Re: Toddler Craft

So many fun things going on at Toddler Crafts! The contest is going great! We have some terrific art contest entries. If your kids haven't entered yet make sure to get their entry in, Contest ends 7/10. Many new crafts and parenting tips are shared each week, so stop by!!

Games for Preschoolers

Preschoolers need to have something to do or they will get into mischief, There are many simple Games for Preschoolers you can create with the things you have handy in the house.

Re: Amazon Tightens Up Affiliates

Barnes and Noble does have an affiliate program!
They pay out 6% commissions.

Barnes & Noble Affiliate

I just skimmed over the TOS & did not see that Rhode Island was not allowed. They do however require that you prove the site you are posting links on is owned by you. They check the WHOIS or you will receive an email at admin@yourdomain

So this may be worth looking into.

I think that Borders has cut out their affiliate program. At one time they were with Commission Junction. Not sure if they still are, I did not find them.

I'll keep looking!

Sheryl

Re: Amazon Tightens Up Affiliates

This all makes me wonder what will transpire in the result of this. do you think for a moment the government will give in or will the pressure be on other states to do the same. I think they want to put a choke hold on the common person so much that we are all impoverished and dependent on them. I can see us being in the same boat as China soon. But we the people are continuing to allow this to happen.

An example that I continue to bring up is the Motrin ad with the woman that had the child strapped to the front of her. and the ad inferred that she was in pain and needed drugs to relive the pain. Twitter went nuts with the Motrin moms infuriated. But when it comes to drugging their children needlessly with mind altering drugs, or injecting their children with Gardisel and either killing or just poisoning them impairing their immune system you don't hear a word. Speaking up works but to speak up for the right things is when it really counts.

The only way to stand up for what is right is yell loud enough to be heard. contact your representatives you voted for them.
Brad West ~ onomoney

Re: Amazon Tightens Up Affiliates

Onna,
That is messed up.
I will keep my eyes open for someplace with childrens books.

I just saw that North Carolina also wants to tax on digital products. If they do, that will hurt so many people online that are trying to make extra income that their jobs do not provide. Even full time online marketers may loose allot.

I kind of understand Amazon not wanting to deal with some states but, what if more states start with this? I think Amazon had an issue with New York for awhile but, still let them be affiliates.

A medley of projects!

This week for my Tackle it tuesday post on Toddler Craft I have multiple projects going on!! It's been a busy week!!

Children's Video Review and giveaway

I recently got the opportunity to review some great Children's Videos called Bumblz. The company that makes the DVD's also makes music cd's. They are very cute videos with fun music for kids. They are also being offered as one of the giveaway's in Toddler Crafts Huge Art Contest and Giveaway

Re: Amazon Tightens Up Affiliates

I was just dropped as an affiliate, because I am in RI by Amazon, which stinks!! I am looking for another company that does affiliates that might have children's books if anyone has suggestions. Seems they don't care about having affiliates.

Amazon Tightens Up Affiliates

I just read that Amazon is NOT paying out for purchases that are made from a link coming from anywhere other than YOUR SITE!

No Precedence For Social Media - Amazon Hangs Us Out To Dry
July 7th, 2009 by Joshua Odmark

The above post tells how 1 man had posted his Amazon Affiliate link on Twitter and people did make the purchase but, he received no commissions. As of the time he posted the article the only reason he got was referring to the Terms of Service where he figured out that Amazon did not consider Twitter to fall under YOUR SITE. This would also apply to your affiliate link being posted on Friendfeed, Facebook, craigslist…Those are Not Your Sites.

There is also the question about using URL shortners, a shortner is a redirect, and therefore it is not coming from YOUR SITE.
The way around that is to use your domain as the shortner. Then again, why the heck mess with all of that?

What if you email out your affiliate link? Even if you do not shorten it, is Gmail (yahoo…) YOUR SITE?

Amazon recently cut off affiliates from Rhode Island & I think one of the Carolina’s, because of taxes.

Maybe Amazon feels that they no longer need affiliates, I mean if you type most product into Google you will see Amazon pop up at the top. But, what if all those affiliates started pulling links? No more raving blogs, no product reviews, no programs teaching you how to affiliate market pushing Amazon????

They may be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

So what do you think?

Sheryl

Ps. I do know that awhile back Robert Scoble posted an affiliate link on Friendfeed & he stated that he DID get commissions. I can’t find his discussion thread about it.

Facebook Live Stream for Your Site

You can now have a streaming chat on your site that is connected to Facebook.

Visitors to your site can log in using their Facebook connects, post messages, comment, like...others messages and it all can be seen on their Facebook profile (& in the streams of their friends).

The kicker - it looks as if each story has a link to your site. This could be a great way to get new people coming to your site & have a wonderful way to connect with your regulars.

I have not placed this on my site so, I am going by what it says in the instructions & have only seen it on 1 other site.

Someone be brave & stick this puppy on their site so, we can see how it goes.

Oh, you can get the wiki - Live Stream Box

Kindergarten Learning Games

In preparation for the summer and keeping my son's learning going during this time I have been coming up with some Kindergarten Learning Games. I find it goes more smoothly when I can make a learning experience into a game!! Come check it out. Stay tuned-I'll be posting more lessons as I come up with them!

SEO Fast Start 2009 is out

I know that I just posted the link to Dan Thies's SEO Fast Start but the new edition is out. Instead of going through a big deal here and risking redundancy Sheryl has an awesome post on her site to kind of introduce you to what, where and who is behind such a great piece of work.

Download SEO Fast Start 2009 from one of the most selfless marketers I have ever seen. Dan is one person I would love to meet and BS with. Not just for what is in his head, but I think he is a might sarcastic and I like that.
Brad West ~ onomoney

Nascar 2009 4th of July Daytona Race

Kyle Bush seemed to have the race at Daytona in his pocket yesterday until just yards form the checkered flag he decided to put a block on Tony Stewart. Tony had already positioned himself for a final run for the win with the nose of his car well into the rear quarter panel of Kyle Bush. If Kyle had just kept his foot to the boards and focused on the finish line he more than likely would have won. I don't think Tony had a chance at over taking the Shrub.

The outcome was a well deserved victory for Tony Stewart. In the past I never really could stand Tony because of his arrogance mostly, but this past year I am enjoying the way that Tony has toned down showing a little humility an times. I have a little more respect for him now that he is an owner / driver. Maybe he is focusing on catering to his sponsors and the money end of things rather than the win all the time. Racing is racing.
Brad West ~ onomoney

Re: Search Audio in Google Labs

YouTube videos are getting allot of attention and have some unbelievable potential for getting noticed. I went to Google Labs and did some Audio searches. They truly only pull content from the political submissions. Most of the searches I made were bringing up videos from a year ago. although they may have some value as far as reference unless you search for a specific person in politics there is not much new to learn.

So searching for specific issues or subject matter was a bomb and really did me no good. There wewr allot of pre election videos though.
Brad West ~ onomoney

July 4th noisemaker craft

This is a fun craft and can really be used at any time of the year. I made a Fourth of July Noisemaker but you can decorate it any way you like! Come to Toddler Craft and check it out!!

Re: Fire Ant Control

Although I live in Alabama, I am not a fan of Grits.... however it turns out that Alabama fire ants love grits so much that they save them as special treats for the Queen. Unfortunately for the Queen, grits tend to swell and make her stomach explode.

Needless to say my entire yard is now covered in Grits.

With dead Queen bodies mounting up, the ant population seems to be dramatically decreasing.

Re: G'Day Mates, From Down Under

Too right Cait, and I totally understand about the avatar, my kids feel the same way.

Re: Friend Feed

FriendFeed is now offering themes.

Yeah, don't get to excited yet. They only have a few pre made ones to choose from & they the theme you choose is only seen by you. So if you pick your theme to be blue then you will see all the profiles that way, BUT, I will see your profile as PINK because that is what I chose. Hope that makes seance. If not - oh well - you'll figure it out. LOL!

They do say they are working on it so you can make your own customized theme.

They are also working on it so, you can customize your group with a theme. It may be awhile but, they are trying.

Ok, to choose a theme you just Log In, Click on Settings, and you will see Choose A Theme. Yep, it's that easy!

Improved Google Blog Search

Google Blog Search has gotten a face lift!

Google's blog search had seemed to be sitting dead in the water for awhile but, maybe they are going to give it a little CPR & bring it back to life.

What's NEW -
They have added a NEW Section for Hot Queries and Latest Post
I think the Hot Queries could be great to check in on just to see what people are looking for. If you see people searching for something you have then get your arse in gear & get a post up while it's hot.

Over on the Left you can easily browse though post by subject.

If you want to keep watch on a particular phrase then once you have done your initial search you can now Subscribe to it with the RSS Feed! This will help you keep up on the latest about your interest!

If you know what you are looking for and do not want to wade through the post that are just not right then be sure to try the Advanced Search -

Search Your Phrase -
with all of the words
with the exact phrase
with at least one of the words
without the words
with these words in the post title
with these words in the blog title

Search By Author -
blogs and posts written by

Search by Dates -
posts written
posts written between and

Language Preference

They also offer a Safe Search that will eliminate some of the less family friendly sites.

Go on over and check it out! Search Blogs

Looks like the Big G is keeping track of what you are blogging.

If for any reason your blog is NOT getting listed in the Blog search then you can Ping Google Blog Search.

Sheryl

Re: G'Day Mates, From Down Under

Hello Sire,
Welcome to TIMG. Hope you have a really awesome time here with all of us really awesome people. AWESOME!

I would totally add you on my friend list here, but not with that kind of avatar.

Hope you have a good day, or night?

P.S. Yeah, I know, you have only been on here HOW LONG and I just welcomed you. Oh well, it's the thought that counts... aye mate?

Cait Hagar