Amazon Products: Why Less is More

Less is more: an example of minimalist photography using the less is more theory.

There's no doubt you've already heard the expression "less is more." It can apply to everything from a piece of cake to energy conservation to garlic (insert your own analogy here).

The mantra "less is more" even applies to featuring Amazon products on your leaf. Which page are you apt to trust more: a page littered with dozens of Amazon products, all with no descriptions, no personalized content, no unique images, and nothing to read beyond the introduction; or, a page with personalized content, hand picked Amazon products (just a handful), all with descriptions, recommendations, first-hand experience, and helpful tips about the products?

Here are three examples of leaves that feature Amazon products tastefully done (less is more with these!):

Kindle Fire vs. Ipad 2: A side by side comparison, this leaf is what potential shoppers are really looking for. There are only two product links to Amazon, which makes the leaf not so "in your face" with pushy salesmanship. The rest of the leaf is real content and information on the two products through an honest review.
The Best Foot Warmers for Chronically Cold Feet: This leaf does in fact have more than a handful of Amazon sections used, but it's how they are used that makes this leaf work. Each Amazon section contains information that helps the reader make a more informed purchase, and provides great alternatives for the many different types of chronically cold feet.
A Busy Day of Homeschooling: Not actually a sales leaf, this leaf tells the tale of a busy day of homeschooling by author Evelyn Saenz. The Amazon section here is hard to spot, because it's so perfectly woven into the content of the leaf. Evelyn has done an excellent job here of gaining the reader's trust through her own story, so there's no intimidation here to click on the Amazon link.

In all of these cases, the author has used less Amazon sections than they could have. The result: you've narrowed down the choice for the reader, and made it easier for them, instead of presenting them with too many product ideas all at once.

Great sales oriented leaves also don't usually (okay, they never do) consist of slapped together Amazon sections, stock photos, and cut and paste descriptions. Instead, they focus on originality and helping the reader find the product they are looking for, while helping them make a decision about the product. That can only come through your own insight, unique photos, and personality shining through on each leaf.

Intro photo of hot air balloon (a minimalist "less is more" photo) by Samuel John, licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.

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