Full Disclosure Here
When I started this blog, it came from a place of wanting to tell honest stories, build close relationships, and share truthful information about adventure. Inspirational content, with educational resources about how to get there.
Travel is the single, most influential thing that has happened to me. After years of exploring for myself, I could no longer travel just for myself. I had changed, and it needed to be shared. Doing so meant treating my blog as a business, so that I can fund thoughtful travel that benefits a higher purpose.
In order to bring it all together, one avenue for me to create an income is to connect with other business’s whose products I use and trust. When I share a product, piece of gear, and a review, I am advertising for these companies. I am putting my word behind them and sharing my trust that should you purchase one of their products you will hopefully find the same value in it as I have.
So in order to receive compensation, I use ‘affiliate links’ to promote these products. When you click on a link to a recommended product, and purchase it, you pay $0.00 extra. However, I receive a commission for each purchase. This is how you can help keep gas in the tank. As an Amazon affiliate, they put it well:
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.“
Truth in advertising.
No one will buy my opinion. I have not been given any free products or been paid to promote any products for the sole purpose of promotion. In fact, 99% of the time I myself have actually BOUGHT products, gear, or services first and then reached out to a business to join an affiliate program. This is true of companies like Enlightened Equipment, Faribault Woolen Mill, and Redwing Boots.
You will also notice all of those brands mentioned have one thing in common. They reside in Minnesota. When possible I am choosing to build relationships close to home. I’m just a super fan of the state that I’m from and love seeing it succeed at home and abroad. Also, growing up in a small town, I just always assumed that awesome things only came from far away. As an adult I can’t be more excited to find out that that ISN’T TRUE.
Thank you for your interest and support of The Spur Trail. If you have any questions or concerns please shoot me an email or contact me through the contact page.
Ian Hanson
