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Struggling?

The E-commerce world is changing almost by the minute lately. From Merchants having to pause programs because they cannot ship anything, to panic over budgets, commission rates slashed or set to zero.

While this is a very unusual set of circumstances we are all dealing with; there are some bright notes.

  • Some Merchants are stepping up and adding in bonuses
  • There are very profitable sectors with healthy affiliate programs
  • Now is a good time diversify your affiliate earning platforms
  • As a community, we are helping each other
  • Consumers are discovering this shopping from home thing is pretty cool.
  • Oh, and in about 7 months you better have a Baby site in place.. just saying

Commission Junction is making Network Consumer Trends Reports available – These are updated every Wednesday.
https://junction.cj.com/covid-19-network-consumer-trends-report

FMTC has partnered with Trackonomics to give daily updates on commissions changes in Affiliate Networks. You can sign up to subscribe to their email updates here: http://fmtc-7325025.hs-sites.com/affiliate-program-covid-19-updates

Rakuten Center has insights on current commerce and consumer behavior with specific global and category trends. this is updated weekly: https://rakutenadvertising.com/covid19/

Featured

Working from Home, A new reality for some of you :)

I have worked from home for 27 years..so after being thoroughly entertained by posts of those new to working from home I thought I would give you some tips and giggles.

  • The worst thing that can happen during your new office commute is you blow out a slipper in the hallway.
  • Loungewear..is the new uniform. Don’t call them jammies.
  • PC Gaming Headphones with their own mute function are your best friend!
  • Wireless headsets are MUST! especially if you have children. ( the look of shock when your sweet cherubs who are coloring on the wall see you get up from your desk to deal with them is priceless)
  • It is way too easy to just stay in your jammies..for days. Get dressed and prepared for home office work like you would for normal work..just skip the dress shoes and stick to slippers.
  • Team meetings fails on Zoom are a trending search lately. Don’t be one of those examples. Always mute yourself upon entering  ( both from your mic and the button in your conference screen to be safe. )No one wants to hear you arguing with your housemates.
  • Video IS optional place a sticky note over your camera, or disable it when entering a conference. If you are using your phone for conferencing disable the camera in the meeting settings. We really do not need to see video of you in the bathroom…please noooo. ( see Zoom meeting fails search)
  • Multiple Monitors are a must. If you are using a laptop you can add a monitor to your set up with a HDMI cable on most Macs and PC’s..you know that extra TV sitting around ..it works as a monitor too! 
  • Screen sharing meetings are pretty common now. For these make sure you are turning off all other applications so you can get the best frame rates on the video screen shares.
  • If you are the Presenter in a screen share – move any other applications to the opposite screen you are sharing- no one needs to see that private Skype pop into the screen share.
  • Working at home is a complete disruption of your schedule..specifically your eating schedule. Set timers for your breaks and lunch or you will find yourself skipping these and by the time we get back to going in the office you might have snacked yourself into a new
    size.
     
  • Get the best comfy chair you can- your body will thank you. When shopping for that new comfy office chair for home look at the ratings for both weight and hours of use. I love the Serta chairs – they are one of the few brands that have chairs designed for big and tall people.
  • Know your function keys..why you ask?..in case your new furry supervisor walks on your keyboard and suddenly your screen size has changed or you are typing in a different language. ( most common F11 pops you in full screen view  and the toolbar disappears)
  • Hydration is your friend, but it isn’t friendly with laptops and keyboards. Those travel cups are now your desktop coffee cup and all around drink cup. Think sippy cups for adults. I admit I or my furry supervisor cat- Shadow has helped to kill off several expensive mechanical keyboards and two laptops over the years.  

Got something to add?

Shadow, My supervisor
Shadow- supervising

Publisher Spotlight: GAAN Creative

This Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on a women-owned business that empowers creators to get fair recognition and compensation for their content.

It’s no secret that influencer marketing is one of the most effective channels to sway consumer purchasing decisions. A recent Forrester study commissioned by the Awin Group revealed that 54% of participants ranked social media influencers as their primary choice for budget allocation in marketing. 

However, many brands often don’t recognize the true value influencers and content creators bring through their content and the significant impact it generates.

We’ve talked to Nilla Ali, distinguished Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and founder of GAAN Creative about her mission to overcome the gap between creator impact and its undervaluation, and how she is paving the way for women in business.

Tell us about GAAN Creative – what inspired you to found this business?
Having worked in content and commerce my entire career, I believe in the power of content to inspire action. I know from personal experience how content can significantly shape decisions in various aspects of life – from dining and travel choices to fashion and experiences. But despite the significant impact on customer purchasing behavior, there is a notable disparity between the value content creators produce and the acknowledgment they receive for their contributions. And this gap will continue to grow as we face a new frontier of digital with the imminent emergence of AI.

With GAAN Creative, I aim to create a network of high-quality creators that empowers them to build strong connections with their audience and fair partnerships, ensuring high-quality content, increased audience engagement, and rightful recognition and compensation for their work. My vision for GAAN Creative is a platform that serves as a source of inspiration to consumers while providing advertisers with a reliable platform to connect with their target audiences.

What does a safe and inclusive work space for women mean to you?
Throughout my career, being a woman, and often the youngest person in the room, hasn’t always been easy. As a woman manager, I’ve witnessed the impact of workplaces lacking safety and inclusion for women. Women hesitate to speak up for themselves out of fear of being labeled as ungrateful, needy, or aggressive. Even when we’re getting a seat at the table, our ideas are often ignored, only to be echoed by those perceived as having more authority.

For GAAN Creative I strive to create a culture where women feel safe, empowered and supported. This means ensuring they have the resources to succeed and feel confident advocating for their needs. Every team member’s opinion must be considered, irrespective of tenure or position. For me, it’s about creating an environment where women are valued equally, where their contributions are recognized, and where they don’t have to sacrifice their comfort for others’. 

I believe in remote work and flexible working hours, and am committed to fair pay across all employees regardless of gender or identity. We hold not only ourselves but also our creators and our partners accountable to act according to these values. Mutual respect is non-negotiable. Because ultimately, it’s not words, but actions that demonstrate our unwavering commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.

What does GAAN Creative look for in a partner?
As much as we curate quality creators who exhibit our values, we prioritize the same with partners. We look for advertisers who are authentic, promote safe and inclusive messages, and value strategic partnerships as well as the creators they work with.

We are looking for partners who naturally align with our creators, fostering mutually beneficial relationships that enhance content, brand, and audience experiences. Advertisers should be open to test and learn and acknowledge the content value gap. Our ideal partners share our commitment to empowering creators and advancing our mission.

What types of products resonate with your creator audiences?
We’ve curated a network of creators spanning diverse interests, so we’re excited to collaborate with partners in luxury, fashion, home, beauty, travel, health, wellness and gadgets. We look for high-quality, well-reviewed products that resonate authentically with our creators and their audience.

What advice would you give creators who are getting started?
Recognize the value of your content and collaborate with partners who champion it. Work with advertisers who resonate with the ethos of your content and empower your strengths. Protect what you are great at and find partners who enable you to do more of what you love. Embrace a test and learn mentality by taking calculated risks. Remember: Content is not linear – invest in strategic partnerships that foster long-term growth and share a commitment to learning and adapting.

Interested in working with GAAN Creative to connect with your target audiences? Meet founder Nilla at ThinkTank US on April 30, reach out to her via the platform (Awin ID: 1547973 | ShareASale ID: 4106836), or email our publisher management team.

The post Publisher Spotlight: GAAN Creative appeared first on ShareASale Blog.

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Research Briefing: Publishers’ revenue sources are top of mind at Digiday Publishing Summit

Interested in sharing your perspectives on the media and marketing industries? Join the Digiday research panel.

In this week’s Digiday+ Research Briefing, we examine which revenue streams were top of mind for publishers at the Digiday Publishing Summit, how TikTok is getting even more marketing spend from brands and retailers despite facing a potential U.S. ban, and how Disney is rolling out DRAX Direct, a direct integration with the industry’s largest DSPs, as seen in recent data from Digiday+ Research.

This is a member-exclusive article from Digiday. Continue reading it on digiday.com and subscribe to continue reading content like this.

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