The Short Version
Some links on this site are affiliate links. When you click one and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and allows me to keep creating free content.
I only recommend tools I actually use in my own work. If something has an affiliate link, it's because I've used it professionally — not because someone offered me a commission.
How I Choose What to Recommend
I'm a former Head of School who now builds AI systems and courses for leaders and educators. Every tool I recommend on this site meets the same criteria:
- I use it myself. Not "tried it once." I use it in production — for my own courses, client projects, or daily work.
- It solves a real problem. I don't recommend tools because they're interesting. I recommend them because they save time, improve quality, or do something you can't easily do without them.
- I'd recommend it without the commission. I've recommended these same tools in workshops, training sessions, and conversations long before affiliate links were involved.
Current Affiliate Relationships
I currently have affiliate partnerships with the following companies:
| Company | What They Do | How I Use It |
|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | AI voice cloning and text-to-speech | Voice clone for my AI avatar courses |
| HeyGen | AI avatar video creation | Produced two full courses with it |
This list will be updated as new partnerships are added. Tools that appear on the site without affiliate links (like NotebookLM, Claude, Perplexity) are recommended purely because they're useful.
What This Means for You
- You never pay more by using an affiliate link — the price is the same either way
- Affiliate relationships don't influence my reviews — I'll tell you what doesn't work as readily as what does
- Blog posts with affiliate links will include a brief notice at the top or bottom
- Course content on academy.kaiak.io does not contain affiliate links
FTC Compliance
This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255). The FTC requires that material connections between endorsers and advertisers be clearly disclosed.
Questions
If you're unsure whether a link is an affiliate link, or if you have questions about any recommendation, email ben@kaiak.io. I'm happy to explain why I recommend anything on this site.