Make Money Online with Super Affiliate Rosalind Gardner» Holidays

Affiliate Marketing: Month by Month

Rosalind Gardner — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:15:42 +0000

Planning your affiliate promotions in advance throughout the year is a great way to ensure that you take advantage of all the important events to maximize your profit potential.

Listed below are links to posts that highlight holidays and events for each month of the year. Content in these posts will change from time to time, so be sure to check them regularly for new and additional promotional ideas.

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

Cheers,

Affiliate Marketing in February: Put Your Heart into It

Rosalind Gardner — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:29:47 +0000

With its emphasis on love, February is a fun month to be an affiliate marketer.

According to a 2010 U.S. Census Bureau report “America’s Families and Living Arrangements”, there are 99.6 million unmarried people over age 18 in the U.S., or nearly 44% of the adult population. That statistic alone shows that Affiliating in the Season of Love can also be quite fruitful, if you like to play online matchmaker.

My first affiliate site was a dating site which has earned monthly commissions since January 1998 — and not just with dating services; as singles come in all shapes, sizes, needs, desires and wants — so you can promote products and services relevant to nearly any holiday or event throughout the year.

No matter what your niche, think beyond the obvious chocolates, candy and lingerie promotions in February — although they’re good too!

Month-long Celebrations in February include::

American Heart Month
An Affair to Remember Month
Black History Month
Canned Food Month
Creative Romance Month
Great American Pie Month
National Cherry Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Weddings Month

Most notable holidays and events in February 2012:

2 Groundhog Day
5 Superbowl
14 Valentine’s Day
21 Mardi Gras
22 Ash Wednesday
20 Washington’s Birthday

Celebrations by Date in February 2012:

1 National Freedom Day
2 Ground Hog Day
2 Candlemas
3 The Day the Music Died
4 Create a Vacuum Day
4 Thank a Mailman Day
5 National Weatherman’s Day
6 Lame Duck Day
7 Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
7 Send a Card to a Friend Day
8 Boy Scout Day
8 Kite Flying Day
9 Toothache Day
10 Umbrella Day
11 Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day
11 Make a Friend Day
11 White T-Shirt Day
12 Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
12 Plum Pudding Day
13 Clean out Your Computer Day
13 Get a Different Name Day
14 Ferris Wheel Day
14 National Organ Donor Day
14 Valentine’s Day
15 Candlemas
15 National Gum Drop Day
15 Singles Awareness Day
16 Do a Grouch a Favor Day
17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
18 National Battery Day
19 National Chocolate Mint Day
20 Cherry Pie Day
20 Hoodie Hoo Day
20 Love Your Pet Day
20 President’s Day
21 Card Reading Day
22 George Washington’s Birthday
22 Be Humble Day
22 Walking the Dog Day
22 International World Thinking Day
23 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
23 Tennis Day
24 National Tortilla Chip Day
25 Pistol Patent Day
26 Carnival Day
26 National Pistachio Day
26 Tell a Fairy Tale Day
27 Polar Bear Day
27 No Brainer Day
28 Floral Design Day
28 Public Sleeping Day
28 National Tooth Fairy Day
29 Leap Day – 2012

So, what holidays and events work within your niche in February?

Be sure to check out other monthly holidays and events at Affiliate Marketing: Month by Month.

Affiliate Marketing in December: Wrap it Up

Rosalind Gardner — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:27:50 +0000

Cyber Monday (see Affiliate Marketing in November) sales in 2011 were up 20 percent from a year earlier as of noon Eastern time according to International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) According to ComScore,online purchasing was forecast to rise to $1.2 billion from $1.03 billion last year.

And it’s not just the Americans who made online sales records during the Christmas shopping frenzy. Folks all around the world seem to be happy to open their wallets during the festive season, even during a recession!

Offerings are as varied as the individual recipients, but there are definitely ‘staples’ in the realm of gift-giving.

Think electronics, clothing, toys & games, books, jewelry, food & beverages, personalized items and keepsakes…. and oh, just go take a look at what’s trending at Gifts.com Top Picks for Christmas to get very specific ideas.

And as is the case every other month of the year, December includes a number of holidays and unique special event days that you can tie into your affiliate marketing promotions.

Month-long celebrations:

Hi Neighbor Month
National Stress Free Family Holiday Month
Read A New Book Month
Safe Toy and Gift Month
Universal Human Rights Month
Write to a Friend Month

Most notable special days in December 2011:

December 11, Rosalind Gardner’s birthday (I stopped counting at 50.)
December 20, Hanukkah (begins at sundown the previous day)
December 25, Christmas
December 26, Kwanzaa
December 26, Boxing Day (UK, Canada, Ireland)
December 31, New Year’s Eve

Celebrations by Day in December 2011:

1 Eat a Red Apple Day
1 World Aids Awareness Day
2 National Fritters Day
3 National Roof over Your Head Day
4 Santas’ List Day
4 Wear Brown Shoes Day
5 Bathtub Party Day
5 Repeal Day
6 St. Nicholas Day
6 Mitten Tree Day
6 Put on your own Shoes Day
7 International Civil Aviation Day
7 Letter Writing Day
7 National Cotton Candy Day
7 Pearl Harbor Day
8 National Brownie Day
8 Take it in the Ear Day
9 Christmas Card Day
9 National Pastry Day
10 Human Rights Day
11 International Children’s Day
11 National Noodle Ring Day
12 National Ding-a-Ling Day
12 Poinsettia Day
13 Ice Cream Day
13 Violin Day
14 National Bouillabaisse Day
15 Bill of Rights Day
15 National Lemon Cupcake Day
16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
17 National Maple Syrup Day
18 Bake Cookies Day
18 National Roast Suckling Pig Day
19 Look for an Evergreen Day
19 Oatmeal Muffin Day
20 Go Caroling Day
21 Forefather’s Day
21 Humbug Day
21 National Flashlight Day
21 Look on the Bright Side Day
22 National Date Nut Bread Day
22 Winter Solstice
23 Festivus
23 Roots Day
24 National Chocolate Day
24 National Egg Nog Day
25 Christmas Day
25 National Pumpkin Pie Day
26 Boxing Day
27 Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day
27 National Fruitcake Day
28 Card Playing Day
29 Pepper Pot Day
30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
31 Make Up Your Mind Day
31 New Year’s Eve
31 Unlucky Day

My favorites (in addition to my birthday) are St. Nicholas Day (SinterKlaas in Dutch), the solstice, Festivus and Christmas. LOTS and LOTS of gift-exchanging to be done.

What are your plans for the festive season?

Affiliate Marketing in November: Remember and Give Thanks

Rosalind Gardner — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:26:52 +0000

Thankfully, it’s not hard to remember the big holidays in November – Remembrance Day (Veterans Day) and Thanksgiving in the U.S.

In 2011, those special holidays occur on the following dates in 2011.

November 11 – Veterans Day (U.S.) Remembrance Day (UK, Canada)
November 24 – Thanksgiving (U.S.)

But did you also know that it’s National Aviation month? As a former air traffic controller with many pilot friends, that’s a biggy in my books!

Here are the celebrations by Month:

Aviation History Month
Child Safety Protection Month
International Drum Month
National Adoption Awareness Month
National Epilepsy Month
National Model Railroad Month
National Novel Writing Month
National Sleep Comfort Month
Native American Heritage Month
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Real Jewelry Month

And as usual, there are all sorts of eclectic and wonderful days to celebrate throughout the month of November among which Black Friday and Cyber Monday will always have a special place in my affiliate heart. ♥

1 All Saint’s Day
2 All Soul’s Day
2 Look for Circles Day
2 Deviled Egg Day
3 Housewife’s Day
3 Sandwich Day
4 King Tut Day
5 Book Lovers Day
5 Gunpowder Day
5 Guy Fawkes Day
6 Marooned without a Compass Day
6 Saxophone Day
7 Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
8 Cook Something Bold Day
8 Dunce Day
8 Young Readers Day
9 Chaos Never Dies Day
10 Forget-Me-Not Day
10 USMC Day
11 Veteran’s Day
12 Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
13 National Indian Pudding Day
13 Sadie Hawkins Day
13 World Kindness Day
14 Operating Room Nurse Day
15 Clean Your Refrigerator Day
15 America Recycles Day
15 National Philanthropy Day
16 Button Day
16 Have a Party With Your Bear Day
17 Electronic Greeting Card Day
17 Great American Smokeout
17 Homemade Bread Day
17 Take A Hike Day
17 World Peace Day
18 Occult Day
19 Have a Bad Day Day
19 National Adoption Day
20 Absurdity Day
20 Beautiful Day
20 Universal Children’s Day
21 False Confession Day
21 World Hello Day
22 Go For a Ride Day
23 Eat a Cranberry Day
23 National Cashew Day
24 U.S. Thanksgiving
25 Black Friday
25 Buy Nothing Day
25 National Parfait Day
25 You’re Welcome Day
26 Shopping Reminder Day
27 Pins and Needles Day
28 Cyber Monday
28 Make Your Own Head Day
28 Red Planet Day
29 Electronic Greetings Day
29 Square Dance Day
30 Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day

What’s up with the picture of the poppy? The red remembrance poppy is an emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem In Flanders Fields. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilt in the war.

Affiliate Marketing in October: Let’s Talk iPhone

Rosalind Gardner — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:26:10 +0000

Apple is holding its long-awaited ’Let’s talk iPhone’ event on October 4, and demand for the iPhone 5 is huge in advance of its release.

According to a recent InMobi consumer smartphone survey, 41% of current mobile users in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada plan to buy an iPhone 5—potentially making it the most successful launch from Apple to date.

So affiliates will want to start promoting those iPhone accessories and CPA offers quickly.

Another good option for affiliates in the business opportunities market is iPhone application development training programs, such as How To Create iPhone Apps With No Programming Experience.

Of course, October isn’t just about iPhones. There are a whole slew of holidays and events during the month, of which the most popular include:

7th – Yom Kippur
10th – Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October)
10th – Canadian Thanksgiving Day (2nd Monday in October)
31st – Halloween

Here is a list of other events to celebrate in October.

1st – Homemade Cookies Day
1st – World Vegetarian Day
1st – World Card Making Day (1st Saturday in October)
3rd – Child Health Day (1st Mpnday) Monday in October.
4th – National Golf Day
5th – World Teacher Day
9th – Leif Ericson Day
9th – Moldy Cheese Day
10th – Indigenous People’s Day (2nd Monday in October)
12th – Farmer’s Day
15th – National Grouch Day
15th – National Poetry Day
15th – Sweetest Day
16th – Boss’s Day
16th – World Food Day
17th – Black Poetry Day
18th – Alaska Day (Territory transferred in 1867.
22nd – National Nut Day
23rd – Mother-in-Law’s Day (4th Sunday in October)
24th – National Bologna Day
24th – United Nations Day
25th – National Denim Day
28th – Plush Animal Lover’s Day

Month Long Observances

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Computer Learning Month
Energy Awareness Month
Family History Month
National Clock Month
National Dessert Month
National Pizza Month
National Popcorn Popping Month
National Roller Skating Month
National Stamp Collecting Month
Polish American History Month
National Apple Month
Adopt-a-Shelter-Animal Month

This is a GREAT time of year for affiliates in the genealogy space with it being Family History month. Share ways to celebrate this month-long event with your subscribers and promote the heck out of Archives.com and other genealogy sites.

Food bloggers can concentrate on apple and nut recipes, while animal lovers can celebrate Adopt a Shelter Animal month— by promoting plush animals to those who can’t.

Last, but not least of course, there’s Halloween which is the ultimate time to dress up your pet and promote costumes for dogs and cats as well as those treat-seeking little munchkins.

Shown here is Jasper, my chocolate Labrador wearing my “Bat-hat”. He will have to get cape to complete the ensemble.

So how are you celebrating October on your affiliate site?

Affiliate Marketing in September: More than School Supplies

Rosalind Gardner — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:25:04 +0000

Affiliate marketers often look only to the obvious when it comes to September – back to school promotions.

While back to school is a HUGE seller, it is not the only opportunity for you to make money online.

Here’s our basic list of events for this September:

2 VJ Day, WWII
5 Labor Day
11 Grandparents Day the first Sunday after Labor Day
17 Constitution Day
21 International Peace Day (UN)
23 Autumnal Equinox
23 Native American Day the fourth Friday of the month
28 Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown

But did you know that it is also:

Classical Music Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Fall Hat Month
International Square Dancing Month
National Blueberry Popsicle Month
National Courtesy Month
National Piano Month
Chicken Month
Baby Safety Month
Little League Month
Honey Month
Self Improvement Month
Better Breakfast Month

In that list, I see opportunities for affiliates in the Hispanic, food, childrens’, self-improvement, sports and music niches to monetize better in September.

Think a little larger though. With the autumnal equinox (beginning of fall) there’s a lot you can do to help your readers prepare for winter at this time too!

Being a bit of a cheap energy nut myself, I blogged about energy savings on my personal blog. I’ve written articles, made videos and promoted everything from lightbulbs to solar panels.

Going green and saving energy works across almost every niche.

Everyone wants to save money. Smart, caring parents want to make the world a better place for their children and will therefore spend money to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. Really smart parents will buy their kid a backpack that actually fits the kid… maybe so the child can WALK to school and get some exercise instead of needlessly burning gas to drive them 2 blocks.

Smart affiliates will also share information with parents on exercise, nutrition, sports injuries and proper sleep for their kids. (Check out the U.S. Government’s tips on the back to school subject for more ideas).

Just a thought.

Affiliate Marketing in August: Potatoes and Sea Serpents

Rosalind Gardner — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:24:05 +0000

Researching August holidays and celebrations proved once again that assumptions can be oh so wrong!

I was amazed by the number of named days and monthly celebrations that came up.

My favorites by far are Play in the Sand Day, Bad Poetry Day (which I definitely will not celebrate), Kiss and Make Up Day and Rice Pudding Day – which I will celebrate with Vietnamese rice pudding made from rice vermicelli. YUM!!!

Here are 2 lists of all the holidays and celebrations coming up in August.

1st – Civic Holiday in most of Canada (first Monday in August)
1st – Picnic Day in Australia (first Monday in August)
1st – Respect for Parents’ Day
1st – Sport’s Day
2nd – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
3rd – National Watermelon Day
4th – Coast Guard Day
4th – National Chocolate Chip Day
5th – National Waffle Day
6th – National Mustard Day
6th – Wiggle Your Toes Day
7th – American Family Day (First Sunday in August)
7th – Friendship Day (First Sunday in August)
7th – Sea Serpent Day
8th – Dollar Day – The US dollar was created.
9th – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
9th – National Rice Pudding Day
10th – S’Mores Day
11th – Play in the Sand Day
12th – Middle Children’s Day
13th – International Left-Handers Day
13th – National Filet Mignon Day
14th – National Creamsicle Day
15th – National Relaxation Day
16th – Roller Coaster Day
17th – Archeology Day
18th – Bad Poetry Day
19th – National Aviation Day
19th – Potato Day
20th – Observed on the third Saturday of August every year.
20th – National Radio Day
22nd – Be An Angel Day
23rd – National Sponge Cake Day
24th – National Peach Pie Day
24th – Strange Music Day
25th – Kiss and Make Up Day
25th – National Banana Split Day
26th – National Dog Day
26th – Women’s Equality Day
28th – Dream Day (Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech)
28th – National Cherry Turnover Day
30th – National Toasted Marshmallow Day
31st – National Trail Mix Day

In terms of month-long celebrations, I know that there are many of you who will join me in celebrating Home Business and National Golf month.

American Artist Appreciation Month
Foot Health Month
Home Business Month
National Catfish Month
National Golf Month
National Inventors Month
National Water Quality Month

In terms of affiliate marketing, I think the foodies win this one hands down.

Seriously, who with a food blog could resist doing a “Happy Potato Day” post?

Hmmm… that could be fun to do on almost any blog.

Maybe we should make it a movement – ’cause who doesn’t love potatoes?

Note: If you’ve never been, the best potatoes in the world are grown and cooked in Ecuador. Their Locro de Papa soup (Potato-Cheese Soup With Avocado) is probably the world’s ultimate comfort food… and a heart attack waiting to happen.

OK, that was an aside. What would you sell to celebrate Potato Day?

Mr. Potato Head of course!

Alright, that was perhaps a little over the top, but you can see how letting your mind wander (and get a little twisted) will fire those neurons to come up with unique ideas — stuff no one else is blogging about — even when it seems like there’s NOTHING to blog about in a given month.

OK, now start thinking about sea serpents!

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

Cheers,

Affiliate Marketing in July: Start the Party

Rosalind Gardner — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:37:34 +0000

July is the month for national day celebrations in Canada and the U.S., i.e. Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day in the U.S. on July 4th.

Happy Canada Day!
Happy Independence Day!

Let the parties begin!

Any affiliate in almost any niche can help their readers celebrate by sharing ideas for:

Party invitations
Party decorations (think flags)
Barbeque recipes
Drink recipes and ideas – my favorites, beer in a Canadian flag wetsuit (see pic below) or a Caesar in a glass with a Canadian flag drink umbrella
Themed dessert recipes
Party Games

Having hosted more than a few Canada Day block parties, I think of all those things that you need to support a crowd:

BIG fancy ice buckets to hold beer and other drinks on the patio
Shade umbrellas
Flags (LOTS and lots of flags)
Balloons
Holiday Tableware (suggest plastic items for pool parties)
Themed yard ornaments and pool toys
Canvas chairs with Canadian flags (or hockey team logos)
Beach towels with flags (no need for a pool, a sprinkler for the kids will do)

BTW, if you do a Google search for “Canada Day Party” with or without quotes, you should see 2 listings with some of my Canada Day party pictures come up from years past.

Good SEO, eh?

Check out how I Got a First Page Google Listing in Only 9 Seconds.

Because it was a Canada Day, part of our requirement to attend the party was to wear something red and white… so patriotic clothing is another suggestion you can share with your visitors.

And after you’ve finished getting your site together to help your visitors celebrate the holidays, take time to read these 2 motivational articles about gaining independence through having your own business:

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

Cheers,

P.S. Independence and national holiday celebrations occur throughout the year in other countries. For an extensive list of national days around the globe, please visit Wikipedia – National Days.

Affiliate Marketing in June: Dads and Grads

Rosalind Gardner — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:37:22 +0000

Although the lazy days of the summer ‘sales slump’ are just about upon us come June, don’t give up your marketing efforts too soon.

June is the time to pick up revenue from Father’s Day and graduation season sales.

From years past, here is a list of topic ideas and titles to consider:

Top gifts for Grads
Top gifts for Dads
(Merchant name) Offers Smart Gifts for Dads and Grads
Dads and Grads June Special
Celebrate Dads and Grads
Top Tech Gifts for Dads and Grads (or just Dad, or just Grads)
Top 10 (product) for College Students (think laptops, cellphones, etc.)
Top 10 Tools for Dad in 2011
10 Excellent (product type) Gifts for Your Dad or Grad
Dad’s and Grad’s Gift Guide
Greener Gifts for Dads and Grads
Personalized Gifts for Dads and Grads
Unusual Gifts for Dads and Grads in (year)

My personal preference is always to promote the unusual as well as stuff folks really want, and here’s my list of gifts suggestions for Dads and Grads this year.

OK, maybe that’s MY list of wants. Actually, I have the MOVA Clouds Satellite globe in my office and it’s too cool. It rotates without batteries or wires. Of course, it sits beside my Sony Digital Photo Frame that flashes pictures of all the places in the world that I’ve visited over the past half century.

Tips for Promoting Grads and Dads

Promote the 2 separately if your niche allows it. With different needs and interests, it’s best to target the markets separately.

In the USA, UK and Canada – Fathers’ Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June since being made a national holiday in 1966. In Australia and New Zealand, fathers are honored the first Sunday in September. Other countries celebrate fathers throughout the year.

Graduation ceremonies typically are held throughout the month of June in North America.

Make your blog and email subject lines enticing, i.e. “No shipping fees for Graduation gift purchases.” NOTE: Avoid the word “Free” in your subject line to make sure your message doesn’t get caught in a spam filter.

Speak to your potential buyers – not recipients. If you are addressing parents of graduates, avoid ‘hip’ terminology.

Present an array of options. If your niche is fishing, promote everything from cheaper lures to boats. Don’t underestimate the willingness of people to spend big money online.

In 2010, Internet Retailer reported that among the consumers celebrating Father’s Day:

36% will spend less than $25 on a Father’s Day gift.
27% will spend between $25 and $49.
15% will spend between $50 and $74.
22% will spend $75 or more.

The top three Father’s Day gifts are hobby-related items for golf, running and baseball (43%), entertainment gifts such as music, video games and movies (30%), and outdoor items such as barbecue tools (26%).

Last but not least, give your readers the option of purchasing a gift certificate, in case the buyer isn’t sure what the dad or grad will like.

Check out the Holiday Calendar for next month’s events.

Affiliate Marketing in May: Mom’s the Word

Rosalind Gardner — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:03:51 +0000

Recession or not, Mother’s Day is still one of the most commercially successful occasions in North America.

Over the past 5 years, statistical reports from various associations indicate that:

Mother’s Day is now the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant in the United States.
In 2006, Americans spent approximately $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts—like spa treatments—and another $68 million on greeting cards
In 2008, Mother’s Day generated about 7.8% of the U.S. jewelry industry’s annual revenue, with custom gifts like mother’s rings.

Better yet… According to a report released by the National Retail Federation this week, 21.5% of consumers will turn to online retail sites, up slightly from 19.7% last year — with each spending an average of $219.40 on gifts for mother.

You can promote flowers, spa treatments (gift certificates), chocolates and all the usual assortment of typical mother’s day gifts, OR you can try to be a little more unique by meshing your niche with your favorite mom’s interests. Here are a few ideas:

Sell the romantic, intriguing, and mysterious Message In A Bottle
Promote health and love with a gift that helps her quit smoking
Offer Dinner of the Month Club certificates through Restaurant.com
Encourage your readers to buy their mom’s her own domain name and web hosting for a year.
Go eco-friendly and promote trees through Nature Hills Nursery
And my personal favorite, Amazing Clubs which has wine, beer, dinner, cigar, cheese, movie and many more monthly clubs.

Checking our holiday calendar for May, other popular events, holidays and special days coming up this month are:

Cinco de Mayo (5th – who would have guessed?)
Victoria Day (Canada) (23rd)
Memorial Day (U.S.) (30th)

There’s still plenty of time to plan for and promote the latter 2 holidays, which traditionally represent the first weekend of outdoor activities throughout most of the U.S. and Canada. Think barbeques, camping and baseball!!

Have fun.