Ad HustlerConfessions Of A Serial Internet Entrepreneur

Cars, Clothes, Money, Hoes…. That might be the mission statement for a lot of affiliate marketers out there.  I think that many affiliates overlook the friendships they’ve developed because of this industry.  More interestingly yet, I find that the affiliate marketing industry breaks down social groups and brings together weird mixes of people.

Case In Point:

There are probably tons of unlikely friendships within the affiliate marketing space but I always find it funny to observe Jason Rubacky & Eric Nagel.  Jason is a tattooed, crazy, hip-hop loving maniac who lives & breathes being ShareaSale’s well known affiliate manager.  Eric is more like that nerdy kid who loved computers in high school and got straight A’s in  every class.  Yet, these 2 guys are like peas in a pod and you see them hanging out at every affiliate conference.  I’m not knocking either one of them.  In fact, they are awesome people and i’m friends with both of them.  My point here is when did you ever see the tattooed maniac & the kid getting straight A’s hang out in high school?  You didn’t!

That’s the beautiful thing about this industry.  People don’t just judge each other based on appearance or lifestyle.  Their mutual interest and love of internet marketing bring them together.  I’m friends with tons of people who are nothing like me and at first glance I may not have thought i’d get along with.

Next time you are at an affiliate conference and you see some guy/girl who seems to be a loner, walk over and ask them to grab a bite to eat.  Maybe you’ll find a new friend who can also help you in your business.

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Ca$hvertising by Drew Eric Whitman is probably the best book on marketing and sales psychology that i’ve ever read.  When i heard that Whitman would be a keynote at Affiliate Summit West I was pretty psyched.  To be honest, i’m rarely up in time to make it to a keynote.  After long nights at Affiliate Summit it’s pretty hard to get up by 9am to see someone speak.  I set my alarm and made it in time to grab a front row seat to see the keynote.

Drew Eric Whitman is a fantastic and energetic speaker.  He keeps you engaged with him throughout his entire speech.  The guy knows how to brand himself.  He calls himself the Dr of Direct Response and comes out wearing a lab coat with his name embroidered on it which strangely increases his authority.  He does a great job getting his points across and I thoroughly enjoyed his session.  I was live twittering some of the points I took home from the session so here they are again:

• Show your product being USED in ads for greater response
• All caps slows readership By 11.8%
• Always put captions under pictures – they get 2-3x greater readership than body copy
• Times New Roman is the least preferred font online
• Sans serif printed body copy reduces ad readership by 53.5%
• Dont design with white text on a black background – it reduces readership up to 70%
• Direct peoples optical flows with arrows
• The shorter your return period the more returns you get
• In print: covers are the ONLY positions worth paying extra for
• Always sell benefits, not features. People don’t want drills, they want holes. They don’t want ovens, they want a hot meal.

There were a lot more great points but those were some that I remembered.

One of the purposes of writing this post was to give an alternate viewpoint for a lot of the people that think they won’t like the sessions at Affiliate Summit.  Yea, the sessions can be hit or miss.  I personally attended at least 1 session that I didn’t like at all but then I also attended this keynote which I thought was a huge value for anyone attending with a sessions pass.  My point here is don’t just follow the pack, take a look at who’s speaking at Affiliate Summit and see if it’s worth it to you before automatically dismissing a session pass just because people say it’s not worth it.

Did you see this keynote?  What did you think of it?

Disclosure: I attended Affiliate Summit West 2011 on a complimentary speaker/press pass.  No one asked me to write this post and all opinions are those of Ad Hustler.  No other compensation was received in exchange for writing this.

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On tuesday night of Affiliate Summit Myself, Ian Fernando, Jonathan Volk, Jim Banks & DK were sitting around having a lot of laughs at the Parasol Bar at The Wynn.  DK pulled up my observations post from day 1 (since he’d never read AdHustler.com before) and laughed hard.  I mean really hard.  We decided to as a group come up with some observations about Affiliate Summit.  Some are mine, some are DKs, some are the groups.  Here they are:

• Even if you don’t have business cards you can still win 1000 in a business card drawing. (It Happened)
• If you are at an affiliate conference to market your network, don’t have a line of people, waiting to speak to you about the money you haven’t paid them.
• If you are going to have babes working in your booth, make sure they at least know what affiliate marketing is.
• If you are trying to impress a girl, don’t tell them “I have been with the same girl since I was 14 so I have had time to practice being “the creepy guy”. (Actual comment overheard).
• The Wynn and Encore are such a labyrinth that Jason Rubaky, covered in tattoos was seen riding a hover round (old people scooter) around the hotels and parking it in his room.
• If you want to want to lose money at a bar or make everyone at a party uncomfortable, invite DK and Ad Hustler and have them talk about how they don’t drink, smoke or take drugs.
• Don’t think that just because you spent $2000 for your hotel room for the week that you can use your cell phone without holding it against the window.
• While someone is peeing is not the appropriate time to introduce ones self.
• Shoemoney knows how to draw a crowd to a product launch.  He had Rob Hustle with Dancers introduce the session
• There is a huge difference between a good session & a bad one.  Not all sessions work, not all speakers are good
• I like people who can see the comedy in themselves – don’t take yourself too seriously
• Don’t ever ask someone how much they make.  If you do, you deserve your head dunked in the toilet
• Whether you are “big” in internet marketing or “small” be nice to everyone.  Small fish become big fish and big fish fall.  Make friends, not enemies.  Treat people with respect unless they prove they deserve otherwise
• Don’t talk to someone when they are on the phone
• I had the undying need to write my name in the blue pads in the Wynn urinals every time I peed.

What can you add?

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Ad Hustler will be providing full coverage of Affiliate Summit West 2011.  I’m going to be using the same style as the last couple of shows i’ve covered.  Rather then long drawn out posts about parties and people, I will be creating a list of my observations as well as things I learned: example.  My observations seem to cause lots of interpersonal drama so i’m sure we will be in for some god times.

There are what appear to be a lot of good sessions this year which I am going to try to attend and report back any nuggets of info I obtain.

I look forward to seeing you within the next few days.  If you see me, make sure to say Hi.  I love talking to new & old friends.

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Everyone knows that the sausage parties at Affiliate Summit cannot be beat.  In case you haven’t seen it, here is a list compiled by Affiliate Summit + a few from me of the parties:

Saturday, January 8, 2011

buy.at’s Mixology Party
Sponsor(s): buy.at
Time: 8:00pm -
Location: Mix Lounge
How to RSVP: The event is invite only, but if you’d like to attend, please send an email to Amy at USEvents@buy.at
Who is invited?: buy.at affiliates, clients, partners, and industry contacts

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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Affiliate Summit Happy Hour hosted by Viglink
Sponsor(s): Viglink
Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: Sin City Brewing – inside the Flamingo Hotel
How to RSVP: RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/viglink?v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=180040735362470
Who is invited?: All.

ShareASale “Under the Stars” Party
Sponsor(s): ShareASale
Time: 8:00pm – 12:00am
Location: Tryst Nightclub
How to RSVP: Pick up an invitation at the Meet Market on Sunday @ the ShareASale Table.
Who is invited?: Everybody who picks up an invite.

The Mailer Meetup
Sponsor(s): RoboMail
Time: 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: Caesars Palace (The event will take place inside a suite at Caesars Palace. Free drinks and food will be provided.)
How to RSVP: Send an email to mailermeetup@gmail.com, subject :mailer meetup.
Who is invited?: This is a for mailers by mailers event. Anyone who has experience in the email marketing industry.

PMG Private Reception
Sponsor(s): Paulson Management Group, Inc USA, PMG Affiliate Management LTD UK
Time: 9:00pm -
Location: The WYNN Salon Suite
How to RSVP: Email McKenna@PaulsonManagementGroup.com
Who is invited?: Anyone interested in speaking with PMG.

Moss Networks Presents: Ultimate Affiliate Event
Sponsor(s): DankCash, Empyre Media, Webair
Time: 10:00pm – close
Location: Blush Boutique Nightclub inside the Wynn Hotel
How to RSVP: Guests must be invited by each sponsor. Contact one of the companies listed above, or find them during the Meet Market for your invite!
Who is invited?: Guests of sponsors only

Ads4Dough Presents: A4D & Wickedfire Party Time
Sponsor(s): Ads4Dough
Time: 8:00pm – 12:00pm
Location: Spearmint Rhino
How to RSVP: http://www.a4d.com/dough4hoes2011
Who is invited?: Ads4Dough Affiliates & WickedFire Members – Party will have top shelf open bar but only holds 400 people so get there early.

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Monday, January 10, 2011

2011 ASW Affiliate BBQ Lunch
Sponsor: Elite Clicks Media, Wickedfire, HeavyT
Location: Elite Clicks Media’s Zen Mansion
Time: 2:00pm-6:00pm
RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=115087111894299
Who’s Invited: Wickedfire Cats who aren’t douches

Check ‘n Go Affiliate Launch Party
Sponsor(s): Check ‘n Go
Time: 5:oopm
Location: Suite at The Wynn
How to RSVP:  http://tweetvite.com/event/checkngoaffiliates & follow @checkngoteam for the suite number
Who is invited?: Everyone.

2011 PMA Member Meeting
Sponsor(s): N/A
Time: 5:30pm – 9:30pm.
Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy (across LV Blvd. from the Wynn)
How to RSVP: Complete RSVP form
Who is invited?: Everyone.

AffiliateWire Elite VIP Party
Sponsor(s): RevenueWire
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: TAO
How to RSVP: Contact your Affiliate Manager.
Who is invited?: Invite Only

Affiliate Summit Trivia Tweetup
Sponsor(s): Affiliate Summit
Time: 9:00pm – 12:00am
Location: Wynn Las Vegas Mouton 2
How to RSVP: Confirm at http://tweetvite.com/event/asw11.
Who is invited?: Everybody

Profit Kings Media presents the Affiliate Ball w/ Three Six Mafia, YTCracker
Sponsor(s): Blu Cigs, ClickBank, Market Health, Neverblue, OJQ, PeerFly, Profit Kings Media, Underground Elephant
Time: 9:30pm -
Location: Rio’s Crown Theater
How to RSVP: Please sign up at http://www.affiliateball.com/registration or contact a wonderful sponsor for a VIP code – VIP entrance is at 9:30 PM, general admission is at 10:30 PM.
Who is invited?: Everyone.

WICKEDFIRE THROWDOWN
Sponsor: Elite Clicks Media, Wickedfire, Advertiser X
Location: Wickedfire Zen Mansion
Time: 10:00pm+
RSVP: http://www.wickedfire.com/shooting-shit/112013-srsly-biznezz-vegas.html – There will be complimentary party bus and limo transportation provided by ECM & WickedFire from the front of the Wynn to and from the joint allllllll niiiiight loooooong….
Who’s Invited: Active Wickedfire members, PornStars

Affiliate Summit Tip Off Party
Sponsor(s):  Double Play Media, BMI Elite, Hybryd Ads and Infinite Traffic
Time: 10:00pm -
Location: The Palms – Hardwood Suite
How to RSVP: Head on over to www.AffiliateSummitTipOffParty.com and RSVP!!
Who is invited?: Everyone.

Affiliate Avalanche Party
Sponsor(s): Health Converter, Vantage Payments, CCBill
Time: 9:00pm – 12:00am
Location: Lucky 7 Suite Hard Rock Hotel
How to RSVP: Visit http://www.healthconverter.com/avalancheparty to RSVP for a chance to attend.
Who is invited?: Invite Only

Clickbooth Black Card Party
Sponsor(s): Clickbooth
Time: 10:00pm -
Location: To be revealed on January 10, 2011 at Clickbooth’s Booth #405
How to RSVP: Contact your rep for a black card + http://www.blackcardparty.com/
Who is invited?: Invite only.

I heard Jonathan Volk was doing some kind of get-together as well but have no details.

Know of any other parties?  Let me know and i’ll add them to the list…

Please Note:  No compensation was received in exchange for this post, although Ad Hustler may be attending some of the parties.

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