Blogging to Recruit

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Blogging to Recruit Retain Affiliates

• Shawn Collins
• eComXpo
• October 6-8, 2005

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What is RSS?

• RSS is an XML-based summary of a web site used
  for syndication. This method is commonly used to
  syndicate news, forums, and blogs.
• If you see one of the following graphics on a
  site, that means the site has an RSS feed.

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Poll Question 1

• What does RSS stand for?
• A) Rich Site Summary
• B) Really Simple Syndication
• C) RDF Site Summary
• D) All of the Above
• E) None of the Above

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Poll Question 1 Answer

• D) All of the Above

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Why an Affiliate Program Blog?

• Communicate more often with affiliates
• Relay information faster to affiliates
• Reach affiliates in different environments
• Greater Web presence for your affiliate program

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What to Post in a Blog?

• Newsletters
• New promotions/end of promotions
• New creative
• Periodic posting of FAQ

• Content for affiliates
• Tips and resources
• News about the company
• Best sellers
• Product feed

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How Can You Promote Your Blog?

• Encourage your affiliates to subscribe to your
  RSS feed
• Include chicklets in your blog
• FeedBurner Headline Animator
• Submit to blog directories

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How Can You Promote Your Blog?

• Encourage your affiliates to subscribe to your
  RSS feed
• Web-based RSS reader
• Opt-in e-mail RSS lists
• E-mail client RSS reader

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Poll Question 2

• What percent of affiliate programs have a blog?
• A) 5
• B) 15
• C) 25

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Poll Question 2 Answer

• B) 15 (Source AffStat 2005 Report)

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Web-Based RSS Reader

• Bloglines
• FeedDemon
• FeedReader
• My MSN
• My Yahoo
• Pluck

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Opt-in E-mail RSS Lists

• AWeber
• Bloglet
• FeedBlitz

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E-mail Client RSS Reader

• Inclue
• NewsGator

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Include Chicklets in Your Blog
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FeedBurner Headline Animator
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Submit to Blog Directories

• BlogLines
• BlogPulse
• Daypop
• Feedster
• PubSub
• Technorati

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Poll Question 3

• True or false, women read blogs more than men?
• A) True
• B) False

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Poll Question 3 Answer

• False (Source Blogads Reader Survey results
  indicated that 75 of blog readers are male)

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Tools to Build a Blog

• Blogger
• LiveJournal
• Movable Type
• TypePad
• WordPress

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Recruit Affiliates Through Other Blogs
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Thanks for Attending My Presentation

• Contact Shawn Collins
• Phone [phone]
• E-mail shawn_at_affiliatetip.com
• Web www.AffiliateTip.com
• Blog www.ShawnsBlog.com
• AIM affiliatetip
• Skype affiliatetip