Associate Programs Newsletter #172
CONTENTS:
1. How AskMe.com helps build a reputation
2. Nine good tips from Publicity Hound
3. Associate Programs Message Board upgraded
4. Be Free's Acclaim Program sadly lacking
5. Exodus from CJ, and other news
6. Thought for today: Misuse of technology
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1. How AskMe.com helps build a reputation
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Do you want to raise your profile on the Net - free? Have a look at how part-time Internet marketer Mike Merz does it.
Mike gets useful free publicity by being an Internet marketing expert at AskMe.com.
People post questions and Mike answers them.
He signed up as an expert at AskMe.com in November last year.
"I'd been looking for a way to build credibility and gain exposure," Mike says.
"AskMe.com was the #500 ranked site on the Net, giving me the chance to prove myself in front of a lot more people than I could from my own site or via my newsletter.
"I have always enjoyed helping those new to the field, so this was an opportunity to do it on a grand scale, and build a positive web presence at the same time."
AskMe certainly does operate on a grand scale - it has 10 million users.
When I checked this week, Mike had answered 154 questions. He says that sometimes his response takes only minutes, sometimes hours.
Anyone can be an "expert" on AskMe.
However, don't even think of doing so unless you can answer questions in a useful, helpful way.
The public ranking system ruthlessly chops down people who give self-serving answers.
Mike, who has a full-time job in marketing offline and says he hopes that job will one day soon be just a memory, has won the respect of the people he helps at AskMe.
"I'm a top 5 ranked Internet Marketing Expert at AskMe.com (out of 425 experts...), and enjoy a 5 star rating," Mike says on his affiliate-driven site, Internet Marketing For Newbies - http://im4newbies.com .
He can't give exact figures but he knows he has received a number of sales because of his publicity on AskMe.
"I have had people tell me that they've signed up for my newsletter and purchased products via my links as a direct result of our interaction. The sales have definitely become more frequent as the number of successful responses has grown.
"Believe it or not, one of the greatest rewards I've received since joining AskMe.com is how it has improved my ability to help people, with confidence, and win their respect."
He says that researching new topics has helped to greatly improve his over-all knowledge."
AskMe.com experts are allowed to post a profile on which they can, for example, list their web sites and newsletters.
It's a good opportunity to place yourself in front of a large audience.
You can see Mike's profile at AskMe.com here:
http://www.askme.com/ViewProfile.asp?XID=1501924 [UPDATE: This link is no long valid.]
Here are some of the questions he's answered:
http://www1.askme.com/ViewProfile.asp?xid=1501924&cid=1568 [UPDATE: This link is no longer valid.]
If you've been helped by Mike you don't have to try to remember his URL - http://im4newbies.com . Just remembering his name, Mike Merz, is enough. He recently bought that domain name: http://www.MikeMerz.com .
[UPDATE: The AskMe service has been discontinued. A similar service is provided by http://www.askmehelpdesk.com ]
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2. Nine good tips from Publicity Hound
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Last week, in "How Mr Anonymous Could Strengthen His Business" - http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/articles/201/1/Invisible-affiliates - I listed a few ways invisible affiliates could come out of their shell and start building a reputation online.
Here are nine more tips, from Publicity Hound Joan Stewart, on how to get added exposure or publicity:
Don't waste time on your voicemail message telling callers "Your call is very important to me" or "I can't take your call because I'm away from my desk or with a customer." Instead, mention your new products or services, and give your web site URL.
Submit a tip sheet to print and online publications. This is nothing more than a headline, a list of 5-10 helpful tips on how to solve a problem, and a paragraph at the end with your name, phone, e-mail address and web site URL. Editors love these because they're short.
Submit quizzes (and correct answers) to newspapers, magazines and print and online newsletters.
Try to get yourself booked as a guest on radio talk shows, even Internet talk shows, that reach your target audience.
Have a good professional business photo taken and make prints available in hard copy, as well as at your web site. I ask for these every time someone writes for my newsletter, and I'm amazed at how many people don't have them on hand.
Teach classes in your community through adult ed programs or at local colleges and universities.
At your web site, under a button called "media room," offer several different story ideas for reporters. Comment on emerging trends in your industry. Ask the media to call on you for background, commentary and advice in your areas of expertise.
Call your local trade association and ask them to refer reporters to you. Many reporters start researching their stories by calling trade associations.
Try to get into other people's books. Go to the library and ask to see the resource book called "Forthcoming Books in Print." It will tell you who is writing what book, and the topic. Or go to http://www.booksinprint.com and get a trial subscription. What books, audiocassettes, and videos are scheduled for publication or release in the next six months? Bowker's Forthcoming Book Room targets your searches to forthcoming titles of forthcoming books, audiocassettes and videos.
Tips courtesy of Joan Stewart, a.k.a. The Publicity Hound. Sign up for "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine, at http://www.PublicityHound.com and receive free by autoresponder the handy checklist "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."
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3. Associate Programs Message Board upgraded
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I've upgraded the Associate Programs Message Board, to Discus Pro software.
You still do NOT need a password to post messages.
It's now possible to ban certain IP addresses and message board editor Wally Morgan has begun doing that. He won't tolerate spam or obscenities.
You can visit the Associate Programs Message Board here:
http://AssociatePrograms.com/discus/index.php
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4. Be Free's Acclaim Program sadly lacking
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Affiliate network Be Free plans to show affiliates which are its best affiliate programs.
Be Free's Acclaim Program, to be launched in September, will reward Be Free merchants with an "Acclamation Point" if they "reach and maintain a specific set of affiliate-friendly criteria".
The criteria involved include monthly payments, speedy payments, advance notice of changes, accurate reporting, e-mail support within five business days, being in "good standing" with Be Free, and a few optional criteria.
It's good to see Be Free is taking steps to inform affiliates better and provide an incentive for merchants to improve.
Unfortunately, the criteria don't mention conversion rates - the one thing every serious affiliate wants to know. That's a shame.
Be Free news release:
befree.com/company/pressroom/releases/2001/081501.htm
What do you think?
Have your say on the Associate Programs Message Board:
http://AssociatePrograms.com/discus/index.php
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5. Exodus from CJ, and other news
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Close to 760 merchants have left the Commission Junction Network since recent changes were announced.
referit.com/main.cfm?screen=articles&id=160
NeuLevel Suing Amazon.com Over Domains
washtech.com/news/regulation/11887-1.html
Pillowtex has filed a voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, LinkShare says.
eBay Opens New Chapter In Amazon Rivalry
news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-6827842.html
AOL, eBay Broaden Marketing Partnership
dc.internet.com/news/article/0,1934,2101_865241,00.html
Understanding The Value Of Search Engine Marketing
australia.internet.com/r/article/jsp/sid/10844
Flooz Goes into Snooze; Future Uncertain
atnewyork.com/news/article/0,1471,8471_863851,00.html
Buy.com founder Scott A. Blum will buy all outstanding shares in the e-tailer, ending its turbulent 18-month run as a public company.
ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/12744.html
The KaZaa TopText plug-in from Ezula "is already up and running stealing your site's visitors". DON'T download KaZaa to evaluate it because it's very difficult to remove it from your computer. The discussion continues here...
gethighforums.com/Forum10/HTML/001386.html
...and in I-Sales Digest, Issue 1388
list.adventive.com/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A1=ind0108&L=i-sales
FTC Widens Review Of Monster.com-HotJobs Merger
newsbytes.com/news/01/168986.html
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6. Thought for today: Misuse of technology
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"Unfortunately when you install KaZaa you also get a virus installed on your computer. I call it a virus because by most descriptions I've seen of the term, TopText qualifies as a virus. You don't ask for it. It takes control of your browser and makes changes to everything you read on the Internet... So, if this misuse of technology is to be beaten, you are going to have to do it." - Jim Wilson
All the best
Allan Gardyne
