Jason Calacanis Doesn’t Understand Affiliate Marketers
Before any Affiliate Summit sessions even started, Jason Calacanis had set the stage for what would become one of the most controversial Affiliate Summit yet. From past reputation, it was expected that Jason Calacanis would provide a useful keynote, or take a hatchet to the industry and do whatever it takes to turn the event around and make it his own. While most of Calacanis’ keynote was on how spammy the affiliate marketing industry is (by his terms), it was also a bash fest on many well known figures in the affiliate industry such as Seth Godin, Shoemoney, myself and Ted Murphy. The keynote will also go down with some memorable quotes, such as “Affiliate marketing is bullshit. Thank you.†and “Anyone here from PayPerPost? You need to kill yourself. I’m kidding. Well, I wouldn’t mind it if you did.â€.
I’m Not Hiding… I’m Happy with My Life and My “Pathetic” Six Figure Checks.
Love him or hate him… Calacanis made some valid points during his keynote… but how much will actually be done as a result of his keynote or commitment to the affiliate industry. Some of you may have thought his Affiliate Summit Keynote was simply amazing, and it’s about time someone stood up to the industry. However, his Affiliate Summit keynote really wasn’t that original at all. Just refer back to when Jason did his keynote at the Le Web conference. It’s almost like we are watching the Affiliate Summit keynote all over again… he even says the same exact things. I can only imagine Calacanis took a few hours to browse through the affiliate industry to pick out some new targets to liven up his multi-purpose keynote speech.
A new focus for his keynote this time was to point out “pathetic” top affiliates who posts large checks from affiliate earnings, such as Shoemoney and myself. Calacanis goes on to say “You guys think small. Holding up a 6 figure check is just pathetic. That’s your industry’s biggest success? Really?“. Yes, it may be pathetic to the boys in Silicon Valley who live and die with venture money and only count money in millions. However we are the “affiliate” industry, and more than not, we enjoy our “simple” lives of dedication and earning what we earn while working out of our homes. I would never trade my life or income levels to impress anyone or work outside of my current work ethic.
The whole intention of releasing my check post (which was less than 2 weeks ago), was to inspire and help others achieve that dream. Telling someone who is just starting out in the industry to go out there and make $25 million is just irrational. I am not a long sales page… I am trying to help and inspire. The Calacanis keynote at Affiliate Summit only angered, confused and discouraged any new life that was in the audience that day… it should be the other way around.
Whether it be WickedFire or ABestWeb, everyone seems to have a different opinion on the guy. If Calacanis’ intention was to come to Affiliate Summit and stir up some attention for himself, he has done a good job. Here are just a few of the blogs which have posted on his rants about affiliate marketing.
Blog Coverage:
You’re Not the Boss of Me | My Thoughts on Jason Calacanis | Jason Calacanis Keynote | Thank You Jason Calacanis | ASW08 Calacanis Keynote | Jason Calacanis Keynote Recap Affiliate Summit | Don’t Pollote the River, Affiliates Told | Keynote Jason Calacanis | Jason Calacanis at Affiliate Summit West 08 | Are You an Affiliate Marketer? You Suck! | Affiliate Summit Day 1 Speech | Affiliate Summit Day 2 | ASW 08 Looking Back | Why Mahalo will Fail and the Problems with General Search | Controversial Jason Calacanis Summit Keynote | Affiliate Marketers Pathetic | Jason Calacanis Insults Affiliate Summit Attendees | Jason Calacanis Embarrasing ShoeMoney
Revenews Coverage:
Live Blogging the Jason Calacanis Keynote at Affiliate Summit | Mahalo’s Missing DNA Back at You Jason Calacanis | Calacanis and the Real Hurdles of Affiliate Marketing | Four Thoughts from Affiliate Summit West 2008
The bottom line is, Calacanis came to Affiliate Summit with the intention to get attention and that’s what everyone gave him. Not to mention the awesome viral exposure it has given to Affiliate Summit itself. I agree there is a great deal of problems in the affiliate / marketing industry, but do you think the same people causing these problems are the ones paying $1500 a head to attend Affiliate Summit? As for the personal and industry attacks from Calacanis… (if you weren’t able to attend the UnKeynote at AffiliateSummit), it’s all water under the bridge. I’ve been pointed out before for my efforts and dedication to this industry and I’m still as motivated as ever… if not more!