Shawn Collins' Blog

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

Archives for August 2010

Most Popular WordPress Themes for Affiliate Marketers

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Affiliates were asked “If you are currently using WordPress to build out affiliate sites, what is your preferred WordPress theme?” for the latest Affiliate Summit AffStat Report.

Thesis for WordPress and Affiliate Theme were the most popular with 26.5% each of the vote.

Most popular WordPress themes for affiliates

Other WordPress themes being used by affiliate marketers include StudioPress, Woo Themes, and WPNow.

Personally, I use Thesis for WordPress on my blog, as well as all of my affiliate blogs, because it’s easy, flexible, and powerful.

Over eleven-hundred and fifty affiliates were surveyed on their methods, preferences, and strategies for the 2010 Affiliate Summit AffStat Report.

More details on AffStat at affstat.com.

Source for Contracts

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Q: Where is a good place to find contracts? Specifically, I am looking to create a contract with a content provider where we split affiliate revenue. Where is a good source for such contracts?

Shawn CollinsA: There are two different options. One resource I use for boilerplate legal documents is LegalZoom.com.

They have a variety of contracts for a reasonable price, and you can then customize them for your needs.

Otherwise, if you have something that is more specialized, I would suggest consulting with a lawyer.

You should be able to find somebody locally that will assist you at an hourly rate.

I’ve gone with lawyers for some contracts, especially more substantial deals, to be sure everything was done right.

While it can be a little frustrating to spend that sort of money for a few pages of information, consider the importance of this document in protecting your interests, and the fact that you aren’t equipped with sufficient legal knowledge.

Think of it in terms of this quote from Jim Rohn: “You don’t get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.”

Video: Source for Contracts

Not Only Did I Get a BlackBerry Torch, but I Love It

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I checked the other day and saw I was eligible for an upgrade on AT&T from my BlackBerry Bold, so I took a look at the site to see which phones were available.

Of course, they’ve got the iPhone 4 there, and a variety of Android phones with the Dell Aero on the way. Plus, I thought about the Dell Streak as my primary phone (still plan to get it as an extra toy).

Dell Streak

But I went with the BlackBerry Torch, a phone I scoffed at when it was released.

I’ve never cared for the iPhone after repeated attempts to like it. I use an iPod Touch for my music, and can’t stand to use it for email when it’s the only handy device. I simply can’t type fast and correct on that keyboard.

In addition to my BlackBerry Bold, I’ve had a Nexus One since January. I really like the size, weight, and functionality of this Android phone, but I’ve got the same keyboard gripes there as I have with the iPhone.

I type a lot on my phone – I’m talking multiple paragraph emails regularly. And the only phone that I’ve really been productive with over the years has been the BlackBerry.

So, I ordered the BlackBerry Torch and had low expectations. But you know what? I am crazy about this device.

It’s got all of the fun features of the various touch-screen phones, and the option to type on the screen, but then I get to slide out my tactile keyboard.

I’m not going to list out the specs and all that nonsense you can read at 50 different tech blogs. Instead, I’ll show you how it looks next to my Nexus One and BlackBerry Bold with the keyboard in and out.

BlackBerry Torch with keyboard in

BlackBerry Torch with keyboard out

The BlackBerry Torch does what I need my phone to do – it makes it easy for me to work on the go, plus it has the easy experience for social networks and media.

It’s a phone mullet with the BlackBerry in the front and the touch-screen in the back, and it’s my new addicition.

Haters gonna hate.

ytcracker Launches the NERD LIFE media Network

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Issue 11 of FeedFront MagazineBryce Case, Jr. (aka YTCracker), who was featured on the cover of issue 11 of FeedFront magazine, has launched a new cpa network called NERD LIFE media.

Usually, the launch of a new network in the already overcrowded landscape would be something of a scourge, but this one has an interesting angle.

YTCracker is not only into affiliate marketing; he’s also a Nerdcore rapper who has put out a lot of entertaining music – check out his latest album, “Space Mission,” on iTunes.

He announced NERD LIFE media on his Digital Gangster forum and how he plans to bring his fans into the network.

i have a unique opportunity to be the first rapper to actually make money *with* my fans rather than off of them. sure, someone rapping about selling coke and busting guns might have a few people that hit their favorite rapper on the low and cross their fingers that they get plugged into the downline, but you can’t exactly be proud and public with something like that (unless you also rap). rmk says that you can never guarantee a stress-free life, but you can guarantee you will *constantly* have stress in your life if you are always riding dirty. we have acquired the resources and dataset required to help our people build sustainable, legal, and stress-light solutions for anyone who wants to join us in our pursuit of the greatest life possible.

Nerd Life Media

More details at http://www.nerdlifemedia.com/.

Presentations from Affiliate Summit East 2010

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The presentation slides from Affiliate Summit East 2010 have been posted.

Jeremy Schoemaker speaking at Affiliate Summit East 2010

The slides have options to share on Twitter and Facebook – please share with your friends and colleagues if you enjoy them.

Videos from the conference will be available in a few weeks, and those who registered with Gold, Platinum, or Diamond passes will receive an email with access information.

See the slides from Affiliate Summit East 2010 at http://www.slideshare.net/event/affiliate-summit-east-2010/slideshows.

Affiliate Marketing ABC’s Forum

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There is a growing affiliate marketing community at a forum called ABC’s Plus, which is run by affiliate marketer Deb Carney.

ABC's Plus Discussion Forum

Deb has been recording a podcast for nearly two years with Vinny O’Hare called Affiliate ABC’s that is rich in the basics of affiliate marketing.

In the same spirit, the ABC’s Plus forum provides an atmosphere for affiliate marketers to learn able the many facets of online marketing from Deb, Vinny, and a host of other folks.

Visit the discussion forum at http://abcsplus.com/forum.php.

ShareASale ThinkTank 2010 Applications Being Accepted

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ShareASale ThinkTank 2010 has been announced and it will be taking place at The Ritz-Carlton, in Half Moon Bay, CA on October 18-20, 2010.

This annual event is designed to bring together top clients as well as new, up-and-coming affiliates and merchants at ShareASale. I attended for the first time last year and it was a great experience. Read my ShareASale ThinkTank 2009 Recap.

ShareASale ThinkTank Networking Breakfast

ShareASale ThinkTank Session with Live #thinktank09 Tweets

One of my favorite aspects of ShareASale ThinkTank was the “Things We Need to Fix” session, where anybody in attendance could share their candid thoughts on ShareASale and the team addressed the issues and concerns right there or committed to doing it when they returned to their offices.

An important thing to note – attendance is invitation-only, however ShareASale invites all affiliates interested in participating to apply to attend the ShareASale ThinkTank.

And they do a really cool thing – all affiliates invited/accepted are treated to the weekend’s accomodations, food, and entertainment by ShareASale.

More details at http://www.shareasalethinktank.com/.

The Twitter hashtag for ShareASale ThinkTank 2010 is #ThinkTank10.

See my photos from ShareASale ThinkTank 2009.

Lead Campaign to Sell My House

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My house in northern New Jersey was just put up for sale, and I am testing out some methods of driving geotargeted leads and organic traffic to the listing agent.

49 Rutherford Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ

I like this house a lot, mostly for my office area (suite with two rooms, kitchen and full bath), but I am planning to relocate the family to Austin, TX.

There have been hundreds of videos and podcasts recorded here, as well as everything I’ve done as an affiliate and for Affiliate Summit over the past five years.

Not to mention the close proximity to New York City and Newark Airport. Great town (Berkeley Heights, NJ) and all, but it’s time to move on.

My office at 49 Rutherford Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ

Anyhow, some of the topics that were just covered at Affiliate Summit East 2010 are coming in really handy right now, as I set up campaigns in Facebook and Google AdWords.

In particular, there were some things Frank Luntz mentioned in his keynote, as well as Jeremy Schoemaker’s session on Facebook.

When I sold houses in the past, it was sort of an unpleasant experience, but this is shaping up to be a fun challenge.

Please spread the word to anybody who may be interested.

Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman

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Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman is a great book for anybody who is into advertising and marketing.

CashvertisingThe subtitle of the book sums it up well: “How to Use More than 100 Secrets of Ad-Agency Psychology to Make Big Money Selling Anything to Anyone.”

There are a lot of practical tips on how to persuade consumers to purchase goods and services.

Some things Whitman shares in the book:

  • 60% of people read only your headline and what to do about it
  • Captions under photos get 200% greater readership than non-headline copy
  • Ads with sale prices draw 20% more attention
  • To double your ad’s attention-getting value, you must enlarge it 400%
  • Four-color ads are up to 45% more effective than black and white

There is a good synopsis of Cashvertising on the Wicked Fire forum, which led to my buying and reading it.

I thought Cashvertising was so useful that we booked author Drew Eric Whitman to keynote Affiliate Summit West 2011, taking place January 9-11, 2011 at Wynn Las Vegas.

Video: CA$HVERTISING

Day 3 of Affiliate Summit East 2010

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The final day of Affiliate Summit East 2010 started off with the keynote address from Jim Kukral, author of the bestselling book, Attention! This Book Will Make You Money.

Jim gave a really inspirational talk that focused on building a business around a lifestyle (watch Jim’s keynote video).

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Jim Kukral signed copies of his books for well over an hour after the keynote.

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The second day of the exhibit hall at Affiliate Summit East 2010 had a nice crowds on both floors in the morning and afternoon.

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Breakout sessions during the day covered a wide array of topics, including paid search strategies, curation, sports marketing, blogging, and marketing to women.

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Thank you to all of the folks that came out for Affiliate Summit East 2010 – see you January 9-11, 2011 at the Wynn Las Vegas for Affiliate Summit West 2011.

Check out my Affiliate Summit East 2010 photos.