January 2007
eBay Rev Share & Incentive Sites
Just received an e-mail from eBay stating that from the beginning of March, we will be able to earn a rev share for the users we have sent to eBay.
First thought was that this was not a particularly useful e-mail for the Loyalty/Incentive marketers amongst us - as these types of affiliate websites are not allowed to incentivise their new Active Confirmed Registered Users (ACRUs) - so how are we supposed to market a rev share on one of these websites without a selling point?
However, thinking of the reasons why eBay are releasing a rev share deal (they seem to be making enough money without the need to give some back - surely!?) is the key for us.
Incentive/Royalty sites are great at driving volume to a site, and under the right circumstances can become ‘Super Affiliates’ for these merchants. Therefore I’d imagine a rev share deal, with SID tracking, is the new way forward for both eBay, Incentive/Royalty sites and the network - not forgetting the user, who will be making money back on their purchases.
Theres no confirmation that eBay will be working with SID tracking on their rev share, however this must be a main priority? If not, it should be!
Chris
Lightbox JavaScript
For my first post I thought i’d point out a fantastic little script i’ve discovered after reading the a4uforum. The Lightbox 2 code lets users popup a very cool image browser. To check it out take a look on the lightbox website and grab the download .zip archive.
Here’s how you implement it on your website.
1 - Setup
Lightbox v2.0 uses the Prototype Framework and Scriptaculous Effects Library. You will need to include these three Javascript files in your header.
<script type=”text/javascript” src=”js/prototype.js” mce_src=”js/prototype.js” ></script>
<script type=”text/javascript” src=”js/scriptaculous.js?load=effects” mce_src=”js/scriptaculous.js?load=effects” ></script>
<script type=”text/javascript” src=”js/lightbox.js” mce_src=”js/lightbox.js” ></script>
Include the Lightbox CSS file (or append your active stylesheet with the Lightbox styles).
<link rel=”stylesheet” href=”css/lightbox.css” mce_href=”css/lightbox.css” type=”text/css” media=”screen” />
Check the CSS and make sure the referenced prev.gif and next.gif files are in the right location. Also, make sure the loading.gif and close.gif files as referenced near the top of the lightbox.js file are in the right location.
2 - Activate
Add a rel=”lightbox” attribute to any link tag to activate the lightbox. For example:
<a href=”images/image-1.jpg” mce_href=”images/image-1.jpg” rel=”lightbox” title=”my caption”>image #1</a>
Optional: Use the title attribute if you want to show a caption.
If you have a set of related images that you would like to group, follow step one but additionally include a group name between square brackets in the rel attribute. For example:
<a href=”images/image-1.jpg” mce_href=”images/image-1.jpg” rel=”lightbox[roadtrip]“>image #1</a>
<a href=”images/image-2.jpg” mce_href=”images/image-2.jpg” rel=”lightbox[roadtrip]“>image #2</a>
<a href=”images/image-3.jpg” mce_href=”images/image-3.jpg” rel=”lightbox[roadtrip]“>image #3</a>
Adds a professional touch to any website.
Tom
Affiliate Summit - Las Vegas
Recently refreshed from Affiliate Summit 2007 in Las Vegas, I have had time to reflect on the conference.
First of all the conference would not have been the same without the many of the 30+ UK friends who made it great fun (who are also partly responsible for the lack of sleep!) so Thanks Shane, Paul, Fraser, Duncan, Jamie, Kieron, Frostie, Elaine, Dave, the whole buy.at crew and so many more.
The networking element was astounding, with so many opportunities to meet and discuss ideas and thoughts with experienced affiliate marketing leaders and guru’s which the US market seems to worship.
The value for me was this networking rather than the numerous presentations, which whilst thought provoking lacked adhesion in some areas. They are still however are worthwhile, but be prepared to jump rooms if you feel the content is not what you expected.
The exhibition area with over 100 stands was an eye opener; I lost count of how many niche networks were exhibiting, and we thought the UK had too many!
One factor that was continually addressed?
It has to be; the consumer is in ultimately in control and we must provide tools and methods to allow them to interact at all levels. Do not go out with the mindset to build an affiliate site!
I hope to give a more in-depth report once I can decipher my notes in greater detail and catch up on things in the Bristol office.
Matthew
My First Post
Hi everybody.
As this is my first post i thought i’d start with an overview of some great css designs from the past 12months. Css design has really been shaping the way the web has been designed of late as anyone who has visted the csszengarden will surely know.
Heres a very comprehensive list of great sites by great designers and teams which i came across at smashingmagazine.com
View the list by clicking here
Thanks
Pete
Blogger Baby
It was going to happen soon enough, yes our corporate blog. Claire has been piling on the posts at our new a4uEvents.com blog, and we were all feeling left out in the office.
As this is our first post I guess we need to make our ‘hello’ pitch and tell you an incling about what we are knuckling down to at the moment hopefully giving you an insight into who and what we are!
Well, we are a profitable, VC free internet marketing company based in Bristol, we’ve come a long way in the last year and have big plans for 2007 with all our projects, we have the team in place now to really move things forward.
We are really biting our teeth into the web 2.0 arena, an area so full of B!S you really need to keep focused on what it all means in our world of affiliate marketing; its not a revolution just an evolution!
We don’t just do online either, we have been running successful networking events for over 6 years, and this year sees the a4uExpo, at ExCel London. A two day conference and exhibition purely for affiliate marketing. Its never been done before in the UK or Europe and yes we are very excited!
