Another fantastic show, Affiliate Summit East hosted 3,943 attendees – the largest ASE to date!  The growth is no surprise considering that recent reports support the claim that e-commerce continues to gain momentum.

In addition to the expanded number of attendees, our team at the show was also much larger this year.  We’ve added Alex, Jeannine and Morgan to the buy.at team since Affiliate Summit West and welcomed Mark, Adam, Gavin, Anthony, David and Lisa from our UK team to join us and experience all that the conference and weekend has to offer.

We saw many familiar faces, met new contacts, enjoyed drinks, soaked up plenty of great information and used all the adrenaline we had to stay awake and alert throughout the weekend.  Read on to learn more about our adventures in the Big Apple.

buy.at’s Give Back Event

Supported by our wonderful sponsors (Girly Checks and TicketSizzle) we hosted an engaging event at The Kimberly hotel and raised nearly $2,000 for Affiliate Marketers Give Back.  Guests enjoyed a stunning view of Midtown Manhattan from the 30^th floor while snacking on delicious hors d’oeuvres (apparently the Mac & Cheese on a spoon was a hit!) and choosing from a selection of cocktails including the Girly Checks “Blank Check” martini.

Guests were challenged to “Think Pink” and wear any pink item to our event (clothing/accessories).  In return, a $2 donation was made each by buy.at, Girly Checks and TicketSizzle to Affiliate Marketers Give Back.  We are pleased to announce that 172 attendees wore pink and therefore AMGB will soon receive a $1,032 donation.  Thanks to everyone who embraced the theme and therefore supported the cause.

In addition, the event included a silent auction featuring prizes donated by Missy Ward, TicketSizzle, Girly Checks, Lindsay Phillips, VIP Live Drive and Team Loxly/PartyBeans.  We truly appreciate everyone who participated and we’re happy to report that the auction raised an additional $793 for AMGB.

Meet Market & Exhibit Hall

In addition to our team’s smiling faces, our table and booth were packed with an assortment of advertisers who were eager to meet affiliates and learn more about the industry.   If you missed out on the great giveaways including the Jordi Flops, the collectable ducks from Apex Hotels, a taste of Ghirardelli chocolate, or other items, our advertisers may be willing to send you something in exchange for signing up to their program.  You never know until you ask!

Here’s a list of who joined us during the show:

• Bargain Station: Rick Gardiner
• British Airways: Alicia Iveson and Elizabeth Chung
• Credit.com: Montana Thomas
• Girly Checks: Heather Blackburn
• Goldstar: Emily Larson
• Nutrasonic & Offthewalltoys: Ranjit Mulgaonkar and Cresta Pillsbury
• Organic Bouquet, PeaceLoveWorld & Coyuchi: Kent Heltne
• TicketSizzle: John Diorio, Cresta Pillsbury, JP Diaz
• VA Mortgage: Sharon Mostyn and Erica Barry
• Veer.com: Danielle Dougherty

‘Twitter A Winner’ Contest

On Monday and Tuesday, booth traffic spiked from the influx of “Twitter A Winner” prize recipients!  Generously provided by advertisers on our US network, attendees walked away with designer home goods, premium chocolate, gift cards, a flower membership, laptop bags, and more.  Wrapping up the contest, Joe Sousa took home the grand prize Samsung Galaxy tablet provided by BargainStation.com.  Check out the winners album on Facebook!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us throughout the weekend, joined us in meetings, attended Jeannine’s session, tagged along on Kim’s bi-annual Madame Tussauds adventure, spoke with our merchants, and more.  We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again at Affiliate Summit West!

-buy.at US

Thanks to everyone who participated in the silent auction!  We collected a grand total of $793, with all donations go to Affiliate Marketers Give Back.

1 Signed Bottle of Signorina Wine - Winner Jon Nunez ($111 Bid)
Donated by: Missy Ward

This 2008 Bordeaux style blend is classic in style with balanced fruit flavors, polished tannins, and a long, elegant finish. All of the grapes are sourced from vineyards in Napa, California.
Minimum bid: $100

2 Tickets to Rock of Ages – Monday, August 22 @ 8pm - Winner Brian Littleton ($267 Bid)
Donated by: TicketSizzle

2 Tickets, Left Orchestra, Row E, Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Set in LA’s famous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells a story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small town girl’, both in LA to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love.
Minimum bid: $267

A Girly Checks Gift Certificate - Winner Melanie Seery ($50 Bid)
Donated by: Girly Checks

The “Gift Certificate” includes a Girly Checks Check with a Coupon Code that will cover an order of a box of premium checks, a premium checkbook cover, and address labels or a self-inking address stamp. Samples pictured here, but ANY designs can be chosen.
Minimum bid: $40

Lindsay Phillips Gift Pack – Winner Heather Smith ($180 Bid)
Donated by: Lindsay Phillips

Items include a Osceola Scarf, Lulu Pink SwitchFlops, Marisol Strap, Pearl Strap, Mischka Pink Snap, Eden Snap and Liz Black Ballet Flats. Choose your size and the items will be shipped to your door.
Minimum bid: $172

1 Year of Unlimited Computer Backup - Winner Jim Kreinbrink ($45 Bid)
Donated by: VIP Live Drive

This gift includes 1 year of unlimited computer backup, simple setup, quick and easy data restore, and military grade encryption.
Minimum bid: $45

Candy Gift Set - Winner Jim Kukral ($140 Bid)
Donated by: Team Loxly & PartyBeans

This gift set includes a Jelly Belly dispenser, assorted pink jelly beans (strawberry cheesecake, bubble gum, cotton candy, strawberry daiquiri), and several other small gift items. View the whole set at the event!
Minimum bid: $70

Our event is only a little over a day away! Bring your checkbooks get ready to bid on one or more of 6 great prizes. For those of you attending, we’re excited to reveal the following silent auction items. Remember that all donations go to Affiliate Marketers Give Back.

We’ve added one more donation to the list:

Candy Gift Set
Donated by: Team Loxly & PartyBeans

This gift set includes a Jelly Belly dispenser, assorted pink jelly beans (strawberry cheesecake, bubble gum, cotton candy, strawberry daiquiri), and several other small gift items.  View the whole set at the event!
Minimum bid: $70

Also, we’ve listed the other fantastic auction items below:

1 Signed Bottle of Signorina Wine
Donated by: Missy Ward

This 2008 Bordeaux style blend is classic in style with balanced fruit flavors, polished tannins, and a long, elegant finish. All of the grapes are sourced from vineyards in Napa, California.
Minimum bid: $100

2 Tickets to Rock of Ages – Monday, August 22 @ 8pm
Donated by: TicketSizzle

2 Tickets, Left Orchestra, Row E, Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Set in LA’s famous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells a story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small town girl’, both in LA to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love.
Minimum bid: $267

A Girly Checks Gift Certificate
Donated by: Girly Checks

The “Gift Certificate” includes a Girly Checks Check with a Coupon Code that will cover an order of a box of premium checks, a premium checkbook cover, and address labels or a self-inking address stamp. Samples pictured here, but ANY designs can be chosen.
Minimum bid: $40

Lindsay Phillips Gift Pack
Donated by: Lindsay Phillips

Items include a Osceola Scarf, Lulu Pink SwitchFlops, Marisol Strap, Pearl Strap, Mischka Pink Snap, Eden Snap and Liz Black Ballet Flats. Choose your size and the items will be shipped to your door.
Minimum bid: $172

1 Year of Unlimited Computer Backup
Donated by: VIP Live Drive

This gift includes 1 year of unlimited computer backup, simple setup, quick and easy data restore, and military grade encryption.
Minimum bid: $45

Once the winners are determined, payment can be made by check – written out to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Also, donations can be made online at http://iwalkforboobies.com which accepts credit card (Visa/Discover/AMEX/MC). For full donation payment option details, click here.

In addition to providing a great gift pack for the silent auction, Corey Lynch and Kolleen Meeker from Lindsay Phillips are bringing pairs of Jordi Flops and a variety of snaps to choose from.

Stop by our booth (#202) on Monday to meet Corey & Kolleen, learn more about the program and  to pick out a pair of Jordi Flops to take with you!

Questions about the program?  Contact morgan.foland[at]buy.at

-Amy

Our list of prizes is STILL growing!!
(which means even better chances of winning!) 

Affiliate Summit East is only a few days away and we’re adding even more advertiser prizes to give away in our ‘Twitter A Winner’ contest! ANY affiliate/publisher that is attending the show and has a valid URL is eligible to win – even if you are not a buy.at affiliate!

***We added a new set of very nice prizes from Designer’s Guild, a program that’s launching soon on our network where affiliates can earn up to 12%.***

• - BargainStation.com: a Samsung Galaxy tablet
• - Coyuchi: Basket Weave Blanket
• - Designers Guild: 1 zephirine candle, 1 peony candle, 3 20×26  pillow cases, 1 battista peony blanket, 2 bourton hand towels, 1 Christian Lacroix pillow (red), 1 Beduzzi silk throw pillow (pink)
• - Ghirardelli: 1 five pound bar, 1 Ghirardelli Squares gift basket, 2 filled bar gift boxes
• - Girly Checks: A free order of checks and checkbook cover
• - Goldstar: 3 $50 gift cards
• - Organic Bouquet: 3-month membership to their roses monthly gift club
• - Veer: Laptop bags by Acme Made & Missing Piece Puzzles
• - VIP Live Drive: 3 gifts of unlimited data backup online for your computer for 1 year

Look for twitter posts from @buyatUS announcing winners during ASE 2011. Winners must pick up their prizes at the buy.at booth (#202) – and don’t delay! Each winner has a limited amount of time to pick up their prize before it’s awarded to someone else.

Click here to enter and good luck!

Our event is less than a week away!  Bring your checkbooks get ready to bid on one or more of 5 great prizes.  For those of you attending, we’re excited to reveal the following silent auction items.  Remember that all donations go to Affiliate Marketers Give Back.

1 Signed Bottle of Signorina Wine
Donated by: Missy Ward

This 2008 Bordeaux style blend is classic in style with balanced fruit flavors, polished tannins, and a long, elegant finish.  All of the grapes are sourced from vineyards in Napa, California.
Minimum bid: $100

2 Tickets to Rock of Ages – Monday, August 22 @ 8pm
Donated by: TicketSizzle

2 Tickets, Left Orchestra, Row E, Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Set in LA’s famous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells a story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small town girl’, both in LA to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love.         
Minimum bid: $267

A Girly Checks Gift Certificate
Donated by: Girly Checks

The “Gift Certificate” includes a Girly Checks Check with a Coupon Code that will cover an order of a box of premium checks, a premium checkbook cover, and address labels or a self-inking address stamp.  Samples pictured here, but ANY designs can be chosen.
Minimum bid: $40

Lindsay Phillips Gift Pack
Donated by: Lindsay Phillips

Items include a Osceola Scarf, Lulu Pink SwitchFlops, Marisol Strap, Pearl Strap, Mischka Pink Snap, Eden Snap and Liz Black Ballet Flats. Choose your size and the items will be shipped to your door.
Minimum bid: $172

1 Year of Unlimited Computer Backup      
Donated by: VIP Live Drive

This gift includes 1 year of unlimited computer backup, simple setup, quick and easy data restore, and military grade encryption.
Minimum bid: $45

Once the winners are determined, payment can be made by check – written out to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  Also, donations can be made online at http://iwalkforboobies.com which accepts credit card (Visa/Discover/AMEX/MC).  For full donation payment option details, click here.

Our list of prizes is growing!! (which means even better chances of winning!)

Affiliate Summit East is only a few weeks away and we’re adding more advertiser prizes to give away in our ‘Twitter A Winner’ contest! ANY affiliate/publisher that is attending the show and has a valid URL – even if you are not a buy.at affiliate – is eligible to win

• - BargainStation.com: a Samsung Galaxy tablet
• - Coyuchi: Basket Weave Blanket
• - Ghirardelli: 1 five pound bar, 1 Ghirardelli Squares gift basket, 2 filled bar gift boxes
• - Girly Checks: A free order of checks and checkbook cover
• - Goldstar: 3 $50 gift cards
• - Organic Bouquet: 3-month membership to their roses monthly gift club
• - Veer: Laptop bags by Acme Made & Missing Piece Puzzles
• - VIP Live Drive: 3 gifts of unlimited data backup online for your computer for 1 year

Look for twitter posts from @buyatUS announcing winners during ASE 2011. Winners must pick up their prizes at the buy.at booth (#202) – and don’t delay! Each winner has a limited amount of time to pick up their prize before it’s awarded to someone else.

Click here to enter and good luck!

Affiliate Summit East is around the corner and we’re collecting a set of fantastic advertiser prizes to give away in our “Twitter A Winner” contest!

If you are an affiliate publisher with a valid URL and plan to attend the show, you’re eligible to win one of 15+ prizes throughout the weekend.

Prizes include:

• - Grand prize of a Samsung Galaxy tablet from BargainStation.com
• - Gift certificates to Goldstar and several other merchants
• - Gifts from Organic Bouquet, Coyuchi, Veer, Ghirardelli and more!

Look for twitter posts from @buyatUS announcing winners during ASE 2011. Winners must pick up their prizes at the buy.at booth (#202) – and don’t delay!  Each winner has a limited amount of time to pick up their prize before it’s awarded to someone else.

Click here to enter and good luck!

The Affiliate Summit team introduced a new Affiliate Summit Meetup Day, held on the last Tuesday of every month.   The first month kicked off with an impressive 48+ communities and 380+ attendees across the US (and a few abroad!).

In Denver, Jeannine Crooks joined 15 others (including networks, affiliates, and an OPM) at Gordon Biersch Brewery in Broomfield, CO.  They used the initial meeting to discuss topics and plans for future meetups, as well as enjoy plenty of time for networking   Click here to view a photo.

In Baltimore, we welcomed guests to our buy.at office and enjoyed a very informative SEO presentation from Rob Adler of The Link Builders.   Providing a mix of beginner and advanced SEO tips, he engaged the audience and inspired us to take our SEO efforts up a notch.  In addition to answering questions on optimizing root-page links, he shared a helpful “top 5 SEO tips” for beginners (targeted towards bloggers), which we’ve posted below.  Click here to read his full recap of the event.

Top 5 SEO Tips

1. Use small, broad root keywords for your home page, headers and tags – you can always add additional terms down the road, but if you change your root keywords, search engines will reevaluate and re-rank your site.
2. For WordPress users, he recommends the Platinum SEO Pack – this will help beginners improve their blog’s SEO performance.
3. Use keywords for images – they help boost your site’s rankings, especially for e-commerce sites.
4. Embrace share buttons – adding Facebook “like” links, Twitter RT links, etc. make a significant impact.
5. Update content regularly – search engines reward you for what you are doing, not what you have done.

This only covers a small segment of everything discussed at the meetup.  For more SEO information (beginner and advanced), check out the following sites or reach out to Rob Adler at The Link Builders.

Search Engine Land, Search Engine Watch, WebmasterWorld, ViperChill, Blue Hat SEO, Sugarrae Affiliate Marketing Blog, Graywolf’s SEO Blog, and AmandaOrson.com.

After the presentation, the gathering presented a unique opportunity for an in-person contract signing.  Jill & Bill of Girly Checks announced their decision to launch their program on the buy.at network!  We’re absolutely thrilled to have them on board and look forward to announcing the day that their program goes live   We snapped a few photos of the official signing and then headed off to Sly Fox pub for the rest of the evening.

Thanks to everyone who attended and we’re looking forward to next month’s meetup!  If you’d like to start or join one in your local community, sign up here.

buy.at US recently ran a competition where all brand new buy.at affiliates that signed up and generated an approved sale were eligible to win the following:

• A platinum pass (worth ~$1,200) to Affiliate Summit East in New York City!
• $500 cash to help with travel expenses – or to spend on their heart’s desire

We are pleased to announce that the winner is Barefoot Benny (www.barefootbenny.com)! Congratulations Benny – we’re looking forward to seeing you at Affiliate Summit East in August.

-buy.at US