This is a little off topic, but I got an email today and I wanted to pass along this story. It made me laugh a lot.

Here’s a truly heartwarming story about the bond formed between a little 5-year-old girl and some construction workers that will make you believe that we all can make a difference when we give a child the gift of our time.

A young family moved into a house, next to a vacant lot. One day, a construction crew began to build a house on the empty lot. The family’s 5-year-old daughter naturally took an interest in the goings-on and spent much of each day observing the workers.

Eventually the construction crew, all of them ‘gems-in-the-rough,’ more or less, adopted her as a kind of project mascot. They chatted with her during coffee and lunch breaks and gave her little jobs to do here and there to make her feel important. At the end of the first week, they even presented her with a pay envelope containing ten dollars. The little girl took this home to her mother who suggested that she take her ten dollars ‘pay’ she’d received to the bank the next day to start a savings account.

When the girl and her mom got to the bank, the teller was equally impressed and asked the little girl how she had come by her very own pay check at such a young age. The little girl proudly replied, “I worked last week with a real construction crew building the new house next door to us.”

“Oh my goodness gracious,” said the teller, “and will you be working on the house again this week, too?”

The little girl replied, “I will, if those assholes at Home Depot ever delivers the fuckin’ sheet rock.”

I am going to be honest, most tutorials out there are outdated and the methods don’t provide the same results that the tutorials boast. Don’t get me wrong, the methods still could work but you are not going to see the same results. Think of it this way, if you where making thousands of dollars a day would you tell anybody? Once that method dried up for you, then you write an ebook on how you did it. Then you got another new niche. Lots of beginners buy in on the “I made $$$ and so can you” and “Here is a check showing you I made $$$”. The bottom line is it takes time, but it pays off in the end.

Its back again, Google Adwords has sent out more coupon codes to entice users to spend more money on advertising. I received about 5 post card size cards from Google and Hostgator with different amounts of value per Google Adwords promo code. So make sure you check your mail today (snail mail, not email). My values ranged from $25-$75. I had a few sites with hostgator awhile back, but I have seen Google partner up with other companies on this before. I am posting a few codes over at Search Engine Promos for free for the taking. Here are some pictures of what to look for: (Click Photos to Enlarge)

Swoopo, home of some of the most exciting auctions on the internet. Our auctions work a little bit differently - once you’ve got the hang of them, we think you’ll love them.

There’s a few key things that are different from other auctions you might have used online:

1.) Bidding on our auctions starts at just 15c, with no reserve prices.
2.) The price only goes up by 15c with each bid placed.
3.) If a bid gets placed in the final moments, we extend the auction by up to 20 seconds.
4.) Each bid placed on an auction costs just $0.75, enabling us to offer such amazing deals.

Swoopo.com is one of the fastest growing websites in North America and we are launching Canada soon.

Win Mom a new laptop! Enter code MOM15 at Swoopo.com when you win your first auction and get $15 off! Offer ends May 10th.

Project management, collaboration, and task software: Basecamp

Basecamp is a web-based tool that lets you manage and track projects (or simply ideas) and quickly create client/project extranets. Over 1,000,000 people signed up.

94% recommended

In a recent random customer satisfaction survey, 94% of Basecamp customers surveyed said they would recommend Basecamp to their friends, family, and colleagues. Since the vast majority of business comes from word-of-mouth referrals we work hard to make sure our customers are well taken care of.

Safe, private, secure

Your Basecamp account is password protected and safe from prying eyes. Plus, Premium, and Max accounts also include SSL security (the same as online banks).

Basecamp works

For years project management software was about charts, graphs, and stats. And you know what? It didn’t work. Pictures and numbers don’t get projects done. Basecamp tackles project management from an entirely different angle: A focus on communication and collaboration. Basecamp brings people together.

To get $10 off your first month enter this coupon code at sign up.

Other Products by 37signals.com

Why Highrise?

Highrise is the answer to the avalanche: So many people. So many phone calls, emails, notes, follow-ups, and tasks. Who is this person again? When did we last speak? What did we talk about? Has anyone else in my company talked to this person? What’s supposed to happen next? Highrise is here to keep track of it all.

Backpack is an easy intranet for your business. Store, share, discuss, and archive everything that’s essential for your team. Safe and secure.

Backpack Pages: The magic of Backpack

Backpack Pages are Backpack’s secret weapon. You can add any combination of notes, to-dos, files, photos, and dividers to a page. Pages just take seconds to create and can be used to organize, share, and discuss anything.

Lately many of my affiliate diet sites having seen a big decrease in conversions and traffic and this is do to Google knocking me down on the search engine listings. I am not sure why Google is punishing affiliate diet sites but I am not the only one, I have heard from a few other affiliates who are having the same problem. Is the diet offer niche over? Hopefully not.

Many offers like Acai Berry, Wu-Yi tea, and other similar diet offers are really taking the hit. It is getting to the point that a bidding war is going on that by the end of the day you profit margin is less than 10%.

If you have a website selling a niche product and you are thinking about expanding and starting an affiliate program you have two choice; create your own in-house affiliate program or join a network. It’s a tough decision to choose between. I recommend to do both if possible.

Benefits of Joining a Network

There are lots of reasons to join a network and the biggest reason is exposure. You will instantly be exposed to thousands of affiliates looking to promote offers. If your product is popular or has a good conversion ratio then more affiliates will run your offer. If your offer is mediocre or doesn’t convert well then you will have a harder time finding affiliates to run your offer.

Another advantage of working with a network is that you hopefully can have a “Super Affiliate” run your offer. A super affiliate is what every network dreams of, an affiliate that has a high level of traffic and brings in a lot of conversions. Most super affiliates stick with one or so networks because the networks take good care of them. Having a super affiliate run your offer means you will see a lot of traffic.

Most importantly, a large benefit of joining a network is having someone else manage it for you. This leaves you more time to manage your site and focus on sales.

Disadvantages of Joining a Network

Joining a network means fees, it will cost you more money to join an affiliate network. Besides paying your setup fee which can sometimes be upwards of $5,000 you could be paying 25% more CPA. For example, the networks service fee is 25% and based on the commission amount paid to the Affiliate. So if the Affiliate is paid $10 commission, the network will receive $2.50. The total cost to you is $12.50.

Another disadvantage of joining a network is that some, not all, CPA networks push lots of spam. CPA networks gets their money through the performance of their affiliates so I know quite a few are pushing affiliates to make a sale/lead/etc without much ethical concern. This could come back to hurt your product and your reputation.

Depending on your product you might be better suited to join one of the larger networks or stick with CPM or Adsense style advertising. It would be better not to judge CPA networks as a whole, but research some individual networks, and see who comes out clean.

Benefits of an In-House Affiliate Program

Using your own in-house affiliate program allows you to customize it to suite your website. Having your affiliate program branded with your website logo and having the design and layout match your website will make it look more professional.

You will also be able to offer your affiliates more ways of promoting your product, like off line advertising, special discount codes tailored to certain affiliates.

One of the biggest reason to have an in-house affiliate program is search engine ranking. By having an in-house affiliate program every affiliate link generated is with your websites url. When your affiliate links to your website this creates a back link which will help your Google page rank and search engine ranking.

Example:

Network Link: http://www.network.com/afclick.php?o=9199&b=gmzmrt0y&p=0009&l=1

In-House Affiliate Program: http://www.yoursite.com/?Ref=398

Also, with in-house affiliate programs you have the option of link structure for affiliate links. Here is an example of the top three link structures you might be able to use. This varies depending on which affiliate software you use or if you create your own.

Example:

http://www.yoursite.com/?Ref=398

http://www.yoursite.com/398.html

http://www.yoursite.com/?398

With in-house affiliate programs you have 100% control over your affiliate program. You can review each affiliates contact information and check it for fraud or contact them individually and offer them special incentives for promoting your product.

Disadvantages of an In-House Affiliate Program

The biggest disadvantage is time spent on managing your in-house affiliate program. It takes a long time to setup your affiliate program. You will need to have a powerful server to handle all the traffic as well as create your own banners and advertisements.

Another big downfall of in-house affiliate programs is that you are limited in exposure to affiliates. If your affiliate has never heard of your product then they are not going to find the sign-up page to promote it.

What To Do

If you are going to go with a network to promote your products I suggest you visit our list of affiliate networks to find an affiliate network that is suitable for your needs.

Affiliate Network Software

JROX Affiliate Software

DirectTrack (Most Expensive)

If you are looking to buy software we encourage you to contact us we would be happy to help you select the affiliate software suitable for your needs.

Doing Business As (DBA) - Fictitious Business Name

Most states require you to file a DBA if you are doing business under a name different than your legal name. So last night I was up searching the internet for how to file a DBA (Doing Business As) and costs related to it. I found numerous sites but they where all “services” which meant they would do it for you for a fee. So I did some more digging and finally found my states information website on it (Every state is different). Anyhow the next day I just made a call to my local county clerks office and was told it would only take 10 minutes and cost $10! I was excited. It was very simple and easy, just needed my name and address as well as my business address (can be your home address). Make sure you bring your drivers license. You have to get it notarized, but most clerks that work there are notaries and will do it for you. After that I paid her and she said I would probably have my certified papers tomorrow. Thats it, very easy and definitely not worth it to pay someone.

Overview:

DBA stands for “doing business as” and is an official registration of your business name. In some states, this is referred to as a “fictitious business name” or “assumed” name.

Our business filing experts can help you save time by filing a DBA application for you. We file your DBA with the required government agencies, and even publish it in most states. You’ll receive the approval and publication certificate for your records.

• Open a bank account and collect checks and payments under your business name
• Start advertising on business cards, signs and your website
• Present your business professionally by collecting checks and payments under your business name
• Discourage others from registering your name by officially using your DBA

DBA registration is necessary if your company conducts any business and/or collects money under a name other than your own name. Also, banks generally require a DBA registration in order to open a business bank account.

DBAs are not just for sole proprietors. If you are a corporation or LLC and want to do business under a name different than your corporate name, you may be required to file for a DBA(fictitious business name).

Have someone do it for you:

MyCorporation by Intuit Company also does DBA’s for you for a fee. They also have a nice free guide to registering your business name.

Click Here to Learn More About MyCorporation DBA Filing

Every flight will be Wi-Fi equipped by Summer 2009!

Now you can always stay connected to the World Wide Web, email, online shopping, social networking or the office on every AirTran Airways flight through our relationship with Gogo Inflight Internet. AirTran Airways will be the first major airline to have our entire fleet equipped with Inflight Internet.

Registering for Gogo is fast and easy. Once you create an account you can easily purchase a session on your next Gogo-equipped flight. Sign up now to use Gogo in flight.

Pricing for Gogo Inflight Internet service aboard AirTran Airways flights is based on the length of the flight and type of device:

Laptops:

• $9.95 - Flights under 3 hours
• $12.95 - Flights over 3 hours

Handheld Devices (iPhone, Wi-Fi Blackberry):

• $7.95 regardless of flight length

Everything the Internet has to offer is up at 35,000 feet for your surfing pleasure. And it’s just as easy to log on in flight as it is on the ground.

Usability Testing Community

Its a new site but the concept looks very interesting - basically you submit your site and other people will do video reviews of the site.

This is a great way to see how other people interact with your site and spot any problems you may have overlooked after all the time you have spent working on your site.

The concept is still in its early stages but its worth submitting a site to it and see what people have to say about it.

Join the community of usability professionals!

• Use their free platform for your own usability tests
• Offer your advice on website usability and get recognized as an expert!
• Win cash prizes for your best usability reviews

Check it out Now. Visit UsabilityTest.com