This is the year I vow to be more assertive with affiliate programs. For those of you who may not understand affiliates, what it basically means is that by enrolling in and promoting an affiliate program or product, I can earn a commission on sales or sign ups made. I've dabbled in affiliates previously, but I've never really taken the initiative to promote them. I've never considered myself much of a sales person, and affiliates always seemed likes a sales pitch. But I've rethought the whole concept and have decided that affiliate program are just another way to earn income online. As a freelance writer, I earn money by providing a service online. To me, affiliate marketing is in a similar vein. By promoting programs and products I believe in, I can earn money. Like freelancing, affiliate marketing take time, talent and dedication. I think I can succeed at it, and I intend to make a go of it this year.

So I wanted to start by promoting three of the ways I've been using the Twitter platform to make money. While I've used two of these methods consistently for a while now, I've never promoted them as an affiliate. I'd like to change that. These three programs have made me some money in the past when I've really needed it, and if you're not using them, you just might want to consider doing so.

MyLikes

Let's start with my newest endeavor, MyLikes. My online friend, Crissy, recently told me about MyLikes and showed me how much money she was making from the program. Let's just say that she's doing better than I am and is even leading the running to win a referral contest. I'm so impressed with her! What I like about MyLikes is that you can really personalize you tweets and choose products you'd personally endorse, instead of waiting for advertisers to come to you. My strategy so far has been to customize the products I promote and the tweets I send to appeal to my followers on Twitter. You can even send your promotions to your Facebook status in order to reach more people. The highest payouts come from your referrals. (Sign up using the link above or the banner ad below, and I'll make a commission for referring you.) What I like best about MyLikes is that you get paid weekly, every Friday, as long as you've earned at least $2.00. I got an unexpected payment in my Paypal a couple days ago for nearly $10. Ten bucks for not doing much is fine with me!

Ad.ly

Ad.ly is one I've been using for a short time. I haven't gotten many offers to advertise through them, and their payout amount is $50. But it does seem like something worth looking into, especially if you have a lot of Twitter followers. I still get requests for ads through them, though, so I'm not sure it's an absolute requirement. So far, I'm up to $34.08 in my balance after about four months with ad.ly. It may not be a big money maker for me, but maybe it's something that will be worth it for you. It only takes a few seconds to approve an ad, so even at my small amount, it's worth it, as long as I'm able to reach that $50 payout soon.

Sponsored Tweets

Sponsored Tweets is probably one you've heard of. It's from Ted Williams of IZEA, and tons of people use it to make money on Twitter. I've made the most money from this program. I believe they used to have a $50 payout, but now you can cash out with a smaller amount by paying only a $2.00 withdrawal fee. I appreciate that, as sometimes you just need money, and you've earned it. I don't like to have my money just sitting somewhere and not being able to access it. I definitely think Sponsored Tweets is worth the time, and I've decided to utilize their referral program as well. Feel free to click on my links to try it for yourself!

What do you think? Would you use Twitter or Facebook to make money? Some don't feel comfortable utilizing these methods to earn income, and I can respect their views. In my opinion, as long as you're not using these platforms exclusively to solicit your followers and are genuinely engaging on a regular basis, promoting programs or products you believe in as an affiliate marketer is accpetable.  Have you had success with these or other programs?

I love Tiny Prints. I've been a fan ever since winning personalized Christmas cards a couple years ago. I got great service, and the cards were so nice. Tiny Prints has just launched a new line of greeting cards that you can personalize, schedule and send online. So cool! No more running out to the store for last-minute cards. Just hop online and place your order. Tiny Prints will handle the rest. Your card will be placed in an envelope, addressed, stamped and sent.

There are a wide variety of services available. Each card can be personalized however you choose. If you have the time and want to make it more personal, Tiny Prints will send the card to you to sign and send. You can pay per each card individually or sign up for a membership plan. Everyone who signs up for a membership plan will receive 3 free cards, and the first year's membership fee is waived! What an amazing offer. I can personally attest to the quality of Tiny Prints cards. You'll love them!

To celebrate the launch of Tiny Print's new greeting cards, they're having a special Twitter party tonight, April 23rd, at 9:00 pm EST. The hashtag will be #makeitpersonal. RSVP to Amy at Resourceful Mommy for a chance to win prizes. Speaking of prizes, You also have a chance to win 25 free Tiny Prints greeting cards! Just leave me a comment telling me what you like best about greeting cards. For example, do you like choosing the perfect words or sentiment? Do you prefer personalized cards to generic store-bought ones? Let's hear it. Your comment will earn you one entry into the contest. For extra entries, become a fan of Tiny Prints on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. The come back here and let me know in separate comments which one you did. That's three chances to be entered to win 15 free greeting cards. Entries will be accepted until Friday, April 30th at 12:00 pm EST. Good luck.

In its recent year-end edition, U.S. News & World Report lists becoming a microblogger as one of its "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009." In a very short blurb about Twitter, the magazine cites the ability to get information to cure writer's block and for celebrities/political figures like Britney and Barack to increase their reach as uses for the popular addiction application. They also describe Twitter's 140 character limit capacity. What they don't do is explain the rationale behind including Twitter in thr list. The reader is directed to this video that briefly mentions the benefit that blogging and creating an online brand can have on one's career.

So exactly how can Twitter improve your life in 2009? Here's my list:

1. It can open up your world.
   
2. It allows you to connect in ways never before available.
3. It provides a wide network to many who otherwise may have few opportunities to reach out.
4. It is a neverending opportunity to learn.
5. It offers a chance to share.
6. It gives people an arena for their causes and agendas.
7. It delivers personal and career opportunities in new ways.
8. It allows you to vent and to be validated.
9. It's a convenient place for discourse on any subject.
10. It's an amazing way to spread information quickly.

This is my Top 10 List of How Twitter Can Improve Your Life. Some may argue that my items may not all be positive. I'll give them that. The power of a tool is in the hands of its user. I use Twitter to enhance my life. When it's not providing me with the experience I desire, I reassess my own use of it. What would you add to my list? Do you agree with my assessment?

Recently, I took a break from Twitter. Yes.  Really.  On purpose.  I did.  It was a little experiment, and I learned a lot. Although I love Twitter and enjoy all of the amazing interactions I'm able to have through this application, I began to feel like I was missing out on other things by focusing exclusively on Twitter for my social networking.

As a mom of three, my time is very limited. I realize the importance of utilizing social media as a means of staying in touch with others of similar interests, reaching out to potential readers, and locating a number of resources and opportunities.  For this reason, I felt good in the fact that I was spending time each morning with my Twitter friends.  Then it hit me - my reach had become vastly smaller by interacting in only one medium, during one time of day.

I realized I was missing out on so many other online activities I enjoy.  So I made the decision to quit Twitter cold turkey. For a week and a half. And I learned alot about the way I want to structure my time in the future.  I spent time with my Google reader, Facebook, and on the phone with my real-life friends, and I enjoyed myself immensely.

Boy, was I glad to catch up with some of my favorite blogs. It felt like I was finding out what was happening in the lives of old friends.  I was really pleased to be able to read the blogs of some of my best online friends.  I can't believe how far behind I had gotten.  But that happens in life; I know that.  I've had conversations with bloggers recently regarding hurt feelings surrounding lack of comments or people not visiting their blogs. I hate to hear that.  I know we all try, but we have to focus on all aspects of our lives, and there are only so many hours in the day.

Facebook was fun for me because I got to connect to aspects of my life I hadn't considered in years! I found college buddies, sorority sisters, and pals from high school and childhood.  How great it was to see pictures of them and their families.  I was able to catch up through Facebook's chat feature and connect with some people I hadn't thought about in ages.  I even found out my ex-husband has a Facebook account.  Maybe this will be a new way for us to coordinate our schedules! I wonder if anyone else uses Facebook in quite this manner?

Catching up with my real-life girlfriends was awesome. My friends are all scattered in different directions now, and it's hard to keep track sometimes.  But they've all got some amazing things happening in their lives, and it was so good to feel connected to them again.  It's so easy for me to get caught up in what's going on immediately around me.  I know I've neglected certain things.  As a matter of fact, through connecting with one of my girlfriends, something beyond words happened - something that caused my online world and my offline world to internsect in a totally unexpected way. I promise I'll clue you in on this development soon.  Keep your eyes open for that.

The moral of this story is that it's important not to put all your social networking eggs in one basket.  Take a look at your online habits and assess what's working for you and what may need some tweaking. Please let me know if you've found yourself in a similar situation - I'd love to hear your story!

This week's Friday Feature Profile is Jessica Smith.  Chances are, you've heard of her.  Her personal blog is Jessica Knows.  When she says she knows something you need to know, she means it!  Jessica is a wealth of knowledge on all things social media.  She is the Chief Mom Officer for Wishpot, a social networking site aimed at helping new moms find the best baby and child essentials.  Jessica learned about this fabulous career opportunity from being an active member of the Twitter community.  Through her networking and connections on Twitter, she was also noticed by Walmart and invited to be a part of their 11 Moms campaign.  And all of these great things have happened to her in a very short amount of time.  I couldn't wait to talk to her and find out exactly what Jessica knows.

How long have you been blogging?

I've had a few blogs on and off over the past few years, but never reallyl got totally into it until this past year.  My New Year's resolution was to do a post every day in January so that I could make it part of my life and make it a habit.  In about March or April my husband and I started talking about my going back to work full time, and I really didn't want to because I enjoyed staying home with my son. So we said, "Let's figure out if I can do what I used to do 9 to 5 from home and make a pretty good income.  I didn't really have a set plan of what I was gonna do.  So I started a blog, Moms Group Manual, in May.  I was basically reviewing all the sites that allow moms to connect with each other online and women's organizations that have websites. When I was pregnant, I'd researched all that stuff because I wanted to connect with other moms, and all my friends were still in the happy hour every Thursday stage.  I didn't really know any moms.

Tell me about your amazing experience with Twitter.

I got on Twitter last fall but really didn't get why I'd want to follow these people I didn't know and why they'd want to follow me. Then I started twittering when I started Moms Group Manual because I wanted to read other moms' blogs and learn from other people and connect with other moms who were into this web stuff like i am.  Twitter just kind of clicked with me.  It's fair to say that I'm probably a Twitter addict at this point!  A lot of people ask me how I use Twitter for everything.  I say, "Just be yourself!"  There's no rules.  If you're there to learn, tell people you're there to learn and they'll teach you.  If you're there to network, let people know because there are people that want to network too.

What happened next was Max Ciccotosto, who's @wishpot on Twitter was following me.  Then I tweeted one day that I was looking for a marketing and development job because at this point, we'd given me six months to see if I could do something at home that would be competitive with what I was doing outside the home, minus childcare.  He DM'd me, and two days later I had a phone interview.  He had my resume, then I was Chief Mom Officer.  I had to submit my resume and talk about my past experience.  I had eight years of doing marketing and business development.

What a cool title - Chief Mom Officer!  Can you talk about that?

I'm so glad you asked that because Max Ciccotosto was a single male at the time, and wanted to be marketing to moms. So he hired a mom and gave her the title.  I think that's pretty darned smart.  He came up with the moniker.  I've taken that moniker, and I'm trying to turn that into a concept so that other companies follow Wishpot's lead.  (Check out Jessica's efforts here.)  He came up with that and asked if I would be comfortable with it. At first I wondered if people would take it seriously.  It's for their baby channel, and it's perfect in hindsight.  So I'm glad I took that risk.

How has blogging changed your life?

It's changed my life at so many levels.  Not just professionally.  Yes, I have this amazing job as Chief Mom Officer, and it's a total dream job.  But there's so many moms that I feel such a genuine connection with and whom I would pretty much do anything for. So in a way, it's changed my life not because of just the success that I've gotten.  Things are happening with me that four months ago I couldn't even have fathomed.  But being able to create a serious business network with moms and make deals happen and give publicity, I think there's some people out there that underestimate the power of mommy bloggers!

Amen to that, Jessica.  Jessica Smith is definitely an example of the power of mommy bloggers and just what we can accomplish, as well as how influential we can be.  Jessica's newest venture is a partnership with the company Care.com.  You can read about it at Jessica/Care.

*By the way, check out the new Wishpot badge in my side bar.  I'm a Wishpot Mom Expert.  Click on it to see all that Wishpot offers!