another site. Sometimes I sign up here, then find that the program just is not to my taste at all. I would call the spamming people opportunists, not friends. [GardenGerty]
On a side note, good links are really hard to come by. Who wouldn't want to make some extra money? [lordwarwizard]
Sometimes I get an invite to be a friend, just so they can send me their affiliate links! I did get carried away once and sent out some links when I thought I happened upon a sure get wealthy scheme, but alas it was smoke in the wind anyway and I learned my lesson! I do try to make money on the internet (my own tiny business) but the info and links are on my profile and I figure if anyone is interested they can find it there.. - That's funny about signing up at the root site!whistle [flowerchilde]
Yea, that would be too much. Ask to be friend then spam you the next day. rasp [lordwarwizard]
I have to agree with you! It's like a pushy sales person. I steer the opposite direction. I put all my referral links to other sites on my profile pages and if someone is interested then it's by their choice and not by me pushing it on anyone. What I don't like is when someone adds their referral links to my profile pages through comments, it's those comments that I will delete. Have a great day! [terri0824]
Except that it is not online pushing instead of offline. :P [lordwarwizard]
That's pretty rude. I never give affiliate links unless someone asks--which is probably why I don't make any money! I know some of my survey sites offers an incentive for referring others but I just give the site, not my link. That's stupid, I know, but I feel that they will think I'm using them. I can't help but think of MLMs when I think of affiliate links, something that will eventually collapse and leave the ones on the bottom with nothing. [dragon54u]
Me, too, I hardly ever get any referrals! I'd rather have the good will of my friends! But if you want to email me referrals, go right ahead. Cos I know you're not rude. I don't usually do PTCs but I'm game for anything else! [dragon54u]
I often tend to e-mail affiliate links to my friends directly from the site I have signed-up with and can usually include a note with them. Sometimes however, I know a friend would not be interested so I don't e-mail them. I have usually enquired before hand if they are into mlm programs on-line. I have found a few programs very good and have really paid, then I will e-mail them before hand before sending the link. [derek_a]
That is at least more "personalized". If you know someone might be interested, then it is still fine. [lordwarwizard]
I don't have friends who do that. I would not appreciate if they did, and I never do it. [Yestheypayme2dothis]
That would be cool.:) [lordwarwizard]
Good tips friend, this will be useful for many. I feel irritated like you, when I receive a 'friend' request, as soon as I say, yes, there comes a private message giving these referrals. My action-no reply, just delete him/her from the friend's list. 99% are 'him' and from my country. [bhubaneshwars]
It does happen but not all friends do that, I am glad. Anyway, it is no big deal. I normally just ignore the message if I am not interested. [lordwarwizard]
We have similar reactions towards this. People may have good intentions to help when they post link or affiliate IDs but like us, we don't take this as good gesture for we know myLot rules and this is not the venue for recruiting referrals. [moolahmagnet]
yeah, links that eventually get deleted rasp [moolahmagnet]
I don't like any pushing of things or overloading my messages/e-mail. I do appreciate it when someone will ask if I am interested/ if I am they send me info. I just hope that people would not be offended if I did not pursue the opportunity. It is just like the fact that I have a blog which is listed on my profile and I feel if someone is interested they are welcome to stop by and read/comment on it. [jillmalitz]
Yup yup. I just ignore if I feel annoyed and usually they just spam and forget about me anyway. rasp [lordwarwizard]
From my experience in low/free Internet promotion strategies, what I have learnt so far is that do not push anybody anything for simple reason that you have one contact email address of that person. Instead of that just float the information around that you have such and such information/products/services, and if someone is interested, then only unwrap your envelop. I read a wonderful article in this regard. Never ask people to do this, or do that. Simply because this will ignite negative feelings in your prospect client. Instead of that be generous, and try to establish your credibility. People will seek for your help, if necessary. Regarding receiving email requests, or please check my website request - my hard researched studies suggest that this yields only fraction response. Most of those Emails find a place inside spam folder immediately. Now when can you approach a person with your stuff? If the person is very well know to you, or if you can sense what the person is looking for - then approach him with your stuff, if relevant. Otherwise, never do so. It is a complete wastage of time. I must say such ethical promotion yields wonder in the long run, and only in the long run. It needs proper planning by locating your target audience, then chalking out strategies on how to reach them, and finally you need to simply pass on the message to your target group without pushing them. If done, success will come. [nilzerous1]
I am new here so I haven't had that happen to me just yet. I have had it happen on other sites though and it is annoying to say the least. I tend to start ignoring them all and am probably missing out on a couple of good opportunities ... but I just can't be bothered to check them all out. You are right if someone asked me to get back to them if I was interested then it might just spark some curiosity in me LOL [Celestiamoon]
Well, I was talking about it in general, not exactly at myLot per se. :) [lordwarwizard]
I agree with you. Take the time to ask me if I am even interested before giving me an affiliate link. In other words don't ask me to take time to view your link if you are not willing to take time with me. [gberlin]
Good way of putting it. [lordwarwizard]
It annoys me to no end when people just voluntarily send me all of their referral links....urghhhhhh...I agree whole heartedly with you on this subject. If they want me to be responsive they need to ask if I am interested and allow me to make that decision. If they don't ask first and I am interested then like you said, I will go to the site and sign up on my own rather than use their link! [rx4life]
Yup yup, at least ask first. happy [lordwarwizard]
For me it's a quid pro quo or in other words I scratch your back you scratch mine, if people ask me to sign up to a site then I automatically think it's only fair that if I do that they in turn sign up for one of my sites! But trouble that backfires, I mean, who makes the first move? And if you sign up are they going to do the same and it's like a partnership isn't it, where in an ideal world it's 50/50 but most of the time you find you are doing all the work and the other is not bothering so it ends up 90/10 on your part. It makes me mad when I sign up and work real hard for someone and they don't even bother signing up in return, I mentally make a note and a black cross appears by their name! But you have got it right sometimes I will check out the site and delete the persons referral, but sometimes with sites that have random referrals you could be signing up to a stranger, so sometimes it is the better the devil you know! [wolfie34]
And they are friends? Hmmm I know where you are coming from on this one! It does hurt yeah believe me I've had this happen to me a number of times, I wise up now and I am sure you have to! Trouble is I can be just as devious, true friends would help you out my friend not fob you off! [wolfie34]
the way i do it is this. i wait till one of my friends IM me to see how im doing. we chitchat for a while. then they ask me "what's up" or "what am i doing" or some similar question. and the think is im always on myLot tapping at something. so i tell them exactly what im doing and more often then not they have joined. so i don't spam them. i peak their interest by telling them what im doing when they ask. i also leave the link in my away message on my messengers. ive had a couple of people join just off of that. so im creative. [Palmerhusky]
Yours is cool because you are *talking* to them. It is different from just spamming their inboxes. happy [lordwarwizard]
Since I am in the business of marketing and advertising it doesn't bother me as much-- As long as they have the decency to send me programs of the highest quality and value. I am a resource officer and I spend lots time looking for the best stuff for my clients and friends-- Generally I will always utilise the Business and Social Networks, like Apsense and Sales Spider for marketing my products, and I do very well without adding my affiliate links to my ads-- Folks know that I only give the very best information, and they will write me and ask for my affiliate links as a courtesy. It really pays to have good manners in business, as I have found out over the years! :) [peaceful]
That's the way! cool [lordwarwizard]
If I'm not interested I just ignore it. If I am then I will sign up under them and thank them. Life is too short to get worked up over the small things. The Beauty of the internet is that you CAN ignore people, not like phone calls or people knocking on your door (though I do try to ignore the phone calls using call display screening). With the computer I can just press 'delete'. I rarely have anyone come back and bug me again and again. [patgalca]
Yup yup, no point getting worked up or anything. lol [lordwarwizard]
Hello lordwarwizard!:-) I think what you suggest is one of the best ways to ask for referrals. Other way could be that they start a discussion without adding any link and ask people to PM them if any body is interested. This way they will get only the audience that is truly interested. Moreover, if done this way, the affiliates will be coming to THEM rather than they going to prospective down line. One of the things my parents taught me early in my life is that I should never ask for a favor in first place. If I do, I should do it in the most humble way without forcing them to help me. And, even then, I shouldn't expect that they will help me because they may have their own problems. So, if they refuse to help, don't mind it and never ask why they refused because only they know what their problems are. I think same attitude should be applied when one wants to share affiliate link. I am lucky that my friends do not bothered me with spam. There were a couple or so people who sent me links and I politely asked them that this is not something I am looking in our mutual friendship. [kamran12]
Yup, that's another good way to do it. happy [lordwarwizard]
If they are indeed a friend I might look at it. If they start sending me stuff constantly thats a different story. I wont even read it, usually wont even open them up just autimatically hit delete. Same with people I dont know. Spamming people in my opinion is disrespectful of ones privacy.... [ambkeb]
Yea, quite a bit depends on who's sending. [lordwarwizard]
I do not like to see that either, as it is too much for me to do anyway! I have not had anybody post it as a comment, but I see those ads when I visit the profiles of other users! I do like your profile, as I found your faqs and other information, which helped me since I was a beginner here! [olivemai]
I am not sure, but I thought I can accept comments! It is too difficult to know which ones are truly good programs, especially with the amount of ads I have seen on some profiles! [olivemai]
It offends me to the nth degree to be spammed by so called friends. If you find something you think is wonderful, ask me if I'm interested or mention it in passing and see if I say "oh, tell me about it". Otherwise I can assure you I'm not interested at all. I give a one time allowance for a faux pas to friends but after that I simply delete them. [hockeygal4ever]
Wow, you are on a tougher stance than me! rasp [lordwarwizard]
I totally agree with you on this point. It seems that most people on the internet think that being on a friends list means you can toss out your affiliate links no matter how well you know this "friend". A request is the better way to handle it since not everyone is looking for affiliate links. I think it is quite rude to just give your affiliate links to a new friend, and it happens a lot here....anyone that does it to me is automatically deleted from my friends list. [sumofalltears]
Yup. If you know someone, once in a while, fine... but if you don't know that person much and he keeps spamming you... you tend to get put off a little. [lordwarwizard]
from time to time I do get this as well, it irritates me! I do too, sign up from the root links and not let my self be used by people who expect me to do the hard work for them. sheesh.. [eccentricmoi]
Yea! Those with lotsa referrals earn so much. [lordwarwizard]
I always ask before I send them out. And if you say yes, I'll only send you one link, a link to a page where you can find all my links. If you're interested you'll join, if you're not you don't. I'll respond every question I can, that someone might ask me. I think it's not only polite, but when you 'spam' your links, even to friends, you're in the possibility to have your account removed from the site. [bieke81]
Oh yea, a place with all your link is neater. :) [lordwarwizard]
All right I have my affiliate link for certain sights on my signature, usually the sites I feel that it is worthwhile to join, and you can guess what they are. I did not like just clicking for links and so if anyone wants to join, they can easily go to my profile. However I do not care if they join or not. I do would not mind them buying from the sites I have affiliates with but I am too busy mylotting and writing my novel and singing that I have that hardly any time to surf for links. There is a place where one can put their sites here and it is easy for anyone to go there. You do not have to beg. [suspenseful]
I think that's cool. The way you are doing, you are not pushing and no one would be offended. In fact, people might be more inclined to join using your links if they like you. [lordwarwizard]
I don't have any friends that have done that but I've sent some with some information about the program, and that if they would like to join, click on the link below. I really hate the ones I receive in my junk mail... like PRODUCT TESTERS ARE NEEDED and it turns out to be a FUSION CASH link. [maplaver]
They sure are :( [maplaver]
I wont sign up with any one who has spammed me and that is what they are doing by sending links with out asking if you would like them first I usually go thru ad delete every thing I dont know or am not linked to in the first place [Lakota12]
Good never know if they carry a virus or not! [Lakota12]
I have a website with all my affiliate links. In my signature, under my name, it says, "Visit my website at..." That's it. Once in a while I will tell people how I am making money online and if they want to know how, visit my site, but only if I am conversing with them about something else. I hate spam, so I don't do it. I have gotten a few friends and family to join, but not many, as I have not made so much yet that they believe it's true or worth their time. Once I get more big bucks (due soon), maybe they will change their mind. [nanajanet]
Yup, I think that's fine. happy [lordwarwizard]
I never email them, but on mylot if I want someone to check out my links I will tell them they can take a look at my profile if they would like where I have a ebook that has a description for each link. But if they can't explain it or ask you politely it would find the way to the trash in my inbox. [brianhanson37]
Yup, that would be cooler. [lordwarwizard]
I am pretty much the same way lordwarwizard. Tell me what it is in a general manner, if I am interested, I will let you know. If you don't hear from me, then I am not interested. [jer31558]
That would be for the best. [lordwarwizard]
I don't like to give out affiliate links unsolicited at all. I mean, I feel that there is a time and a place to send out links. I write about the programs I'm involved in on my blog and I put links there. I also put links in my profile in case anyone is interested. I only send links to people that I know very well and who probably won't get mad. If I find that someone has put an affiliate link into a discussion and I'm interested in joining, I often go around them to the site and sign up on my own instead of using their link. If I know them pretty well, I will sign up under them, but if I don't I won't. [desertdarlene]
Yup, time and place for everything. happy [lordwarwizard]
I get annoyed with "friends" that just send affiliate links with out my request. It is so different if they start a discussion and I request the information. But if they just do it out of the blue I will delete the message without responding to it and if they do it again I will delete them as a friend because I do not appreciate being spammed. [1grnthmb]
sometimes im also polite to a friend who's giving me thier link, but if i dont like to that person i just go direct to the root of site. [Ohara_1983]
Yup, do it. lol [lordwarwizard]
I think affiliate link should be in your profile, if someone have interest in you, make click and check your link. That's all. Or if someone is asking, you give the him / her the link. [daniel575]
I have done the same. I think it is the best way to handle it. [celticeagle]
I normally click the delete button if the mail has an affiliate link especially if the sender is someone I do not know. How would I know if the link is going to somewhere which is going to have me reformatting my harddisk. I do not mind if they send me some information with the link and when I sign up, I will use their referral link. I think it is fair to reward them for sharing. [whyaskq]
Yup, good point. [lordwarwizard]
I like to promote my links, it is worth money to me to do so. But all the sites pay well and are what they say they are which is the only good thing about links they are tried and tested ways to earn money online. I think that you should tell people about an offer and leave the rest up to them. flooding someone after they have trusted you with their email is only going back on your word. [dont_pick_your_nose]
That's cool if you can help people make money too. happy [lordwarwizard]
I agree with you, I also like to be left alone to make my choice after I have followed the link. And so many times even I removed the affilate link and signed up just because the person was a real pest. Sometimes I ask the other people who have really been nice to me in the past if they are the member of the site and woud like me to sign up under them. Moral of the story: do not pester anyone with the liks but let the other person make his or her own mind. [mansha]
yeah sometimes people just keep spammig you and then just to check out the site I do sign up but to tell you the truth all the sites i tried this one is the only one that came up with some results apart from my tesasmails and payperpost. [mansha]
I'm not even in the number 3 category. Let's make a number 4... if someone asks me of I am in a program and that it works, and I tell them so, if they ask ME for a link, I'll send it. I don't have many referrals because I don't push them on other people. But I am happy to sign up under the link of a friend if it helps them while helping me. I'm just not aggressive about the links. [cassidy22]
Yea, same here, not aggressive at all. rasp [lordwarwizard]
Well I don't usually go much for affiliate links, I am happy with being in myLot, and there are some other places that sometimes I like to go, but I fail big time in patience 101, I can't go for ptcs and ptrs and other ptwhatevers. SO even when someone asks politely - which I would prefer, of course - there would be no point because I wouldn't help. It it was a matter of just signing in that would be fine but people usually have to participate to rewards both myself and the person that I signed under. IN any case even if I meant to sign in, I would not feel very inclined to do so if I just got an email from someone with a list of afilliates and not even something personal written in:) But I might be open to it with a nice message. [arkaf61]
Yea, they pay us too little. :( [lordwarwizard]
Yeah I agree. This is off putting. I never find myself doing it except for one time when I was pretty much new to internet and in order to promote myself I did sent my links to all my friends and family. That was the first and last time. As you said, I would not like to spam my friends as i would not like to be spammed. However, if I find any site interesting I sign up as a downline and not form the root site. I do not mind being under someone, specially when someone is being benefitted from it. Thanks. [mimpi1911]
Well, if you can convince yourself it is worth your time, I think you will do it. Don't ask me if it is worth your time though. rasp [lordwarwizard]