No-BS Affiliate Promotion Policies
Every once in a while, I'll promote a product or service here using affiliate links.
What does that mean?
Simply put, if you like what I have to say about something, and you click my affiliate link before making a purchase, I may receive a small commission for referring you as a new customer.
Why do I use affiliate links?
Look. I don't like sites plastered with affiliate links any more than you do.
But do you know what I really don't like? Pushy marketers / bloggers who constantly release a stream of one new e-book, course, or membership product after another, pushing me to "buy, buy, buy!"
Screw that.
One of the things that's set this site apart over the years is that my focus has always been on putting your needs first. That's why, even though I occasionally release premium guides and tools, the vast majority of resources I release are freebies.
But those resources and other site features here (like the freelance writing job board and writers' market directory)? They take a lot of time to create and maintain. And I couldn't justify doing that if this site didn't bring in income.
Advertisers -- including those running affiliate programs -- foot the bill for most things so I don't constantly have to ask you to buy more products from me. And if I am going to ask you to invest in something, it will always be something I consider worthy of the time and money whether that product comes from me or someone else.
My rules for affiliate reviews are simple.
Here's what I can promise you about any affiliate review you find here moving forward (and past affiliate-promoted content will all be reviewed in time and updated to be in line with these policies -- though most, if not all, already were):
- I must have tested, used, or currently be using the product or service I'm promoting, with very few exceptions. Exceptions might include bundles where I'm familiar with some people involved or products included but not all, or if it's a situation where I'm referring you more to the person behind the product or service than anything else. There may also be cases where I refer you to a product or service I don't use because while I already have a preferred option, I think that alternative might be a better fit for freelance writers with less complex buisnesses than mine (freelancing with consulting, web publishing, and indie publishing worked in across various brands). It's not easy to earn my trust to a point where I'd do that though, so if I'm recommending something I haven't used, you know that person has a long a track record of not screwing people over or I otherwise have reason to trust them (such as them being highly recommended by others I trust).
- I will only promote affiliate links for things I can honestly and wholeheartedly recommend to you, or that I feel are good options to consider (in those cases I won't outright say "you should buy this"). I know money can be tight when you're just starting to build a writing business. I don't tolerate others trying to nickel and dime new writers to death with BS products, and it sure as hell will never happen here.
- I will always disclose those affiliate relationships.
- I will treat affiliate product and service reviews the way I would treat any other review here. (I share the highlights, problems or suggestions, and a final verdict or recommendation -- you'll always get an honest full picture. After all, if you can't trust my reviews, you're not going to trust my recommendations to buy something anyway. So why waste either of our time having it any other way?)
- If I later sour on a product or service, I will always go back and include an update to the original review to let you know how my opinion has changed, and why. And, in those cases, affiliate links will be removed.
In other words, I will never betray your trust in order to make a buck.
Other Advertising Policies
Private Ad Policy
All Freelance Writing currently does not accept private sitewide of in-content advertising. That includes private text link ads sitewide or within content, private banner ads, or sponsored posts. Please do not contact me about private advertising, sponsorship, or equivalent partnership opportunities.
The only forms of private advertising currently accepted are job board listings and premium writer profiles in the freelance writer directory.
Ad Network Policy
At times, I might include advertisements from third party ad networks such as Google Adsense (currently shows alongside some affiliate banner ads on curated job postings -- not those submitted by paying advertisers, the job board itself, and the writer's market directory). These ads are generally contextual ads, and I do not have full control over what displays. For example, if a post is about invoicing software, you might see related ads about invoicing software and services.
These ads can also be controlled by your own browsing behavior where Google shows ads relevant to your interests and recent searches even if they’re not relevant to the content on this site's pages. For example, if you’ve been searching for a new car, you might find auto-related ads. Again, I do not have full control over these ads and they are not hand-picked by me (though I do weed out bad apples like sleazy vanity publishers when I come across those ads).
As a result of the nature of these contextual ads, no ad displaying in Adsense units constitutes a personal endorsement by All Freelance Writing, Jennifer Mattern, 3 Beat Media, or any contributor to the site.
Policies last update October 17, 2019.