Is it me? Or is it just tough these days for affiliate marketing? What with last year's Google slaps, this year's Facebook furry, the end of continuity (yup, get over it and move on already), and the relative lack of scalable offers and traffic sources... now is precisely the time TO GO to ad:tech. Let's face it, this show is all about traffic sources, and while fewer affiliates go, the ones that do are there to do business and as such, probably better folks to talk shop with. Besides, Inside Social Apps is going on too, so if web development is your bag, that is always open to you - www.insidesocialapps.com.
And don't let all the biz dev chatter fool you, there will be plenty of tom foolery and brew ha ha. The meetups both announced and yet-to-be are sure bets. The man, the myth, the legend Mr. EWA is throwing a bash with Barboy, and despite the ambiguously neon party flyer, there's no doubt this will be the highlight snausage fest of the week (YT and Hustle and Davice, oh my!). When in doubt, head to the Clift and you'll be sure to find plenty o' industry fish with which to mingle...don't forget the obligatory photo in the really big chair in the lobby.
Just take note of a few things to make sure all goes smoothly....
Birfday Boy. Affbuzz is turning 1! If you check this on the daily like we do, congratulate accordingly with high fives, +1s, and donations in the form of Starbucks or chocolate strategically left at the AKMG booth (5878). :)
Game Plan. Make it. All the exhibitors are listed, go ahead now and figure out who you want to meet with, and I don't just mean which companies, I mean the individual people you want to make sure you get to introduce yourself to, along with a set of objectives for what you want to walk away from the conversation with. Have an action plan of what you want to accomplish, and be sure to follow up within 48 hours, less they forget your conversation in the hungover haze of the PPC.BZ bash....
Business cards. Bring 'em. Now, admittedly this is in fundamental disagreement Mr. Cakes' opinion on the matter (who, Nicky? Opinions? NEVER!), but I think it's fair to say that to put your best face forward and look professional, business cards are a must. You want the right people to be able to follow up with you, and frankly people are in the habit of receiving and handing out business cards. So bring 'em, have them look halfway decent (there's still one weekend left to hit Kinkos), and bring a pen to take copious (albeit tiny) notes on the cards you want to keep. Bonus tip: Any and all cards with an "AKMG" on them should be in your "keeps" pile, just trust me on that one. ;)
Skate decks. Get 'em. Only 100 San Francisco 2010 edition decks were made - and if history proves any indication, these are sure to be snatched up quicker than the free beer at the Convert2 booth, so get them early! We're continuing with the theme started at Vegas, and let me tell you, you're sure to not be disappointed. :)
PS - for everyone who can't make it out to San Fran, AKMG has FTD for Mother's Day so get a head start on the biggest flower holiday of the year! Hit up your AM today to get set up and watch your revenue bloom.... (always love to end on a good pun)...
