From C2M to all of it’s publishers and advertisers, we just wanted to say Happy Memorial Day Weekend. You are probably out on your jetski or boat, having a family barbecue or something and I am yet again sitting in the office and blogging. Ha! Anyway, we hope you have a happy and safe memorial day weekend along with the holiday itself.

A couple of updates and reminders here to start. First off, Convert2Media (thanks to Steve for organizing this event) has established a Meetup 202 event each and every month. Next Saturday, marks our first Meetup. From discussions over the last month since the organization of the event, I have been told by publishers from Texas, Ohio and Canada that they will be attending. That’s pretty incredible to come all the way down here for 1 day. I think the word got out that when I get in social environments, I tend to drop a few tidbits about marketing. One of these tidbits in Las Vegas at the past Affiliate Summit in January took a publisher from xxx earnings monthly to mid xx,xxx earnings monthly. I’ve got a few things up the sleeve to give out at this meetup so I hope to see you there. Here’s the info one more time:

• Saturday May 30th
• 1:00pm at Gator Dockside located in Doctor Philips
• Contact Steve or I if you need more directions

Coaching And Communication:

This is a more complex thing then a lot of people think. On one hand, I have a ton of publishers asking, inquiring and telling me to get my ass in gear on the coaching program. On the second hand, I have established publishers who really HATE this idea. I’ve even had publishers threaten to stop working with us should I create such a thing. On one hand, it seems a bit ridiculous, however on the other hand, I completely see their point of view. With that said, I have every intention and so does my team to create an environment where aspiring affiliate marketers can come and learn and established affiliate marketers can pick up more tips, techniques and information to further their business.

With that said, I’ve gone from releasing a full blown coaching program to a much more elaborate setting. Some of the things you will see is that the old forums are longer going to be used. We have switched the software we are using to vbulletin and you can signup to the new forums here. With a full blown coaching program out there, I know for a fact from running communities and owning previous communites before that a boatload of time will be wasted from people soaking information and never doing anything with it. Sounds harsh I know, but I’ve got years in coaching, forums, and managing affiliates that proves this. So, I’m taking a much more hands on approach.

With the new forums, you are encouraged to ask your specific questions there. You are guaranteed a response. Convert2Media has gone to great lengths in bringing managers with publishing experience so even if I somehow dont make the question, you are guaranteed a response. Is there any other place online where you are guaranteed a response? The forums are just a solid place for community discussion. I’ve also got a few other things coming such as:

• Skype Conferences - Topics are being drafted and sessions created as we speak
• Online Webinars - Same as skype but I can host more people.
• uStream - Yes, I will be hosting a weekly uStream session. In this session you are welcome to come and ask questions or discuss things related to affiliate marketing. I will be speaking live on there.

We are still continuing the IRC Chatroom but things will be changing there as well. I am wanting a bit more organization there because it’s practically dead there most of the time so there will be group training, techniques and tips given out there regularly.

So the coaching program is still a go but now I’ve changed it to kick out time wasting and tire kicking. Now it’s to a point of you making a little effort. You ask the questions, you get the answers. Remember to signup to the new forums here and let’s get started.

Have a great weekend - R