What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a way for me to monetize my content by either receiving money directly from brands to promote their products, or receiving a percentage of a sale that is completed through an affiliate link.

How does it work?

Affiliate Links - As an Amazon Associate, I can create special links that allow me to make a small commission (1%-10%) on any sale for a product linked through my site. This money comes out of Amazon’s pocket, and you are NOT charged more for the product by clicking my link. Before creating the link, I always verify the seller to make sure that the brand or a trusted retailer is the one selling the product through Amazon.

Branded Content - Brands sometimes ask me to review or advertise a product, and they may or may not send me free or discounted products. If I decide the product or brand meets my professional standard of quality, we may enter an agreement where I may receive money to create a video about their product, or I may be allowed to offer a unique discount code for customers that also gives Jon Talks Trumpet LLC a commission (at no extra cost to the customer).

How do You Choose products?

Every product I recommend is one that I (Jon) personally deem to be high quality, useful, and expertly designed. If I list a product on my site or in my videos, I have either personally used and loved the product, or I have close friends or colleagues who swear by it.

Do you ever turn down branded content?

Definitely. I do not review, recommend, or link products that do not meet my professional standard of quality. It is far more important to me to maintain the trust of my audience than to get free stuff and money for advertising poor quality products.

How do you disclose the affiliate links and content?

The FTC and Amazon both have strict rules about how creators disclose branded content and affiliate marketing. That’s why you’ll see a blurb on the footer of my website about my participation in the Amazon Affiliates program, and why you might see a disclaimer at the top of product review pages that says “All products featured on Jon Talks Trumpet are independently selected for quality. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.”

Some products I recommend are not available on Amazon, so I may link other retailers or brand websites where you can find the product.

Prices and inventory at different retailers do vary, so I recommend doing your own price research before making any purchase decision.

Questions?

If you have further questions about products on my website or in my videos, please feel free to Contact Me through my website!