A Look Back at August 2007

Every month I'm going to do a review of the month before. I'm going to do this for two main reasons, the first is that I'd much prefer a streamlined list of posts than the way Blogger does it, but also because I'd like to recap on the posts I've made and the comments others have added to the mix.

The month started off with a review of Facebook and how you can very easily add affiliate links to your profile - [Monetising Facebook Easily]. I then went on about how advertisers appear to look like they've got a social conscious as was seen by the The Facebook / BNP Controversy. I also got pissed off by the great Yahoo! Search Marketing Rip Off! However, a nice employee there sorted it out for me.

A couple days later there was a Call To Ban Travel Affiliate Sites because the guy from Travel Rants was unhappy with how they carry themselves online and potentially confuse consumers. I thought he had a point James Avery supported to a point the views of TR.

On the 6th I asked if there'd been a Google PR Update? And Kieth Bond and Dio Bach handn't noticed anything.

A couple of days later I posted about the other "PR" - Public Relations and how my client Pazang managed to get coverage in the Sun for Caverswall Castle. Dispite the case they had a massive spread in the Manchester Evening News, their web designer still hasn't implemented the very minor changes to the site I'd asked for - like spelling "Staffordshire" correctly in the homepage [Title] tag. Grr.

I then reviewed an article about the 5 Most Common Affiliate Mistakes it's still a worthwhile read even if others are constantly adding their own versions.

I don't often post about Webgains but I felt the need to say how great their blog was. I made some suggestions and then Kier implemented some of them. Kudos to the guys there.

One thing I've got burned with recently is credit card fraud. I was well cheesed off with CD Wow who let a load of fraudulent transactions to go through, whilst Play.com were hot and asked me to contact them before a transaction went through.

One of my problems is that I have too many domains and not enough time - just like most affiliates I suppose. I've got a domain about franking machines and I asked if I should try and work on it or try and flog it. I've decided that when I get time I'll whack it on ebay and see what I can get for it.

Later on I spotted a site that was stuffing keywords and doing dodgy (I thought) redirects but still managed to rank highly for a decent keyphrase. What's even worse, they've moved up a place and are now on page 1. Time to do a spam notice.





I also commented on My New Carlos Tevez Blog. With my work load I've struggled to keep it as up to date as I'd like especially as I've thought it wise to look at my Euro 2008 blog seeing as we're into a crucial few days.

I was very surprised that no-one comment on my post about the reduction in confidence consumers have with Price Comparison sites. I was sure that some of you comparison dudes would have wanted to give your thoughts.

There was another important issue to do with Google Proxy Hacking: How A Third Party Can You Removed From Google which I found interesting and just as worrying.

Not a massive bit of news, but it was nice to see the BBC Getting Social.

I then posted on the 3 Reasons to Avoid Affiliate Marketing. And Carsten brought to my attention the totally crap entry in Wikipedia for "Affiliate Marketing" - I agree it sure needs an accurate review!

I then wrote a bit of an incendiary post about How the Affiliate Marketing Industry Killed Itself. this was picked up by the mighty Linda Buquet at 5 Star Affiliate Programs. Then Kieron did a quick post in his usual style. I then thought it right to do an update post as I didn't think Kieron's post was totally accurate.

I'm known for not restraining my views lest they upset people. And I felt that when Jim Hedger wrote about the death of SEO my reply "SEO is Not Dead - Its Been Evolving For Years". People weren't up for a debate on that so i left it.

When Doing Nothing is Best was a post I regretted. No sooner had I posted it Google started removing, then they came in and out. It just solidifies my view that the greater the number and quality of links to your site the more tolerant Google are with cross-site duplication. I wonder what others think?

I then went off on one about "Why do some see deeplinking as illegal?" and the affiliate foot soldier Kerry Kasim gave her views and recommend Countdown with Keith Olberman.

Then I seemed to have lit a bit of a touch paper and it really did bring a nice smile to my face when some of you guys posted some great comments when you saw me leaving for good. The post Why I Effectively Left Affiliate Marketing had loads of comments many of them promoted by Jess. I was then forced to quickly pen "And Why I'm Back". I'm trying to find more time to do my affiliate stuff. With Laura moving in and people wanting to use more and more of my time to help promote them online, it's got a bit difficult. I'm going to have to do some clever juggling now or end my relationship with some. This is something I'll need to have a good think about.

Friday, 3 August 2007
Yahoo! Search Marketing Rip Off!
Censorship 2.0 - The Facebook / BNP Controversy
Monetising Facebook Easily
Buzz / Viral Marketing Guide

Sunday, 5 August 2007
Call To Ban Travel Affiliate Sites

Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Why PR Is Great - Client Has Major Coverage in The Sun

Thursday, 9 August 2007
What are the 5 Most Common Affiliate Mistakes?
And The Award For Best Network Blog Goes To ...

Friday, 10 August 2007
A half decent domain, trickle of sales - but you decide.
Why Can't CD Wow Be More Like Play.com?

Thursday, 16 August 2007
My New Carlos Tevez Blog
Why Title Tag is "King" And Keyword Stuffing Won't Get You Banned

Wednesday, 22 August 2007
3 Reasons to Avoid Affiliate Marketing
BBC Gets Social
Google Proxy Hacking: How A Third Party Can You Removed From Google
Affiliate Marketing - The Way Forward - Comparison Sites Out

Thursday, 23 August 2007
Should Women Be Band From Shopping On Thursdays?

Friday, 24 August 2007
Castle Corporate Venue For Hire & Rich Single Man Available
How the Affiliate Marketing Industry Killed Itself

Tuesday, 28 August 2007
How the Affiliate Marketing Industry Killed Itself - Update
SEO is Not Dead - Its Been Evolving For Years

Thursday, 30 August 2007
Affiliate Classroom Magazine
E-Consultancy Affiliate Marketing Report / Questionnaire - Last Few Days
Why do some see deeplinking as illegal?
When Doing Nothing is Best

Friday, 31 August 2007
And Why I'm Back
Why I Effectively Left Affiliate Marketing