Amazon Prime has pretty much completely changed the way I shop. Oh, I still go retro sometimes and actually drive to stores, but being able to order everything and anything with free 2-day shipping has saved me gas and sanity, especially now that Kid 2 is here, making a trip to the store twice as exhausting. Diapers, formula, shoes, clothes, even toilet paper. Backpack for school? Amazon. Baby food running low? Amazon. Hair dryer broke? Amazon. I should paint our house with the logo with all the amazon promoting I do.
Instead, I joined the Amazon.com Associates program, which means: “The Decorated Cookie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.”
HERE’S AN EXAMPLE: I might say, I used Americolor Soft Gel Pastes to decorate these cookies. (“Might” say? I’ll always say that, because these are my favorite food colorings.) You click the link. You see what the product looks like. If by some chance you decide to buy them, I get a small commission. If you do not buy them, or choose to buy the product elsewhere, then the world goes on as is and I’m none the wiser.
Why I’m doing this: For the money.
Really why I’m doing this: For the money. Because of the nature of what I do here, it’s important to use the right products. But those of you new to the world of cookie and marshmallow and sweets decorating may be confused by which “soft gel paste” or disposable decorating bag” to get. So I usually link to products on amazon anyway. To help you out. I should be getting a little bit for sending biz their way, right? I see this as win-win.
My promise: I won’t just link to random products for the commission. This is only meant to be icing on my cookie. I’ll only link to a product that I would otherwise recommend or that I use myself. That’s it. Ever.
And so… happy shopping! I’ll keep this post linked in the side bar so every reader always knows what’s what. And now, I have to start going through old posts and updating my amazon links. Oh boy. I hope to see daylight soon.
Melanie Giandzi says
I like how honest you are about this topic.. good job! 🙂
meaghanmountford says
Thank you Melanie! I suppose that’s why I’ll never be a millionaire. I’m way too honest to be cut-throat! 🙂
Candace Apple says
Me too! Love that you did this when you could just slip it in and still be perfectly justified. The internets need more you!
Beth @ Hungry Happenings says
I too love Amazon and have been so happy with the Amazon Associates program. It gives my readers a way to find the products I use easily and helps me make some money to offset all the money I spend to run my blog. I hope it is hugely successful for you, especially because you share so much valuable information here with your readers.
meaghanmountford says
Thanks Beth! I agree. The stuff we use is so particular, it’s also just a way to give a visual, too.
Vallie says
Excellent blog post. I definitely love this site.
Keep writing!
Laurie says
Meaghan, I happened to learn about you today from my tennis friends and just sat down to open your website. OMG! Those are the most amazing cookies I have ever seen! I’m going to purchase your second book tonight, for myself and my nieces. I’ve never made decorated cookies before but I did keep oven watch years ago when a friend of mine was making cookies for Barbara Bush…and I have to tell you that your cookies surpass the cookies she was making for the Bush family. You’re very talented!
meaghanmountford says
Ohmygoodness, thank you so much!!! You just made my day!