This is not the first post about Go Green Valet, and it won’t be the last. I always say that if I firmly believe in a company, I will review and support the regularly on this blog.

Go Green Valet is owned by my good friend Robert Green. He provides high-end parking solutions that fit any venue. If you need a valet company that’s reliable, affordable, and professional, then visit Go Green Valet NOW! They have several years experience in the valet parking industry.

So, this week marks a new chapter for my blog. I have been asked to test 3 new programs for SEO and web design, and write in depth reviews on each. This should be interesting. I don’t know if this is coincidence, but these are 3 different software developers, 3 separate software packages, plus there’s another program that I’m trying to get on the beta test list, which would bring the count to 4 (3 offers, and 1 shameless beg)

I’ve only written reviews on software that I’ve used, but never as a request from a developer, or multiple developers for that matter. If I believe firmly in a program, I will constantly blog about it to help get the name out, and I hope these programs are no exception, because I would hate to give a review on software that I do not believe in, actually, I WON’T give a review about a product I don’t believe in.

I know that all 3 of these companies who sent me offers to review their products are probably just looking at the situation like a long term investment, I mean, they have to sacrifice one license for a software review, and they get a high-quality link from a blogger. It seems pretty fair to me, especially since I will be one of the older links if these programs ever take off, so there may be some long term reward for me as well, that is, if they like my review enough to reciprocate.

Anywho, I’ll be reviewing these programs throughout the next month or so, so you’ll see the reviews soon enough.  Stay tuned…

The Death of “Sponsored Post” Disclosures?

Do you remember the days when Pay Per Post blogging was the best way to make money on a relatively low traffic blog? I sure do, and I also remember when Google started penalizing publishers who participated in these PPP programs, rendering them almost useless as a legit money-making resource. I turned to affiliate networks like Pepperjam, Linkshare, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.  The affiliate networks work out great, but managing links (ie. masking links, tracking clicks, passing variables, etc…) gets to be pretty bothersome after a while, and that’s where VigLink comes into the picture.

VigLink makes it easy for anyone to get involved with affiliate marketing. They take the hassle out of dealing with affiliate networks, and managing those relationships that you have with the networks. What’s even better is that you don’t have to have ugly affiliate links, their javascript automatically adds everything needed to track clicks and get credit for your referalls and sales.

Direct Linking, FTW

Here’s an example of how VigLink works:

I write a lot of posts about Artisteer, you’ll probably notice that I either mask the links to http://nicknorris.net/artisteer2, and that automatically redirects people to the site http://artisteer.com. That’s simple enough, right? Well it has worked for a long time, but I think it would be easier for me if I could just direct people straight over to http://artisteer.com. VigLink allows me to do that.

From the Horse’s Mouth

The Universal Affiliate Program (from VigLink’s Website):

There are more than 12,500 sites that pay commissions for your traffic!

• They each have a signup form.
• They each have different ways to link with codes that go stale quickly.
• They each have minimums that you need to reach or you’ll never get paid.

One quick and easy install from VigLink and all those problems are solved! Automatically participate in every program. Stay up to date when merchants change their link codes. Enjoy one global minimum across every program. You’ll never have to register for an affiliate program again!

The fact that VigLink shaves a small percentage of your sales off the top of your rev, shouldn’t really matter, because they are providing an amazing service for bloggers. They make life a little bit easier.

What Others are Saying About VigLink

I read a great article about VigLink on SEObook. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, Google has been really quick to penalize paid links and sponsored blog posts, so the following snippet should make a lot of bloggers very happy.

So basically Viglink is suggesting controlling who you link to based on whatever makes you the most money, and not providing any disclosure of the financial relationship.

AKA: paid links.

Presumably these VigLinks will still pass PageRank, but the affiliate stuff will be layered on top of the regular links using JavaScript. Pay affiliates using VigLink a bit of a higher percent for the exposure and you bought a ton of valuable inbound links for pennies on the Dollar.

Here is where it really gets screwed up: Google is an investor in VigLink.

Given the fact that your links appear to be clean links to a site means that you don’t have to make the “sponsored post” disclosure anymore, and I like that! I can actually write normal blog posts, and link out naturally to the pages that I want to link to, and if I get some kick-back, that’s a huge WIN! But on a possible downside, since Google has money invested in VigLink, they are probably going to have more link data, as well as some back-end data about earnings from my blog, so the risk of penalty is still there, just in a smaller way.

So, to my blogger buddies, you should try this out. It’s free, and it really simplifies monetization.

VigLink Official Website

This is probably not going to be the best option for large scale affiliates. VigLink is intended for bloggers, and people just looking to monetize their websites.

I know what you’re thinking.. Another post about Artisteer.. Well, ok, so, yes… I am writing another post about Artisteer. A lot has changed since my last post about Artisteer, “Artisteer for Mac is now available“, the free trial is still going on, and more people are using Artisteer thanks to your’s truly (seriously, I have made hundreds of people like you Artisteer users thanks to my posts and reviews).

So, if you are on the fence about this product, read one of my reviews listed below. They may change your mind.

• Artisteer – Buy it, Don’t Steal it!
• Artisteer for Mac is Now Available
• Artisteer Home vs Artisteer Professional – An Artisteer Review
• Artisteer Review – Theme Generator
• Buy Artisteer

As always, please feel free to ask any questions. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT OBTAINING PIRATED COPIES OR EXPORTING YOUR DEMO FILES!!!

So, this is going to be my first time going to PubCon Las Vegas. I’m really excited to see what it’s going to be like. I can only assume that it’s going to be a HUGE learning experience, plus, the fact that it’s in Vegas indicates at least a rating of 7 or 8 on the scale of probable fun times. I’ll be updating my blog frequently this week as I pursue the awesomeness that is PubCon.

The only downside is going to be that I have to be away from my kids and wife for a few days, so that’s going to be rough. I think I’ll manage just fine with all of the distractions that Vegas has to offer.

I hope I see you there!