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Firstly, my purpose is not to undermine or "rubbish" the value or quality of some of the ebooks available on the Internet. There are many valuable and worthwhile publications available about Home Based Business and Affiliate type business opportunities and operation.
Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with promoting one"s Affiliate links however, I feel that a clear declaration of that intention should be made, instead of packaging them into an ebook and representing it as an Instructional Manual or Guide to success (whether it be free or not).
This is more especially questionable when one considers that people who are unfamiliar with the workings of Affiliate programs are those who are more likely to download and access these ebooks, not being so much aware of the personal gains and profit which may well influence a writers recommendation of a service, product or facility.
Having said this however, there are a number of ebooks available, both free (possibly in exchange for registering for a newsletter or opt-in list of some sort) and at varying prices, which would appear at the outset to be Guides or Instructional manuals on how to go about starting or operating some sort of home based business and what they are in reality is a book loaded with "Affiliate referral links" to all kinds of services. products and facilities for which the Affiliate will be paid commission (in money or credits) for each client or sub-affiliate they bring on board.
In the extreme case, where the ebook is charged for, often all the buyer is paying for is a catalogue of more things to buy or sign up for. In reality, these "ebooks" are nothing more than a "Mobile Affiliate Link Farm".
There are ebooks which contain an inordinate number of these referral links but contain very little in the way of sensible or useful advice or instruction. The advice seems to be, "Buy this product and your home business will take off" or "Sign on for this program and you"ll see tons of traffic in no time" etc.
Obviously, the sole (or at least major) purpose of these ebooks is to get the Affiliate links in front of aspiring home based business people or the budding Affiliate, rather than provide any real, genuine guidance.
Of course, if the ebook is free of charge (including no requirement to "opt-in" for anything), then there is really no financial damage done and for all intents and purposes, this could simply be seen as aggressive or over-zealous affiliate marketing, but where there is a fee or charge, albeit nominal, the practice must be seen for what it is.
About Author :
Stephen Brennan is the author of "The Affiliate Guide Book" - The definitive guide to becoming a successful Internet Affiliate (at little or no cost). Available through Clickbank or directly from "eBooks OnlinePlus" website: http://www.ebooks.online-plus.biz
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