I have an interesting business proposition on the table and I'm seriously considering it. We're in negotiations, let's say.
It came to my attention some time ago -- I believe it was this morning -- that Amazon.com is seeking a partnership with my blog.
Since then I've been weighing the pros and cons. I made two columns on a notepad and am weighing the good and bad points.
On the good side, of course both Amazon.com and I will make a ton of money, they from my traffic, I from the handsome commissions.
One day I had 13 visitors, and if I'm not mistaken (and I have no way of knowing), none of them was a repeat visitor.
On the bad side, among the cons, what assurances do I have that Amazon.com sells quality merchandise?
Maybe their books are cheap paperback knockoffs. Maybe their CDs are sound-alikes and not the original artists.
I need some assurances of quality, some kind of report on the standards they maintain, if any.
Other than those stumbling blocks, it just might happen. Like I said, we've had some hard-nosed negotiations, Jeff Bezos and myself.
He started out at a guaranteed 5% commission, I insisted on 20%, and we're working toward the middle.
I don't want to be a bloodsucker. On the other hand I don't think he should be either. Each one of us is going to have to give something.
Then when we meet in the middle -- let's say it actually happens -- it'll be of mutual benefit to both sides, Amazon.com and my blog.
But I have to say, if they come at me, their team of lawyers, with a bunch of papers with very fine print, I'm going to read every word.
Then I'll sign, if it happens, and only then. I've had this blog going for close to two years and I don't want to sink it with carelessness.
So stay tuned. Could this be the beginning of something big? An empire, perhaps? The marriage of Amazon.com and the Grandma Slump blog!
Two great powers, titans, coming together as one unstoppable force. The mega-bookstore of all time PLUS the mega-blog of all time. As one!
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