Shawn Collins' Blog

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

Archives for May 2014

Chance to Win an All Access Pass to Affiliate Summit East 2014 and 3 Nights at the New York Marriott Marquis

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We’re running a sweepstakes for a chance to win an All Access Pass to Affiliate Summit East 2014, as well as a 3 night hotel stay at the New York Marriott Marquis, where the conference is taking place on August 10-12, 2014.

Affiliate Summit Sweepstakes on Pinterest

There are three prizes in this sweepstakes…

  • Grand Prize: one All Access Pass to Affiliate Summit East 2014, plus a 3 night hotel stay during the conference at the New York Marriott Marquis, inclusive of hotel tax and occupancy charges (approximate retail value: $3,200).
  • Second Prize: One VIP Pass to Affiliate Summit East 2014 (approximate retail value: $1,249).
  • Third Prize: One Networking Plus Pass to Affiliate Summit East 2014 (approximate retail value: $549).

Enter the Win Your Way to Affiliate Summit East 2014 Sweepstakes.

The Decline of the Summer Job for Teens

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I was reading a story the other day about how there has been a significant decline in teens working summer jobs from the 1970’s through now.

Do you want fries with that?

Back then, approximately 70% of teens held summer jobs, while these days it’s more like 40%.

While the economy plays a role, the article also mentioned that “less than 10 percent of unemployed teens even wanted a job last summer”.

That sort of blows my mind as I remember back to 1985. I had turned 15 in April and I really wanted a job, because I simply wouldn’t have any money otherwise.

Most places in the mall only wanted to hire kids 16 and older, because of limited hours for younger kids. So, I ended up doctoring my work permit, after the high school signed off on it, to change my age and year of birth.

It was a little tricky to change 1970 to 1969, but I wrote the numbers in a weird way that made it easier. 15 to 16 was a much easier switch.

This was all to get a job at Friendly’s, a restaurant and ice cream place. I took what I could get – dishwasher for minimum wage, which was $3.35/hour at the time, and I was ecstatic.

It wasn’t a pleasant job by any means, but it was a means to an end. Plus, it was eye opening to realize that I wanted to work hard and rise up.

Subsequent teen jobs were a little better, and all of them came with lessons in dealing with people, managing money, etc. I had stints at a drug store, toy store, record store, and movie theater through high school.

But I guess it’s different now, at least in some areas – I see plenty of teens in the stores and restaurants around me. But how about the kids who aren’t getting summer jobs?

I’d like to think that they are building their own businesses online. I hope I’m right.

Adapting Email Marketing for the Post-PC World from Affiliate Summit East 2012

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This was a conference session titled Adapting Email Marketing for the Post-PC World from Affiliate Summit East 2012, which took place August 12-14, 2012 in New York City at the Hilton New York.

Affiliate Summit East in NYCSession speakers:

  • Josh Boaz, Managing Director, Direct Agents, Inc.
  • Dan Quintero, Co-Founder, AdStack

Session description:

Using case studies learn about the different email marketing strategies and tactics needed to succeed in the post-PC world including a discussion on real time optimization and mobile adaptation.

Experience level: Intermediate
Target audience: Merchants/Advertisers
Niche/vertical: Email

Session video:

Adapting Email Marketing for the Post-PC World video

Session slides:

Adapting Email Marketing for the Post-PC World 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.

Comparing Affiliate Networks: Tips and Tricks from Affiliate Summit East 2012

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This was a conference session titled Comparing Affiliate Networks: Tips and Tricks from Affiliate Summit East 2012, which took place August 12-14, 2012 in New York City at the Hilton New York.

Affiliate Summit East in NYCSession speaker:

  • Tricia Meyer, Owner, Sunshine Rewards

Session description:

Unbiased perspective of the unique pros, cons, reports and technologies of networks such as CJ, SAS, LS and GAN. Advanced tips on searching, sub-id tracking and getting the most out of network.

Experience level: Intermediate
Target audience: Affiliates/Publishers
Niche/vertical: Networks

Session video:

Comparing Affiliate Networks: Tips and Tricks video

Session slides:

Comparing Affiliate Networks: Tips and Tricks 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.

What Do They Teach at Full Sail University?

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I see that they offer a BS in Internet Marketing at Full Sail University, but I am not sure if BS is Bachelor of Science in this instance.

Full Sail University Paid Search Example on Google AdWordsIf they preach what they practice, then the curriculum includes advice on bidding on trademarks in paid search.

For instance, there are a number of ads currently targeting the Affiliate Summit trademark from Full Sail University.

One ad has the headline “Affiliate summit” and the description, “What’s New in Affiliate Marketing? Learn it Now. Online Classes.”

Apparently, the Full Sail course on affiliate marketing covers the following…

  • The History of Affiliate Marketing
  • Compensation Methods
  • Affiliate Management
  • Strategic Analysis
  • Current Issues with Affiliate Marketing
  • Case Studies
  • Final Project Development

I wonder if the instructors at Full Sail University cover trademark bidding in their section on Current Issues with Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate Marketing with Online Video from Affiliate Summit East 2012

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This was a conference session titled Affiliate Marketing with Online Video from Affiliate Summit East 2012, which took place August 12-14, 2012 in New York City at the Hilton New York.

Affiliate Summit East in NYCSession speaker:

  • Jake Ludington, Publisher at DelightedRobot.com

Session description:

Case studies and practical examples of how to integrate video into your affiliate marketing campaigns.

Experience level: Intermediate
Target audience: Affiliates/Publishers
Niche/vertical: Video

Session video:

Affiliate Marketing with Online Video 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.

Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions from Affiliate Summit East 2012

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This was a conference session titled Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions from Affiliate Summit East 2012, which took place August 12-14, 2012 in New York City at the Hilton New York.

Affiliate Summit East in NYCSession speakers:

  • Nicholas Reese, Resident Rockstar, Microbrand Media
  • Willie Jackson, Senior Marketer and Engineer, W3 EDGE
  • David Vogelpohl, CEO, Marketing Clique

Session description:

Optimizing WordPress for speed and conversions can have an immediate impact on your bottom line. Learn how to turn WordPress into a revenue driving machine.

Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Target audience: Affiliates/Publishers, Merchants/Advertisers
Niche/vertical: WordPress

Session video:

Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions video

Session slides:

Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions 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.

Are You Afraid to Go to Conferences?

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I was at an industry event last week chatting with a guy there and I asked him if he was going to go to Affiliate Summit.

This guy is scared of conferencesHe said no, because he was scared to go, since he didn’t know anybody.

He said he barely made it to the happy hour where I met him, because it freaked him out to go into a room of strangers.

After heading out and then turning around a couple times, he finally decided to drive over, and he said he was glad he did it, but there was some doubt in his eyes.

This conversation made my heart sink a little, because I hate that such anxiety could be keeping some people from making it out to Affiliate Summit, where they could grow and improve their business.

However, I do understand. Last summer I posted some networking tips for introverts.

And we try to help people get more comfortable at Affiliate Summit with our Newcomers Program, first timer orientation session, Twitter contacts to reach the speakers, networking in advance with our app, etc.

But we know there is more we could do. We just don’t know what – we try everything and anything that comes to our minds.

Got any ideas about ways we could make the conference less imposing? Please let us know.