I guess, you can pretty much ignore my previous “Disclosure” post — except for rare occasions. I came to a decision this weekend…
Income.com will no longer be recommending products, services, and resources and getting paid for it.
There might be a rare exception for some sort of marketing partnership but that would be very rare and it would also be fully disclosed.
I just sent out an email to my long-time “Marketing Secrets” newsletter list to explain this decision. I had written a long promotion for someone’s site and ended my write-up without an affiliate link. I explained why and here’s a copy of it…
* As always, I’d love to hear your feedback about this. Please post
your comment below!
—-
I know what you’re thinking…
“Wow, John is getting ‘tricky’…”
“He actually registered a unique domain
name to use for his affiliate link!”
BZZZZZZZZZZZ. Nope.
That’s not an affiliate link. It goes
directly to their site and I don’t make
a penny if you do end up taking
coaching from them.
Yes, that’s right. I probably just
forfeited enough commissions to
buy a new car. And all I had to do
was use my affiliate link.
But I didn’t…
I’ve been the #1 affiliate for the past
12 -14 promotions in a row that
I’ve really put an effort into. One of them
recently earned me over $1,000,000.
(Not bad for sending out a few emails!)
SO WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING?
I have an affiliate link. Carlos gave it to me.
But I’m not using it. Why?
FOR *TWO* VERY IMPORTANT REASONS…
1. I truly think you can benefit from what
Carlos & Lupe are sharing — even the free stuff.
2. I’m done.
“Huh?”
I’ve sincerely appreciated all of my links in the
past that you’ve clicked on and the purchases
that you’ve made through my affiliate links…
I’ve made millions of dollars from it.
And I truly thank you!
BUT…
I won’t be sending you anymore affiliate offers…
…I’m done.
Let me explain…
I have started a new company… Income.com, Inc.
And I have BIG plans for it. I truly want to make
a tremendously *positive* impact on the world with
it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that sounds hokey
but it’s true…
I want to empower as many people as possible
around the world to succeed with their own Internet
business. And I believe in order to do this I need
to make some changes… at least to accomplish
the ‘vision’ I have for the company and how I believe
I need things to go…
One of these changes is to stop promoting
affiliate offers to you. Yes, I will be potentially
losing a small fortune. I realize that…
But I want to set a unique precedent for Income.com.
We will only recommend truly great products
and services to our customers and subscribers
and we will only do so WITHOUT COMPENSATION.
I know, I know. This is absolutely unheard of
for the Internet Marketing industry. Especially
for its #1 Affiliate.
But it’s just something I feel Income.com needs
to do. Now don’t get me wrong, I plan to make
Income.com an incredibly massive success as a
business, but I believe in that pursuit that we
should not recommend outside products and
services and get paid for it.
There may be the rare exception for some sort
of “joint partnership” but those will be rare and
if they do ever happen it will be fully disclosed.
So from now on any links you receive from me
you can just know are NOT affiliate links
whatsoever. If there ever is a reason for one
it will be fully disclosed and made blatantly
clear.
I also want to add that marketers using affiliate links
are NOT evil. 
My decision to do this is not
to judge or “put down” other companies that
generate revenue from affiliate promotions.
In fact, I highly recommend you *DO* regularly
incorporate affiliate marketing into your
efforts. It’s a powerful way to generate
revenue without selling your own product!
I just feel this is a personal decision I need
to make for Income.com because I feel it’s
going to be in a very unique position and
I want to do everything I can to retain its
INTEGRITY.
And, No, I’m not saying that if someone recommends
a product and gets paid a commission that they
have no integrity. I just think it’s what
Income.com needs to do based on how I want
to position the company. I’ll just leave it at that.
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June 11th, 2007 at 5:03 am
You mention unique position a few times John. I like how you are dividing the company entity from your personal marketing entity. This will be essential if you intend to sell income.com for a few billion later on. (Which I imagine you have already planned.)
Good luck with the new innovation, I am sure it will be a winner.
June 11th, 2007 at 5:27 am
Will you ever stop to amaze us, John?
By the way, you can link to my stuff without using an aff link if you’d like ; )
June 11th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Congrats John, you’ve taken a giant leap!
Hey, I’ll keeping peered on Forbes List of America’s Top 20
Billionaires every year until I see your name!
PS: LOL. By the way, I just learnt that you got started in
marketing when you were 16…? Ha! I beat you… I got
started when I was 14! Sounds lame doesn’t it?
June 11th, 2007 at 6:35 am
John, it will be a success.
It’s not really amazing that you would do this - to me it makes good business sense. You’ve made a bunch of money, by all ‘public’ reports, and now you can help get people who work with/through you off the treadmill of selling the same- old-same-old (repackaged to sound new, of course!).
While the Internet remains a tremendously exciting place for me, and I will continue to develop my small counseling/consulting business, I’m about out of other Internet businesses due to that frustration.
I haven’t built a list because I won’t promote products when I can tell they’re heavily hyped and are not what they’re cracked up to be; all the sales pages are “the same;” all the products are “the same” in each category. We’re all trying to sell to “each other” and it may work for some, but it doesn’t for me, which doesn’t make it wrong, it’s just not for me as a business plan.
I’ll keep my membership on your list and keep watching. I’d love to be in on something truly different. Want a penniless partner as a test case?!
Thanks - Melissa
June 11th, 2007 at 7:39 am
Congrats John, you’ve taken a giant leap!
Hey, I’ll keeping peeled on Forbes List of America’s Top 20
Billionaires every year until I see your name!
PS: LOL. By the way, I just learnt that you got started in
marketing when you were 16…? Ha! I beat you… I got
started when I was 14! Sounds lame doesn’t it?
June 11th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Wow, you must have paid loads of $$ for this domain name
June 11th, 2007 at 8:27 am
I doubt it, Gobala
John probably bought it eons back… when he first got
started in internet marketing
He probably has a stash of other quality domains
June 11th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Unusual decision John - but understandable.
It’s the info I like. I don’t think of the $ when I click a link. Never thought it was any of my business to be honest with you.
cheers
June 11th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Enough already!
John Reese you have to stop this!
I have turned into an opportunity Junkie because of you.
Well it’s not really your fault. You don’t force me to jump from opportunity to opportunity I do it myself but please…….
As soon as I get focussed on actually doing what you preach “take focussed massive action” I am distracted by e-mails from your good self with even “better opportunities”.
This one is drop dead gorgeous however if I jump in now then how long would it be before “the next best thing” was on its way to distract me?
Please put a “NEW opportunity WARNING” in the e-mail header and then I can delete them with a clear conscience!
Now get back to work!
June 11th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Hi John,
Great stance… I’ve received no less than 5 emails on the Carlos campaign from separate individuals. All saying this is the next best thing. I do believe in JV’s and affiliate marketing but some just jump on the band wagon regardless of the product and if it has any merit. I actually think this can delude the launch if every tom, dick and harry is pushing emails out to there list. Having a “very” few select partners in my eyes is the best route.
Look forward to your site…
June 11th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Major Kudos John,
We have been doing likewise for the last 12 month’s and I tell you what, the respect earnt is worth 20x the possible income earnt.
It’s great to see you doing it with income.com I hope your massive influence filter’s on throughout the “main league” IM community also. Many could learn alot more from you then just how to make a living online.
Regards
Marc Lindsay
June 11th, 2007 at 9:16 am
John, I think you should continue to promote products and marketers that you believe in because whether you say so or not, by taking the high-road on affiliate links you are by your action saying that there is something intrinsically wrong with making money by referrals. I know you’re not saying it, but you’re saying it by your action. Fully disclosing your affiliate links may make this transition easier for you. But you and I both know that there are many people who deliberately try to avoid affiliate links because of jealously or whatever and I think it reeks of a ‘poverty mentality’ — something too many online marketers suffer from which hinders their overall success.
June 11th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Hi John,
I’d like to applaud you on the decision that you’ve made.
In my eyes, your credibility has increased a 100-fold.
You’re pulling away from all of the other ‘gurus’ in the market at such a rate that it
would be almost impossible to fail with income.com.
John, if you’re looking for any investment in income.com, please email me (You’re probably not, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get!).
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards to you John (and everyone else on this blog),
Tony
June 11th, 2007 at 9:28 am
John,
Thank you for being so open to us. I for one have always believed you wouldn’t promote something you didn’t believe in EVEN when you got a commission from it.
I know this was the right decision even if it doesn’t make sense to many.
Best wishes!
Peter
http://www.pvaholic.com
June 11th, 2007 at 9:28 am
John,
Thank you for being so open to us. I for one have always believed you wouldn’t promote something you didn’t believe in EVEN when you got a commission from it.
I know this was the right decision even if it doesn’t make sense to many.
Best wishes!
Peter
http://www.pcaholic.com
June 11th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Good step John,
Are you getting paid fixed bribe to send out product promotions?
RB
PS: Just joking..;)
June 11th, 2007 at 9:52 am
John,
I’d like to make a suggestion can help you help even *more* people!
Instead of forgoing the use of affiliate links, use them, but designate the earnings generated from those links to a newly created entity called the Income.com Foundation… or something similar.
Your dad or wife could perhaps help administer it, and it could truly make a difference in the lives of people within the United States, and even around the world. Not to mention, if the foundation is established as a bona fide 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity (something your CPA firm can arrange), there could be some very compelling tax benefits that flow to the for-profit side of your company.
Regards,
Steve
June 11th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Hey John,
Crazy decision… but more power to you. I think that is absurd, but I understand that you have a bigger vision, and trust that you know what’s best for you and your company. Best wishes,
Ryan Wade
http://www.simplegdi.ws/nobs
June 11th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I watched these videso last week and they are quite impressive.
But…
1. Why would anyone making this amount of money share this, and give
away their business plan? To sell some coaching program to make another million?
2. One thing that hit me between the eyes is that the data they presented is over
2 years old.
I personally would like to see some current data.
I just have seen too many of these types of marketing hype deals over the past year that I have gotten off almost all lists expect John’s and twp or 3 others that provide great information.
The Traffic Tactics looks like a good business model, adn I mean ‘business’, as this is not something for the light-hearted startup newbie that way I see it.
June 11th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Hi John,
I am really looking forward to the release of your new business, Income.com. I think it is very interesting that you are not going to use affiliate links in your promotions and that makes me want to learn more about your new business.
I always love reading your emails.
Thanks
Greg
http://www.blueskybrothers.com
June 11th, 2007 at 10:24 am
John, I wish that I was in the position to say bye bye to affiliate links, but I’m not. Anyway thanks for pointing us to the videos, impressive Alexa figures…but almost three years ago!!
June 11th, 2007 at 10:26 am
One option is to continue to use affiliate links, but disclose that the income generated from them goes to charity.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:19 am
That is great news John! Glad someone will finally be honest about their reviews of a product or service.
Brett
June 11th, 2007 at 11:28 am
I’m always inspired and intrigued by your daring and unique approach to internet marketing. You’ve gained the respect of thousands of internet marketers around the world with your cutting edge techniques. You continue to be an inspiration to us all…
Regards
Roger Johnson - Marketing Coach
The PowerTeam Network
http://powerteamnetwork.com
June 11th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Good to see that there are people with high values still online.
And I do agree John that this is the best move for you to make to position your company. Other wise it would end like so many other “affiliate sites” Ive been turn off by. Better to Run your business in this way.
On carlos and lupes video. Im surprised that this comes as a surprise to many people. Big media buys and paying traffic is not a new thing. I worked for a company in Montreal that did this all day long.”nuking merchants servers” with that kind of traffic, just with getting ads place on yahoo and msn mail accounts alone. Think about it for one second how many yahoo or hotmail account users are there, how many impressions a day is that??? times even a paltry 1% conversion rate = over a million a week$$$. On that note anyone have any opm lying around
June 11th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Hes totally lost it.
June 11th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Hello John,
I bought Traffic Secrets from you way back when you made your first million selling it and your honesty and integrity has continued to astound me ever since.
Your no affiliate link policy for income.com is a new level of integrity for Internet marketers. While I have happily bought some of the products that you promoted over time and have been a charter subscriber to the Reese Report I have always viewed affiliate links for a marketer like you as a two edged sword.
Over the past couple of years I have subscribed to several paid programs and have eventually canceled all of them except for the Reese Report. Why, because I don’t get twenty emails a month from you trying to sell me something even though I am paying you a fairly good chunk of money every month. This was not the case for the canceled programs, they sent me email after email promoting the latest and greatest rehash of someone else’s program. After awhile I came to the conclusion that the typical marketer develops half assed programs just to get the email list that they can milk.
I have to say that with your no affiliate policy my trust in your reviews and information took a significant upward swing and you were already at the top of the heap.
I only have one complaint –Stop talking about income.com and let us start using the site.
Keep up the surprises.
gary
June 11th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
You always do things in style…
Never a dull moment with you around.
June 11th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I have just started to learn this business but being a long time businessman who has lived by high standards of integrity it gives me a warm feeling of gratitude knowing that one of the men I am learning from is leading the charge of honesty. It is a rare thing and you need to be congratulated for taking a leap of faith and going where few men have gone before.
I thank You
Cal
June 11th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I have struggled with the affiliate issue in my business … I used to use no affiliate links, but now do use affiliate links (and disclose it to people) but only recommend things I use myself and want to share with my list. It amounts to only a few things each year.
One great compromise may be to use affiliate links and have all that money go to a charitable donation / foundation.
Keeping integrity in the internet world (and the world in general) is a continuous struggle!
Elizabeth
http://www.thewealthspa.com
June 11th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
John,
I am glad of you decision and understand it fully I think you are one the right track of building a strong foundation that will change Internet Marketing will be viewed in the future.
I’m buckled up and ready to ride!
Thanks John,
Bill Shultz
June 11th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
I follow everything you do John and buy everything you release that i can afford, lol.
Can’t wait for income.com to launch fully.
June 11th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
First, I’ve never thought you were ever promoting something “just to make a buck”. I’ve learned that when you promote a product or offer, it’s good! I’ve already come to trust your integrity that way. And I’d gladly click on your affiliate link as easily as I’d click on a non-affiliate link - from you. I have to admit though… whenever you’ve gone out of your way to NOT use an affiliate link in the past, it did make the perceived value of the product or service go up in my eyes.
Second, this move really reflects that your pupose for Income.com is to truly add real value to people’s lives. It isn’t just about the money. Of course it’s natural that integrity and true value does pay more, those values stand out like a sore thumb on a place like the internet, hahahaha! …making it natural for people to want to come to you instead of having to chase after them. True value and integrity is something the internet - and this world needs! So to pervert from a marketing perspective (I say ‘pervert’ because most of the marketing industry is largely an evil and perverse one), there’s a huge demand and such little supply for it.
Third, about becoming successful at anything, they say that when learning how to get what someone has, learn what they did and do what they do, and thus… I’m noticing here that what you are DOING is focusing on real value and also not on little money-makers (i.e. affiliate links).
June 11th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Hello John. Thankyou for the update on the bye, bye, affiliate link’s post. That’s
a great idea, and especially with the new wave of the way people are marketing
today. Once again John, your right on track like alway’s and way ahead. I also
appreciate, and believe, that this will benifit your students, by giving you more time
to focus on your students. along with the new tools and tactics at income.com.
Thank’s John, and keep up the good work
June 11th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Hello John,
I think you are once again at the forefront of a new order in the online community.
I have read almost everything I could that came from you, and this is truly a new innovation. Excellent idea.
I also have already had the opportunity to see the video and the power slides that Carlos Garcia and his wife Lupe, presented. BLOWN AWAY! I had a hard time getting my mind around $5,000,000.00 per month income!
I could not afford the coaching club, or I would have been first in line, believe me.
I will keep my eye out for their new coaching club, and see if I can manage the optin price….
Ed Mudge
June 11th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I have to say, I just don’t trust affiliate links, maybe because of the sneaky way they’re usually done. Intellectually, I *know* that the product’s the same, whether it’s promoted through an affiliate or I stumble upon it myself; on a gut level I just don’t want to comply, as soon as I see the affiliate URL. It always creates cognitive dissonance.
About the traffics tactics stuff. I’ve just started in marketing so I could very well be wrong, but it seems to me that the “big secret” to getting your message cheaply to good prospects is simple. Just go where the crowd of competitors isn’t.
If there were a large demand for the banners, they probably wouldn’t have been able to get such a good deal on impressions. I’m also getting a great deal on banners in my niche because, more times than not, those spots go unsold. It’s a good thing, too - I have all of $80 in the bank and need each dollar to count!
I’ve no doubt that their system works, but sooner or later, I bet their specific techniques probably won’t work anymore. They said it themselves: SEO is out, when it used to be *the* thing to do a few years ago. But their philosophy, the “meta-lesson,” probably will work forever, just applied to different tactics. What do you all think? True, or just my own inexperience talking?
June 11th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
[…] you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!John Reese made an interesting announcement today. He will not be allowing Affiliate links in any part of Income.com. Well he did not say any as he […]
June 11th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
John
As I have said many times you are ahead of your time. Your attitude on this business and life in general is the “new way” of doing business. Co-operation, empathy, integrity and the intention of helping people as opposed to seeing hwo much money you can make from them.
These actions will return to you all the abundance you could ever desire. It’s is the “win-win” intention in business transactions that will take over from the “every man for himself” or “the stongest survive” mentality that has dictated business and life to date.
The world is changing and you are a pioneer in the “new age”. I applaud you for this and keep using your massive popularity to help change the attitude for us all.
Seth
P.S. Sorry for all the cliches but I just get excited for the future.
June 11th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Hi John
I keep seeing two very different streams of thought in IM: the first is
‘gotta get it today’ urgency, brought about by software and products
having such a short shelf-life. Thus they get thrashed (and we all get
blasted with emails).
The second is the much broader, long-term view, based around giving
value, and not treating everyone on ‘the list’ as if they are an impulse-
driven bozo. Mostly we are not.
Thank you for being in the second group
I guess we all want to make plenty of money, but get rattled into short-
term, non-strategic thinking and actions. I know I do. The question is,
how do we reach the ‘critical mass’ moment where we have enough
income to sustain us, while maintaining integrity in the process.
John, I appreciate your thought-provoking contribution and efforts.
May the Lord bless you for your generosity
Stephen
Proverbs 3:5,6
June 11th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
G’day John - I like your thoughts but it sounds like you have been watching too many episodes of “My Name is Earl…’
Maybe it’s the Karma
Anyway good luck, and I’ll still read you blog anyway.
June 11th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Thank you, John.
I wrote to you recently about a negative experience I’d had with a program you’d recommended, because I knew you’d want to know. I knew you’d understand the way in which affiliate recommendations can come back to bite into our own credibility if we don’t watch out and only recommend programs we’re very very sure have the highest quality and deliver what they advertise.
As I expected. you are way ahead of me.
I’ve been YOUR affiliate for several years. I’m proud of what you offer and what you deliver. I’m proud of you as a human being. It’s a pleasure to promote your offerings because I know I can always count on your doing what you believe is the best thing for you and for your customers.
Thanks for being you.
June 11th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Hi John!
I just say that, affiliate links or not, I’ve rarely (very rarely) received newsletters out there with real valuable fresh content as you always provide. As soon as I see a new email with your name, I turn off the phone and I close door and window of my room before reading it!
Anyway, I think you made a reasoned decision and I respect it. Well done!
Best Regards, Nick.
June 11th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
A lot of guys will promote any affiliate product, regardless–if there is a buck to be made.
John Reese is in a different category. You know that when he says something, it is worth listening to and acting on. For example, there was consistently more solid content in the first 4 pages of the Reese Report than in many 90 plus page ebooks.
With or without affiliate links, I trust and value John Reese’s advice and recommendations more than than any other online source. For me he is the standard.
-Greg Thomas
June 11th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Though i’ve always trusted your opinion, i was always leery of each recommendation, wondering if you just recommended it because the affiliate payout was so great for you. Now i don’t have to worry about that anymore
Unlike the “payout induced” opinions of the other “gurus” out there, I now can genuinely believe the opinions YOU share and take your recommendations seriously - how refreshing and unique - thanks!!
June 11th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Very interesting decision, coming on the heals of your post about payperpost.
I kind of understand why you would want to position income.com in this way. It will allow you to reach more people, since some people don’t trust marketers who use affiliate links.
All the best,
George
June 11th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
With regard to Traffic Tactics, how many people actually gave out their email account usernames, passwords and contact lists to watch the second video?
How many people were tempted to disclose information, that was received with the promise “We Hate spam as much as you do, we will never rent, sell or disclose your information to anyone”.
For me it smells of the same old story. These guys have been using this technique for at least a couple of years. They’ve milked it and good luck to them.
Why would they disclose their techniques now? Obviously the competition is getting stiffer as more people become aware of it, so let’s sell the information, based on our past success, before it loses it’s effectiveness or the competition gets too expensive.
Am I being cynical? “Learn from history, or be doomed to repeat it”
Andy
June 11th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
John,
No aff. links huh? John, that is truly a move to be applauded you are a true Marketing Professional and I am watching you and Income.com. You are an intriguing businessman with a tremendous and intuitive marketing sense.
Keep up the great work,
Mark “The Marketing Professional” Brown
June 11th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Hiya John,
Totally agree with your concept, I have only recomended affiliate links about products “I own” -and at no other time- That what the quality is always good- so guess its part of balance- after all if its a good product then why not?
Best Regards
Paul Easton
http://www.DigitalAwol.com/
Link Exchange Directory
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June 11th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Great John , thanks for intro in to real world nice to meet , hope you come and see what im doing with My time Google Gave Me a 4 star rating with High marks in Human Interest and development for my efforts currently have close to 10 different pages all needing worthy links and I want to link your blog let Me know got to go please feel free to critique I have over a 1000 plus drawings with 10,000 plus hours behind a pencil still to upload , help as I know you can develop and I would be honored to give space on every page developed for Income .com ….
http://www.MySpace.com/ArtByLetters , http://www.NativeArt.net/ArtByLetters ,
http://www.TalentDatabase.com/ArtByLetters , http://www.PictureTrail.com/homepages/ArtByLetters
etc etc etc
ArtByLetters
June 11th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Wow John,
That is a radical action and decision which I respect. I also found it fascinating as today i have been going through my email boxes unsubscribing so i spend less time reading offers that I have no use for, and so frequently distract me from my goals and the activities that help me and others prosper and grow in this Web 2 world.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Suzie
The Abundance Queen
June 11th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I am such a beginner. I am hoping to learn as much as I can and as fast as I can.I need to make enough money to allow my husband to retire so I am very motivated. God Bless your endavors.
Blessings
Sherri
June 11th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
John.. you don’t stop amazing us.
As a consumer I love it. As a marketer myself am
interested to see the rest of your business strategy.
Because forfeiting affiliate commisions is a BIGGIE.
Can’t wait to find out more about Income.com
June 11th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Oh, I get it! You’re gonna plant invisible affiliate links? Maybe you’re not that “scheming”…..
June 11th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Hey, John:
And just when I was getting comfortable……oh well, that’s life in Web 2.0. I guess
you’re ushering in 3.0? We’re right behind ya!
http://www.JerryWFranklin.com
http://www.BlueSkyBrothers.com
June 11th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
John,
2 points:
#1.) was unable to watch the video as it got stucked after the first couple of minutes, even when I reloaded/came back, still the same problem.
#2.) I Absolutely DO NOT understand Why would You Stop Using Affiliate links??
I buy 99% of products online Through the affiliate links! Affiliate links Save me time and point me to the products I may never know about otherwise.
I don’t pay more if I get the product through an affiliate link, so Why should it bother me? Quite opposite: most of the time I actually even get Bonuses/extras I would not get other wise.
Just because some small-towners, lowbrainers envious bigots cannot stand somebody makes money although it does Not cost Them more, it doesn’t mean YOU have to dance how They are whistling!
Screw those primitives green with envy who don’t trust their own brains to recognize What has a value and what they need and You just do what you are doing - continue recommending products you believe in.
Then we can decide IF it would be usable for us or not Regardless if it is an ‘affiliate link’ or not.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
John, good message here and timely, too. I am a net newbie, but I totally respect what direction you are going. In order to be on top of any industry, you have to make your own path. It is like the book, “Blue Ocean Strategy,” where you make your new path of strategy and implementation and make the competition irelevant. That is where I want to go.
If you need any help carrying your mesage about income.com, let me know how I can help you. I ask for nothing in return….just believe in your cause.
Bruce
(happy traffic secrets customer)
(newbie since Sept. 2006)
June 11th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
This is in response to the first comment… I hope John doesn’t have selling this site as the final milestone, because it wouldn’t be the same.
Much success to you John! I can’t wait until this site gets bigger, and all the milestones you have are completed! It’s gonna be BIG!
Godspeed!
Dylan Jones
MonetizeDesign.com
June 11th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Dagmar,
I am pretty sure he is still going to promote quality products, so you will still find them without having to look. Just he wont be profiting of them.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
John,
I am so happy to see you changing gears and starting a new direction for Income.com. I have to admit most of your emails I would skip over because I received so many that were for your affiliates. They were all good products I’m sure if you were willing to represent them, but I was more interested in what was going on with your journey as a master marketing king. Which is why I liked your last email so much. It shows that even you are still learning. Thanks for sharing.
Also, standing up for the integrity of your new site will go farther thatn dollars. Many people will do anything for a buck but it’s hard to find people who are willing to sacrifice a buck for integrity’s sake. I’ll be reading all your emails now.
Karen
June 11th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
John, I’m a huge believer in the Law of Reciprocity! What you’re doing is amazing and will come back 100’s fold.
You’re a smart guy and you know what you’re doing so I’m not worried about you.
Keep putting out the goods my friend!!
Alejandro Reyes
http://WhoIsAlejandro.com
June 12th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Even though you have built your rep, offering to promote products with no personal gain is going to present to others that you are unbiased because of money. You will be biased because of quality. Congrats to your integrity.
Doug
June 12th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Hi John,
I appreciate your integrity. After the huge failure of a certain product that was heavily promoted by all the top Gurus earlier this year, it’s good to see someone step up to the plate and say enough is enough. You’ve certainly won me over with this decision.
Looking forward to the future of Income.com
BTW: When are we going to see some of those awesome tutorials you keep promising us?
Regards
Destin Lucas
Get rid of stress now:
http://www.InstantRelaxation.net
June 12th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Wow!!
What else can I say… I love you man… You are truly my inspiration.
I hope to one day be half the man (even though I am a woman) that you have grown to be. Kudos……..
Deb
June 12th, 2007 at 1:38 am
The marketers who earn 6 figure income per year must do this or they will crash and burn.
mighty
June 12th, 2007 at 3:17 am
Would you stop to amaze me John? For #1 affiliate, your decision is truly unthinkable.
Or nuts :p
But I also believe what you’re willing to let go will come back to you in 100 times more than that.
All the best John.
p/s: I will still gladly click your affiliate link if there are any.
Shah
June 12th, 2007 at 4:12 am
No problem John, just keep giving us the REAL information.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:36 am
Well that all sounds great but I need a serious opinion.
First, let me thank you for sending me your eZines!
Now for the question…
This is about something supposedly to help get eZines going to your targeted audience on the Internet.
They said it’s in beta right now but try it free and even order it if you want.
I got it but wondered if it was good or not so before I try it,
I wanted a few opinions from experts like you.
Here’s the link to look…
http://www.viralshock.com/members/CaptainKidd
Please tell me what you think of it and if it looks worthwhile.
I’ve been considering an online business for a long time and hope this really is good. I’m doing research right now.
I better get back to reading.
Thanks for your info and I look forward to hearing from you,
Cj Kidd
June 12th, 2007 at 4:37 am
[…] John Reese has given up using affiliate links. He doesn’t need the money apparently. […]
June 12th, 2007 at 4:39 am
Way to go John. Keep it real.
June 12th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Surely this will be good news for the merchants and product owners.
Now, they’ll want and need only one affiliate - Mr. John Reese.
The rest of us can close shop. It is just too ‘expansive’ to work for free.
All the Best to you John!
T.H. Quah
http://www.AffiliateProNews.com
June 12th, 2007 at 7:29 am
I’am interested send more info
thank you william
June 12th, 2007 at 8:17 am
Nice positioning - looks like preparation for a site sale within 5 years of income.com!
June 12th, 2007 at 8:39 am
John,
Great email that you sent in regards to Carlos and Lupe Garcia. I love the Concept, can you shed more light on this and give us your opinion as to the Pros/Cons of this type of program?
I can see Carlos system working for certain products but not all. I do Financial & Estate planning, Insurance, Mortgages, 401(k) etc… I’m not sure if his system would apply to my biz. It would require a great deal of hand holding.
If I were selling products that are Drop shipped, an eBook, or fulfillment house like Videos and Manuals, I could see this system doing very well. The CPA and Mass Marketing is new to me, so I need to learn more.
I downloaded the Final video and Power Point presentation. PowerPoint is fine, but the video refuses to show anything. It goes thru the motion, but nothing. Maybe you can tell us what was mentioned in the 1:02 Video?
Is it possible it’s not completed because I didn’t fill out the “Survey”? I tried to and here was the message:
Sorry!
Thank you for being willing to participate in this survey. This survey is now inactive. We appreciate your consideration.
The Windows Media player shows 1:02 but NO message. I had several friends that got your email and they are all the SAME, NO workie!
Is it possible that because I didn’t include my Password to my gmail account that I will NOT receive the video.
BTW, what’s the deal with asking People for their Passwords to their email accounts? Were they serious? I have personal bank info in my emails, I don’t get it.
Did YOU not know about this?
Is there any Info to contact Carlos??? Seminar, program for sale, etc…?
The Videos show they have an office in Orland Park, IL (I’m right near there) yet their Privacy Policy (Longest in History) says Bradenton, FL. What’s the deal?
The ONLY reason I gave any info was because I trust YOU, not them. Your Credibility is on the Line.
In addition, I am a member of StomperNet. I joined because of you, LOL! I went there to learn SEO. Now according to Carlos he said forget SEO according to his methods and I can see why.
SEO has nothing to do with his system. Now I feel like Quitting SN, I have NO enthusiasm after watching the videos you sent.
I would appreciate your comments either here or in a Private email to me.
Thanks John
June 12th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Another stimulating entry. I always learn something from you. Keep up the good work!
June 12th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
As usual you have something new, standing out of the crowd.
I just finished reading your email and meanwhile I got 10 Guru’s email
promoting the same stuff. It’s getting boring and time consuming.
Welcome to all new ideas.
John keep up the good work and I hopo income.com will be ready soon
June 12th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Yet another great example of why you are where you are. I think its a great idea no matter what the reasoning is. Who wouldnt be proud to have you offer their products or services.
June 12th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
They say, “Never say never.” Yet, I suppose there are exceptions to every rule, too.
One could never be the #1 Affiliate Marketer promoting CRAP. The minute he or she does … bye bye #1.
People are not stupid. Any marketer with a bad rep will, soon enough, whither like a rose in the hot sun.
Has this happened to John Reese?
NO!
So, why would he forgo his fair cut promoting worthy affiliate products? Why, when so many people would trust his judgment?
Allow me to put on my redneck voice… It just don’t make no sense. Take the money and donate it to an orphanage or something, John!
The money you make is directly proportional to the value you deliver. Again, you cannot sell crap for long and expect to continue.
It seems to me if there is any “trap” in being a marketer — direct or affiliate — it is in doing a poor job targeting one’s audience. This, in my mind, is how a marketer can develop a bad rep even selling what might otherwise be rock solid.
Promotions that fail to spell out reasons why I should buy are bad enough … but those that fail to boldly answer “what’s in it for me” are a dime a dozen.
If you want to see what I am talking about, follow this link. If you join, you will “Learn and Earn.”
Sometimes, what’s smart is NOT DOING what others do.
If I had dozens of people leaving comments on my blog — dozens of people who trusted my judgment — I would NOT stop making valuable, well-targeted recommendations and profiting from my effort.
It just don’t make no sense…
June 12th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Wow, you just earned new respect! No doubt I will follow your
recommendations more closely from now on … good work.
Jill (newest Team JJSmith member)
June 12th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I have been following your “income.com” website for months now and I hope that what you will be offering with this site is a lot of help for all the struggling internet marketers out there and I also hope is free and better yet that we could make a lot of money without expending a lot of it. We don’t need any more recommendations to products, we get enough of this from all the so called gurus.
Thank you
Julio Carrion
June 12th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Hi John,
As always, you exemplify the
highest in internet marketing,
and this is no exception.
Although I have never minded
affiliate links, and actually
see if there is someone I know
who is promoting a product
I want to buy just so I can make
sure that someone does get
the commission, I do appreciate
tremendously what you are
doing with income.com and
where your thinking is at.
Keep it up!
One note about the Carlos/Lupe
videos - they were great, but I
missed alot cause the audio
kept cutting out. I am hoping
that they will make a downloadable
audio version so that we can
listen to them, as they seemed
very valuable.
Thanks again for everything,
Carolyn
June 12th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
They say, “Never say never.”
But, then again, there’s probably an exception to every rule…
Any marketer who consistenly achieves a #1 affiliate ranking
could never peddle crap. It’s just too easy for people to discover
they’ve been had. Once they do, it’s bye bye #1 … bye bye
mega revenue … bye bye faithful crew. The captain goes down
with his ship.
The online marketer who shines truly earns his or her reward.
As the dozens of comments here testify, a leader even comes to
be adored.
So, what’s so WRONG with being fairly compensated for one’s
expertise and skill?
Frankly, I’m a little stunned with the kudos you’re receiving here,
John…
What kind of leadership turns away great opportunity to do some
social good?
Why, just look at Bill and Melinda Gates! Their product line SUCKS
(in the way of being “the complete package”), but their philanthropy
is most commendable.
In my opinion your decision here does more to feed a common belief
marketers are more the money grubbing pigs than they are believers
in what they sell.
Myself, I couldn’t sell anything I didn’t truly believe in.
So, now that you are no longer accepting your fair cut of affiliate
revenue, will you be more apt to be careless in your endorsements?
Personally, I think you are making a mistake here.
This decision simply is not fitting with the “attitude” you otherwise
exude … the air of raw truth you are unafraid to speak.
Look. Dan Kennedy does the no B.S. thing, and it’s a nice talk and
all … but your every word makes the talk walk. Every word you
say is BELIEVABLE.
So why not take the money?
Maybe you could open the John Reese House for Internet Marketing
Orphans… LOL… because man this stuff is a lot of work … there’s
just no time for children … but then again … I didn’t have kids when
I was going to school 25 years ago…
Best Wishes.
June 13th, 2007 at 3:41 am
It *was* as shocker, as promised :-O
Dude, I have a lot of respect for you! (This guy’s always ahaid of the game online!)
Keep it up & really looking forward to working with you & learning from you.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:47 am
I didn’t receive the Carlos and Lupe email from you. If I did I’ve deleted it
by mistake. I’ve seen the videos though. I would like to know your thoughts
and any advice on their way of advertising. I’ve been looking at that type of
advertising for a few weeks now but without having a full proof plan in place before you start, it’s hard to give up that kind of money.
Keep up the good work.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:26 am
Quote John :
WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING?”
I couldn’t agree more.
No more affiliate sales John? I don’t think so.
In fact I will place a bet that you will change your mind like Mark Joyner did and come back to selling affiliate products in less than a year.
Why will you do this? Because when powerful new concepts come along that change the game, the guys who invent them won’t be telling you about them in advance any more. Instead they are going to see you as competition because you won’t sell for them. Are you prepared for radio silence John? My bet is you will come back to ride on the coat tails just like everyone else - as an an affiliate.
For what it is worth, good luck with income.com. Honestly I hope it works, because it’s an elegant, universal concept that we badly need. But no affiliate marketing? When you return to the stoop John, I shall be the first to throw open the door and welcome you back with a smile.
I will have a cold Bud waiting for you and a hot affiliate offer.
The San Fran guy.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
John,
You are setting the bar so high! You are going to cause such a commotion in the industry!
WOW! That’s all I can say!
Gisele
http://mybeautymatch.com
June 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
John,
Thank you for your transparency and willingness to help us.
Here are my thoughts.
I got an email the day before you sent the one about Traffic Tactics.
I clicked it, and watched half of the video.
Then, I got your email. Your email contained a lot more information. It provided a lot of value to me. It put the video and what else would happen if I ‘opted in’ into a context.
Now, if I click on your link - which is not an affiliate link - then the lazy affiliate who provided no real value to me the day prior would get credit for the sale (if I bought), but it was really you who brought me closer to the decision to buy.
So, I am concerned that in the pursuit of your goals, you may be lining the pockets of other lazy affiliates who email the day before you, and then I am not sure that you will be accomplishing what you intend to accomplish. (most of us are on so many different marketers’ lists…)
I suggest that you continue to collect the affiliate commissions - and create a foundation. Whether that goes to different charities, or can by used to support the ‘income.com’ community - either to support new initiatives for the site, or provide competitions for people who implement what you are teaching, etc.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Thank you for adding value wherever you go.
Kenny
June 13th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Hi John,
I commend you for the decision that you have made. I personally can not wait till the
day comes when I dont have to be concerned about the amount of money I want or
need to make so that I can concentrate on just helping my friends to make an easier
living.
I also realize that you have helped many people along the way to your decision,
regarding affiliate marketing.
It must be a great feeling to help others along the way!!
Best wishes on your future and Income.com
Regards John
Jim
June 13th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
NO AFFLIATE PRODUCTS SALES?
This is nonsense John!
Further to my post above I am now even more convinced that not selling affiliate products is the worst move you could make.
So I repeat my bet that you will be back selling affiliate products within a year John. I can see that the ‘rare exceptions’ you mention to your no-affiliate rule will eventually be your way back in, and the way to keep your radar tuned to the market .
The bet is on. You will be back. Besides, I have some products I want you to be an affilate for, but they can wait until you come back.
I have put the welcome home bud in the cooler already.
San Fran
June 13th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
John,
I think that you’ve proven far and beyond any doubt that your recommendations are not solely to earn a commission. If they were, we’d certainly receive alot more emails from you. I understand your position and the credibility that you are trying to create…and in the long run it will probably pay off. I sure wouldn’t bet against you, I’ll tell you that much. But in my eyes (and I’m sure the vast majority of your list would agree), you don’t have to drop your affiliate links to gain any further credibility. Nobility… maybe, but credibility, certainly not.
I’ve been on your list for quite some time now and have found great value in your emails…and you deserve to be compensated for the trust you’ve built by offering excellent and honest content. But on the other hand, the buzz you’ve created from this and the possible increased readership might more than make up for the losses. It is an interesting move and I like trying to get into your head and figure out what you’re moving towards.
But if you insist on dropping affiliate links, can you put a few of my affiliate links in there instead?? It will be our little secret…LOL
Looking forward to great things from this site,
Chris Hubbard
June 13th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
[…] Share This […]
June 14th, 2007 at 2:21 am
Hello John,
I read the main issue in your newsletter to sent to my ail. I was held in awe for few minutes before I finally understood what you meant.
Hmm — you know what?
I am really EAGER and expecting when income.com will assume full publication and help someone like me.
Thanks for sharing.
http://www.WebMasterAffiliateProgram.biz/
June 14th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Hi John,
My name is todd morse and Im president of Affordable healthcare co. marketing our own plan, affordable healthcare plan. Im looking for the biggest people in the industry to have their own healthcare plan making 70% gross plus 80% of the signup. No insurance license needed and the plan sells for 99/ 129 family best plan on market and they are not all alike. THIS WILL BE RED HOT as it seems to me alot of affiliate programs sell info and its a one time hit. WITH US YOU GET PAID EVERY MTH MEMBER IS A MEMBER! checks etc can be made out to your company. The websites are being worked on now. I signed up members over 4 years ago still getting paid!! Thank you I have the product, you have the distribution.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Someone earlier hit the nail on the head … All we are doing is trying to sell each
products. It works for some, but not for others. What I have never liked about
about the whole thing is it seems like there is an “underground” network of
Internet Marketers where if you get to be a part of it you are instantly making
mad money. They take turns launching products and then promoting each other’s
products which makes anyone a part of this group immediately wealthy and successful.
I have yet to make a lot of money from ANY of these Internet Marketing products.
Fortunately, I have been very successful in my own trial-and-error business efforts.
I wonder what it would be like though to be part of the “club” and have a joint
venture with a product promoted by the “gurus”.
I think Income.com will be an unbelievable (and needed) breath of fresh air.
Integrity is everything in our industry and John Reese has earned it. He has seen
and done it all and for so long.
I am so glad he is making the move he is. I wish him the best of luck and I hope
this site becomes the #1 site for truthful, comprehensive information on all aspects
of Internet Marketing …
Mark
http://www.livingorsurviving.com
June 16th, 2007 at 8:22 am
And the good ship Lollypop sails on. Nothing like being preached to by a reformed addict.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. (source of allusions supplied upon request with a SASE)
June 16th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Hi John
Thank you for who you are and all that you do and are continuing to do.
Warmly
Tiat
June 17th, 2007 at 12:37 am
I’ve read these posts with great interest. John, it seems that you have made boat loads of money — that is fantastic. Hearing the many praises in the above posts at first I thought you were a great war hero, healer, or holy man. What exactly is it that you are doing for all of these people for them to be sucking up to you with such vigor?
Perhaps that sounds nasty, but I don’t mean it to be. Seriously, what is all of the great praise about? Is it because you are rich and they all hope to get in on a piece of the action?
June 17th, 2007 at 7:24 am
well i must say this is a suprise,a internet marketer with integrety and honesty?this is a first.i been very disapointed but most of the top marketers and thier products(systems) and i have bought into to most.cant wait to see this “income.com”in fact ill mention it on my blog because honesty and integrety is rare for online marketers.im impressed!
June 25th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Hi John,
Thanks for the information you provide. However I wonder why you would not get any money from recommending a product when others do.
Keep up the good work.
http://www.puppy-dog-breeds.com
September 13th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Hi,
I have been doing affiliate marketing for 2 months now. I never even heard of affiliate marketing before that. After hearing about it I created 2 affiliate websites (a Health and Wellness website, and an Money making website). But it is so rare for anyone to even visit my sites even though I wrote a few articles and submitted it to the search engines, and have a high ranking in google for one of the websites etc. When I do get a visitor they are only there briefly and then I never see them again. I have a hard time believing you had affiliate links that made you over $1,000,000. I am 41 and have never even had a savings or anything more than $3000 in my checking account (most of the time it is under $2000) at any given time. I have not even made $100,000 in my lifetime and currently get about 14,000 a year which is the most I have ever earned (been stuck with on and off manual labor jobs most of my working life). This is why I am trying affiliate marketing - even if I could make an extra $1000 a month it would be great and would mean I can be comfortable in buying new pants and new workboots when needed. But so far affiliate marketing seems like a big flop, for me at least, but it seems to work for some big time. If you take a look at my websites and have the time, what am I doing wrong? One of my websites (http://earningmoneyontheweb.com ) is number #14 in google out of 15,000,000 ites when you type Earning Money On The Web in the search engine. But still not one person has ever click through from google to my site. The only visitors I get are from traffic I purchased from expired domains.
Anyway good luck in your new idea for income.com. Maybe affiliate marketing is a dying money making thing and people are starting to move to som ething else? Then again you did seem to say you can still earn millions with your affiliate links if you wanted to. That must be rare though. Us regular people earn zero from affiliate marketing. Or if we finally get 1 purchase it is eventually refunded and we lose what little we have.
Take care,
Ed
December 31st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Patricia…
…Refurbished treadmill is not for everyone……
March 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Where To Retire Cheaply…
It is a quite interesting post but quite difficult to understand for me -…
March 14th, 2008 at 2:14 am
buying management marketing power sales survey…
…
March 19th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Accounting Financial Financial Success…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Cock Mommy Loves Cock Cocks…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Affiliate Sell Your House Rent Back…
Interesting - because that is the same thing I found out last Thursday….
November 8th, 2008 at 3:12 am
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