bobangus.com

When I started at Commission Junction, I wanted to learn how affiliates really made money. I did not want high-level affiliate marketing strategies or reminders of how much a Super Affiliate makes or 10 step formulas to making money online. I wanted to know the everyday tools and technical details on how to build keyword lists, place effective search engine ads, and convert the sale.

What did I read on my first day at CJ? Read the rest of this entry…

Popularity: 73% [?]

Yesterday, I discussed how to use the huge open directory project, DMOZ.org, to find deals on domain names. The example I used was Atomic Warrior, a website that still gets decent traffic even though it had not been updated since July 2005. I may be able to purchase the domain from the owner for a bargain price (unless he reads this post). If I were to make a deal, then the question is… should I use domain parking to monetize the domain? Read the rest of this entry…

Popularity: 65% [?]

There are many sources where you can find domain names to add to your web real estate empire. Domain forums, drop auction providers, and aftermarket selling services offer you a never-ending supply of domains to purchase. Then the key is to find the bargains. I came across a tip from DomainerPro and DomainersGazette for another great source for a good deal on a domain… DMOZ.org. Read the rest of this entry…

Popularity: 53% [?]

Woo hoo! We made it to the weekend. Have a great time this weekend and, if weather permitting, I highly recommend getting away from your computer. Personally, I am attempting to break out of my current running plateau by making a big push and seeing where it takes me.

If you are not lucky enough to break free from the keyboard, then here are a few gems worth reading.

The Philosophy of Social Markers

Hugh MacLeod is a edgy cartoonist and marketing philosopher. His blog, Gapingvoid, is a fresh read for anyone tired of the same how to make money online blogs. You must subscribe.

This week Hugh posted a thought-provoking discussion on how we humans interact through “social objects” and how good marketers can use “social markers” to initiate and engage our audience on a personal level. Here is the definition of social objects in an excerpt from the social marker – the “social object” on steroids.

The Social Object, in a nutshell, is the reason two people are talking to each other, as opposed to talking to somebody else. Human beings are social animals. We like to socialize. But if think about it, there needs to be a reason for it to happen in the first place. That reason, that “node” in the social network, is what we call the Social Object.

The Crunchies

Tonight Michael Arrington of TechCrunch announced the winners of the Crunchies 2007. More coverage elsewhere across the blogosphere.

My personal favorite is Zazzle, who won for Best Business Model. While I can probably debate the business model point, there is no doubt that Zazzle has successfully harnessed the complex American psyche of fierce expression of our desired individuality through rampant consumption.

Image of the Week

In a country known for great food, my wife and I came across a Chinese restaurant in Siena while on our honeymoon in Italy. Needless to say, we did not eat there.

My wife has edited the original picture using Photoshop’s film grain filter (all settings dialed down to 0) to give this picture a painted feel. This version of the image has been blown up and now hangs in our bedroom.

Check out other pictures and images on my Flickr photos.

Popularity: 47% [?]

I am in the process of a making the switch to a completely new Wordpress theme. It feels like changing the tires on a car while the car is moving. Any blogger who has made a complete theme change or who is constantly tweaking their theme knows the feeling. You only get a final visual of the update when you publish it live. Yikes! Your readers are exposed to even the smallest hiccup as the result of your tinkering.

I have created an entirely new, temporary blog to address this issue during my theme overhaul project. I installed the new theme and I am now in the process of tweaking and testing. Even after I launch, I am sure that I will make minor modifications at least twice a week.

There Is an Easier Way to Change your Theme

Two recently released Wordpress plugins allow you to safely test drive a new theme as the administrator role. Meanwhile, your visitors are still viewing your blog under the old theme. Either of these plugins should be a part of every blogger’s set of plugins.

1. Theme Test Drive by Vladimir Prelovac (Special thanks to BlogPerfume where I read about Theme Test Drive.)
2. User Level Themes by Double Black Design

Both plugins work with Wordpress 2.3.2. Both are version 1.0. So I expect some updates will be coming, though I personally did not run into any difficulties with either. The only troubleshooting that you may need to do is to delete your cache or simply turn off WP-Cache entirely.

Wow. Just think how much time I can spend tweaking and testing themes now!

Popularity: 47% [?]

More on Twitter

Sam Harrelson mentions my Twitter post in his daily Affiliate Fortune Cookie podcast and provides some great insight on how he uses Twitter as a communication tool. My takeaway from his recommendations are that Twitter spam and self-promoting broadcasts are the same unwanted communication as the telemarketer that calls you during dinner. Do not do it.

I have also ventured across several other great posts and examples of companies using Twitter to market their products.

• Eirik Solheim at eirikso.com provides solid Twitter tips that he has learned in his early days of using Twitter.
• Allen Stern at CenterNetworks questions Twitter’s business model, but mentions that companies like IconFactory are using the Twitter APIs to drive revenues.
• Check woot and Amazon Gold Box Deals via Twitter or read about it on Read/Write Web.

Entrecard

Entrecard is red hot right now. On the surface, it is yet another social network for bloggers to drive traffic by swapping links. If traffic is Entrecard’s only benefit, it will die out within 4-6 months. However, it is becoming its own financial economy. Here are two great posts on how Entrecard is driving for success:

• Darren Rowse has an informative interview with Entrecard founder, Graham Langdon.
• Bloggingmix discusses why Entrecard is Winning Over Blogrush.

You are not on Facebook?!

I have my ups and downs with social networking, but I enjoy the connections and believe in its business value. However, many businesses have knowingly ignored or rejected social networking. Here are the biggest objections to social networking and how you can overcome those objections when you come across a social networking naysayer.

Image of the Week

This landscape picture was taken from a hilltop outside of Cortona, Italy by me on my honeymoon.

Check out other pictures and images on my Flickr photos.

Popularity: 35% [?]