This other merchant outperformed Amazon nicely, so experimenting is a must.

People say Amazon does convert very well compared to others, but have they actually tried? I find that in internet marketing mostly people just repeat what other people are saying without actually trying themselves.

I AM trying (Amazon vs Walmart) and so far liking the results. Made me realize that if I promoted them more, I would actually make more. Go figure, LOL!

Also Adsense is working quite well for me on sites where I didn’t expect it.

And here’s a little rant that I need to get of my chest: I have seen plenty of posts and comments on various sites and even on the Amazon discussion board that Amazon “doesn’t need us anymore”. And in the same sentence say they will stick with Amazon and accept the pay cut.

Really? So Amazon is a charitable organization now, just keeping their affiliate program open for little people like us? How nice of them!

Right now they still need us, but this of course will change at some point. As does everything in this ever changing landscape. Just like you said, we need to be able to bob and weave.

So I keep the sites/pages that are still performing for amazon, target the higher paying categories and continue experimenting with other affiliate/ad networks.

Been thinking of diversifying the income stream for a while and i guess this is a good sign that we all should.

Hiya Mali =)

Well in a way, being new right now is a blessing – you won’t feel that overnight “loss” that so many others are.

There are a LOT of Etsy affiliates ’round here. I haven’t worked with them, but I’m sure there are others with experience to share.

Spoken like a true businessman, Eddie!

All we can do is “bob and weave” and adjust our sails accordingly.

Oh gosh YES, Zee ! Very true!!!

Hiya Amy =)

Good points! I also think the new structure “highlights” the categories they want to draw our attention to.

Zazzle can be fun – good idea for diversification, Rosana!

I was thinking this morning how many other online retailers have a big opportunity right now to snag some major affiliates…. curious to watch this play out.

Minions! I love it!

And ya know what, Lesley? Perhaps those that lived through the whole Squidoo debacle are better with these changes BECAUSE we survived all that.

Hiya Marge =)

Yep, sellers pick the category (from the very best of my understanding. If I am wrong, please someone correct me).

Your attitude and ideas for moving forward are right on point =)

One thing we know for sure: Change is inevitable, right?

Amazon is an industry pioneer and industry leader – I expect them to make whatever changes any business would make to keep things all good for their business as a whole.

Totally agree, Nathalie! Amazon is so easy. I’ve been with them since 2007 and for the most part, there haven’t been any major changes to their payouts. And in all reality, those payouts were darn good when take the whole ecommerce affiliate picture into account.

Hiya Maurice =)

There’s a ton of “upset” floating around the Amazon Associates world lately… it’s a tough one, that’s for sure. I wish they had considered some way to “grandfather in” some long-term affiliates, but as I said – It Is What It Is.

Amazon is SO much more than just selling blenders and books so I don’t think this was a “let’s screw over the affiliates” type of move. It all comes down to the bottom line of Big Picture – the line the stockholders care about.

That’s a GREAT idea – work off that frustration with manual labor! I know I have plenty of cleaning to do =)

And yep, the sellers pick the category and unless something is obviously wrong, I don’t think Amazon messes with them.

That is definitely one thing I wish was more consistent over there regardless of what the pay rate is.