My clients come to me because they are frustrated at not being noticed, angry they have less resources but more work to do, and disappointed that their content isn’t as compelling as they need. I help them solve these problems. I can help you too.

Content Editing (whip your words, content and copy into shape)
Content Creation (write articles, blogs, reviews, marketing materials, ad copy and more)
Content Development/Strategy (evaluate your media property; implement improvement plans consistent with your business objectives)
Podcasting (develop custom podcasts and audio content for your brand)
Education (develop comprehensive curriculum and learning materials in a variety of verticals)
Social Media Consulting (develop and implement a strategy to leverage social networking platforms)
Branding (help create corporate identities; gain media recognition; create imaginative campaigns)

Affiliate Summit East 2010 Recap

by Lisa Picarille on August 23, 2010

Once again Affiliate Summit did not disappoint. I attended the conference in New York City last week and found it an invaluable tool for catching up with clients, getting some new leads and educating myself on the most-pressing issues in the affiliate space.

Shawn Collins and Missy Ward put on the best show in the  industry and the event continues to grow (more than 3,500 attendees in NYC). And  as always, Affiliate Summit offers so many educational opportunities. Although I attended several amazing sessions, I also missed way too many. It’s just too easy to get caught in the hallways or exhibit hall and get sucked into interesting conversations. Luckily, I had a Platinum pass, which means that I will have access to see the videos of the sessions I missed. I can’t wait to start viewing those sessions. They are usually available about 3 to 4 weeks following the show, which gives me just enough time to implement what I did learn, before I have more to do.

The keynotes this year were exceptional. I knew just a little about Frank Luntz’s work as an author, consultant and pollster before Summit. Luntz’s specialty is testing language and finding words that will help his clients sell their product or change opinions on candidates. His keynote gave me a lot to think about. Being a 20+ year journalist and writer, I may be biased about a keynote focusing on words that work since I’m a word nerd.

Jim Kukral’s keynote was also a treat. Total disclaimer here, Jim is a long time friend of mine, a collaborator on several projects with me and the co-author with me of the upcoming book (The Ultimate Pitch: 17 Surefire Strategies to Get Exactly What You Want in Work & Life - Wiley & Sons).

Jim set out to challenge the audience to have the career they want. I think he accomplished that. I was inspired to be even more of a “doer”. I felt energized and coupled with also reading Jim’s new book (Attention: This Book Will Make You Money) I am really motivated and inspired.

In addition, I was also honored to be part of Jim’s Affiliate Super Friends, a group that he contacted to help him spread the word about the launch of his book a few weeks ago. The email thread morphed into something more and GTO Management’s Karen Garcia made an entire website dedicated to the Affiliate Super Friends and then turned everyone into super heroes by sewing capes for us. Karen is truly amazing.

At the conference I heard some truly inspiring ideas for new businesses that are in the works (I’ll be able to say more about some of them very soon). Many of them take advantage of blogs, social networks and gaps left by the networks for additional tracking. I am always blown away by how clever and savvy affiliates are. Affiliates move quickly, seize opportunities and make things happen. There are doers.

I also saw a lot of third party tools, which for me signifies the maturation of the industry. While, some observers may still regard affiliate marketing as the Wild West, in my opinion the industry has come of age. There is no doubt it is a viable, growing industry that delivers – a trait that guarantees affiliate marketing will be around for years to come. I look forward to seeing it evolve and grow.

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May I Have Your Attention, Please?

by Lisa Picarille on August 10, 2010

Hellooo….?

Ahem, are you listening to me?

If you’re anything like me or most marketers you are trying to get your message out there, but not always sure people are listening, reacting or taking action. Hell, they may not have even heard you. But just screaming louder to rise above the glut of noise out there is not the answer

My friend Jim Kukral knows how to get positive attention and wrote a book to share his awesome attention getting strategies. Attention: This Book Will Make You Money came out today to rave reviews. It’s not just a hey-look-at-me approach to capturing attention, but tips, tricks, proven-techniques, and off-the wall buzz-worthy ideas that can make you money. Yes, money. Who doesn’t want more of that?

I’ve been following the blog and I can’t wait to read the book and put some of the ideas into action. I’m also looking forward to seeing Jim give the keynote at Affiliate Summit East 2010 next week in New York. I’ll be in the front row cheering him on (or maybe heckling, depending on how late I was out the night before).

In the spirit of full disclosure, Jim is my co-author on The Ultimate Pitch: 17 Sure-Fire Strategies for Getting Exactly What You Want in Work & Life. The book is due out from Wiley & Sons in the spring of 2011. Because Jim and I are working together have even more first-hand knowledge that he is one smart dude who knows how to get attention. I am listening to him.

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Headed to Affiliate Summit East 2010

by Lisa Picarille on August 5, 2010

I always get excited about the Affiliate Summit conference – especially when it’s on the East Coast and New York City in particular. It’s my chance to head back east and get snoot full of that heat and humidity and hustle and bustle that I miss so much.

Actually, it’s my big opportunity to catch up with old friends from the affiliate marketing space and meet plenty of new ones. I’m particularly excited about a bunch of things that are happening at or around the show.

The Audience Conference: It’s being held at the iconic comedy club Caroline’s in Manhattan. In addition to a spectacular lineup of speakers, there is a chance for attendees to step on the famous stage and see if they can make the crowd laugh. I’ve signed up for the open mike and my 2 minutes of shame (Maybe fame. Doubtful, but fingers crossed). I’m taking a red-eye from California and land only an hour before the event begins. Hopefully, I’ll be rested and ready for my comic debut. [click to continue…]

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This week on the Affiliate Thing podcast, Shawn Collins and I talk about Shawn planning to move to Austin, Affiliate Summit selling out, and whether Foursquare is useful or horrible. We also get into optimizing image results in the search engines, new advertisers at LinkShare, whether people need their own iPhone apps, and a CJ pay-per-call webinar.

Get all the show links and listen to the podcast.

You can also subscribe to the Affiliate Thing RSS feed or listen on iTunes. You can also send a blank e-mail to affiliatething@aweber.com to get each podcast delivered by e-mail.

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My Best Friend is a Social Networking Holdout

September 9, 2009

No matter how convincing my arguments or the number of times I attempt to lure my best friend to participate in social networking, she just won’t give in.
It totally baffles me that she is vehemently resistant to social networking applications and social platforms as they seem tailor made for someone like her –she loves to [...]

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Affiliate Marketers Give Back

August 24, 2009

Missy Ward is a champion fundraiser for many causes including breast cancer. She’s all about saving the boobies. This week she is running The Not-So-Silent Auction to help her teammates raise the minimum necessary so they can participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer next month in Los Angeles.
Missy put out the call [...]

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I’m on the Friday Podcast

August 24, 2009

Andrew Wee invited to be be on his long-running Friday Podcast with Andrew Wee. We had a lively and interesting discussion on content, how it’s evolving, how to make the most of content and what makes compelling content. We also talked a little about branding and the new book I am working on with Jim [...]

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Dining at the Content Buffet

August 17, 2009

I’ve been thinking a lot about the psychology of taking things away from people or offering them only limited options. In my personal life I’ve been contemplating no longer eating red meat. I don’t indulge very often anyway, but the idea of saying that I will not eat red meat feels much more like deprivation [...]

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Performance Marketing Alliance Names Charter Board

August 10, 2009

The Performance Marketing Alliance has announced its charter board of directors. The board, which was elected by the more than 50 charter members of the PMA, now has official oversight of the PMA, and will provide vision and leadership for the organization..
The PMA Board of Directors includes:
* Chris Henger, head of [...]

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10 Tips for Improving Your Pitch at Affiliate Summit

August 7, 2009

Jim Kukral and I are who working on a book called “Your Pitch Sucks”, and to help you out at Affiliate Summit (and any other tradeshow you might attend) we have put out a free ebook called “Quick Tips for Improving Your Pitch at a Tradeshow.”
The ebook features 10 tips that you can read [...]

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