Zac’s Life | Affiliate Marketing Tips from Super Affiliate Zac Johnson

SEO Think Tank, Unlike Any Other Conference!

I just returned from SEO Think Tank in San Diego, California… and I have to tell you, this event was like no other. I had already met the majority of attendees at this event earlier in the year at Elite Retreat. Heading into SEO Think Tank, there was no agenda released, no sessions planned, no keynote speakers and many of us had no idea what to expect next. Here’s how it all went down…

Day 1
Once I arrived at the airport in San Diego, I met up with Jeremy Schoemaker who also just landed. A driver picked us both up and brought us to our hotels, then we headed out to breakfast then down the the beach where a huge tent was set up, that we would continually come back to over the next three days.

Once the majority of Think Tankers showed up, we had surfing lessons, and almost everyone participated. This was also the first time I ever went surfing, along with many others. Later in the day we also played football, had dinner and headed back to the hotel for drinks.

Day 2
After breakfast we headed over the beach again and had a speed networking session which gave everyone 2 minutes to introduce each other and say what they do. This quick networking was enough for everyone to get a quick idea of what everyone does, while getting to know everyone’s name as well.

The most exciting part of the event was “Fight Club!“. We headed over to a YMCA, where we met with Randy Couture’s MMA trainer, Shawn Tompkins and another MMA fighter. In addition to watching these two guys battle it out for a bit on the mats, we also had a chance to get in on the action and go through some MMA training. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with one of the best MMA trainers in the world. Afterwards everyone’s bodies were killing them for the next several days from the training.

After MMA training, we headed back to the beach where we had a big Mongolian dinner, where the restaurant basically took their whole kitchen down to the beach and made our fresh dinners right in front of us.

Later that night we had poker games spanning through the night and lasting nearly 6 hours before everyone turned in.

DAY 3
The last day of SEO Think Tank started again with a breakfast at a nice restaurant, filling up the whole building. Afterwards we headed back to the hotel and beach for a bit.

The majority of networking and brainstorming took place on the last day and it lasted four hours long. Once again, the group took over a real fancy restaurant & bar and we all discussed ideas and problems we have.

D.K., the founder of SEO Think Tank, wanted to throw something special together for everyone at the event, so after the brain storming session we headed over to another bar where D.K. had setup a modeling contest with various models featuring different shirts of multiple advertisers. The winner would then receive $1,000 and a ticket to D.K.’s PubCon poker tournament in Las Vegas.

The dinner for the last night was an actual BBQ with chicken and ribs, and there was a massive amount of food left over. Whoever was still around that night, stayed late into the night until the tent was taken down and we were headed off the beach.

SEO THINK TANK BREAKDOWN
- This may sound like a summer fun camp for ~~kids~~ (millionaires)… but it was actually so much more. When you get to the point where you can afford to pay $5,000 to attend an event like this, you are probably at the point where you won’t learn much at the traditional networking and conference events.

- No one is afraid to share their secrets or ask for advice. Everyone that attends that event has to sign a non-disclosure agreement and is very open with everyone else. There were also just under 60 attendees at the event.

- All attendees were taken care of. D.K. does his best when putting a show together and did his best to keep everyone happy. There was never a dull moment. The only problem I had at the event was that I ended up in a different hotel, which didn’t have internet access, so I wasn’t able to post any new updates to the blog. However, there was always so much going on… I didn’t mind not trying to make time to get online.

If you feel you are in the upper class of affiliate or internet marketers and looking for something new, than SEO Think Tank would be a great choice for you to attend. It’s unlike any other networking or conference around… and everyone is at the same level. Also, DK and Purpose, Inc will be throwing an awesome Poker Tournament at PubCon in Las Vegas during November if you can make it.

30 September, 2008 Posted by: Zac Johnson Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing, Blogging, Zac's Life

The Super Affiliate’s Guide to Blogging Profits

While at BlogWorld it was amazing to see how many people are not making money with their blog, or at least not fully monetizing their blog for a potential revenue stream. Though some of this information may seem basic to seasoned affiliates and bloggers, the purpose is to help and increase revenue growth and awareness for bloggers of all sizes. Here are a few ways that you can start making money with your personal or business blog.

1.) Google Adsense
What has been referred to as many as “webmaster welfare”, is sometimes the best solution for beginners. For those just starting out with a blog, or unsure how to start making money, Google Adsense is a good way to start. As a blogger, all you need to do is place a simple line of code on your blog and Google Adsense will place relevant contextual ads on your web site based on your written content. However, since Google is doing all of the work, you will be receiving a small cut for the actual amount of advertising you are given.

2.) Direct Advertising
One of the best ways (if not the best) to monetize your blog is to create your own on site advertising and to sell these spots yourself. Not only are you in control of what advertisements are on the site, but you are receiving full payment for each spot. The majority of blogs are implementing 125×125 ad spots on their pages for direct advertising.
- An excellent management system for selling ads on your blog is OIO Publisher. Many top bloggers are using this program to generate revenue monthly.

3.) Paid Reviews
Once you have an established blog or brand, you may want to start offering services for exposure on your blog, such as a sponsored or paid review/post. The best way to offer paid reviews on your blog is to setup an advertising page for sponsored reviews, or you can also join “sponsored review” networks like ReviewMe and PayPerPost, which will feature your blog in their directory and send you new customers, in exchange for a commission percentage.

4.) Contextual Advertising
Placing advertising on your site from Google Adsense is a form of contextual advertising, but it is also still also banner advertising and not displayed directly within your written content. There are many advertising networks out there like Kontera, which will find targeted keywords in your blog content and link them to specific advertisers. You are then paid per click to these advertisements.

5.) Self Managed Content Links
Just like using any advertising network, the less work you have to do, usually the smaller margin you will receive. Instead of using a company like Kontera, you can purchase a word press plugin (such as WP Affiliate Pro, which I also use) and manage your own content advertising. The best way to do this would be through affiliate networks and selecting offers that best match your content and linking up related keywords in your blog content.

6.) Referrals
Depending on your blog niche market, you can earn commissions on referring your readers to other networks or web site. A great example of this is for affiliate marketing. If you refer an affiliate to a network, you can receive a percentage from all commissions they generate for the life of their account. Another example would be to provide your visitors to a service they are billed monthly for, some programs will then pay you a commission every month as long as they remain a subscriber.

7.) Widget Based Programs
If you currently run a blog that is focused on product reviews or about any type of item sold in stores or online, you may find that “widget based” programs perform best with your blog. Programs like Chitika, WidgetBucks, Shopzilla and TZZ Media will all display relevant advertising on your blog, matching up with your content. Most of these programs pay on a per click basis. As most of these programs are widget based, you will have actual text and picture ads displayed on your blog, rather than just text within your content.

8.) Contests & Promotions
Though you may not get paid for running contests or promotions on your blog, if you run them correctly, you can be compensated with a prize or additional advertising. Additionally, running contests will also increase your readership, as everyone likes free stuff! (Example: If you are running a niche blog on digital cameras and Nikon or Canon were to offer you a free camera to review and one to give away to your readers, this would be a great form of compensation, while offering great information to your readers.)

9.) Consulting
One of the best ways for you to get exposure for yourself or your brand name, is through having a well known blog. As your readership and branding grows, you may be able to offer “consulting” services if you become a prominent and very knowledgeable in your niche area. There are many very big name bloggers out there who make all of their money off public speaking or consulting, and have NO advertisements on their blogs.

10.) Self Branding
As cliché as it may sound, the “self branding” and exposure you can receive from your blog may end up being the most power asset you can receive. Not only are you building up your brand name, and people are rushing to your blog with every new post you write, but you are also becoming an expert in your niche area and advertisers will flock to you. As you gain a bigger presence online, you will also start networking more and more, which will only continue to grow your blog and your bottom line.

The most important thing to remember when trying to make money through blogging, is that it is NOT fast and it is NOT easy. It’s actually one of the slowest ways to make money online, and as a blogger you will need to establish yourself and continue to write quality content. It’s the long term value and connections you will establish over time that can make your blogging experience priceless.

Please contribute to the list with any other advertising options I may have missed or what you have found to be most profitable.

24 September, 2008 Posted by: Zac Johnson Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing, Affiliate Summit, Blogging, Contests, Gambling, Make Money, Marketing, Pay Per Click, Promotions, Stocks, Web Developement, Zac's Life

Blog World Dinners & Networking Parties

No matter what conference you go to… sessions will only teach you so much (if anything)… the real value is in the people you meet and where those new relationships will bring you and your company. During Blog World Expo there were some really great parties and dinners that I was invited to. Here’s a run down of the past few days and the fun we all had!
Affiliate Summit Dinner
- Shawn Collins and Missy Ward put together an excellent gathering of “who’s who” that were at Blog World. The dinner was held at Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois in the MGM Grand Casino. Not only was the food excellent, but it was great to be able to talk with everyone without any distractions or loud music blasting. John Chow, Dave Taylor, Jim Kukral, Ian Fernando and Tim Jones were also all at the dinner.

Our table with Shawn Collins, John Chow and others at Chinois.

Market Leverage Super Panel Dinner
- Three winners were selected from the audience at our Super Panel and were invited to a special dinner with everyone that night. Market Leverage sponsored the amazing dinner at the Envy Steakhouse and the Renaissance Hotel. In addition to everyone on the super blog panel, we also had our contest winers, Unique Blog Designs crew, many from Market Leverage and a few other close friends.

Super Blog Panel Speakers and Dinner Contest Winners

Last Day BlogWorld Expo Dinner Blast
- The last dinner and networking we had in Vegas ended up being a blast and was one of the best times I’ve had at a networking conference. First we headed over to the Wynn and had dinner at Red 8, an awesome Asian restruant… where John Chow managed to convince me try Jellyfish! Additionally, ShoeMoney, Nate and the Unique Blog Designs crew and Debby, Dina and Mike from Market Leverage were all in for a killer time that night. We ended up bouncing from casino to casino into the wee hours of the morning… even though Shoe had to catch a flight a few hours later… it was awesome!

Rick Calvert after his Last Session at Blog World Expo 2008!

If you didn’t get a chance to meet up with me at Blog World, I definitely look forward to meeting with you at the next one. I want to thank Rick for pulling off another amazing Blog World and to everyone else that took the time to talk with me, buy drinks and just hang out… it was awesome!

22 September, 2008 Posted by: Zac Johnson Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing, Blogging, BlogWorld Expo, Make Money, Marketing, Zac's Life

Super Blogger Panel at Blog World

Today was the first real day of sessions at Blog World and after the keynote, the sessions kicked off with our “Making Money with Blogging” panel, which was referred to as the “Super Panel” of Blog World. The session went very well, and it would probably be tough to pull together this great group again as Darren is from Australia and just having all of our schedules sync up for an opportunity like this is rare.

To start off that panel, Jim Kukral gave a quick intro for each of us, then we gave a quick rundown on our blogs and how we make money with them. Afterwards Jim had a few questions for us each to answer.

One of the best parts of the shows (mainly for the audience), was when we were all critique other people’s blogs. Jim had two posted on the screen, then he asked if anyone wanted their blog shown and examined… then a ton of people ran up to the mic.

This was a great panel not only because of the over knowledge and experience we all had, but also because we each made money online in our own ways… whether it be blogging with our actual “name” as the domain, or running a niche site like Darren’s photography blog, or even Brian Clark’s CopyBlogger site that doesn’t talk about making money at all… yet it does!

In the end, there were still so many questions and we could have talked and answered questions all day… but the session was only an hour long. This was a killer panel and extremely fun to be on. Once I get my hands on a copy of the session, I will post the video.

20 September, 2008 Posted by: Zac Johnson Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing, Blogging, BlogWorld Expo, Make Money, Marketing, Zac's Life

Super Affiliate Soda – It Makes You Money!

Even though tomorrow is the really big day for Blog World and when the masses will start to arrive, there has already been plenty of excitement and cool things going on. Jones Soda has done a huge sponsorship with Blog World and have sent over 7,000 bottles exclusively for speakers and attendees of the event. Since Blog World is like no other event, Jones Soda made sure their sodas were also like no other!

There are many different flavors to choose from, and depending on your favorite affiliate marketer or blogger, you can choose from specially labeled drinks such as Jim Kukral, John Chow, Shawn Collins, Gary Vaynerchuk and of course myself, Zac Johnson!

I’ll be bringing a few bags of these home for my collection, not to mention they also taste great too! Since Jones Soda was cool enough to provide the drinks and setup the special labels, be sure to check out their site and you can even try to make some money with their affiliate program.