2 months ago I put up a survey to blog readers and newsletter readers. I asked what content people were interested in that I could create from you.

From that we have released software, lots of free videos, and done webinars.

But one particular top we got a TON of questions on was local marketing.

But it was a big mix between people who were business owners looking to learn more and people who were looking to offer services to local businesses.

If you’re an affiliate looking to make money working with local business owners
or if you’re a local business owner who wants a flood of new customers then this if for YOU.

I have a few simple questions for you below, just click on the link that’s for you.

-> BUSINESS OWNERS -> What’s your biggest problem when it comes to getting new customers?

-> AFFILIATES-> What’s your biggest problem when it comes to doing local affiliate marketing?

Once you give me your opinion in the survey above, I’m going to put together a KILLER report
showing you exactly what you want to know…

So click one of the links above and fill out the quick 1 page survey.

Recently I got a interesting question:

Shoe – How come you see all these affiliate bloggers startup,  deliver awesome content,  then dissapear into the woodwork?  I am talking about sites like Nickycakes,  bluehatseo, seoblackhat, ppc.bz and the like.

That is a really good question.

There are several reasons why people stop.  I would say the average lifespan of an affiliate blog is about 1 year… or 200 posts on average.

When people start an affiliate blog they are super gung ho and want to show the world how smart they are.   And they are unbelievably smart… don’t get me wrong.

But how long can they maintain that sort of value?  Honestly?

Here at ShoeMoney this blog is about me and whatever interests me.  I talk about lots of random crap but occasionally some internet marketing stuff which people find valuable.  Someday maybe I will completely retire and just blog about life and my thoughts on other stuff… and nobody in the internet marketing industry will care.

I will still be here writing my average 1.2 posts a day.  I wrote for a long time when nobody read and when nobody reads again I will still be here.

Back to your question though.

I also believe their is a pyramid in the affiliate blogging space.  Let me try to visualize it:

So my point is that the more savvy the blogger becomes the less people he can actually help by sharing knowledge.

The blogs you see that are successful, make a lot of money, and continue to grow are ones that stay on that basic level that can relate to millions of people.

Sites like John Chow and Pro Blogger are very good at this. I believe its because a lot of their content is from guest others that are on that basic level and can deliver value (in john chows case he is just always on that basic level =P ).

So far this has all been thinking positively though. Sadly a lot of people who start blogs eventually get big enough that they just can’t handle the spotlight. The first time they get haters they crawl into a hole.

Anyway great question and I hope that answers it!

I leave this morning to head to Los Angeles for the Startups Uncensored Event

The morning of the event I am filming a 30 video series which will part of a free iPad/iPhone application. My section of the application is on affiliate marketing.

I have a pretty extensive list of questions that I think people have on affiliate marketing but would love to hear from you.

Please post what questions about affiliate marketing you would like to see in the series in the comments below.

Since we announced we were going to look for a partner for LinkControl.com to take it open source.

The main qualification is pretty simple.  We are just looking for someone who has managed an opensoure project before.

We have had a lot of people offer to do it but nobody has really maintained an opensource project.

Please let us know if you are interested. 

About 6 months ago we started a new division of ShoeMoney called Elite Internet Solutions. This is a full service internet marketing company for business in the 1 million to 100 million in gross revenue range.

We don’t solicit any business. Its all been word of mouth so far.

One thing that amazes me is how many businesses neglect email.

We divide emails into 2 things. Retention and Acquisition.

• The acquisition sequence is when a person gives their email directly on the site or the data was obtained by a 3rd party. We send them a series of emails which educate them about the company, demonstrate social proof, and offer incredible specials to get them to be a customer.
• The retention sequence goes to the existing customers to bring them back to make purchases. Its a long series of emails and also emails around specific dates with specials – Valentines day, 4th of July, Christmas, etc.

Some of the companies we have been working with have literally doubled their sales from the email sequences alone. If you are not currently doing this you are missing out big time on sales.

Obviously a huge part of this is knowing the sequence and copywriting. Anyone can do this but if you need help feel free to contact us.

All regular readers know I am a huge fan of the sport. Tonights UFC 143 event is so stacked with great fights. I am super pumped.

JOSH KOSCHECK (@joshkoscheck) VS. MIKE PIERCE (@mikepierce170)

I have known Josh going back to when we sponsored him in UFC 66. I have gone out with him a couple times in Las Vegas.

Mike Pierce is a really good up and coming fighter. He had a very close fight with Kos’s teammate Jon Fitch not to long ago. Usually Kos is a little worse than Fitch so this is going to be a really close fight.

I predict Josh Koscheck win by decision (lay and pray). Probably pretty boring fight.

I bet 3 units on Josh Koshcheck to win.

ROY NELSON (@roynelsonmma) VS. FABRICIO WERDUM (@FabricioWerdum)

This should be a great fight. I love me some Roy Nelson. This is Fabricio’s first fight in the UFC since he was cut a couple years ago. Roy Nelson I believe has Fabricio beat in ever aspect. He has superior striking, superior BJJ, and superior cardio.

I bet 6 units on Roy Nelson

CARLOS CONDIT (@carloscondit) VS. NICK DIAZ (@nickdiaz209)

This is for the interim 170lb title. This has all the ingredients to be fight of the year. Bother are also champions in other organizations where they vacated the belt to come to the UFC. Neither has ever lost a title fight.

I think Diaz is the superior fighter but Carlos posses a lot of “puncher’s chance” type moves… superman punches, flying knees. But I just don’t think its going to happen.

I am not betting on this fight. The odds are favoring so much to Diaz… I just don’t like it to bet on.

For non gamblers units is just a way of saying how much you like the fight. It could equal whatever value you want relatively. 2 units = $2 (or 20 or 2000). 5 units = $5 (50 or 5000) whatever. Make sense?

I hope everyone enjoys the fights! Should be awesome!!!

Internet Marketing Ninjas is a full service marketing company that uses their knowledge to turn their client’s website into a powerful lead generator and makes their client’s website stand out… which is actually the opposite of what an actual ninja wants to do.