BlogWorld Vegas: Affiliate Marketing Secrets for Blogger

Another panel that I enjoyed was the, "Affiliate Marketing Secrets for Bloggers" panel with affiliate super-stars:  Mike Allen (Shopping-Bargain), Shawn Collins, and Tim Jones.  The panelists echoed some of the main themes in the monetization tracks as well as non-monetization tracks that bloggers need the following strategies:

• Have a plan for the long-term
• Your blog is your brand
• Become and expert
• Share your space, write on other blogs

Each panelists focused on how affiliate marketing (referring products and services for a commission on everything that is purchased through your site) was a great opportunity for bloggers because of their vertical/hobby-like nature.  The panelists discussed some main themes for bloggers around affiliate marketing:

• Be careful with advertising, this is your brand
• Think like a business and set goals
• Create a business plan and follow it
• Look for retail and opportunities

There were some fun examples on how bloggers became more retail outlets around their passions.  Shmuel Tennenhaus, Affiliate market and youtube extraordinaire's vanitykippah.com was highlighted a fun, niche product that is finding an audience online.  

Once again, the themes around building your blog around an idea that you are passionate it about, a hobby that you can monetize, as well as being consistent and patient were highlighted.  The panelists also recommended doing feed outreach on twitter, facebook, stumbleupon, reddit, etc.  All of the panelists recommend that you should pick a couple of RSS aggregators (in order for it to be manageable).  btw, I also like finding niche RSS sites like YCombinator's Hacker News to promote this blog.