Using affiliate links: good or bad? Oct26 '07
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# (2 of 2): Matthom
3 hours, 10 minutes after the fact. (Fri 26 Oct 2007, 3:48 PM CST)
John, good points.
I agree it's much harder to show your "true intentions" on Twitter, since it's really just a slew of incoming text snippets and links. Your avatar and Twitter bio page also does little to shed light onto who you really are.
In my opinion, I'd like Twitter much more without links. It would force people to actually say things, as opposed to just linking to it. But who am I kidding, this is the web. What is the web without links?
I guess my stance is this: If it feels strange, don't do it. I am more inclined to grab affiliate link money off random visitors to my blog (or regular visitors who know me and trust the value of my links), than I am in the two-second window it takes someone to glance at my latest Twitter update.
With Twitter, you have much less time to form an impression on someone since their "Recent" list could have incoming updates every second.
It's a good thought, and something I'm going to think more about...
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matthom 
is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago.
Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.
Using affiliate links is perfectly OK, as long as you let your audience know.
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# (1 of 2): John Fitzsimmons » johnfitzsimmons.com
2 hours, 23 minutes after the fact. (Fri 26 Oct 2007, 3:01 PM CST)
Thanks for the props!
And I agree... but maybe it's just the whole idea of reputation management on twitter. On blogs it's easy to disclose affiliate links and also for people to see your other posts. It's easier for them to get an idea of what kind of a person you are.
But when dealing with only 140 characters posts that people may only see for a few seconds the wrong impression could be made. Followers could drop you thinking you are just some guy posting affiliate links all day.
Also, I may be reading too much into this, but twitter to me is more personal than a blog post. The things you tweet are the things you'd say in casual conversation with friends. And would you try to profit off your friends? I mean, you might... nothing technically wrong with it. But, still, it feels strange.
I'm probably over thinking it though... ;P