Shawn Collins' Blog

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

Archives for December 2013

Google AdSense Introduces Custom Sized Ads

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Google AdSense now makes it possible for users to create custom ad sizes.

custom-adsense-sizes

Custom sized ads perform just like the “traditional” standard size ads that show a text or display ad, depending on which is likely to have the best performance for the impression.

For text ads, they will determine the optimal number of text ads to display for a given impression, and show the ads the same way they appear inside standard sizes.

As far as display ads, their system will determine the appropriate size ad to fit into the space you select.

There are some restrictions in place for maximum and minimum pixels for ad sizes. Any custom ad size that falls outside of the restrictions won’t appear on a page.

When you want to give this a try, create an ad unit in the usual way, and then select “Custom ad size” from the Ad size drop-down and set the desired width and height for your ad unit in the process.

Then copy and paste the ad code into the HTML source code of your page where you’d like the ad to appear.

I can’t remember how many sites I’ve created over the years with layouts designed to accommodate Google AdSense sizes, so I am glad to see this.

FeedFront Magazine Issue 25 is Now Available

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The 25th issue of FeedFront is headed to the printer and copies will be going out to subscribers in late December and early January.

FeedFront Magazine, issue 25Issue 25 of FeedFront will also be distributed at Affiliate Summit West 2014 and Affiliate Summit Meetups.

This issue of FeedFront Magazine includes Screw Resolutions, Plunge into Affiliate Marketing Now by Missy Ward, Tips for Achieving Tech–Life Balance in Your Family by Randi Zuckerberg, and Observations from an Affiliate Rookie by Casey Pavlick.

Also, 5 steps for improved business communication, 9 tips for writing good content, top 10 tips for affiliate M&A deals, 5 ways to fix your affiliate program, the Affiliate Summit West 2014 agenda and speakers, and more.

Issue 25 of FeedFront Magazine can now be viewed online, downloaded, and printed from issuu.com.

Get the FeedFront RSS if you’d like to get all of the articles as they are published to the feed.

If you haven’t subscribed, you can get the magazine for free at feedfront.com/free-subscription.

Also, become a fan of FeedFront on Facebook to see past issues, covers, etc.

The Wolf of Wall Street Has an Affiliate Program

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I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming movie, The Wolf of Wall Street, which comes out on Christmas day.

The movie is about a New York stock broker, Jordan Belfort, who refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case that includes mob infiltration into Wall Street and the corporate banking world.

jordan-belfort

Lots of big names are slated for the movie, and it looks pretty intense.

So, I was looking more into Jordan Belfort that other day, and I saw that he puts out a training course now and he has an affiliate program.

It’s not the kind of thing I’d promote, but I got a kick out of him powering his current company with affiliate marketing.

Flavor Flav to Co-Host Affiliate Ball During Affiliate Summit West 2014

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Affiliate Ball, the official party on Monday, January 13, 2014 at Affiliate Summit West 2014, will be co-hosted by legendary recording artist and TV personality, Flavor Flav.

Affiliate BallFlavor Flav will also co-host the AFFY Awards, which are given to industry veterans for their outstanding contributions to the internet marketing world.

This time around, the Affiliate Ball will take place inside of Paris Las Vegas in the Chateau Nightclub. This will be the first time that Affiliate Ball is in the same hotel as Affiliate Summit.

The AFFY Awards, which recognize industry players for their contributions, will also be presented that evening. You can recommend industry folks to Affiliate Ball for the honor.

More information is expected in the next week about the featured performer(s).

Past artists have included Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Big Boi of Outkast, Mixmaster Mike of the Beastie Boys, Ice-T and Coco, Doug E Fresh, and Three 6 Mafia.

RSVP now at affiliateball.com. Passes can be picked up at the Affiliate Ball Meet Market table (#744) on the Sunday of Affiliate Summit.

For sponsorship information, contact info@affiliateball.com or call 818 825-3972.

Yeah boy!

Video: Affiliate Ball at Affiliate Summit West 2014

SEO Ask the Pros at Affiliate Summit West 2012

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This was a conference session titled SEO Ask the Pros from Affiliate Summit West 2012, which took place January 8-10, 2012 in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace Las Vegas.

Affiliate Summit WestSession speakers:

  • Bruce Clay, President, Bruce Clay, Inc. (Moderator)
  • Chris Boggs, Director, Rosetta
  • Stephan Spencer, Principal, Koshkonong LLC

Session description:

Get a full-spectrum view of cutting-edge thinking and have your own opportunity to ask for SEO advice from some of the most respected and trusted search engine optimizers in the business.

Experience level: Intermediate
Target audience: Other
Niche/vertical: Search Engine Optimization

Session video:

SEO Ask the Pros video

Note: the companies and positions listed above were current as of the time of the conference. Some of this information may have changed since then.

If you liked this video, be sure to register for the next Affiliate Summit. The session videos aren’t made public until a year or more after each conference.

Are Your Affiliates Adding Value? at Affiliate Summit West 2012

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This was a conference session titled Are Your Affiliates Adding Value? from Affiliate Summit West 2012, which took place January 8-10, 2012 in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace Las Vegas.

Affiliate Summit WestSession speaker:

  • Adam Riemer, President, Adam Riemer Marketing, LLC.

Session description:

This session will help you determine if your affiliates are adding value to your company or poaching sales from your site through adware, PPC, SEO, email, coupons, and more.

Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Target audience: Merchants/Advertisers
Niche/vertical: Theft

Session slides:

Are Your Affiliates Adding Value? slides

Note: the companies and positions listed above were current as of the time of the conference. Some of this information may have changed since then.

If you liked this video, be sure to register for the next Affiliate Summit. The session videos aren’t made public until a year or more after each conference.

Mobile Christmas 2013

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Affiliate Window has shared some really interesting data on affiliate marketing and mobile in the UK as we close in on Christmas.

Affiliate WindowBased on the millions of clicks and sales from affiliate programs running with Affiliate Window, they have seen the share of tablet and handset traffic hit 35% on weekends, with an increasing share of that through smartphones.

Further, one in six clicks in their affiliate network is originating from a mobile handset.

Here are some other items they shared on affiliate marketing and mobile…

  • On Sunday, November 17, 35% of traffic came through a mobile device. The iPhone and iPad were neck and neck with 13.4% each.
  • There are traditionally spikes in mobile traffic over the weekend and last year saw mobile performance peak on Christmas Day and the day after.
  • The average order value through mobile handsets was $75 last December. Consumers are widely predicted to spend even more through mobile this year.

I’m anxious to see the Cyber Monday (and surrounding days) data from the affiliate networks.

All Affiliate Summit West 2014 Booths are Sold Out

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Affiliate Summit West 2014 booths are now sold out, and we’re compiling an Affiliate Summit West 2014 Booth Waitlist for companies interested in exhibiting.

see-you-at-asw14

Affiliate Summit West 2014 is taking place January 12-14, 2014 at Paris Las Vegas.

This three day conference includes an exhibit hall with affiliate merchants, vendors, and networks, as well as multiple tracks of educational sessions covering the latest trends and information from affiliate marketing experts.

We’ve already got over 1,500 companies and thousands of attendees registered. Rooms in the group block at Paris Las Vegas are just about sold out, too.

Meet Market tables have been sold out for a while. However, there are 4 private offices in the exhibit hall still available, as well as some other sponsor opportunities.

Get on the Affiliate Summit West 2013 Booth Waitlist.

We anticipate that passes to the conference will sell out towards the end of 2013, based on past registration trends.

For Me To Coupon Launches WordPress Integration

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For Me To Coupon (FMTC), an affiliate marketing datafeed and tool provider, has released a plugin that enables customers to create a coupon or deal site in a matter of minutes using WordPress.

For Me To CouponFMTC is aiming to provide tools to a broader base of affiliates.

Clients using the WordPress integration will have access to FMTC’s cleaned, categorized, and monetized database of coupons and deals.

There are over 90,000 coupons and deals for the holiday season.

In order to use FMTC the plugin, it is necessary to have a self-hosted WordPress site, a specific coupon theme, and secure access to files through the hosting provider.

FMTC is providing setup assistance for clients and prospects who meet certain requirements.

Flat fee subscription plans ranging from $500 to $1,495 per month are available.

Shopping on Cyber Monday 2013

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I created a pretty bad video back in 2007 back about Cyber Monday for affiliate marketers.

My Cyber Monday video featured jumpy editing and a modified, a cappella version of Manic Monday from the Bangles.

But it’s timely, so that counts for something, right?

Good luck to all of affiliate marketers for the manic Cyber Mondays in 2013.

Video: Cyber Monday: An Affiliate Anthem