Last month I had the most successful contest ever on this blog when I gave away a Flip Ultra Black Camcorder as a celebration of my 36th birthday and appreciation to my readers for making this blog successful.

This month I want to give away as good a prize or even better but I don’t know what it’s going to be yet. I’d love to give away another camcorder or something even better but it depends on how the monetary situation presents itself this month. Of course if I can secure a big sponsor for this, I can give away something really cool.

That being said, it won’t be as simple as the last contest.

What I want to do is throw down an affiliate challenge. One of the best ways of making money on the internet is through affiliate programs. I know a stock trader who made more money from affiliate sales on his blog than he made trading last month! His success isn’t unusual either. Most of the blogs I read use one affiliate program or another. A few days ago I wrote how PepperJam Network is giving away $10 just for signing up as a new affiliate. I also wrote how you can make $50 extra a month just blogging about their Blogger Incentive Program. Read all about it.

How It Works

This affiliate challenge is going to put your skills to the test. It’s up to you to use every trick you know to make this successful.

Here’s the rules.

1. First, you have to sign up with PepperJam Network using my link. This step is mandatory. If you are already signed up with PepperJam Network and you didn’t use my link you won’t be able to participate in this challenge but there will be more challenges to come in the future.
2. Second, using PepperJam Network, start promoting products from affiliates you think you can make work. Ideally these would be suited to your blog or website but if you are doing PPC/Google Adwords campaigns it really doesn’t matter. Your creativity is what is going to help you win this challenge.
3. (optional, not required for the contest) blog about this contest on your own site. If you followed step one, you should be having people use your affiliate link.

Seems simple enough right?

The winner of this challenge is going to be the one who generates the most income! As a fast start bonus, the first person to generate just $20 in affiliate sales will get a brand new copy of Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas #2 (written by the director of the movie, John Favreau). The first issue of this comic is already selling on Amazon.com for $8.79 (original price is $3.75). This isn’t the big prize but this comic is flying off shelves and I have a mint copy to give away to the first person who can generate just $20 in affiliate sales. To clarify, signing up someone and then blogging about the PepperJam Network Blogger Incentive Program (earning you $20 by doing so) does not count toward the fast start bonus. Only affiliate sales count toward this contest.

I’ll know when people sign up by checking my PepperJam account so there is going to be no way for anyone to cheat. All claims will require proof as well. I will require that you send me a screenshot of your earnings page to claim any prizes. As long as you follow all the rules of the affiliates you are promoting, the only thing stopping you from making money is doing nothing.

Here’s what your reports look like when you’ve signed up, gotten some bonus money(sign up bonus and a blog post) and have an affiliate signed up:

Why An Affiliate Challenge?

My goal here is to have a fun contest but also to teach the power of affiliate marketing and how you can be successful doing it. At the very least, sign up for PepperJam Network and place some appropriate 125×125 banners on your site including the PepperJam Network banner. You’ll probably make a little money doing so.

PepperJam Network is probably my favorite affiliate program. The interface is simple, straight forward and finding partners to promote is easy. They have a great graphical representation of your sales which immediately tells you how you are doing when you log in and you don’t have to dig through menus to build reports, its all right there on the front page.

What’s The Grand Prize?

I’m not at liberty to reveal this at this time, suffice to say it will be at least a Flip Video Mino Series Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black) but maybe something better. I’ll post an update when I know for sure. This shouldn’t stop you as you have a head start right now! Sign up today and get cracking! Remember, the winner is the one with the most sales at the end of this month (August 2008).

Let the challenge begin! Have fun out there and if you really don’t know where to start, use the contact form and email me. I can get you some literature to put you on the right path.

Prize Donors!

There are more prizes that what I am giving away.

• Indo Contest has donated 3000 Entrecard Credits! – Enough credits for you to advertise on major sites like JohnChow.com or ProBlogger! Thanks Indo!

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