Links With A Difference
(And Why We Need Them...)

LINKS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Hyperlinks, or just "Links" are what makes the Internet, the World Wide Web. Links are the addresses (URLs) of content (webpages) stored on the Internet and intended to be viewed with a web-browser program, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera and others.

A simple link from The Jammer's Site! to say, Ed Eastwood's site, takes a minute or so to create and costs nothing but time and a bit of space on a webpage. Links may be text and/or graphics of some kind.

TWO TYPES OF LINKS

THE JAMMER'S SITE PROVIDES "NON-AFFILIATED"
ARTIST AND BUSINESS LINKS

The Jammer's Site was conceived as a resource for all musicians. To help independent musicians realize the potential of computers and the Internet in meeting their musical goals - with special focus on the San Diego Area music scene (see the About Us section).

Self promotion is very important to success. Computers and the Internet are very good tools for self promotion. Therefore, links will be provided to independent artists on request. Simply e-mail webmaster@musicjammers.com with the URL of your site and a logo graphic (if available).

Businesses are only slightly different. If I find, or someone suggests a "non-local" business that has something useful to offer musicians...and doesn't have an Affiliate Program...I'll go ahead and make a link for them. If they DO have an affiliate program, I'll join it.

Local businesses involved with music will always get a link. Here again, simply e-mail webmaster@musicjammers.com with the URL of your site and a logo graphic (if available).

THE JAMMER'S SITE PROVIDES "AFFILIATED"
ARTIST AND BUSINESS LINKS

Affiliate type links are advertisements for a business or artist selling a service or product. Usually in the form of a banner, logo graphic and/or text link supplied by a company for placement on a site.

Many companies maintain an "affiliate program" for the purpose of providing, and tracking these links because, in return for placing these links, the company agrees to pay a certain amount of money to the "affiliate" (usually the website owner) any time someone visits their site, and buys something via that link.

NOTE: This happens ONLY if a person uses the link supplied by the advertiser to shop, and purchase at the advertiser's site.

Agreements vary between advertisers. Some pay when you click through to their site, plus more if you actually buy something on that visit. Others do not pay anything unless something is purchased on that visit.

"Click through's", as they are called, are not supported much these days...they want you to buy more items, of course!

For instance - you visit The Jammer's Site and see a Musician's Friend ad. You decide to click on that ad and browse the Musician's Friend site. You don't see anything you like, and close out that window and go on with your life.

In this case - Musician's Friend doesn't owe The Jammer's Site anything, because that's the policy they maintain. Even if you've bookmarked a page at Musician's Friend, and go back the next day and buy something...they don't owe The Jammer's Site anything - because you didn't go through the link on The Jammer's Site when you were ready to purchase.

If you ever visit Musician's Friend via The Jammer's Site, and decide to buy something during that visit - THEN they'll owe The Jammer's Site a small percentage of the sale.

Generally speaking, click-through's are worth about 1 cent each. Percentages for sales can be from 1 to 5%, maybe more in some cases, less in others. Each advertiser has their own rates and policies.

WHY THE JAMMER'S SITE NEEDS BOTH TYPES

My vision has been to keep the site as free and useful as possible. For you and me both!

It's important to note that, while most sites (affiliated and nonaffiliated) are trying to sell you something...they typically give you something free as well. Information is always good, some provide newsletters with useful tips and tricks. Others may have contests or entertaining content, music downloads, etc...The Jammer's Site is selling the concept of using computers and the Internet to further your goals. It also serves as a learning experience for me and an example of some of my talents for future employers.

With the initial host (NBCi) of the site ceasing operation as a webhost, and the overall size of the site growing day by day...I've had to pay out about $130/year for a webhost and $60/2 years for a domain name. I really can't afford this, but I think that The Jammer's Site could become (if it hasn't already) an important and very useful site to more than a few people...and that makes me feel good.

After some investigation and assessment of the "typical" visitor to The Jammer's Site, I decided to try this "least invasive" method of fundraising. I've tried to choose affiliations that would be useful to musicians, either in the products being sold or services available. I've also tried to centralize and organize the ads so conscientious viewers can go right to them and find something worthwhile.

Sadly, it doesn't seem to be working very well. As of this writing (July 31, 2001), I've earned 45 cents from about 120 different affiliations in about 6 months time. The 45 cents actually came from 1 transaction - someone bought a piece of sheet music at MusicNotes.Com (thank you very much!).

I may come up with other ideas in the future, I'm always looking to improve the site, provide new and different content, and otherwise make it valuable to as many people as I can.

Any ideas, suggestions or comments you may have are always greatly appreciated!

Thank you for reading and thank you for being here. I hope you understand the need for links, especially of the affiliate type. If you DO find The Jammer's Site useful, please let us know...we enjoy hearing from you!

     >Dave, The Webmaster<