Shawn Collins' Blog

Affiliate marketing and other stuff from Shawn Collins, co-founder of Affiliate Summit.

Archives for September 2008

Affiliate Marketing Secrets For Bloggers Video

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I was on a panel this past Saturday at BlogWorld Expo 2008 with Mike Allen and Tim Jones. We chatted about strategies for monetizing blogs with affiliate programs.

Before the conference, I picked up a Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder and brought it along to record the session.

I should have zoomed in a little more, but it’s a pretty nice picture from the back of a rather large room. Bear in mind that Google Video compresses it like crazy. The original footage is nice and crisp.

The audio was recorded through an external microphone from the sound in the room, so there is a little echo. Not so bad considering.

Watch the video and follow along with the slides.

The Awesomeness of Don Crowther

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People are still buzzing about the presentation from Don Crowther, social marketing, blogging, and online marketing expert, at BlogWorld Expo 2008.

Don CrowtherDon spoke on “Generating Traffic Through Social Media: 5 Strategies” to rave reviews. And if you missed it, I’ve got good news for you.

Don Crowther is giving the keynote at Affiliate Summit Social Media 2008 in a couple weeks.

In this presentation you’ll hear the facts behind social marketing, how it really works, and most importantly, a set of specific strategies you can start using tonight to increase your search engine rankings, website traffic, profits, and reputation in the online world.

Some Tweets about Don’s presentation at BlogWorld…

kcafferty: Day one panels nearly at an end. Gotta say I thought Don Crowther’s presentation was the best so far.

LindaSherman: Don Crowther is doing a great presentation at E&E on driving traffic

evelopez: Don Crowther at #bwe08 is giving hard core facts. he’s speaking fast, statistic after statistic on social media. i love this guy.

tedmurphy: I enjoyed the session by Don Crowther

Check out what else people are saying about Don Crowther on Twitter.

See the full agenda at http://www.affiliatesummit.com/08nyc_agenda.php.

Register for Affiliate Summit Social Media 2008 before it fills up. Limit of 300 seats.

Virtual Affiliate Summit Dinner

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Affiliate Summit hosted a dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois in Las Vegas last Friday, where dozens of blog stars got together for some food, drink, and networking.

John Chow did a nice job of capturing pictures of the dinner for anybody who couldn’t make it.

Here are some of the folks that came out:

Affiliate Summit Dinner in Vegas 2

Missy Ward did a much better job of shooting pictures of the other folks at the dinner, so check out her photos on Flickr for the Affiliate Summit Dinner and BlogWorld Expo 2008.

BlogWorld Expo 2008 Recap

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I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas for BlogWorld Expo 2008. As I write this, the show is still going on, but I needed to skip out early.

Yesterday, I was on a panel with Tim Jones and Mike Allen about monetizing blogs with affiliate programs. I videotaped it, and if it came out, I’ll get it digitized and up for anybody who wasn’t able to make it.

Here are my co-panelists sporting the wares of VanityKippah.com during the session:

Two Guys, Two Kippahs

Jones Soda - Shawn Collins FlavorWhen I went into the speaker ready room before my session, I saw a treat – Angel Djambazov of JonesSoda.com, PopShops.com, and ReveNews.com had created some custom Jones Soda bottles for a bunch of bloggers, including John Chow, Zac Johnson, Jim Kukral, and myself.

It was an enjoyable show, as I got to meet lots of folks I follow on Twitter, learn a thing or two, and get to meet some folks, whose creations I use, in the exhibit hall, like Disqus and WordPress.

But the conference did have a serious, scary moment. My Affiliate Summit partner, Missy Ward, was motoring through the exhibit hall in her scooter, while posting a Tweet, and she mowed down Mike Buechele of 11|15 Media. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Buechele.

Friends Don't Let Friends Drive While Tweeting

The moral of the story… Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive While Tweeting.

Check out a ton of pictures from Billy Kay at BlogWorld at http://flickr.com/photos/29755332@N08/

Monetize your Site with Amazon Associates

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The Amazon Associates program ran a session at Affiliate Summit East 2008 about how their program has helped affiliates monetize web properties for over 10 years.

Matt Tavis, Senior Product Manager at Amazon was joined by Jay Brewer, Founder of Blogpire Productions and Lydia Walshin, Blogger at ThePerfectPantry.com to talk about how they drive revenue through their sites with Amazon.

Watch video of the Monetize your Site with Amazon Associates session from Affiliate Summit East 2008.

Other Affiliate Summit videos are available at http://www.affiliatesummit.tv.

Will I See You at BlogWorld?

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I am sitting in my plane now and about to take off from Newark, NJ to Las Vegas for BlogWorld.

I get in to town for the conference around noon Vegas time – anybody up for some lunch?

Also, if you’re going to be out there, I am on a panel tomorrow called Affiliate Marketing Secrets for Bloggers. It’s part of the Monetization Track and takes place 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM.

I will be chatting on the panel with Mike Allen of Shopping-Bargains and Tim Jones of The Real Tim Jones.

Be sure to stop by if you’re at the show.

Unfortunately, I’ll only be in Vegas for about 36 hours – I’ve got to jump on a red-eye tomorrow night and head home.

Well actually, it’s for a very good reason. I’ve got tickets for the final game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, before they knock it down.

Priorities!

Keep an eye out for pictures, videos, etc. from BlogWorld on here.

Rates for Managing Affiliate Programs

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Q: I’ve been asked to put together a proposal to create and manage an affiliate program, and I was wondering what I should charge for my services?

Shawn CollinsA: There is not a stock answer – it depends on a few different variables.

I have no idea what kind of experience you have, and what you’ve done in terms of being an affiliate manager.

The company asking for the proposal matters, too. Are they a big retailer, a Mom & Pop, or something in between? Also, what are they selling?

If the affiliate program is based around selling some sort of hard goods, the margins could be limited, while there can be rather large margins with something like software downloads.

The way I’ve structured it in the past when I’ve pitched affiliate management services has been to have a set monthly fee, as well as a percent of the action generated by affiliates.

As far as ranges, I’ve seen OPMs (c) charging from $2,000 to over $10,000 per month.

Simply put, experience and reputation equal higher rates.

I’d say that if you’re relatively new to affiliate management, try pricing towards the lower end and increase progressively as you build up a name and history in the business.

Commission Junction Client Signings and CJU

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Commission Junction has announced some of their key client signings during the first half of 2008.

New additions to the network include JetBlue Airways, Borders, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Iomega, Callaway Golf Interactive, The Knot, ULTA, Smashbox, Freshpair, PC Universe, Charlotte Russe and Decorative Product Source.

Also, Commission Junction University (CJU), the annual CJ conference in Santa Barbara, CA started today, and runs through September 18. The keynote speaker is Guy Kawasaki.

More details at http://www.cj.com/news/press_releases/press_080916.html.