Category: Uniform Resource Locator

How computer viruses use word of mouth to infect systems!

Paul

Social Networks Hype Cycle (Photo credit: fredcavazza)

Social Network is Culprit!

I remember some very interesting Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites used in the past to get people to click on an infected link.  This is one of the oldest techniques.   The virus post something on your twitter account or your Facebook account about something really interesting.   Even if you trust your friend, sometimes the friend or twitter account that you know aren’t really in control of what they post.   This is the first line of trust that the virus makers use to spread their viruses until other computers and systems.   You should never click any link unless you know where it is going.  Although this is becoming less and less troublesome, I am sure it isn’t going away but just biding it’s time to come out and strike another day.

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Being more Honest with my Affiliate Links!

Paul

Google Affiliate Network Summit 035 Google Affiliate Network Summit 035 (Photo credit: Affiliate

Testing the Waters!

A friend told me, a couple days ago that I should be telling my readers when I have affiliate links.  He said I would would get even more sales if I were to be a little more honest with which ones are actually the ones that I make money off of!   It would better help those decide if your going to be a a good blog or not.   I really didn’t have much to say on the matter because I didn’t know what to say. I am sure there will always be those who will not tell you.   I thought it was quite obvious when I didn’t tell you but then I forgot I was hiding my affiliate links, not to be dishonest but to prevent programs and virus from taking away from all the work I have done.   I know there will always be people who will got the site directly and not give the site the credit.  I understand that, and somewhat expect that.

Honesty is the best Policy!

That being said, if you ever come to one of my posts and you see the (Affiliate links) or (Affiliate link) then it will be linked to this post.   So you can read about my honesty and understand that I am working really hard at changing.   Here is how this will work:

  • Reviews — I promise to my readers that I believe in the review of the product and that it is a recommendation from me.

  • Reimbursement — Hosting isn’t cheap now a days, that is I put up my Affiliate links and also to try supplement my working income.

  • If Gifted to me — I will clearly state that in my post and my review will no be swayed by the free gift of the item.  If it sucks, you will know about it and if it is something useful then you will also know about it.  I may however have affiliate links for the item.

  • Nicer URLS — even though I have hidden the urls and you have to click the URL to go the affiliate site in question, it is because the URL aren’t really neat and tidy.   If you feel offended because you can’t see URL then please feel free not to click those links.  (I wouldn’t want to see http://www.amazon.com/blah/blah/blah/blah/etc, anyways and I bet you don’t either)

  • Gift Cards — If you are wanting me to review a certain item and it is on Amazon or some other place then I will gladly accept a gift card through email(First name @ this domain).  However if it is something else please don’t hesitate to email me.

  • Review UNITS — Same as Gifted cards, if your wanting me to review an item but don’t know where to send it.   Please email me and I’ll discuss with you where to send it.  (First Name @ this domain)  Please bear in mind that I may not give a nice review, so I make no PROMISES and there are no expectations.

Prove to me!

I’ve done the unthinkable and stopped hiding all my links on this site.   So if you want me to continue to do it this way,  I will need to see a positive out come.   I was making money hiding sites links and not telling people about them being affiliate links.   Now I don’t want to see a drop in sales and money by being honest.   Help support my love to blog and being able to read about the stuff that matters to you.   Just like Glasses USA (Affiliate link) matters to me because I have to wear glasses everyday and I can’t afford to go buy some really expensive pairs of glasses.   They have been the one source for me, when I need to buy new glasses.  If you find a post that you really think is good, then don’t be afraid to share it on Facebook or Twitter.   Those are one ways to show your support of my blog.

Nothing shows support like sharing a post!

Paul Sylvester

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Intro To Podcasting : Part 3

Paul

Amber MacArthur and Leo Laporte Image via Wikipedia

This is where it gets interesting!

Have you ever wanted to know why celebrities like Leo Laporte dedicate 5 mins to talk about a certain product.   This is what everyone would call Word of Mouth Advertising.   If you have not read my other two articles this would be a very good time to review them:

As you can see there is a lot to talk about and not very much time to talk about each and everyone.   This tutorial is more or less going to be the outline for those of you who would want to monetize your podcasts and bring in even more revenue.   It isn’t easy making money but you have to consider the impact of the recommending a product or service and how your audience will take it.

Making Money from your Podcast!

Like I was talking about you don’t have to be approached by any company.   You can make money just by asking readers to go to a special URL.   These URL are quite easy to do and can be done using a .htaccess file on the domain of your choice.  Some ideas about making easy URL redirection links are:

There is some debate whether this is moral or not.   I can not say because I even know that your aren’t trying to hide it just make it easier for the listeners to go to a site through your affiliate link.   I am sure someone out there will remind me that this has been abused in the past.   I would argue just because of it being used wrongly in the past doesn’t mean every site or podcast is doing it maliciously.   I will say that it is far easier to say a simple URL then to have a complicated URL for podcast listeners to remember.

You don’t need paid sponsors!

When I say that I mean it, if you already have accounts with affiliates like Amazon or Hostgator then you can star making money.   This is essential a free way to make without having to find sponsors to pay.   You do however have to be careful which ones you recommend and advertise on your podcast.  Some important things to consider is:

  • The length of the podcast

  • No more than1 affiliate per 30 mins

  • Recommend products you use all the time

  • Always do research on your product or service before hand

In my final tutorial we will discuss the pro’s and cons of Paid versus Free podcast hosting and which one fits you and why.   These are all hard questions that you will need to answer before you can actually start to podcast.   Until then . . .

Paul Sylvester

 

 

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I’m back with a vengeance!

Paul

oil abstract painting MORE BIOGRAPFY;web album... Image via Wikipedia

Hello Again!

I am not an new blogger but actually an old blogger coming back to blog some more.    Over the past few months my old blog, Tech-linkblog.com has been slow or not even something that I wanted to continue doing.   I must say that it wasn’t because I didn’t want to but I was busy with my new job.

I must say It has been nothing if not busy for me.   I created two new domains to and got them up and running thanks in part to Hover.com.  This domain and unlockedcellphonesblog.com were recently bought because I wanted to expand my domains and have more resources when I needed it.

So what about my Old Domain?

I’ll probably keep it up and running because it will still make money for me and draw people to this domain and others.   It would be unwise to discontinue that domain just because I am going to start writing for this one now.   I have actually missed just sitting down and typing out what my thoughts are and sharing them with my readers.   Although there will be no major readers just yet, I do believe when I start discussing some good stuff like the Amazon Cloudplayer that people will want to come and find me to learn more about it.   I’ve not had any time to play with it but I am quite curious as to what people think of how Amazon has taken the lead in MP3 market?

So what is next?

I’m not sure but I will be updating at least once a week with stuff that I find interesting and maybe even twice a week.   I don’t know when these posts will be coming out but I am going to work on getting back to writing the way I used to just like when I was on my Tech-linkblog and blogging.   The only main reason to switch over to this new domain is because I felt it was more of a fit for me and it was an easier domain to have my reader remember and not forget it easier.    That is one of those tips that you need to remember when purchasing domains.   Find something that people can easily remember and come back to so they don’t have to try to remember a long URL.

Is there anything you want me to Talk about?

I know I kept saying this from my old blog but I thought I would continue to ask and see you would like to talk about and engage my readers some more.   The more I learn from my readers so the blog post can be more interesting to you and others.   I am sure I can come up with some topics of my own and I probably will continue to blog about what interest after all, this is the reason for this domain.   I do hope you join me for this journey and make yourself at home!

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