I have gotten so much from your blog that I wanted to pass along a tip that might help your readers.
My primary income streams on Strobist have evolved from the initial typical Adsense structure to about 50:50 CPM banners and Amazon affiliate sales.
My traffic is still in the high growth phase, and shows no signs of levelling off anytime soon.
But even that does not explain the growth I am seeing in the Amazon affiliate sales. My core is a series of specially selected books on the right sidebar – this works far better than the computer-generated ads.
But the best idea I have come up with yet is to feature a monthly “Hot List” of the top ten items purchased by readers. I list it at the beginning of each month, as compiled from the previous month. See the October Hot List here.
The publication of that list has the effect of sending my Amazon sales through the roof for a few days. And it happens each month.
I do some minor commentary on the month’s new list entries and such, and archive the latest on an aggregation page.
It’s a simple thing, but it really works for me.
From Darren: David’s tip is actually something I’ve done from time to time in different ways. For example I recently put together this Digital Camera and Photography Gift Ideas list based upon reader purchases at Amazon.
