Networking at Affiliate Summit West AffiliateDinner

Yesterday Reena and I arrived in Las Vegas for the start of Affiliate Summit West 2008. Once arriving at the Rio, we wee anxious to get to our room. I was hoping to get an upgrade, so they put me in a 1,600 ft suite! We went up to the room and it was like a flashback to the 80s! The size of the room was awesomely huge (but unnecessary), and it scaled the whole corner of the building. Unfortunately the bed and furniture were less than comfortable. We went back downstairs to to get another room, they then set us up with the same suite, but this time on the 38th floor. Quite frustrated, we just went to the VIP check-in and told them situation. We were finally issued a smaller renovated suite in their new tower… and everything is awesome now!

Now that we were all settled in, we were anxiously awaiting the Affiliate Dinner later that night. The guest of honor was “Brian Littleton” from Shareasale… so he was in for a roasting. In addition to taking several hits for his obsession with sweater vests, many of his close friends took time to celebrate and toast Brian, including a collection of funny videos from his staff and Shawn Collins and Missy Ward. The event was put together and hosted by Brook and Forest Schaaf. If was the first networking session for Affiliate Summit, so it was great to finally meet up with a few friends.

Brook awards Brian with “Affiliate Dinner Guest of Honor” Award

While at the Affiliate Dinner I was also able to meet up with Ian Fernando, Andrew Wee, the girls from NeverBlueAds and many more.

Myself, Ian Fernando and Andrew Wee

Next on the list is registering for Affiliate Summit, the Meet Market, then the awesome Shareasale party at the palms.

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Are You Ready for Affiliate Summit? It’s Here!

After months of anticipation and excitement, Affiliate Summit is nearly here. With over 2500+ attendees this time around, this will be the biggest Affiliate Summit yet. Even before the event has begun, excitement and frustration has ensued.. for everyone in the North East that is. Waking up this morning to a few inches of snow wasn’t too thrilling. Luckily for me, my flight is Saturday morning, so everything should be cleared up. Unfortunately for many others making their way to Las Vegas, delays and cancellations are just the start of their adventure to Affiliate Summit West 2008. Flight cancellations and travel aside, I can’t wait till Affiliate Summit finally kicks off!

I’ve got nearly 6 hours to burn on my flight from NJ to Las Vegas, so I will probably spend most of that time writing up some exciting blog posts. Over the next several days, I will also be providing full blog coverage from Affiliate Summit. Some areas that I will cover are the killer parties, networking sessions and exhibits area, which speakers I really enjoyed and any tips I come across that would benefit my readers. So in addition to my posts on the event, I also want to release a few non-Affiliate Summit posts for the blog as well. That’s where you come in! I still have another 10 hours or so before I leave to catch my plane, so start leaving comments or send me an email through the contact page on what you would like me to write about this upcoming week!

Once I return from Affiliate Summit, I will also have a lot of new features and updates to be excited about. I’ll also be releasing my new affiliate network and offers review web site. Once fully running, the site will be made up of hundreds of reviews on some of the best performing offers for you to make some extra money. All reviews will follow the same concept as my “CPA Spotlight” posts, but will be listed on their own affiliate directory site.

If you are attending Affiliate Summit for the first time, get ready… you are about to take a big step to bring your online business and networking to the next level, and I look forward to seeing you there! Make sure to attend my “Super Affiliate Strategies that Work” panel at 11:30am-12:30pm on Tuesday. In addition to myself, you will also get to see Amit Mehta, John Chow and Kris Jones in the same session. The second portion of this panel will be an open Q&A with the audience. How exciting!

Don’t forget, leave a comment or send me an email with what you’d like to see me write about over the next week on the blog!

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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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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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ShareASale “Under the Stars” Party at Affiliate Summit

Every year at Affiliate Summit, one of my great long time friends, Brian (founder of Shareasale) throws an opening night party at one of the hottest locations in Las Vegas. Just a few months ago at BlogWorld, Brian had an excellent opening night gathering at the Wynn Casino & Hotel. The Wynn is extremely classy and expensive, I also know it’s one of Brian’s favorite locations. Not only was the atmosphere at his party was awesome, but I was able to meet up with some really great people that I hadn’t seen during the event. Just announced on the Shareasale blog, the party will be held in the 2-story Sky Villas on the top floors of the Palms Hotel “Fantasy Tower“. This will be the second time Brian has held one his parties t the Palms Hotel, his previous party at the Palms was in the Real World Suite! Brian definitely knows how to throw a party in style!

Two Years Ago, Sharesale had their Party in the “Real World Suite”!

This Year the Party will over look Las Vegas in the 2-Story Sky Villas.

For those of you that don’t already know about Shareasale, it’s one of the largest affiliate networks out there. Unlike NeverBlueAds or PepperJam Network, Shareasale is more like CJ.com or Linkshare… in the effect that merchants join the network and manage their own affiliate program. By my standards, Shareasale is much better than CJ or LinkShare anyway. I’ve been an affiliate of Shareasale since they started back in 2000. I also ran several affiliate programs through their network as well. I highly recommend you check them out if you haven’t already!

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