Archive for the ‘Affiliate Family Niche’ Category

How Do I Calculate My Affiliate Marketing ROI

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

affiliate ROI 300x199 How Do I Calculate My Affiliate Marketing ROI

Affiliate marketing works just as any other business; you put in time and money to make more money. If you are aware of the aspects of affiliate marketing that need financial input then you can play around with the amount you invest so that you get the maximum return on investment or ROI.

ROI is a crucial parameter to monitor. You want greater returns on the amount you put in. And if you form the habit of tracking your ROI, you will be able to divert investments to those activities that are contributing most to your ROI. You will be able to target your audiences better.

In its simplest form affiliate marketing ROI can be represented thus –

ROI = (Gross profit – Investment) / Investment X 100

Here are the investment costs that a website owner into affiliate marketing may incur –

• Pay per click ads to drive traffic to his affiliate site
• Cost of hiring writers to create content
• Outsourcing SEO for website and optimizing landing page
• Website hosting cost
• Getting your own affiliate creative done – text, flash, banner, etc

The same formula works for an advertiser or business that chooses to run an affiliate marketing campaign that will be picked up by affiliate publishers.

In the case of a business the affiliate marketing investment expenses consist of –

• Joining an affiliate network or hosting your own affiliate program
• Preparing a creative inventory
• Appointing an affiliate manager
• Cost of generating product feeds

In the case of businesses that use affiliate marketing, it is not uncommon for the gross profit to be far greater than the investment resulting in a very healthy ROI.

Steals Galore Every Day at Doggyloot

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

300x250 Steals Galore Every Day at Doggyloot

At last, a deals site for your dog: it’s doggyloot, and it’s an online resource for smashingly cool bargains and steals put up daily. With doggyloot, life has taken a turn for the better for Fido and you owe it to him to keep it that way.

Sign up at www.doggyloot.com to get deals straight to your inbox, and check the company out on Facebook and Twitter. They run three to four deals each week on toys, treats, accessories and more, and most deals can be redeemed online or are shipped directly to your address for minimum hassle.

doggyloot also has a great referral program. Invite friends to join, and when they make their first purchase, your doggyloot account will be credited with $10 for you to spend on some loot your own. There’s no limit to how much credit you can earn!

There is a huge (and growing!) market for dog-related products such as treats, brushes, collars, combs, ID tags, and more, and there are tons of awesome new products out there for every pup to discover. Pet parents are turning to the Internet in a big way for deals that will help them save on dog-related purchases. As it stands, the pet industry represents a wonderful paying affiliate niche. Throw in a site that gives top quality pet products at super discounts, and you know that you have an affiliate WINNER!

 

Keep your Favorite Buddies Safe With These … HOWL-OWEEN SAFTEY TIPS

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

I was lucky enough to see a private screening of the is cute family movie and if you have kids, they will love this new movie

Spookie buddy and me 300x225  Keep your Favorite Buddies Safe With These … HOWL OWEEN SAFTEY TIPS

In their all new adventure, Spooky Buddies, everyone’s favorite talking puppies get into the spirit of the Halloween season! This spook-tacular holiday is perfect for every buddy in the family to dress up, visit neighbors and enjoy parties and treats. Follow these simple safety tips to make your Halloween adventures a howling success for you and your canine companions!

I. COSTUMES

Puppies:
Your pet may like getting dressed up with the rest of the family, but make sure their costume is safe.

• The outfit should not be too restrictive or tight.

• Have a “dress rehearsal” a few days before Halloween to make sure they can move about easily.

• Inspect the costume for loose or small parts that they could chew or swallow.

Kids:
• You may want to be as mysterious as possible with your costume, but make sure you aren’t trading mystery for safety.

• If wearing a mask is part of the costume, make sure your vision is not obstructed.

• Costumes shouldn’t be so long that you can trip over it, or so bulky that it’s hard to walk in.

• If your costume is made up of black or dark clothing, add some reflective tape to sleeves and shoes so you will be easily visible to others.

II. GREETING TRICK OR TREATERS

Puppies:
• If your dog likes to greet every doorbell ring with enthusiasm, work with them before Halloween night. Have several family members ring the doorbell several times in a row do your dog can get used to the noise.

• If your dog still seems to be getting over-excited and worn out greeting each trick-or-treater, put them in a quiet rooms with a few toys until the rush is over.

Kids:
Make sure an adult is nearby when answering the door to trick-or-treaters. Even if all the visitors are friendly, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by unfamiliar faces.

Have an adult open the door, then you can help hand out the treats.

III. TREATS

Puppies:
• Keep a supply of doggy treats on hand for your own pets and any four-legged trick-or-treaters who show up at your door.

• It’s important to know that chocolate and other candy treats can be harmful to our canine friends, so make sure they have their own doggie-treats and keep the human treats out of reach.

Kids:
Have an adult inspect your treat bag when you arrive home. If you receive any “homemade” treats from unfamiliar homes, you may want to discard those. Then, sift through all of your treats and divide them up into smaller snack bags so you can enjoy having a few treats each day. You’ll enjoy the fun even longer!

IV. TRICK-OR-TREATING

Puppies:
Don’t leave your dog outdoors alone while trick-or-treaters are out and about. A careless child (or adult) could forget to latch the gate when leaving your yard, giving the dog a chance to escape.

• Also, rambunctious trick-or-treaters may tease your dog as part of their play.

• If you are going to take your dog with you while you trick-or-treat, make sure they are on a leash and have current ID tags, just in case they become separated from you.

Kids:
• Likewise, although you don’t have to be on a leash, make sure you have an adult or older sibling with you on your trick-or-treat rounds.

• Be especially careful when crossing streets

• Stay with your group throughout the evening

V. HALLOWEEN PARTIES

Puppies:
• If you plan a Halloween party that includes dogs, have it during the day in your regular dog park (where all the dogs know each other) or in a big backyard, where there is room for them to run and play.

• Don’t leave a group of dog unattended for any reason. Make sure there is plenty of water and shade so they don’t get overheated.

Kids:
• Planning a costume party for your family and friends can be a fun way to celebrate Halloween.

• Plan your menu and decorations carefully – no open flames or sharp objects.

• Set the mood with fun music like, “Monster Mash,” and “Thriller” and be sure to have a dance contest along with a best-costume contest.

• Pair teenagers with younger children for activities such as scavenger hunts and pumpkin-carving contests.

Now that your ready for Halloween, give your whole family a special “treat” with a screening of Disney’s new movie, Spooky Buddies.

PS the photo is one of the stars from the movie, I just loved the photo shoot.

Favorite Female Cat Names of 2010

Saturday, September 10th, 2011

Main coon kitten images  Favorite Female Cat Names of 2010

When looking back at 2010 and thinking of the most popular female cat names, you wonder where they originated from or what they mean. Maybe you’re wondering why your friend chose that name for her new pet and are taking the time to shock her into the meaning.

The top ten choices are similar for both dogs and cats and have held the top places for the past few years with many of them remaining firm favorites for 2011.

In first place is Sassy. Sassy is of French origin and means pretty girl. It’s a fantastic choice for any kitten. Being a common choice for 2010 it remains in the top list for 2011 as well.

Precious is in second place and means virtue with Latin origin. Precious is also common due to the fact that it is something we call an item or thing that we hold dear, which is the main reason so many female cats are called this.

Third place is Maggie, which is a common choice for both dogs and cats. This is of Greek origin and means Pearl.

Lily is in fourth place for 2010 and is also of Green origin. Lily is flower and is a common choice for kittens.

Fifth place goes to Lucy which means light and is of French origin, while Coco takes sixth place. Coco means coconut and is of Spanish decent, though many kittens are named Coco due to their dark coats and are related to the color of cocoa beans.

In seventh place is Cleo, a common choice for all types of pets. This is of Greek origin and means Glory of the father.

The most common name for cats, whether male or female is Whiskers, this name is of English origin and means exactly what it says, and it stands for the long hair on a cats face.

In ninth place is Callie. Callie means female ruler and is of Tentonic origin. A popular choice among feline owners, Callie is a firm favorite in 2011 as well.

Tenth place goes to Holly, which means exactly what it is. Holly is the holly bush that is so famous at Christmas time. It is of English origin and a great choice for any pet.

When choosing your new kitten’s name, why not take the time to get to know them first, figure out their nature and personality and then choose the right name for them? Doing this you can take the time to research your choices and find the relevant meanings. A very pretty kitten will benefit from the name Sassy, while a kitten that is demanding and trying to be the boss would benefit from Callie.

Whatever your choice is, remember your kitten has to have it for the rest of their lives and if other people know the meanings it can give the wrong impression of your beautiful pet. Knowing the meaning and naming accordingly can be a great way to choose the ideal name for your new cat.

Human Food That You Can Share With Fido

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

dog at table 300x187 Human Food That You Can Share With Fido

Pet parents often wonder if the scrap of food that their canine ward is so desperately eyeing is safe for it. And it is a valid concern. As is well known, chocolate is toxic to pets. There are certain people foods that you can safely share with your pet dog. The food items in themselves and mode of preparation influence compatibility of food with the canine digestive system which is shorter than what we humans have. Keep them away from fermented items and foods that contain sugar, salt, and preservatives..

Below we have listed a few people foods that dogs can eat. Keep in mind that these items should not combine to make up the majority of their diet. You can mix-n-match these food items to rustle up tasty treats for your dogs so that its menu stays interesting. Also these treats are going to be organic and far cheaper than anything that you’ll pick up off the store shelves. However, do keep in mind that each animal is different. Breed and size also play a role in determining a dog’s acceptance of a food item. To be on the safe side, consult your vet first.

• Meats – All meats that we consume can be given to our pet dogs and that includes fish.

• Yogurt – Fresh yogurt that is free from artificial flavoring can serve as a source of calcium.

• Ground flax seeds – These can be given to your dog as a source of fiber. They help to keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy. Other natural sources of fiber include pumpkin and oatmeal.

• Carrots – Dogs often relish chewing on chopped carrots; especially small baby carrots.

• Rice – Vets recommend gruel of rice and boneless chicken for dogs recovering from an illness. Many pet parents regularly feed cooked rice to their dogs.

• Brown bread – Dogs will eat flatbread and unleavened bread. But avoid giving them white bread made from refined flour.

• Cheese – Cottage cheese and goat cheese can be given to dogs.

• Brewer’s Yeast – This one is a known tasty treat that dogs love. It has been seen that adding some over their food makes them take to their food with enthusiasm.

• Fruits – These include bananas, berries, and melons.

Can Humans Consume Dog Food?

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

kid eatting dog food Can Humans Consume Dog Food?

The question has been asked from time to time and attempts have been made to address it satisfactorily. It continues to excite our imagination. What if humans could eat canned dog food? It does open up a lot of possibilities; pet parents would see a healthy cut in monthly grocery bills. Not to mention the strengthening of the bond between pet and owner. If the dog food is responsibly sourced and contains veggies then maybe we could actually eat it.

One of the reasons why dogs have evolved so wonderfully as human companions is because they could easily live off human leftovers, that is because scavenging is a canine trait. It’s worth noting that cats are far choosier than dogs when it comes to food, they don’t generally scavenge, they are predators. Maybe, the human palate has to develop a bit more before we can begin to appreciate the delicacies that feline taste buds are capable of doing.

Meat products used to prepare canned dog food are similar to those eaten by humans. This includes organ meat, muscle meat, tripe, etc. Research shows that participants in double blind experiments have been unable to distinguish between dog food and human food. However, even if the food items are essentially the same, the proportion of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins will differ.

Perhaps the main reason why humans shy away from dog food is the stigma associated with consuming canned dog food. Nobody wants to be seen opening a tin of dog food on the dinner table; may lead to social ostracization. Second, there is a real danger of food contamination. It’s a bit of an open secret that commercial dog food is not prepared in the most hygienic conditions. The focus by pet food manufacturers on cutting down costs could be one reason for this. Taste is the third reason why dog food hasn’t caught on. Research shows that even if subjects may be unable to distinguish meats meant for human and canine consumption, the majority will invariably rank dog food the lowest when presented with a number of food items to taste. Even if the dog food is made more palatable by adding salt and improving its texture, it gets a “thumbs down” from participants in a test.

It’s interesting to note that even food tasters at pet food companies draw the line at swallowing pet food, maybe they know something that we don’t.

Keeping Dogs to a Schedule

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

Dogeminder1 Keeping Dogs to a Schedule

What many people don’t realize when buying a dog is that they are creatures of habit. Dogs thrive on regular schedules making them feel secure and comfortable.

Having a strict schedule when it comes to feeding, walking and playing can be a bit factor when it comes to behavioral problems and stress in dogs.

How to Create a Good Pet Schedule

Scheduling when your dog’s gets fed, walked and played with can eliminate stress from dogs and make them feel comfortable. It is also good for you to work to a schedule so you don’t forget any important parts of your dog ownership requirements.

A good pet schedule will include exact times every day when your dog gets fed, exact times for walks which can take the stress out of housetraining and the exact times your dogs has taken its medications, should your dog be on any medication for any reason.

By following a strict schedule if you go on holiday or move home, your dog will be able to adjust to its new environment easily. Moving is stressful to any pet, they see you packing boxes and panic sets in as change goes on around them. During this time it’s imperative to ensure that you follow the pet’s routine to the letter and don’t stray, otherwise behavioral problems can manifest and before you know it you have a skittish and nervous or badly behaved pet on your hands.

Tools To Help You Create a Great Pet Schedule

Of course there is writing the schedule down and ticking it off as you go, but forgetting to do so can be detrimental, especially if you are part of a large family where everyone chips in to care for the dog.

Large families or people who use pet sitting and dog walking services need strict schedules to be followed. Your child may come home from school and wonder if the dog has been fed, they then proceed to feed the dog which you fed just before you went out. This is not a good situation and it needs to be controlled.

You can now buy an electronic device which attaches to your dog’s collar. It is available in stylish colours and is easy to use, durable, waterproof and lightweight. This handy device tells you when the dog was last walked, fed or given medication.

This device is the perfect tool to managing a great dog schedule; it’s designed for busy pet owners, family dogs and homes that have a number of dogs. Your child will be able to come home, push the button for the corresponding activity and see when the dog was last walked or fed.

This takes all the guesswork out of dog ownership. You won’t forget to write it down you just hold down the corresponding button to record a new time and push it once to read times. This is the ideal solution in ensuring that you have a secure and comfortable pet which doesn’t display behavior problems and is well adjusted.

Pet Parties – How to Throw a Great One

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

K9 Cakery 300x87 Pet Parties – How to Throw a Great One

Some people have pets to make up for the fact that they don’t or can’t have children. These beloved pets become the child and are spoiled rotten and sometimes have their own pet parties.

Pet parties are a great way to enable your pet to socialize in a safe environment. A day at the park has its perks, but your dog can easily run off or snap his leash and get away. At home you are surrounded by walls and the pets can romp around and have a great time.

Throwing great pet parties start with planning. Speak to other pet owners and see if they would be interesting in bringing their pet along for a fun pet day. Choose a day when most people are off from work, it also gives you a chance to socialize with likeminded individuals who love their pets as much as you do.

Pet parties are increasing in popularity, given the safe and secure environment that you can hold them in. If it’s a success, why not arrange regular monthly or biweekly parties at different homes?

Once your pet parties arranged, you need to check the yard and make sure it’s clean and save for all pets. If you have a big dog and there is a small hole in the bottom of your fence, chances are your friends little Yorkshire terrier will be able to get out. So always secure the yard first. Make sure there is nothing that they can chew or get hold of which is dangerous or poisonous to pets.

Put down plenty of water bowls filled with fresh water, these pets are going to be tired after playing for long periods.

Pet parties wouldn’t be the same without special pet treats. K9Cakery offers great homemade pet treats that are perfect for any pet get together. Make up little treat bags for each visiting pet that they can take home with them after pet parties filled with great wholesome treats from K9Cakery.

Pets love human food and giving them these K9 Cakery treats gives them cakes and biscuits just like their human owners, but in wholesome pet form. Leave bowls on treats on the tables for owners to give to their pets during the course of the party.

Pet parties are great fun with toys. Have lots of balls and chewy toys for the pets to play with while partying. Often they’ll be more interested in chasing each other around the garden, but sometimes they enjoy lying at their owner’s feet with a chew for a while.

Whether you want to throw pet parties for your pet’s birthdays or as a social get together for pet owners, you are guaranteed to have a successful party following these simple ideas. Always ensure your yard is safe, there is plenty of water and areas you don’t want the pets to go into are securely closed off.

Pet parties aren’t only for the pets, so ensure you have drinks and snacks for the owners too. Owners aren’t going to leave you with their pets and go off for the day; they will stay and socialize, making it a fun day for pet and owner.

Top 10 Group Coupon Sites

Monday, August 15th, 2011

groupon 300x132 Top 10 Group Coupon Sites

Group coupon sites are a classic example of businesses and consumers coming together for mutual benefit. The business model of social commerce works nicely for both parties. Social media in its various forms has of course played a part in disseminating information. Both parties benefit – businesses get a lot of customers and customers get discounts and attractive deals on what would otherwise be full-price purchases.

Here we present to you the top ten most popular group coupon sites that offer lots of deals and have a dedicated following.

1. Groupon – Easily the 800-pound gorilla in the group coupon domain. This site covers 23 countries, more than any other site and promises you the best deals on “the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy” in your area. The company claims to negotiate discounts that can be as much as 90% with established businesses and then it shares it with its subscribers.

2. Buy with me – This one is U.S only. A cool feature with this group coupon site is that if you can get three referrals for a deal, you get that deal free of cost. The vouchers are transferable and you can give them as gifts.

3. Crowd Savings – This site exhorts you to be a part of the crowd; that’s putting the old adage of standing out from the crowd in its head. But there are benefits here. You can save big on the deals these guys put up and you promote. After the close of the deal, you visit the site and check what you’ve saved.

4. Certifikid – This site focuses on family-friendly restaurants, music classes, kids haircuts, party packages, maternity boutiques, events, etc. It covers the Washington-Baltimore area. As with other such sites, the extent of discount is directly proportional to the number of people participating. You are encouraged to go out and spread the word via social media. It helps all parties.

5. $25 Tuesdays – Spa Sally offers $25 Tuesdays to all those wishing for some great spa treatment at great prices. It’s a new spa from NYC every Tuesday and it’s always $25. Sign on for the deal. You have up to a year to redeem the coupon. You cannot exchange the $25 coupons but hey whoever wants to exchange a chance to visit a spa and that too for $25!

6. Two Buck Duck – The company describes itself as an online resource of “Daily deals for darn little”. And rightly so, its just two bucks. Give these guys two bucks and they give you the deal coupon that may save you 50% and more on items.

7. Gilt City – The site covers 10 American cities – Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta. The deals scoured by these guys are the premium type and hence the word “Gilt” in the name. Deals are for a limited time and often get sold out. But you can add yourself to the waitlist and hope that the deal returns.

8. Crowd Cut – This site paraphrases the group coupon business model quite succinctly – You bring the crowd, we cut the deal! It focuses on Atlanta, and St Paul / Minneapolis. A reference to this site can earn you $10, so there’s a neat affiliate marketing opportunity here. 50% off on vacation trips, restaurants, urban dining, etc are common. Deals with up to 90% off are also advertised.

9. Half Off Depot – Check the site to see what these guys are about. One thing’s for sure – they are huge. They cover North America, Europe, and Australia.

10. Tippr – The site claims to pioneer the new wave in collective buying and help you fulfill your daily cravings for shopping. There is a tipping point for each deal and once that is achieved, i.e. a critical mass of buyers is attained then the deal just keeps getting better and better. Unlike other sites that focus on promoting a single deal each day; Tippr throws up three new deals everyday and with their exclusive arrangement with businesses, those are the best deals you will get anywhere.

Dog e Minder- Pet Niche,Gift Niche

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Dogeminder Dog e Minder  Pet Niche,Gift Niche

We just launched this fabulous product in the network to help pet owners to remember to take care of the dog

Dog E minder is a revolutionary computer reminder system that helps dog owners keep up with the daily tasks of owning a dog. When you own a dog there are a lot of things that need to be done on a daily basis.

These include Feeding, walking, and any necessary medications. It can be very confusing trying to remember when the last time these tasks were taken care of, but the Dog E-Minder takes care of that for you.

The Dog E-Minder is a cool computer device that attaches to your dog’s collar. Whenever you do anything with your dog you simply press a button and it will log the activity you did with your dog. For example, if you are going to take your dog for a walk you just press a button and it stores this information in the Dog E-Minder.

Anyone who is forgetful, and has trouble keeping up with daily tasks should try this product. It also helps if your entire family is responsible for keeping up with your dog. Sometimes when the kids or your spouse come home they are not sure if the dog has been walked or given its proper medication.

Here are a few Reviews and Quotes from happy customers who have used Dogeminder

Sun Sentinel:“I think this gadget is great for couples & families who have trouble remembering who was supposed to walk the dog & whether the job got done.”

Chip Chick:“Sometimes a simple gadget can be just as useful as a complex one. The Dog-e-Minder is one such gadget that is not only for you, but your pooch, as well.”

Legit Reviews / Cool Tech for Your Pet:“The Dog-e-Minder might sound like a gimmicky product at first, but it really works & helps solves a common household problem!”

“David” – Owner of Harlo’s Healthy Pets: “Dog-e-Minder is truly a unique product; there’s nothing available today that comes close to offering what it offers, and for such a small price.”

So I know flea and tick medications come with little stickers you can put on your calendar to remind you when the medication was given, but who uses calendars anymore? I am a 39-year-old guy with a great memory, but, without fail, I always have a hard time remembering to log what day of the month I give my dog her flea & tick medication (resulting in skipping entire months at a time because I don’t want to overdose her). This product is not only extremely practical and priced right, but it looks cool on her collar and also serves as an ID Tag, which means I can get rid of all of the “jingly stuff” weighing her down and replace it with a cool, lightweight, digital gadget for my girl! We have really come to rely on our and think it is a very useful product! -John W., Dania Beach, FL