Dear Reader,
If you live in Illinois I strongly suggest you stop what you’re doing right now and write Governor Quinn. I got this disturbing email from Amazon today:
Greetings from the Amazon Associates Program:
We regret to inform you that the Illinois state legislature has passed an unconstitutional tax collection scheme that, if signed by Governor Quinn, would leave Amazon.com little choice but to end its relationships with Illinois-based Associates. You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of Illinois. If our records are incorrect, you can manage the details of your Associates account here.
Please note that this not an immediate termination notice and you are still a valued participant in the Amazon Associates Program. But if the governor signs this bill, we will need to terminate the participation of all Illinois residents in the Associates Program. After that point, we will no longer pay any advertising fees for sales referred to amazon.com, endless.com and smallparts.com nor will we accept new applications for the Associates Program from Illinois residents.
The unfortunate consequences of this legislation on Illinois residents like you were explained to the legislature, including Senate and House leadership, as well as to the governor’s staff.
Over a dozen other states have considered essentially identical legislation but have rejected these proposals largely because of the adverse impact on their states’ residents.
Governor Quinn’s office may be reached here.
We thank you for being part of the Amazon Associates Program, and wish you continued success in the future.
Sincerely,
Amazon.com
You can read the actual legislation, Amendment 3 of HB 3659, here.
My friend, affiliates are a VITAL but INVISIBLE part of the economy. If they kill us off, they’ll never know what happened. They’ll just collect even less tax revenue than they are now and they’ll have to go strangle someone else. I implore you to act now.
Please go to the following web page and SPEAK OUT. Do it now while it’s on your mind:
http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/Pages/ContacttheGovernor.aspx
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About the Author
Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.
He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.
15 Comments on “Illinois Will Kill Affiliate Marketing Unless You Act NOW”
Nice Post, Perry.
Thank you for sharing
I’m an Illinois Amazon affiliate, I emailed the Governor but I heard he doesn’t check his email. I tried to call him but the voice mail was full. If anyone has any ideas on how to get around this if it passes I would love to brainstorm with you. Also I haven’t had much luck in trying to figure out what Colorado affiliates have done to preserve their businesses. If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
Snail mail, my friend.
Amazon left NC where I live. My advice would be to immediately get a mailing address in another state.
Low life politicians who fill state legislatures are killing every economic bright spot they can find.
Vote conservative.
Thanks Perry. I received the email also was very disheartened about it. I contacted Amazon to see what was going on as soon as I received their email and they told me to check back in 2-3 business days until they received all the information. I did pretty good this past Christmas on Amazon and plan on doing even better. I wrote Gov. Quinn’s office today with my concern. Thanks for pointing me to the actual bill that is being reviewed.
I made a post about this too in my blog. The fact is that the state will not gain any money from this. They will lose income tax from affiliates who are currently earning money from Amazon, Overstock, and other e-tailers and those who are making substantial money will just move to another state.
Thanks for the heads up on this, Perry! Emailed the Governor this morning as soon as I saw your notice. Also received notice today that Illinois corporate taxes may be raised. It’s amazing that a state can work this hard to be unfriendly to businesses and entrepreneurs. We really do need to vote them out.
As well -I would say that Sen. John J. Cullerton needs to be removed(voted out) for this…
We are strong believers in Affiliate Sales and we have submitted a request through Gov. Quinns office to not approve this legislature.
Perry –
Thanks for the heads-up. I received the same email from Amazon. Read the legislation and took action.
That is me. I am gong to write a letter.
Perry, you should hit up the office, They are both based in Chicago. They have does a tremendous job keep the economy humming. Use your service and those companies as an evidence of a tool to prospering business model.
Perry,
I wrote to governor’s office immediately. I had also gotten this email, and even though I’ve only made like $7 on Amazon, it just ain’t right.
I’ve even thought about giving a small workshop for the local Streetwise sellers and homeless and showing them what (little) I know about blogging and affiliate marketing.
Even a homeless person could get started at the library — and I, for one, would rather read *real* homeless people’s writing than that awful Streetwise magazine. But that would be a moot point if this got passed.
Anyway, thanks for the heads up.
Perry, I got the same email from Amazon this morning … and 5 minutes later, in came your email. Thanks for posting this and getting the word out. Jenny
I just sent an email off to the governor but really don’t think that it will make any impact on his decision. Looks like I will have to redirect my energies to try and get the Illinois legislature voted out in 2012. The corrupt Illinois politics have become the laughing stock of the country and now are showing thier stupidity with this new bill.
Just wrote Quinn an email. Thanks, Perry. Got that disturbing message myself today.