Google Affiliate Network To Shut Down, Surprising Some But Not All |  |
- Google Affiliate Network To Shut Down, Surprising Some But Not All
- The Psychology of Color in Marketing
- How to Maximize Affiliate Relationships with Email: #AMDays Coverage
- Why Your Affiliate Revenue May Not Be Real And What To Do About It
- Join Us For A Twitter Chat April 18 – Fun, Informative
- 50 Time Saving Tips for Small Businesses
- Franchise Loans Are Up But Still Not Meeting Demand
- 10 Steps to Make Over Your Mindset and Adjust Your Attitude
| Google Affiliate Network To Shut Down, Surprising Some But Not All Posted: 18 Apr 2013 02:00 AM PDT
Google announced this week it will shut down the Google Affiliate Network. Google pledged to continue to support customers as the network winds down "over the next few months." The closing was announced by J.J. Hirschle, head of Google Affiliate Network, on its official blog. Hirschle said the program originally was created to help advertisers drive conversions (sales) via cost-per-action advertising. He said Google re-evaluated the service in light of recent developments in the marketplace. “We're constantly evaluating our products to ensure that we're focused on the services that will have the biggest impact for our advertisers and publishers,” Hirschle wrote. “To that end, we've made the difficult decision to retire Google Affiliate Network and focus on other products that are driving great results for clients.” A Surprising Announcement – to SomeSome industry observers were surprised by the move. Others were not, pointing out that Google doesn’t need a network of third party affiliate sites any longer, given how the advertising marketplace has evolved. Affiliate program management consultant Geno Prussakov of AMNavigator said the decision to close Google’s affiliate network was a surprise in the sense of there being no advance public signals. For instance, representatives of the Google Affiliate Network were scheduled up until this week to speak at a conference run by Prussakov. And just days earlier there had been an update on the Network’s Google+ page. This is the second time Google has shut down its affiliate network, according to industry observer Barry Schwartz. The first time was in 2008. Later in 2010, Google reintroduced the current Affiliate Network. Alternatives for BusinessesPrussakov sees an opportunity for other affiliate networks to fill the void. “This move creates a great opportunity for other affiliate networks … not only those who hope to have Google Affiliate Network programs migrated to their platforms, but also those who already have major brand affiliate programs running on their networks,” Prussakov said in an email interview. An opportunity is also there for in-house affiliate program solution providers, he noted. For small business advertisers looking for a replacement affiliate network, Prussakov suggests AvantLink or ShareaSale. Aaron Wall, founder of SEOBook, points out that advertisers already have a number of replacement options with Google itself. "I don’t think the closing of the affiliate network means that Google wants to be done with the affiliate model. Rather, Google would prefer to consolidate their efforts through their existing channels and work directly with merchants without having to manage relations with affiliates" on top of that, he notes. Google doesn't need to run an affiliate network to help brand advertisers get offers in front of buyers, he explains. "When Google includes links in travel or e-commerce searches, they don’t really need a third party network to distribute those ads. The ‘ads’ are integrated right in the search results," he adds. One example Wall points to is Google Offers, a daily deal/coupon offering. Google Offers are delivered to customers who sign up via email but also included in Google Maps and other search results. Another example mentioned by Google's Hirschle is Product Listing Ads. With Product Listing Ads, businesses create product listings that get inserted directly into Google Shopping results. Over time Wall said he also expects to see Google AdSense units become more like the conversion-driven ads used in affiliate offerings. He points to Amazon.com ads as the model for this. Amazon has quietly been ramping up its advertising offerings. "Amazon.com’s ads often include things in them like 'buy now' buttons, coupons and movie trailers. In time I would expect some Google AdSense ad units to eventually look more 'producty' in some areas and have a lot more of these types of extensible features added to them," Wall says. And what about alternatives for affiliate website publishers that today earn money from affiliate ads placed on their sites? Hirschle suggests Google AdSense (ad units placed by publishers on their websites to earn advertising revenue). And as Prussakov points out, there are other affiliate networks publishers can join. The post Google Affiliate Network To Shut Down, Surprising Some But Not All appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| The Psychology of Color in Marketing Posted: 17 Apr 2013 05:30 PM PDT Perhaps no choice is as vital to marketing success as the colors you use. Whether selecting the color for a specific product or for a email marketing campaign, there is no doubt that color has significant effect on all as subconsciously, we associate different colors with different things. For example, did you know that restaurants use red to stimulate appetite and that blue creates a sense of trust and security in a brand? The following infographic, created by the folks at WebpageFX, takes a look at the psychology of color and presents some common associations of different colors. It also shows the overall importance of color to consumers and characteristics of many individual colors. The numbers are pretty fascinating.
[Click for full size version] The post The Psychology of Color in Marketing appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| How to Maximize Affiliate Relationships with Email: #AMDays Coverage Posted: 17 Apr 2013 04:00 PM PDT Editor's Note: Once again we bring you coverage from the Affiliate Management Days conference. This series of articles is on topics of interest to businesses that offer affiliate programs. More coverage of #AMDays. * * * * *
The goal of affiliate email communications is to be a relationship facilitator, keeping affiliates engaged. It does not have to end with email but should integrate with all your communications. The key component is trust – and trust is built with personal communication. Below are concrete ways to maximize affiliate relationships, using email:
There are countless ways to build lists, but it takes trust to build relationships. Hunter's goal of the session was to have one or two takeaways that we could implement upon returned. I walked away with 4 immediate implementation tasks for my To Do List, with the online survey being on the top of the list. What were yours? The post How to Maximize Affiliate Relationships with Email: #AMDays Coverage appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Why Your Affiliate Revenue May Not Be Real And What To Do About It Posted: 17 Apr 2013 02:06 PM PDT Editor's Note: We bring you more live coverage from the Affiliate Management Days conference. This series of articles is on topics of interest to businesses that offer affiliate programs. More coverage of #AMDays. * * * * *
Below are some of the key takeaways from this packed session. Robert started the presentation defining the evolution of affiliate programs and how they are managed. He differentiated between “first generation” and better “second generation” programs: First generation affiliate programs:
Second generation affiliate programs:
Healthy programs attribute affiliate revenue appropriately. Looking at where your revenue is coming from and its source/tactics is the first step to becoming a Second Generation Affiliate Program. Examples of low-value affiliate tactics:
What are signs to look for when approving or reviewing affiliates:
Think of your affiliate program as an extension of your brand. Look at each site and see if you want your brand there. So now you have the information and suspects. What do you do next? Ways to be Proactive:
Address within your program terms from the onset by outline restrictions on the following:
The affiliate program is a powerful marketing tool. There are many opportunities for incremental revenue. Ending this post on a positive note, let's review what type of affiliates will bring you incremental program. Who is a valued-added affiliate?
In a nutshell, remember, anything that seems too good to be true in affiliate marketing always is. There was no way to have this session without speaking negatively about coupon and loyalty sites. I would love to hear your input into what value you these affiliates bring and what a fair solution would be. The post Why Your Affiliate Revenue May Not Be Real And What To Do About It appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Join Us For A Twitter Chat April 18 – Fun, Informative Posted: 17 Apr 2013 12:30 PM PDT We’re delighted to announce another Twitter chat this week. The topic is “working smarter, especially with your mobile devices.” Scroll down below for details.
Some of the topics we will cover include:
Add to your calendar now, with the following details: WHAT: Working Smarter With Your Mobile Devices WHEN: Thursday, April 18, 2013. At 8 pm Eastern time (New York time zone). That’s 5 pm Pacific time WHERE: It’s a one-hour chat that takes place on Twitter. WHO: Judi Hembrough (@JudiHembrough), small business marketing director of Plantronics, is our special guest expert. Yours truly (Anita Campbell – @Smallbiztrends) will also be there. All are welcome to join in! Network with other members of the Small Business Trends community who I know also plan to be there – @TJMcCue, @Lyceum, @eggmarketing and @Sannwood have all said they will be joining us, and possibly some other “regulars.” It’s a great way to make connections. HOW: Just search for the hashtag #SmarterWorking over at Twitter.com to see who is participating. When you participate, include that same hashtag in your tweets. That way, other participants will see your tweets and know you are part of the chat. WHY: Because it’s informative and fun. And it’s a terrific icebreaker to meet other entrepreneurs. Oh, and we have a giveaway, too! GIVEAWAY GOODIES: Thanks to @Plantronics, which is sponsoring this week’s chat, we’ll be giving away 3 of the awesome Plantronics Voyager Legend UC headsets. I will give them away to participants who share helpful tips during the one hour chat. Headsets provided by Plantronics. Details about the Voyager Legend UC Headset here. Big thanks to Plantronics for sponsoring, to make this chat possible – and for providing promotional prizes. The post Join Us For A Twitter Chat April 18 – Fun, Informative appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 50 Time Saving Tips for Small Businesses Posted: 17 Apr 2013 11:00 AM PDT
As a small business owner, free time is probably not something you have a whole lot of. What you do have a lot of are tasks to accomplish and deadlines to meet. So how can you better accomplish these tasks in a shorter amount of time? Below are 50 time saving tips to help you save time throughout your workday. 50 Time Saving Tips for Small Businesses1. Set Goals Each morning, write out a detailed to-do list of the things you want to accomplish that day. 2. Create a Plan Figure out when and how you'll accomplish each item on your daily list – will you need help, supplies, etc.? 3. Prioritize by Importance It's inevitable that sometimes you'll have to cut items off your to-do list, so decide early what the most important items are and prioritize. 4. Prioritize by Urgency You'll need to get to those projects that have urgent deadlines so leave the ones that are due next week for later. 5. Break Down Large Tasks If your list includes some overwhelming items, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. 6. Be Realistic Don't expect to accomplish everything in an hour. Know your limitations and your abilities. 7. Track Your Time In order to better understand how you really spend your time, take a few days and write down everything you do and how long it takes. Include breaks, email, social media and everything else, so that you'll find out what your biggest time wasters are. 8. Set Deadlines Need some motivation to complete a project? Set a deadline for yourself and tell others about it so they can help hold you accountable. 9. Keep One Eye on the Clock You don't want to constantly obsess about time, but you also don't want to let the day get away from you because you weren't paying attention. Stay on track. 10. Set Reminders If you have a deadline or meeting coming up, set a reminder on your phone that will go off shortly before. 11. Schedule Breaks Everyone needs to take breaks throughout the day, so make sure to account for them when scheduling your tasks for the day. 12. Schedule Time for Email and Social Media Email and social media can be big time wasters. Don't respond to every email as it comes in and don't leave Facebook or Twitter open all day. Instead, schedule a short block or two throughout the day to accomplish these tasks. 13. Use a Central Social Media Management System If you use social media for marketing purposes, you likely have more than one account. Using a central dashboard like HootSuite can help you avoid going back and forth between sites, and even allows you to schedule posts throughout the day so you don't need to constantly sign back on. 14. Avoid Distractions Aside from social media and email, there are a number of other distractions that can cause you to waste time throughout the day. If you work at home, turn off the TV. If you work in an office, take a different route to the water cooler to avoid chatty co-workers. 15. Stick to One Task at a Time Multi-tasking can sound like a time saver, but it isn't. Focus on one task, complete it and then move on. 16. Batch Tasks It can be helpful to do similar tasks consecutively. For example, make all your phone calls for the day back-to-back. 17. Incentivize Tasks When you have a really difficult task to complete, give yourself a reward for completing it. It can be as simple as taking a break. 18. Focus on Results You should have an idea about why you are doing each task on your list. Ask yourself how each item will impact your company and focus on results. 19. Don't Stress Over Unimportant Details If something doesn't have a big impact on your business, don't stress about it. Perfectionism can be a big time waster. 20. Create Good Habits Create a habit of sorting files regularly, responding to emails in a timely manner and quickly accomplishing any other tasks that show up on your to-do list so that it quickly becomes routine. 21. Eliminate the Non-Essential Remove items that no longer serve a purpose to your mission, both physically and electronically. 22. Use Email Filters and Archives Use email filters and archives so that you don’t spend hours looking for a particular message. Your email program most likely offers easy tools to keep all your communications organized, so make wise use of those features. 23. Limit Meetings Meetings can be essential, but they can also turn into time wasters if they go on too long or happen too frequently. Accept and schedule only important meetings. 24. Hire a Virtual Assistant Virtual assistants can help you with mundane daily tasks like email, bookkeeping, scheduling and research. Consider getting yourself some help if you need it. 25. Utilize a Project Management Platform Services like Basecamp offer your team a way to communicate in groups, set deadlines and share and edit files without having to keep up with several different email threads. 26. Keep Projects in One Place For both completed projects and those still in progress, have one folder or area where you know you can find them. 27. Avoid Rush Hour If you commute or have to travel for meetings, take traffic and construction into account so as to not waste time en route. 28. Have Virtual Meetings Avoid traveling when possible and instead consider the use of programs like Skype or GoToMeeting. 29. Automate Payroll Rather than manually tracking hours and expenses, invest in a payroll system that will do all the work for you. 30. Take Notes Keep a notebook with you at all times to jot down notes and ideas or use an app such as Evernote to store ideas, images and more so you don’t spend time trying to think of them later. 31. Take Advantage of Technology There are so many time saving and organizational apps and services available such as Dropbox, which lets you bring your photos, docs and videos anywhere . Find the ones that work for you. 32. Don't Get Carried Away Attempting to master and utilize too many productivity applications and services at once can be a time waster. Don't use so many of them that you spend more time on them than you save. 33. Delegate Ask your team to take on tasks that you don't have time for or those with which you know they'd do a good job. 34. Invest in Accounting Software Keeping endless spreadsheets can lead to a lot of headaches and wasted time. Keep all your account information organized in one place. 35. Keep an Organized Workspace Don't spend hours rifling through your desk looking for a particular document when you could just implement a filing system and find it in seconds. 36. Back Up Your Files Whether by external hard drive, hard copies or online backup, create backups of all your important files in case of a computer meltdown. Consider an online service like Carbonite or Mozy for this purpose. 37. Keep Templates for Commonly-Used Forms Don't spend time writing the same paragraphs over and over again when you could have a general template saved. Just go in and make a few updates each time you use it instead of starting from scratch. 38. Utilize Shortcuts Use keyboard and browser shortcuts and keep all your commonly used programs in an easily accessible location on your desktop. 39. Automate Expenses Make use of automatic bill pay services whenever possible to avoid late payments and time spent actually paying bills each month. 40. Use a Cloud-Based Calendar Calendar apps can keep you updated on important meetings and deadlines and don't take long to update. Consider using Google Calendar for this purpose. 41. Have a Collaboration System Whether you use a platform like Basecamp or Google Docs or stick to more traditional methods, you should have a set system for collaboration so that your team doesn't get confused and unorganized. 42. Say "No" Don't take on tasks just because someone asks you to. If you don't have the time and it won't help your business, don't do it. 43. Make the Most of Down Time Time spent in waiting rooms, on the subway or even on long elevator rides could be used to update your calendar, write notes or accomplish other simple tasks. 44. Clean Up Old Files Ridding your computer of old files can not only keep you from having to wade through them while looking for more relevant files, but it can also speed up your computer and save you from a fate of endless loading pages. 45. Use Mobile Apps There are mobile productivity apps, mobile calendar apps, mobile list apps – all of which can help you accomplish tasks and save time while not in front of a computer. 46. Know Your Habits If you're an early bird, get your most important tasks out of the way early. If you're a night owl, don't force yourself to turn in big projects in the morning. Play to your strengths. 47. Shorten Your Workday In a blog post on Freelance Folder, Lexi Rodrigo explains that cutting time off your workday will force you to accomplish more within the time allotted. 48. Leave Room for the Unexpected Things you didn't plan for will come up throughout the day. Take this into account when making your to-do list. 49. Have Quiet Hours If you work in an office, put a "do not disturb" sign on your door while you're working on an important task. If you work from home, silence your phone for that time. If distractions come up when you're in the zone, you can lose your concentration and end up spending way more time than necessary. 50. Don't Over-Schedule You might be overly optimistic in the morning about how much you can get done that day. But creating a too-full list is only going to overwhelm you later in the day. If you implement even just a few of the time saving tips listed above, you will start to notice a difference in your workday and your productivity – and you may even notice that you have a little more free time. The post 50 Time Saving Tips for Small Businesses appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Franchise Loans Are Up But Still Not Meeting Demand Posted: 17 Apr 2013 08:00 AM PDT
Not every small business is having trouble getting funding. One kind of small business has experienced steady growth over the last five years. A recent report says franchises are receiving more funding than most in the years following the recession. The “Small Business Lending Matrix and Analysis (PDF),” says franchise businesses will have about $23.9 billion in loan money available to them in 2013. That’s the highest amount of financing the industry has seen since 2009. Available franchise loans can support more than 59,000 franchise businesses. About $5.6 billion of that money is estimated to be coming from loan programs through the government’s Small Business Administration. The report was prepared for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation. The organization promotes franchising including the increasing of knowledge and professional standards in the franchise community. The advocacy group says that franchise businesses will employ nearly 800,000 people and generate $106 billion in sales this year, according to the report. “The franchise business climate is improving for the fourth consecutive year, supported by a higher demand for unit transactions, improved franchisor capacity for growth, greater bank willingness and ability to lend and an economy that is slowly improving,” the report notes. The report is positive regarding the increased loans available this year to franchise businesses. But the money available is actually short of the $26.5 billion needed to fund current franchises or start any new operations, the International Franchise Association report notes. The report was compiled using SBA data, the “Franchise Business Economic Outlook for 2013 (PDF)” and other available information. Reaching Target Photo via Shutterstock The post Franchise Loans Are Up But Still Not Meeting Demand appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 10 Steps to Make Over Your Mindset and Adjust Your Attitude Posted: 17 Apr 2013 05:00 AM PDT
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” ~ Zig Ziglar One of my all time favorite quotes that changes me every time I read it. This quote resonates with me because I’ve gone through my own cycles over the past few years. I work daily with professionals who are stuck and stalled. The mindset makeover and attitude adjustment always begins between the ears. Sustaining a positive outlook and energy is not the easiest thing to do when “stuff happens,” and we are usually our own worst enemy. The benefits though of a PMA (positive mental attitude) and the liabilities of pessimism are well documented in various books and studies. Napoleon Hill’s famous work, “Think and Grow Rich” (1937), is one of the best-selling books of all time (at the time of Hill’s death in 1970, “Think and Grow Rich” had sold 20 million copies.) Hill’s works examined the power of personal beliefs and the role they play in personal success. We move through cycles of motivation, commitment and interest that affect our disposition simply because we are human and it’s human nature. The National Institute on Aging reported “given the right disposition, in the face of difficulty, people can still find renewed happiness.” Do you:
Below are 10 steps that can help you makeover your mindset and adjust your attitude, if you commit to them. Makeover Your Mindset and Adjust Your AttitudeReview Your SystemsReview all your systems and make sure they are really working for you now. Review Your Time ManagementReview your daily time management and priorities and watch out for those “bright, shiny object” distractions. Create Quiet TimeSet aside quiet time for yourself to get centered, focused and take a break. Address Your FearsAddress your fears and put them into a realistic perspective. Wake Up EarlierGet up 30 minutes earlier, especially on Monday and Tuesday, and add days as you get comfortable. Eat BreakfastEat a good breakfast so that you fuel yourself to start the day. Connect with OthersConnect with your “A” people who nurture you and call you out. Set “Fun” DaysMake Monday and Friday full, fun days that start and end your week strong and set the tone. Read Positive NewsRead positive news and information and listen to your favorite music daily. Dress UpDress up, perk up and show up ready to make the most out of the day and make a personal statement about yourself. Oftentimes we need to shake up our habits, let go of a few bad ones and start building new ones. Personal and professional development is key to professional advancement. Seek out a coach, consultant or other professional to help you, or get an “accountability partner” or start an “accountability group” of dedicated people and do it together. Don’t accept being stuck or let fear hold you back. Your success and happiness is an inside-out job that you control. Start with your mindset and attitude and your heart will follow. Here are some additional ideas and suggestions for your mindset makeover. How do you sustain your positive mental attitude? The post 10 Steps to Make Over Your Mindset and Adjust Your Attitude appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
Continuing the theme of relationships with affiliates, I sat in on the “7 Proven Ways to Maximize Affiliate Relationships with Email” with Hunter Boyle (pictured left), Senior Business Development Manager, 
The focus on affiliates driving incremental revenue is fairly new in the affiliate industry and causing waves. With coupon, toolbars and loyalty affiliates under fire, Robert Glazer (pictured left), Founder & Managing Partner, 
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