If you use your affiliate link, people will oftentimes pass it up. They see you as a "free affiliate". If you use a tinyurl and they're a more experienced marketer who knows that tinyurls often have popups and no telling what is behind them, they won't click. I won't click them. I've gotten viruses and found porn and everything else.

And as stated earlier in this thread, if you cloak your url, Internet Explorer will show the actual link, so then again your chances of getting hits to your link are iffy.

I advise people to use a hyperlink to your e-mail address with the subject line set so they can click to e-mail you with a subject. Give them a teaser line to let them know what you'll be sending them that will help them do whatever... and offer them your friendship.

Sort of like this...

Hi there,

My name is Rebecca and I've got something that will help you get more traffic. If you'd like to know more, please send me an e-mail to mailto:heartuvgold@gmail.com?subject=Help_me_Get_Traffic!

I'll send you the best way to get lots of hits to your site for FREE!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Beasley