I have to agree with Keith that you should try and create a redirect link of some
kind from your own site.

Here's a quick video I found on HostGators hosting tutorials:

http://www.hostgator.com/tutorials/x...rlredirect.htm

The problem with tiny urls (particularly in the IM field) is that people know the
only reason you use them is to mask an affiliate link - so the person clicking
on it already knows that you're looking to make an affiliate commission.

A redirect doesn't necessarily scream "affiliate link".

If you wanted to go a step further, you could even register a standalone
domain name and forward that to your affiliate URL.

Richard