Why I Don’t Accept Referral or Affiliate Fees

When I expanded my business from executive coaching to also offering services to small business owners, I was faced with a decision that many of us come across: referral and affiliate fees.

Some businesses are fueled by them. Others use them as a little boost. And some wouldn’t dream of operating without them.

Many of the service providers I network with have referral fees baked right into their pricing.

And almost every platform or subscription tool offers some sort of affiliate program—so much so that people are surprised when one doesn’t.

Plenty of business owners I’ve talked to are happy to receive these fees, and I don’t blame them. It’s another revenue stream.

But I spent a lot of time thinking about this—probably more than most.

Maybe that’s just my tendency to overthink what others accept without question.

But part of the reason I started offering services to other business owners was to be an alternative to the predatory practices I kept seeing. So this felt like a big deal.

Sure, I saw the upside. A 10% commission here, $50 there—for recommendations I’d make anyway.

But I also saw the slippery slope and the potential for misalignment if I started accepting those fees.

It might be impossible to test, but my theory is this: referrals made without a financial incentive are more valuable than those made with one.

Here’s how I think about it:

Maybe I could earn an extra 10%—even 30%—by accepting affiliate fees.

But I believe the power of a referral given without benefit to the referrer is far more meaningful.

Imagine asking two friends which mobile carrier is best. They’re all mostly the same—similar prices, features, and a mix of glowing reviews and horror stories.

One friend recommends Carrier A and mentions that if you sign up, you’ll both get a $100 credit.

The other recommends Carrier B and tells you there’s no credit or kickback—but raves about their network, customer care, and overall experience.

Which would you choose?

I’d choose Carrier B. That recommendation feels more trustworthy to me.

Others might choose Carrier A just for the credit.

And that’s perfectly fine.

But I’d rather work with clients who choose Carrier B—people who value quality and care over a little financial bonus.

To be clear: I have no issue with people who accept affiliate fees. It’s a legitimate business model that works for many.

It’s just not how I want to build my business.

I want my clients to know—without a shadow of a doubt—that when I recommend something, it’s because I believe it’s right for them.

I’ve recommended tools I don’t personally use, because they’re better for that specific business.

I’ve suggested strategies to some coaching clients that I’d never dream of recommending to others.

And yes, I’m sure I’ll eventually advise some of my business clients to use referral or affiliate programs—if I believe it’s the right fit for their model and values.

All that to say: I don’t accept referral or affiliate fees because I don’t think it’s right for my business.

I don’t know if this is a “story,” or if there’s even a point here.

But people ask me about it, so—here we are.

No advice, no CTA.

Just thanks for reading.