American Express Business Card 5% Savings Program with Yahoo! Search

American Express and Yahoo! have teamed up for a great new promotion available to American Express Business Cardholders. American Express is now offering discounts of 5% on all Yahoo! Search Marketing & Yahoo! Small Business Solutions. I’ve personally had an American Express Business Gold Card for years now and absolutely love their service and rewards program. I’ve been running ppc campaigns with Yahoo for quite some time now, so this is just a nice bonus for myself and everyone using the program, and that have their own Amex card.

Imagine spending $1,000 a day on Yahoo Search, then getting 5% back? That would be amazing, as it would heavily increase your profit margins. Unfortunately there is a cap on the program from American Express, which is a “Maximum annual combined savings across YSM and YSB of $500.”. Even though the program is capped, $500 a year in savings is still great, and will make it that much easier to find a profit margin on Yahoo search campaigns. In terms of ppc listings, you could also look at it as, increasing your ppc rate .01 for ever .20 you bid. Higher bids = more traffic.

If you don’t already have an American Express card, I highly recommend you apply for one. The rewards and perks offered by the company are pretty sweet. Other discounts available to business partners through the program are:

Travel and Dining
- Delta(R): 3% off flights (plus 2% with co-branded Business Cards)
- JetBlue(R): 3% off flights (plus 2% with co-branded Business Cards)
- eSkyGuide: 20% off digital flight timetables
- Hyatt Hotels & Resorts(R): 3% off hotel stays
- Hertz(R): 5% off car rentals
- Courtyard by Marriott(R): 5% off hotel stays
- Fairfield Inn by Marriott(R): 5% off hotel stays
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott(R): 5% off hotel stays
- Wingate(R) by Wyndham: 5% off hotel stays
- Ruby Tuesday(R): 5% off dining

Supplies and Services
- Yahoo! Search Marketing: 5% off internet marketing
- Yahoo! Small Business: 5% off internet business tools
- FedEx: 5% off express and ground shipping
- FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Centers(R): 5% off business services
- 1-800-FLOWERS.COM(R): 5% off flowers and gifts
- American Express Incentive Services: 5% off prepaid cards
- Symantec: 10% off security software

Business Building Tools
- BizFilings: 20% off incorporation services
- Ceridian: 20% off payroll services
- Constant Contact(R): 5% off e-mail marketing services
- ExpensAble: 25% off expense management software
- Logoworks by HP: 15% off logo and graphic design

If you aren’t already advertising on Yahoo, in addition to your 5% discount from American Express, you can receive a $25 credit towards your PPC ad campaigns.

I will soon write a follow up post on incentives and rewards I’ve earned from American Express over the years. If you are going to be spending thousands upon thousands of dollars a year in advertising for your business, you should use a credit card that’s going to reward you! Do you have an American Express card, or another credit card which helps reward your business?

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Elite Retreat, Take Your Biz From Good to Great!

I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the winners in John Chow’s most recent blog contest, for a full pass to Elite Retreat during April. For those who aren’t aware of the event, it’s a massive one-on-one networking powerhouse with some of the best marketers and minds in the industry. The keynote speaker is the ever famous Guy Kawasaki, and other names headlining the event are Jeremy Schoemaker, Aaron Wall, Neil Patel, Andy Liu, and Brian Clark. For a full bio on each, you can review their profile pages.

When I first saw that John Chow was having a contest for a seat at the event, I was quite surprised. Sure, the prize was sponsored and provided by RocketProfit, but a ticket for EliteRetreat runs a costly $4995, as it should. This is the opportunity of a life time, to bang heads with some of the best marketers in the industry! Another surprise about the contest was that RocketProfit offered another ticket for John to give away as a bonus, for John’s blog earning over $30k during January.

So back to when I first read John’s initial post about the contest, I quickly replied a comment to the post and let everyone know that I would be taking advantage of this opportunity. How could you not spend an hour or two and really focus on writing a great article or walk-through on how to make money with RocketProfit, to solidify an entry into the contest??? I made sure to write a very detailed post, which I called “The Super Affiliate’s Guide to Mass Promotion of a Campaign“. This was an excellent contest for me, because not only did I have the opportunity to write something really great for my readers, but I had the chance to win a ticket to one of the premier events of the year.

An awesome collection of marketing minds offered at Elite Retreat!

I was finally contacted by John last night about my entry being selected and that his “winners” post was now live. With two tickets being given away, and a combined prize package over nearly $10,000… how many entries would you think the contest would bring in. With over 15,000 RSS subscribers, I would hope the competition for this promotion was tough… but to my surprise, someone asked the same question in a post on his blog. Amazingly enough, John replied back and said there were less than a dozen entries! Yes… two $4,995 prizes, and less than a dozen entries… simply amazing! Even Shoemoney let his blog readers know about the contest!

With that being said, it only solidifies what I say on this blog quite often… and that is, you can give golden tips, tell people exactly what to do, and how to make money… but how many will actually follow up and take advantage of the situation. This is one of the major reasons why it’s so hard for so many people to make money online, and also why I can share so much advice and secrets on this blog, only so many will actually take action on what I say.

So thank you John Chow & RocketProfit, for providing the chance of a lifetime for myself and Gyutae Park, the other prize winner. You can be rest assured that once I return from EliteRetreat, I will fill you in with all my new found knowledge and new ideas for you to keep making money online!

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Advice from an Affiliate Summit Veteran

I’ve been attending Affiliate Summit before it even was… ( other veterans will understand ). My first speaking gig was back in 2002. The event was called AffiliateForce and it was an affiliate marketing conference held on a cruise ship, which went around the Caribbean. At the time, I was only 19, so it was actually my first opportunity to play in the cruise ship casino. I have been attending every Affiliate Summit since, and here are a few veteran tips for you, if you are attending Affiliate Summit later this month in Las Vegas.

Bring Lots of Business Cards
This seems like an obvious one, but the only thing worse than meeting up with someone and hearing that they forgot or ran out of their business cards, is the idea of you having to tell almost every person you meet, the same thing. Throw a bunch of business cards in your luggage, your computer bag, wallet and pockets! Just make sure you have business cards with you.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Possibly one of my weaker areas of marketing and networking, is that I’m not that outgoing on meeting new people. I advise if you are not an outgoing or shy person, to make every attempt you can to meet up with as many new people as possible at Affiliate Summit. You’d be surprised sometimes who is sitting next to you in a session, or right next to you at a networking party. One new connection can change your whole business forever!

Stay Close to the Event Location
Vegas has a lot of different casinos and hotels to offer. I would highly recommend staying in the same hotel as the event (Rio), or a hotel very close (Palms). While in Vegas, everything looks very close… but sometimes trying to get a casino across the street can talk about 15-20 mins. Additionally, staying in the same hotel as the event, will offer a lot more networking opportunities, as you will run into more conference attendees during your stay.

Have Fun & Make New Friends
Affiliate Summit is in Vegas, and there are going to be plenty of parties. Lots of these parties will go very late into the night and you will meet up with a lot of new people. First impressions mean everything, and so does a personal relationship. Treat everyone you meet with how you would like to be treated. I know it sounds silly, but it has happened a few times where I would go up and talk to someone and they would talk or act as if they were so much better than me or anyone else they talked to… don’t let this happen to you. Have fun while in Vegas, you’ll be running into the same people when you come back next year!

Attend the “Super Affiliate Strategies” Session
Deciding what sessions you’ll attend sometimes can be frustrating, especially when there are competing events you want to attend. Plan ahead and make sure you get to the session early if you want some good seats. I highly recommend you plan to attend the “Super Affiliate Strategies that Work” session on Day 3 at 11:30am. Myself, John Chow, Kris Jones and Amit Mehta will be doing a super affiliate panel with open Q&A. I believe this will be the premier session of the conference!

These are just a few of my veteran tips for Affiliate Summit. I look forward to meeting with many of you at the event. Feel free to post any advice or tips you have the for event as well!

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Advertise on ZJ & Help Animals in Need

I’ve always loved animals, and would do anything to help those in need. This month I’d like to give back to those animals in need. All revenue generated from the “Top Spots” section on this blog this month, will go towards the Animal Humane Society.

My Best Friends: Timber, Wolf, Sandy (You’ll Be Missed!) & Rocky

If you would like to advertise on this blog, or make a donation towards the Animal Humane Society (and get some free advertising for it), simply click the “Get in My Top Spots!” link to the right and fill out the form. Your text link will appear on the blog for 7 days, and all proceeds will go towards the Animal Humane Society, and you will also receive a free tshirt if requested. At the beginning of next month, I’ll make a post with the total earnings and show a check made out for the donation amount, I will also provide a backlink to all participating blogs and web sites. I will also personally match your donation amount for the month! ScratchBack will also not take any profits from any advertising donations made either, which means a full $25 will go towards The Humane Society!

DONATION UPDATE:
Due to an excellent turn out rate for donations, the “Top Spots” has been increased to 10 spots for this month only, as all earnings are going towards charity. In addition to getting a free shirt, any new donations/advertisers will also receive some free magnets, “I Make Money Online!” stickers and pens, to make up for the additional ad links. Your donations are greatly appreciated.

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How to Stay in Vegas Free During Affiliate Summit

For the past couple of years now Affiliate Summit West has been held in Las Vegas. The first time around it was at the Riveria, then Bally’s and this year it will be at the Rio. Each time around, Shawn (founder of Affiliate Summit) has the hotel offer him discount rates on rooms, because of the attendance volume for an event. I have yet to pay for my stay in Vegas over the past three years during Affiliate Summit, and today I will show you how to do the same!

If you are attending Affiliate Summit this year in Vegas, it’s likely you will gamble a few times during your stay. The first thing you should do when arriving or entering a casino, is make sure you get yourself a players card. Not only will get a few comps, but you will establish a record and partnership with the casino. Now that the casino can track your game play, they will reward you for your time. If you are going to be gambling in Vegas, here are a few tips to consider while there for Affiliate Summit.

1.) GET A PLAYERS CARD
Whether you are a small player, or like to spend a few thousand on a roll of the dice… the casino wants your action. As a registered player at the casino you will be given a players card, which you place into any slot machines you play at, or hand to the dealer at any table games. While you are playing, you are earning points/rewards/comps, which are based on your average bet over the amount of time you are playing. Even if you only play a little, I highly recommend you get a players card. Lastly, most casinos in Las Vegas will actually have some sort of incentive to have new players signup for a players card, whether it be a free handbag or a $25 credit towards your game play.

2.) MAILING LIST
Once you have your players card, you will be added to the casino mailing list. Throughout the year you will receive a decent amount of promotions from the casinos… they want you back! From free rooms to free entertainment systems, depending on your level of game play, they will offer you anything. Depending on where you live, making a quick run to Las Vegas for a free 4 day/3 nights vacation might not be a bad deal. I’ve had offers sent from Vegas casinos to pick up $1200 Visa Gift cards, just for staying at their casino. Unfortunately, I’m on the other side of the country.

At least the SPAM I get from Casinos is Usefull!

3.) CASINO HOST
Depending on your level of game play, I would ask for a casino host. Once you arrive for check-in, you can ask the desk person where the VIP or Rewards Center is, from there you can ask for a casino host. The great thing about having a casino host, is that they can heavily help you with comps or any problems you have during your stay. If you are playing at table games for a while (where you earn comps/rewards slower than slots), and would like to get a comp’d dinner, simply contact your casino host so they can look at your game play. As long as you are a decent player with a nice average bet and playing for a while, the casino host shouldn’t have any problems writing you a complimentary dinner pass.

4.) LINE OF CREDIT
If you are a big gambler, you may want to setup a line of credit with the casino. Instead of walking around with a lot of cash, you can have the casino hold funds for you, then when you want to play at the tables, you simply tell the floor person how much you would like. They will then issue you a receipt to sign and your requested chip value. If you end up winning, you can bring the receipt to the cashier window and close out your line of credit… if you lose, you usually have 7-15 days to pay back the casino… usually by check. One would think, that setting up a line of credit in a casino would help with comps, or get you some free rooms… but it doesn’t, it merely lets you have access to more playing money.

5.) BILL EVERYTHING TO YOUR ROOM
Once you are setup with the casino and in your room, I highly recommend you bill everything possible to your room (instead of paying cash). Not only will you benefit from doing this, but it will make tracking all of your expenses a lot easier. If you are a decent sized player, this will play highly to your benefit at the end of your stay during check out.

6.) CHECK OUT
The checkout is the most important time in your stay at a casino. Before going down to the front desk and paying off your stay (assuming your rooms weren’t complimentary), you should go to the VIP Players or Rewards Center and try and talk with your host or any that are available. Hand them your players card and tell them you would like to see if there is anything they can do for you based on your game play and removing some of your costs. At the very least, they should be able to knock off a few dinners you had. If you won or lost big, they may wipe out your whole bill and let you go. This is why you should bill everything to your room!

I personally have a players card at nearly every casino in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Since I frequently visit Atlantic City, my rewards and game play that I earn in AC can be used or credited towards related properties in Las Vegas. It was extremely easy for me to call up the Rio and get my whole week’s stay complimentary. Since I play at Ceasars in Atlantic City (Harrah’s owns Ceasars & Rio)… they know I have a decent game play record, and would gladly invite me to their casino.

Offers Available through Harrah’s Online Reward Center

I highly recommend you grab a few players cards this time around in Las Vegas. By doing so, your visit to Affiliate Summit in Las Vegas next year, should be a lot cheaper. Assuming you don’t lose on the casino floor!

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