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An Experiential SMX West Review

Ever been in a busy room full of people and felt as if you and they were not really there? The sensation falls between an out of body experience and an unfortunate brain-full of high dosage pain relievers.

Standing with a small group of old-time search marketers on the trade-show floor at Search Marketing Expo (SMXWest) in Santa Clara at the beginning of this week, we all noted how the vibe of the show was sort of like that. Long used to feeling like ghosts in the machine, this month’s pilgrimage to the Valley made many of us feel like spiritless specters. It took a couple of days for the conference spirit to catch its first wind. Unfortunately, the conference was only three days long.
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An affiliate convention in Denver, June 21st – 23rd

WebmasterRadio.FM is pleased to announce that we have launched a new Affiliate Convention to service the needs of those in the Affiliate Marketplace. We feel the performance marketing industry is rife with business that needs to be fostered along with the educational growth of its participants.

For anyone who knows us, knows that we have long had a hand in the affiliate marketing space. Most do not realize that we have been as involved as we were. To those ends, I had an idea to create a new trade show series after having spent a year working to those ends and just not quite so happy as I would be…if the project were solely in the hands of WMR.

The genesis of this plan was one that formed rapidly, as we knew there was a demand for our event. If you’ve never been to an affiliate convention programmed by WebmasterRadio.FM, than you’ll quickly discover how we differentiate ourselves from other conferences in the affiliate marketing space by focusing on the people who make the industry run, the actual affiliate marketers. Recognizing the cold realities of our current economic conditions, we wanted to present a low-cost, high-value show. In order to make an affiliate convention in Denver economically feasible for attendees, we decided to make admittance to the convention free for anyone who can prove they are a working affiliate marketer, which we take care of with a quick and painless phone call.

The offer of free admittance should remove a big barrier to entry for many affiliate marketers. Conventions give attendees a leg-up in an economy that is making many marketers feel unsure. The contacts, education and networking give us a chance to shore up our business ideas and relationships.

At AffCon2010 you will find value, benefit, education, and enormous networking opportunities in a beautiful setting. Focused entirely on affiliate marketing, the Affiliate Convention will feature keynote speakers Joel Comm, Jeremy “Shoemoney” Shoemaker followed by a line-up Heather Paulson, Jeannine Crooks, Tim Ash, Anita Edge and many more. Our goal is to provide a convention built around the needs and interests of the grassroots of this expansive industry, the actual affiliate marketers.

Over the coming weeks, the convention website, www.AffCon2010.com will continue fill out. We will be introducing a number of social media tools for delegates, speakers, attendees and organizers to use to communicate and help build a better affiliate convention.

WebmasterRadio.FM has consistently stood for the strength of the online marketing community. Together with our partners, WebmasterRadio.FM is proud to take a leading role in bringing the affiliate marketing community closer together by presenting the most inclusive experience possible. If you work in or around the affiliate marketing industry, AffCon2010 is for you.

A smaller and cheaper Super Bowl?

It’s almost Super Bowl weekend. I always get excited as the big weekend approaches. For my friends, the Super Bowl is like the Stanley Cup Playoffs are for me, albeit much shorter and somewhat less violent. For me and others in the online marketing sector, the Super Bowl is a barometer on the creativity and intensity of marketing and advertising.

This year, the big game happens in Tampa, Florida. I ought to be floating in a cloud of anticipation but am somehow feeling a bit less buoyant this year. As it turns out, so are the sponsors, advertisers and party-organizers.

An article in today’s Toronto Star notes that Price Waterhouse Cooper estimates the ad and party spend is going to be down by approximately 1/4 this year. Pegged at about $150 million, this year’s Super Bowl will likely generate $50 million less in ad-spend and corporate sponsorship than the two previous Super Bowls in Phoenix and Miami.

Annual parties held by Sports Illustrated and Playboy have been canceled for financial reasons and the pay-per-view Lingerie Bowl has been canned due to a lack of venue. Maxim Magazine’s party is said to be an indefinite maybe.

The Super Bowl is the ultimate in American advertising, marketing and corporate glad handing. The most creative and memorable TV commercials are aired on the Super Bowl. In the Internet marketing community, tie-ins between televised advertising and online marketing are seen as an indicator of how competently corporate America is using the Internet to move its messages.

It will be an interesting weekend though not necessarily for the reasons we might be excited about. The game itself should be good with an underdog vs. the steamroller story worthy of a Hollywood script. On the sidelines this year however is the massive ad-spend that makes the Super Bowl most interesting to digital marketers.

Merchants and Affiliate Marketing Experts Focus on Recession-Proof Marketing Strategies

Leading marketing experts from around the world will gather at the virtual eComXpo conference to discuss affiliate marketing strategies in a weak economy. eComXpo, taking place on January 28-29 2009, will address new challenges for affiliate marketing and the future direction it will take. eComXpo speaker, Joe Pulizzi, Founder of Junta42, and the recipient of 2008 Custom Media
Innovator of the Year award, said:

“There are strategies to keep revenue up and find hidden opportunities in a downturn economy. By staying focused on the customer, not the market, you will see a jump in your profit even in current trying times.”

The program features a combination of presentations and panel discussions on a variety of topics including social media, m-Commerce, search marketing, new customer acquisition, site analytics and affiliate management. Nazya Ayaz, Executive Director of eComXpo at New York based conference organizer, Worldwide Business Research, said:

“The research for this conference with high caliber marketing executives indicates an intense interest in seeking out the opportunity to discuss many pressing and urgent issues of the day. We have worked hard to create a speaker line up to provide the
best catalyst for fresh thinking and energized debate. We expect eComXpo to provide an exceptional platform and that, going forward, it will be viewed as having been a significant and influential gathering.”

eComXpo is 100% virtual and registration is free. For additional information on eComXpo, please visit www.eComXpo.com

An open letter to show hosts and marketing partners

Over the past four years, WebmasterRadio.FM has become the voice of the Internet marketing and online B2B industries. Featuring many of the thought leaders in the diversity of sectors that make up our industry, WebmasterRadio.FM brings news, education and entertainment to hundreds of thousands of listeners each month. We’re proud of our accomplishments to date and are resolved to redouble our efforts in 2009.

This year, one of our main goals is reflective of the position the entire online marketing industry finds itself in. In 2009, WebmasterRadio.FM wants to assume our role AS a part of the “mainstream media” with one of our missions being to help explain the digital marketing to businesses and advertising channels traditionally outside the online marketing environment. As the global economy changes and more monies are shifting towards Internet marketing, WebmasterRadio.FM is working to reach out across the digital divide to bring a higher standard of informational programming to decision makers around the world.

We want to enlist your help in building and expanding our collective audience. We’re going to begin communicating far more frequently with our show hosts, conference and media partners in order to develop or deepen our cross-promotion plans. In addition to using the revitalized WebmasterRadio.FM blog, our Facebook group and our Twitter stream to help our partners promote their endeavors, we are opening our content stream and our tools for use on your blogs.

We are also open to new ideas and opportunities. If you have any ideas for new shows, initiatives or cross-marketing opportunities, please let us know about them. We have a wide array of resources and talents to call upon.

For WebmasterRadio.FM, the success of our greater community ensures our own success. In 2009, let’s work harder together to promote each others’ successes.

Nick Hayes, Director of Influencer50 on CoverStory

Today on CoverStory is Nick Hayes, the director of Influencer50’s.

Nick has over 20 years experience working in technology marketing, for companies as large as Microsoft, HP, Sun Microsystems, and Adobe to start-ups and niche players. As the former founder of a successful technology PR firm, Nick saw that traditional PR was becoming commoditised, with clients simply trying to squeeze a little more coverage out of the same model of press relations.

Nick and Brandy will discussing influencer marketing strategies, get some background on some of Nick’s work collaborating with Microsoft, Oracle and Sun Microsystems, and learn more about Influencer50 and Nick’s work in building influencer strategies.

Nick says that Influencer marketing is at the same stage PR was at a few years ago –with a small number of firms that understand the benefits reaping big rewards.

All of this begs the question; is he right? Sound off: Is influencer marketing the new PR?

Thanks for attending SearchBash at SMX East!

In case you missed it, SearchBash at SMX East was a smashing success. Located in upscale Tonic East, a three story bar with a balcony overlooking the Chrysler building, WebmasterRadio.FM’s SearchBash let Search Marketers truly experience the look and feel of New York City. Also, with its many nooks and private tables, there were ample opportunities for networking and conversation.

I have a request for you, dear readers, would you mind posting links to any pictures you took on that evening below?

P.S. There was also BigWatah… If you weren’t there, you’re just gonna have to stay on the outside of that joke…

Pay no attention to the woman in the red dress

We’ve all seen Alpha Women – women who seek status and show their dominance through their clothes, cars, careers, and families. The woman in the proverbial red dress.

It’s hard not to ignore them; unless you are marketer. Because if you want to be successful in reaching woman; it’s probably better to go after the Gamma woman.

What’s a Gamma woman?

Author and marketing expert Lisa Johnson – founder and CEO of The Reach Group – explores that exact topic today on PurseStrings, Live at 3pm. Lisa made her debut on the show a few weeks ago, sharing the results of a study she conducted in conjunction with Lisa Finn and Meredith Corp: “The Gamma Factor: Women and The New Social Currency.” This time around, Lisa takes a deep dive into each of the five Gamma segments. Find out which one YOU might be.

1. Connector

2. Catalyst

3. Family-Focused

4. Do-it-yourself (DIY) creator

5. Challenge-seeker

Recap: Google Chrome mania

Well we had quite the number of shows on Google Chrome recently. Here’s a quick recap:

SEM Synergy

Google has released its open-source browser, Chrome, to public beta. The quick and streamlined browser got a lot of attention and also raised concerns about privacy and search engine bias. Bruce and Susan take a look at how browsers’ default settings and history storing can impact searcher behavior and affect marketers’ SEO efforts.

http://www.webmasterradio.fm/Search-Engine-Optimization/SEM-Synergy/Google-Chrome-Privacy–Search-Engine-Bias.htm

SEO 101

Besides discussing the launch of new open source browser Google Chrome, NeO tells us about his trip moving to the East Coast plus his new job with Prospect MX, plus more talk about the SEO Champ, Firefox Plugins.

http://www.webmasterradio.fm/Search-Engine-Optimization/SEO-101/Google-Chrome-Launch.htm

Daily Search Cast

Google AdWords Adds New Geographic Report, plus Danny breaks down the new open source browser , Google Chrome, and discusses Features That Differentiate Chrome From Firefox & Internet Explorer.

Also, MarketingWeek reports Microsoft is giving away a free month of search ads to both new and current customers.

http://www.webmasterradio.fm/Search-Engine-Optimization/The-Daily-Search-Cast/Google-Chrome-Breakdown.htm

Webcology

Cindy Krum of Blue Moon Works, discusses her thoughts about Google Chrome & the Future of Mobile Search, including her comments at the SES San Jose 2008 panel Death of dotMobi, plus her comments on Google Android, and how Google will compete for mobile against Microsoft and Yahoo.

http://www.webmasterradio.fm/Search-Engine-Optimization/Webcology/Google-Chrome–Future-of-Mobile-Search.htm

Weekly Rewind

Danny Sullivan gives his overall review of the new open source browser Google Chrome, and what he likes about it, plus Cindy Krum of Blue Moon Works tells us about the implications Google Chrome has on mobile technology.

http://www.webmasterradio.fm/Specials/Weekly-Rewind/Google-Chrome-Review.htm

Don’t be afraid of China

On SEO Rockstars today at 4pm EST, Daron will be interviewing Grace Su, CEO of Tyloon.

Tyloon is the only multilingual yellow pages and local search engine allowing you to search 15-million US businesses in English, Spanish, Chinese and more.

China had 220 million broadband users, making it the country with the largest number of people online, however it is still situated for monstrous growth as 81% of the population has not yet gotten online. China has an almost 90% market penetration by foreign companies in the high tech sector, despite assumptions by those in the west that China can be a difficult place to conduct business.

Daron and Grace will be discussing way to help companies looking to expand their search engine marketing into the Chinese market and the state of search marketing in China.

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