Ad HustlerConfessions Of A Serial Internet Entrepreneur

• Meet Market was absolutely packed even though it was in a pretty big room. Affiliate Summit seems to be growing.
• With the above said, there definitely seems to be a shift in who is attending Affiliate Summit. It seems to be becoming a more corporately “accepted show.” More suits and professional types are showing up.
• Links aren’t just AHREF, they can be twitter activity, facebook activity or anything Google can find. ~Rob Adler
• One reason that people dropped in rankings during Google’s Panda update is ads on page and the source of ads on the page. ~Rob Adler (I never heard anyone say this before but it’s an interesting claim)
• Rob Adlers presentation style makes me feel like I’m in a Fight Club orientation meeting.
• The fact that Affiliate Summit put up the video of the session I was on at the last conference RIGHT BEFORE this one started is great because it’s led to some really weird encounters. I had an old lady come up to me and say “I wanna let you know that I don’t judge a book by it’s cover…..Your very handsome”. Pretty weird! Was she hitting on me or implying that i’m ugly on the outside but handsome on the inside? Who the hell knows, but it was only one of many very awkward encounters relating to that video.
• There were some creepy blue guys covered in spandex from head to toe running around the conference like hobbits with their junk hanging out. I’m not sure what their promoting, but i’m not buying.
• I don’t understand parties that say that their at the “Hangover Suite” because this is the second time i’ve been to one and it looks nothing like the suite from the movie.
• Just stop asking to pay me to write about your company, i’m not going to do it.
• There are some affiliate networks popping up that are getting kind of creative with their incentives to run more volume. I had some network i’ve never heard of approach me and say that they offer a new service to publishers. If you do $10,000 per month in revenue with them for 6 consecutive months, they will train you how to be an affiliate network and give you the software and offers to do so. So they essentially private label their network full of rebrokered crappy offers down to you. I asked them if we really need more crappy affiliate networks in this industry that have no financial backing. They told me that competition is good and you don’t need financial backing because the advertiser pays you, and you pay the affiliate. WOW DUDE, you can’t POSSIBLY LOSE!
• Hardcore drugs are rapidly becoming a part of the affiliate lifestyle. It’s never been as blatantly obvious to me before.
• There’s always one girl who smells bad every time she hugs me at every single event. I can see smelling bad once but how can you smell bad conference after conference?
• I overheard a great line last night. Someone was saying that Ryan Eagle is very Willy Wonka like and that everyone wants the golden ticket but no one wants to work for it.
• I’m glad that affiliates are starting to get some balls. I saw affiliates throwing trash on one of the meet market tables of an affiliate network that stiffed a lot of people for money.

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MaxBounty presents Affiliate Ball is quickly approaching.  Want to enjoy Nelly with some VIPs?  Post an affiliate marketing/internet marketing tip and i’ll randomly email a few people a VIP.

I’ll pick the VIPs by tonight

So….what’s your tip?

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My brain is always moving and thinking.  It get’s kind of tiring at times.  One thing that I think about a lot is what makes certain people & companies successful?  Are successful people all geniuses?  Are they smarter then you are?  Maybe….but maybe not!

I personally think that 1 secret to success is being surrounded by people who are extremely good at what they do.  Building a network of people who are good to know.  I’m not saying to USE people.  What i’m saying is to be friendly or surrounded with like minded individuals.  Let’s look at a large example like Apple.  Apple is a company with a very distinct corporate culture.  When Steve Jobs was alive he demanded nothing but perfection from his teams.  He hired people who were excellent at what they do.  Steve Jobs may have been extremely smart but he didn’t physically execute a lot of his ideas, he used the people around him to do so.

On a smaller and more relevant scale, many successful internet/affiliate marketers have really strong networks.  When they have a problem, they have a number of smart & experienced people who they can reach out to that can guide them towards a solution.  You may think of affiliates as one man army’s but I know for a fact that many of the successful ones who have been in the game for a while have a lot of people who they can rely on when they have a problem.

Do you have a network?  What happens when a problem is over your head?  Do you have people you can ask for help?  If you don’t it’s time to start building up your network.  Don’t be a tool and go looking for people and ask them to be a part of your network.  Do it organically.  Make friends in your industry.  Attend Meetups.  Join forums.  Go to conferences.

Don’t just sit in your mommies basement.

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This has been a crappy week. Earlier in the week (thanks to you loyal readers) I discovered that AdHustler.com had been hacked. Since then, i’ve been working on getting it fixed and at this point it seems like all is well. I wanted to send some thanks out to people that helped in gettng this fixed.

• SolarVPS – These guys host AdHustler.com and went well above and beyond to help get the site up and safe again
• VoloMike – Mike is a great developer. He sent me some helpful advice to try to get the site back & safe. If you need a web developer he’s the man, i’ve personally used him.
• Local Skype Group – All of you guys were helpful in diagnosing & fixing the problem
• Ad Hustler Readers – I appreciate all of your support & patience

To a Hack Free 2012

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It’s that time of the year again and people are already asking “When the hell are you going to put up your Affiliate Summit Party List?” Well the answer is i’m going to start it up right now. Their is always a ton of fun to be had and a ton of people to meet. Although this list might be sparce now, it will grow as we get closer to the event.

If you have an event you’d like to add please email it to partylist {at} adhustler (dot) com

Saturday January 7, 2012

ASW12 TweetUp at Gilley’s
When & Where: Gilleys Party Pit @ Treasure Island @ 7:30pm-10:30pm
Who’s Invited: Everyone
RSVP: Facebook
Ad Hustler Commentary: Wow, someone had the insight to make their event Saturday night instead of Sunday night?  You win a creativity award!

Sunday January 8, 2012

Football Mailer Meetup
When & Where: The Palazzo Hotel @ Legasse’s Stadium – 1:45pm
Who’s Invited: Mailers
RSVP: ONLINE
Ad Hustler Commentary: Their RSVP site says that the guest list will be verified by security at the door.  Seems like they are trying to make it sound super duper exclusive.  I’m not really sure.

Affiliate Meet Up Of The Year – Stackthatmoney, Adsimilis, Affbuzz
When & Where: 4pm @ The Hangover Suite at Caesars Palace
Who’s Invited: Affiliate Marketeers
RSVP: RSVP on Facebook
Ad Hustler Commentary: There should be a lot of cool people at this and hopefully some good discussion so be there. The suite number will be posted once Adsimilis checks in to their suite.

Mailer Meetup Sponsored By XY7 Elite, Digital Bulldogs, RTK Media, VoloMP, Impressionwise
Where & When: 7pm @ The Kingpin Suite at The Palms
Who’s Invited: Email Marketers but since all email marketers seem to be secretive who know who’s gonna show up.
RSVP: RSVP Online
Ad Hustler Commentary: Will probably be your typical Affiliate Summit sausage party. Kingpin Suite is kind of cool if you’ve never seen it.

Aff Playbook / Ads4Dough / Dream Marriage / Beyond Hosting
When & Where: 7:30-10:30pm,  Sunday at the Palms Place – Penthouse #57304
Who’s Invited: All affiliates/traffic sources plus any advertisers or networks who actively participate in the AffPlaybook forums
RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/331362196889949/
Ad Hustler Commentary: Wow, a lot of Sunday Parties….

ShareaSale Under The Stars Party
Where & When: 8pm-12am @ Chateau Nightclub at the Paris Hotel
Who’s Invited: Everyone
RSVP: Get your ticket at the Meet Market on Sunday from my boy Jason Rubacky.
Ad Hustler Commentary: ShareaSale always puts a lot of work into these parties. In New York they had a western theme party and had a whole western facade setup and bull riding. They do a really good job and invite everyone. I find the demo of this party tends to be a bit on the more mature side. It’s a good change to other parties and is a good opportunity to network with the veterans of CPS affiliate marketing. I always like to stop by ShareaSale’s party even if only for a little while.

MUNDOmedia Presents: Affiliate Summit Party at the Gold Boutique Nightclub and Lounge
When & Where: 7 to 10pm @ at the ARIA Hotel
Who’s Invited: Guest-list of Affiliates. Contact your Mundo Affiliate Manager or register online.
RSVP: RSVP Online
Ad Hustler Commentary: I’ve been to Mundo events in Vegas and they tend to be a good time so check this one out if they deem you worthy enough.

Badger Ball 2012
When & Where: 10PM @ The Palms Penthouse B
Who’s Invited: I have no clue, but I would guess lot’s of men
RSVP: Supposedly Closed At This Time
Ad Hustler Commentary: All I know is that Wickedfire & Aaron Kelly Law are involved. I will try to make it to this as it will probably be a Wickedfire sausage fest.

Affiliate Summit Tip Off Party III
When & Where: 10pm @ The Hardwood Suite at The Palms
Who’s Invited: Not sure, they did turn me away one year.
RSVP: RSVP Here.
Ad Hustler Commentary: Good opportunity to brag to your friends that you saw the Hardwood Suite at the Palms.

Monday January 9, 2012

MaxBounty Presents Affiliate Ball
When & Where: 9:30pm @ The Rio Crown Theater
Who’s Invited: Everyone
RSVP: Affiliate Ball
Ad Hustler Commentary: My favorite parties are thrown by Darren who is in charge of Affiliate Ball. This party features Nelly as the headliner. These aren’t parties they are full fledged concerts and well done concerts at that. Don’t miss this! AdHustler.com has been given VIP tickets to give to some of our loyal readers so stay tuned for that.

Ads4Dough Presents Dough4Hoes
When & Where: 7pm-??? @ Spearmint Rhino (Off The Strip, Transportation Is Usually Provided)
Who’s Invited: Usually Pretty Open
RSVP: Contact Your Affiliate Manager
Ad Hustler Commentary: Jason & Ads4Dough are all about community and they always throw a good party. These are great/honest people to work with. I’ve been to Dough4Hoes before and it’s a nice casual atmosphere. Open Bar, need I say more you alchies?

Affiliate Karaoke Presented By Affiliate Summit
Where & When: 9pm-12am @ Caesars Palace (Neopolitan III-IV)
Who’s Invited: Everyone
RSVP: No Need To – Just Show Up
Ad Hustler Commentary: Perfect opportunity to see John Chow make a fool of himself. Bring your cameras.

Affiliate Fight Night
When & Where: 10pm @ Xtreme Couture MMA (Off The Strip)
Whos Invited: I dunno, I guess you are!
RSVP: RSVP on Facebook
Ad Hustler Commentary: It sounds kind of cool but it’s up against Affiliate Ball which means i’m probably not going to it.

Tuesday January 10, 2012

{Nothin Yet}

…More To Come…

Which parties will you be at? Lemme know in the comments!

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