Join the Microsoft adCenter Affiliate Program

This new video talks about the Microsoft adCenter affiliate program. Along with Windows Live oneCare, the Kowabunga affiliate network is managing the account for Microsoft and my goal is to find as many quality affiliates as possible. My target for this video is simple, any Search Engine Guru out there, like Danny Sullivan, my ppc hero. He's hard to get a hold of, but I'm hoping this video will get him to partner with us somehow.

For each new U.S.-based Microsoft adCenter customer you generate, you’ll receive a cash reward. How about $35???

Microsoft adCenter is the advertising platform that enables businesses to create, manage and optimize search marketing campaigns to targeted buyers made up of 97 million search users on the MSN and Live Search Network. As an added incentive for your audience, new adCenter customers will receive a $50 credit for free advertising clicks.

Please sign up here: adCenter affiliate program

Listen to Red Bear Radio on Stickam.com

You've no doubt noticed my Stickam webcam widget here on my blog - that box in the upper right hand corner. The Stickam community has more than 1.3 million users but there's only one I would recommend watching. Red Bear Radio stars Mary, an online DJ with tons of personality and a very loyal following.

She performs three times a week for at least two hours, but her goal is to entertain six each show. I turn off my beloved XM radio now when its time for her show. It's interactive, meaning while she's playing the music, she's chatting online with her community. The music is usually Classic Rock, tons of Beatles and some good rockin 80's mixed in there. I love the show and I suggest you check it out.

Monday's and Wednesday's starting at 9:30 a.m. est and on Friday night's at 9 p.m. est. All you have to do is click on her link and watch the show.

Watch this pre-recorded video to sample some of her show.

Brandweek Magazine Gets Viral Video

Brandweek - New Media: Press Releases Designed Without The Press In Mind

The guerrilla marketing concept behind corporate viral videos is to gain brand recognition and free public relations. It goes well beyond the traditional press release and attempts to get print in major media.

They have learned from the general public, no doubt. And now affiliates as well. Shawn Collins and Jim Kukral are pushing merchants and affiliates further into the idea of generating their own videos to sell products. That's because that's where the customers are - on Youtube at night.

Buying Jewelry Online at GoldsmithJewelry.com

I've never bought jewelry online, but given my circumstances, maybe its time. I was never big on buying jewelry during my 11-year marriage, and although I know that isn't what ended it, I don't think it helped either. In fact, it was brought up at one point, but more of a kick in the side than an actual reason.

Then, shortly after my divorce, a long-time female friend told me that I need to start saving up money because the next girlfriend should be spoiled with jewelry. I think it was a hint that she wanted to be that recipient but she lives about 3,000 miles away.

So today I heard about a contest on how to win a free pair of $1,500 diamond earrings from Goldsmith Jewelry in Orlando, Fla. Bloggers who write about the contest are eligible to win the prize. It certainly caught my attention and I'm glad to promote the opening of this jewelers site. They said they've been testing it for security and its open for business.

Maybe 2008 will be my year and my new girlfriend will get these for Valentine's Day, especially since I just lost my job and have nothing to give her for Valentine's Day but a card and a hug.

No more Greg Hoffman on Wikipedia

That was a quick and painless loss. Greg Hoffman on Wikipedia no more.

Oh Well.

Hey Wikipedia Editors: I am the Notable Greg Hoffman!

See the post below for all the links regarding my Wikipedia fight. How many other Greg Hoffman's produce videos just to be on Wikipedia? That's what I thought.

And as for my other mention in this video, here is a great affiliate blog post by Zac Johnson, promoting the Microsoft adCenter program. Thank you, Zac.

Greg Hoffman - Wikipedia Debate Rages

I have stirred the pot over at Wikipedia with my editing of the Greg Hoffman. Read the Articles for Deletion discussion and my comments under Discuss this page. I tried to include the other two Greg Hoffman's that were deleting my wikipedia page but now the editors are involved.

Three persons listed in the article seem non-notable and article doesn't assert their importance. Wikiolap (talk) 04:48, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

* Delete - all three Hoffman's fail the notability guideline. The first could potentially be notable as a senior manager at Kowabunga, but does not appear to have been the subject of mentions in reliable secondary sources, and fails WP:BIO. "Senior Affiliate Manager" may not be as important as it sounds either - I cannot find any reference to this person either at Kowabunga's website or at the parent company Think Partnership. The second and third Hoffmans don't even attempt to assert notability. We know about their dog's name, their ear candling and that one of them was a Marine. We don't have anything to suggest they justify a Wikipedia page. Euryalus (talk) 05:46, 4 January 2008 (UTC)
* Delete, fails WP:BIO x 3. No sources to attribute notability, no real claims either. --Dhartung | Talk 07:26, 4 January 2008 (UTC)
* Delete - horrible article about insignificant people, this is no way to build an encyclopedia. Greswik (talk) 11:26, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

I am not insignificant! Please comment on the page to let the editors know that I should reign supreme on the wikipedia page and that I am notable.

Microsoft Windows Live oneCare Video Pitch

You've seen this on my blog recently, here's a video pitch for affiliates to join the oneCare program.

Simple enough. Click here. www.microsoftaffiliates.net

Password Management for Affiliates

I'm starting my New Year's Resolution to post as many videos as possible. It would be nice if I could do it everyday, but I doubt that will happen. The point is to be consistent and have at least one a week. Wouldn't that be nice?

Here is the first installment. Password Management. I used to work for a security awareness company and learned how to secure passwords on your computer and how to build them.

To keep you passwords, create an excel spreadsheet with four columns. Ok - you computer security gurus, hold your horses, I know that's not the most secure thing in the world, but it's better than post it notes on their desks, isn't it? Ok, four columns:
Name - what program is it?
Dashboard - what is the url to login?
Login
password

You can hide the columns and even keep a fifth column open that has some silly stats. But the most important thing to do is to name the file something no one would care about - "Holiday Card List 1998". Or something simple that hackers would easily overlook.

Now, the second thing is to create an effective password. Look around your desk and find a word, any word. My web camera is made by Logitech. Here's how I would build a password on the fly. Log55ch - first three letters of Logitech with the L capitalized, then two numbers, followed by the last two letters of the word. It's easy to remember but hard to hack.

It's that simple. There are however, an infinite number of ways to store and manage your passwords, this is just a simple, easy way to do it.

Windows Live oneCare Review

I stumbled upon this site this morning which gives an objective review of Windows Live oneCare. From Paul Thurott's Supersite for Windows:

I really like Windows Live OneCare and though it lacks a single important feature I feel is absolutely essential for some people, it does go well beyond competing security suites by tackling non-malware-related problems that affect over PC health, including PC performance. If you're using an email service that provides extensive anti-spam and antivirus filtering, OneCare is a no-brainer: It's reasonably inexpensive, can be installed on multiple PCs in your home, and provides virtually every PC health feature anyone would want for a home PC. Because it's configured as a centrally-managed, automatic service, it's always up-to-date and can be updated with new features and functionality as-needed. My understanding is that Symantec and McAfee are racing to ship product suites that compete more closely with OneCare. I'm not surprised. With OneCare, Microsoft has looked past standard anti-malware functionality and come up with a more complete PC health solution. Highly recommended.

--Paul Thurrott
March 31, 2006 and May 31, 2006

Happy New Year! My First Video

Lesson learned? Don't try to talk on video without a microphone.
Why? Winds were about 20 m.p.h. at St. Pete Beach this morning.

What did I say? Happy New Year. This is what we do here in Florida on New Year's Day, we go to the beach and collect shells. I'll talk to you again soon.

Here's my affiliate marketing New Year's Resolution. I want to see if I can post a video a day, and if not at least one a week. Let's see how long that lasts.

I promise to use a microphone next time.