At the ShareASale ThinkTank event I recently attended there was a much discussion about couponers and what constitutes a forced click. There is also a fascinating ongoing thread on ABestWeb.com that provides lots of valuable information and opinions on the subject.

Online marketing consultant Jim Kukral has released the public beta of his ScratchBack application. It’s a widget that enables people to support their favorite blogs by giving tips to them. Sort of like a bloggers tip jar that can be customized to fit the look of the blog site. Payments are made via PayPal.

Jim’s been working on SB for a while and his idea is to bring the fun back into blogging and online marketing. For affiliates, the widget can also be used to drop affiliate links on the site of anyone that approves your tip. There is a ScratchBack blog where Jim details other opportunities for affiliates using the widget.

The location for Affiliate Summit East 2008 has been set. I’m delighted to be going to Boston for the conference and with a little luck maybe my “World Champion” Boston Red Sox will be playing at Fenway Park, which would make my trip back home even sweeter.

Check out this contest to win a free pass to Affiliate Summit.

The last couple of days have been busy. We sent the Nov./Dec. issue of Revenue to the printer on Thursday and then I headed off to ShareASale ThinkTank in Scottsdale, Arizona Friday morning.

I did not attend the first ThinkTank, held last year in Las Vegas. But I feel privileged to have been among the 80 invited guests at this fantastic event, which was an incredible meeting of affiliates and merchants.

I’m rushing to get everything off my plate so I can head off the ShareASale’s ThinkTank conference in Scottsdale. When I saw the list of 80 or so attendees and the agenda I was really excited about the gathering of SAS affiliates and merchants. However, my excitement level rose even higher when I found out there might be some Texas Hold ‘Em played in a suite at the hotel on Saturday night. I’m no Jean-Robert, but I think I can hold my own as a gambler. As soon as I send the Nov./Dec. issue of Revenue to the printer today I’ll be practicing my poker face.

Has it been that long since I’ve actually written a blog? I guess so. I’ve been busy writing, editing and pulling together the November/December issue of Revenue. We send it to the printer this week, so it’s been crazy.

Yesterday I finished up (way past deadline) my Affiliate Advantage profile of super affiliate Scott Jangro, president of MechMedia. Whenever I write a longer piece (not a blog or editor’s letter, etc.) I have a very specific process. I wake up early – like 2am - put on headphones and crank some rocking music at full volume. Sometimes I listen to the same song over and over again until the feature is done. It’s like a calming thing and usually by the 40th time I can’t even hear what’s playing in my ear. But this time there was a twist on process and asked Scott via IM to tell me his favorite band so I could listen as I wrote. To bring the process full circle be sure to put on Ben Folds’ Rockin’ the Suburbs when you read Scott’s profile in the upcoming issue.

I just watched the Next Internet Millionaire (episode #7). It was a continuation of last week’s challenge and yes, someone does go home after a pathetic showing in the attempt to sell goods on eBay.

The good news is that the claws are coming out a little more and some people are definitely playing the game more strategically (a la Survivor) than others.

Facebook and Twitter. They are common topics over here at Revenue. Not only because most of the staff is using both platforms, but also because our readers are curious about how to leverage each of the applications.

Personally I have found both to be incredibly useful. Naturally, I connect with friends, old classmates, former co-workers, but I also use Twitter and Facebook to poll my community of friends on current hot topics.