I really like the way you do it. I went to your site yesterday to get reviews on various desks. I was not aware of the affiliate thing until I read Ryan’s comments. But you were crystal clear on how they worked in your reviews. Not everyone is this open and honest.
You did a very objective review and gave the pros and cons of each offering and then laid out links if I chose one.
I think the EC model would be tough. They were talking about taking on advertisers. I think this will be a big mistake as they will have the perception of bias.
So if the afflilate model works for you, keep it. From a consumer point of view it seems like the most transparent and unbiased.
Yeah, ultimately I was trying to say that Ray does affiliate links really, really well, and ultimately leaves the choice up to consumers as to what they think.
Ultimately content publishers (like us) have to find ways to keep the lights on – whether that is partnerships, subscriptions, affiliate links, etc. – and critically for publications like us, or Ray, or EC have to also maintain the independent / truth-telling vibe that are core to our existence.
It’s a tough needle for all of us to try and thread.
Agree that Triathlonish is an excellent newsletter — It’s written by Kelly O’Mara, former editor at Triathlete Magazine, part of the Outside realm. Despite the quirky and annoying organization of the Outside TV website, it has been worth the $99 annual subscription to all of Outside to be have access to the Ironman Pro Series live coverage and replays. Best trainer bike fodder ever. So I hope that doesn’t go away.