Another year is in the books for affiliate marketing. Time again to make some resolutions for work and non-work.
I’ve got the regular go to resolutions: exercise more, eat better, spend less time behind this keyboard and more time in front of the wife and kids, etc.
But how about the plans for work. I had a handful of professional resolutions last year, and if I recall correctly, I lived up to them. I wanted to start up a wiki (see Affilipedia, blog consistently (once or more a day, every day), staff up on my consulting business, and double the size of Affiliate Summit from 2004 to 2005 (it went from 230 to 550).
What to plan for 2006?
- For starters, I wanted to again grow Affiliate Summit significantly, though most of the work was performed in 2005. Anyhow, the January 2006 show is double what it was last June, and I think that may well make it the biggest affiliate marketing event, yet.
- Also on the resolution docket is the plan to start running Affiliate Summit twice a year – one in the west and the other in the east.
- I’d also like to start pressing the limits of technology more. Blogging via text is a great way to get a message out, but I plan to try my hand at video blogging and podcasting.
- There have been attempts at a trade group for affiliate marketing, along the lines of IAFMA. But nothing has stuck – bad timing, wrong people or whatever – it just hasn’t worked. I’d like to see that change this year, and I plan to help whomever is willing to steer this project.
- As we all know, reading is fundamental, but I rarely carve out time to consume the latest business books. This year will be different – I’m going to devour an average of one book a month. I’ve already got three lined up: The Big Moo, Getting Things Done, and How to Win Friends & Influence People.
- And finally, I want to have more human interaction with affiliates, affiliate managers, etc. 2006 will be the year of the BBQ at my place, plus I will attend more shows, workshops, etc.
Here are some resolutions from a few other affiliate marketers:
“First, build the best affiliate program on the web (That part is the same every year), second spend more time mentoring up and coming managers in the industry, and third, educate the online community more about the complexities of the channel.”
– Beth Kirsch, Group Manager at Lowermybills.com
“In 2006 I want to make every CafePress.com shopkeeper see the value of being both a merchant and an affiliate, and to see a CafePress product link in every blog on the internet. We have products to fit every topic imaginable and great, creative artists making more unique products every day. I love empowering people to make money and my goal is to make many, many people able to quit their day jobs in 2006.”
– Deborah Carney, Affiliate Program Manager at CafePress.com
“Mine is simple, in the new year I would like to connect with more of our affiliates in our program. To build relationships and provide them with the best service possible.”
Mary Melian, Affiliate Manager at Lillian Vernon and Time Life
Happy New Year – here’s to a great 2006 in affiliate marketing.