Notorious SEO blogger and part-time Playboy Marcus Tandler did a positive write-up earlier today on my recently released book - “Search-Engine Optimization - Your Visual Blueprint to Effective Internet Marketing.”

The review is available on Marcus’ blog Mediadonis.net

BTW - the picture above is Marcus with a team of models. Note that he is wearing a Pepperjam T-Shirt!

Thanks Marcus!

Many of you know that before and during the early days of Pepperjam I was a student for nine years post high school having achieved my B.A., (Penn State University), M.S. (Villanova University), and J.D. (Albany Law School). In short, I’ve always been sort of an academic; I really enjoy the process and challenges of learning and I’ve always dreamed one day that I would write a book.

However, I never thought that I would get an unsolicited offer to write a book this early in my career and I am very excited to announce that not only did I get an offer, but the book will be published in less than one month!

Well, early last summer I was approached by Wiley Publishing about writing a book on “search-engine optimization.” I was told that they were looking for an author with real world experience and they were familar with the Pepperjam name and came across Pepperjam since we were recognized as an Inc. 500 Company and as one of the top 10 SEO Firms in the United States (Promotion World, 2007). Also, they said in comparing different authors that Pepperjam fit the bill because of our impressive client base and my vast experience speaking on the issue at various conferences over the years, including Search-Engine Strategies (SES).

The book took about eight months to write. I built an internal support team at Pepperjam and I was given a small army of editors at Wiley Publishing.

Still the task was colossal. I spent many full days at Pepperjam and most weekends during last summer and winter writing and editing in order to meet aggressive deadlines set by Wiley.

I’ll mention that when I was first approached I really tried to make the argument that the book shouldn’t just be about SEO, but on the convergence of PPC and SEO, which I believe continues to occur. As a result of my argument the editors at Wiley allowed me to dedicate 5 full chapters to non-SEO dedicated material. For instance, I wrote chapters dedicated to Social Media Optimization, Monetizing Web Site traffic, Using Google Analytics, and two chapters on PPC (including one on Quality Scores).

Also, the book is part of Wiley’s “Visual Blueprint Series,” which focuses on visual learners. What this means is that outside of the introduction, which is just me ranting about SEO and SEM, the remainder of the book provides screen shots and visual images to help the reader understand the various tasks (i.e. buying links through pay per post networks) that I outline throughout the book.

The end result is a book written primarily for a moderate-level search-engine marketer. Definitely not an easy read (but certainly doable) for a newbie, but more appropriate for someone already with some familiarity with search, but wants a solid visual how-to approach to improving rankings.

The book was written based on the tools and strategies we use here at Pepperjam to provide SEO services to some of the largest brands in the world.

The book will be available in all major book stores beginning April 7, 2008.

You can pre-order the book on Amazon HERE or directly from the Wiley Publishing Web site HERE.

Here’s a sneak peak at what others have said about the book (these quotes and about 10 others are published in the book):

“Search-engine optimization (SEO) is an integral part of an effective online marketing strategy. With this book Kris offers a step-by-step guide to get your Web site ranked by the major search-engines. At 1-800-PetMeds we have worked with Kris and his team at Pepperjam for the last three years to implement a range of online marketing strategies that have worked very effectively. I highly recommend you read this book and implement the strategies contained within.”
Alex Irvin
Online Marketing Director,
1-800-PetMeds.com

““Search Engine Optimization has emerged as the flagship service in the growing Internet Marketing landscape, and Kristopher Jones is a leader in explaining the intricate details and subtle balances that make it all work.”
Bruce Clay
President,
Bruce Clay, Inc.

“Search engine optimization is, without question, one of the highest ROI activities a business can undertake. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. Fortunately, we’ve got people like Kris to act as our tour guide and translator. A solid strategy and attention to detail are essential to a successful SEO campaign and that’s exactly what Kris delivers.”
Rand Fishkin
Chief Blogger and CEO,
SEOmoz

“Kris Jones is a leading expert in marketing both affiliate-based and client sites. His expertise comes from a wide perspective you can’t get from most search engine marketers. When I listened to Kris speak at the Elite Retreat conference, I felt like I was a conference attendee rather than a fellow speaker.”
Aaron Wall
SEO Expert and Blogger,
SEObook.com

Here’s a sneak peak at all 15 chapter titles:

An Introduction to Search-Engine Optimization (includes some history, my feelings about Larry and Sergey, etc.)

1) Planning your Search-Engine Optimization Project
2) Keyword generation
3) Creating pages
4) Basic Website Structure
5) Advanced Web Site Structuring
6) Content Creation
7) Creating Communities
8) Building Links
9) Using Google Analytics
10) Social Media Optimization (SMO)
11) Creating PPC Campaigns
12) Optimizing PPC Campaigns through Quality Score Optimization (QSO)
13) Optimizing for Other Engines
14) Monetizing Web Site Traffic
15) Installing SEO Plugins

To say the least - writing a book was one of the most challenging yet rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life.

I feel unlimited gratitude to my family and friends.

In addition, the book would have never been started or completed without the incredible support and dedication of my internal Pepperjam team led my Pepperjam’s VP of Search Ken Mohn, Jr. You’ll see Ken and a few members of his team as a visual screenshot on the back of the book.

As I mention above - You can pre-order the book on Amazon HERE or directly from the Wiley Publishing Web site HERE.

I am proud to announce the launch of the Search-Engine Strategies (SES) Affiliate Program, exclusively on Pepperjam Network - www.pepperjamnetwork.com

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT: Between now and SES - NY (see below) the affiliate that generates the most ticket sales will get a FREE full-conference pass to attend SES - NY, as well as an exclusive VIP ticket to the Pepperjam Private Dinner Party, to be held at the Manhattan Penthouse in NYC.

SES - New York is taking place on March 17-20, 2008

More about the SES Affiliate Program:

The Search-Engine Strategies (SES) Affiliate Program allows bloggers and affiliates to promote Search-Engine Strategies conference ticket sales using SES banners, text links, & pepperjamADS. In return, affiliates get 5% of each referred sale. With a full conference ticket price of nearly $2,000 you can make quite a bit of money promoting this program. Moreover, if you are able to refer multiple ticket sales (for instance, a company registration) this can be a program that generates you hundreds of dollars in commission per transaction.

Search-Engine Strategies (SES) Affiliate Program:

“Search Engine Strategies (SES) is the leading global conference & expo series that educates delegates on search engine marketing (SEM), including optimization (SEO) and advertising strategies, tactics and best practices. SES Search Marketing Events provide instruction from the industry’s top Search experts, including representatives of the Search Engines themselves.

Search Engine Strategies Conference And Expo New York……the intersection of search, marketing, and commerce. SES New York takes place March 17-20 and is a “must-attend”. The industry converges for a week of spirited discussion, high-level learning and attendees leave with actionable battle plans to go forward with for their companies. For SES Alumni, there will be so much new content and developments that you’ll need to stay on top of and should consider bringing your whole team! Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo 2008 will feature presentations and panel discussions that cover all aspects of search engine-related promotion.”

Commissions (percentage of sale): 5.00%
Cookie Duration: 45 days

My two cents: In my opinion, this program has massive potential for affiliates and bloggers alike to make considerable money off SES ticket sales. Think about it, SES is expecting in excess of 10,000 attendees at SES NY alone. Moreover, SES holds numerous shows around the world throughout the year. This one should be an easy sell.

Best of luck!

Shoemoney announced earlier this evening the date and speaker line-up for Elite Retreat 2008 - San Francisco.

While I won’t be part of the line-up I am extremely impressed with the team of speakers Jeremy put together - Congrats to Jeremy on bringing back Elite Reatreat! I had a blast the first time I was part of the conference.

Here’s the all star line-up:

Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker - Super Affiliate, SEM Expert, Top 50 Blogger
Aaron Wall - SEO Expert, Author of SEO BOOK.
Andy Liu - Principal, BuddyTV
Neil Patel - SMO Expert, Founder, PronetAdvertising
Brian Clark, Blogger, CopyBlogger.com

CLICK HERE to Sign-up for Elite Retreat - space is limited.

We uploaded some pics from our 2007 holiday party.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW!

In terms of parties, the night was only second to Pepperjam 2007, which included three (3) LIVE bands and more kegs of beer and food than we should have consumed.

We also uploaded a new image folder called - “Miscellaneous - Uncensored Pepperjam Pics,” which you can check out here. The Misc folder wll be updated from time to time with Pepperjam-related experiences and adventures.

Lastly, we also uploaded a folder of images from the 2007 a4uexpo, which was held in London, England. VIEW HERE.

Enjoy!

Just a heads up - over the coming days this BLOG will be moving over to www.pepperjam.com/blog - no worries…same great blog, just a different location to help with internal logistics (and politics….in the form of our SEO team).

Brian Smith - the founder and chief blogger over at ComparisonEngines.com wrote-up an interesting story yesterday on Pepperjam’s comparison shopping blog - Shogging.com.

Let me (or Brian) know what you think.

Today marks the launch of Joel Comm’s “the Secret Classroom,” featuring uncensored educational footage from Mark Joyner, Armand Morin, Jeff Walker, Marlon Sanders, Brad Fallon, Michael Koenigs, Kristopher Jones (that’s me), Dave Taylor, Perry Marshall, Mike Filsaime, Rich Schefren, and Ray Edwards.

Learn more about The Secret Classroom at www.secretclassroom.com.

Here are two previews of the Secret Classroom:

WATCH THE ABOVE VIDEO - CLICK HERE!

I’ll be leaving for Chicago in a few hours to attend and speak at SES Chicago.

The event is being held today through Thursday at the Chicago Hilton.

I speak tomorrow (Tuesday) from 2:00-3:00pm on a panel called “Dealing with Affiliates.”

Pepperjam is part of the exhibition hall tomorrow and Wednesday - please stop by and say hello if you are attending SES - Chicago.

Other Pepperjammers attending include Ken Mohn, Jr. Pepperjam’s VP of Search, Aaron Baker, Pepperjam’s VP of Sales & Marketing, and Quinn Kavanaugh, one of Pepperjam Senior Account Executives.

By the way - if you haven’t checked it out yet, Pepperjam recently launched a new Web site - www.pepperjam.com.

Joel Comm is the mastermind behind the internet’s first ever reality show - The Next Internet Millionaire.

For those of you who don’t know Joel, he is a very smart entrepreneur and marketer - he’s always planning for the next big thing….the next big idea.

While you might think that the Next Internet Millionaire was Joel’s biggest project of 2007 he’d probably tell you it wasn’t.

Why?

Because he believes his biggest idea (no offense to the show, which was a tremendous hit!!!) is the launch of “the Secret Classroom,” which includes over 24 hours of educational footage from the “teachers’ behind the Next Internet Millionaire show.

The Next Internet Millionaire teachers included Mark Joyner, Armand Morin, Jeff Walker, Marlon Sanders, Brad Fallon, Michael Koenigs, Kristopher Jones (that’s me), Dave Taylor, Perry Marshall, Mike Filsaime, Rich Schefren, and Ray Edwards.

Here’s what Joel told me about “the Scret Classroom”:

“During the course of taping NIM each teacher spent about two hours each day TEACHING, and there was no pitching. Pure content.

Our contestants heads were exploding with information, as you might imagine.

In each episode, the audience only sees a few minutes of the teaching, and they are asking for more.

So we’re going to give it to them.

“The Secret Classroom” is a 12 DVD set with accompanying workbook, providing ALL the teaching that the contestants got.

And there is more.. .of course!

We are also including the entire show, all 13 episodes, of The Next Internet Millionaire, on DVD. Many people have watching online, but even more want to be able to watch in glorious DVD resolution on their television set. This will finally give them the opportunity to do so.

The DVD set will also include a behind-the-scenes documentary and outtakes from the show. It’s going to be an incredible set that we’re very proud of. ”

Well, that’s Joel’s take on “the Secret Classroom.”

Here’s mine.

The Secret Classroom will be a great learning tool for you regardless of your expertise level. The teachers included on the show were chosen selectively to provide a broad expertise across multiple forms of business and online marketing. Whether you want to refine your skills on making a kick-ass sales pitch, want to turn your affiliate business into a 100+ person fast growing full-service company like I did, or you want to promote your product or service via viral marketing and video blogging, The Secret Classroom is likely to help.

While I’m not sure I believe him (hahaha) Joel is claiming that he will only sell a limited number of copies of the Secret Classroom. Regardless, the launch doesn’t occur until December 5th, 2007….so I’m giving you an exclusive head’s up so that you can place your name on the list if you want to learn more.

To learn more about The Secret Classroom - CLICK HERE!

We have a small Army of Pepperjammers that will be at Ad-Tech next week.

Check us out in the Exhibit Hall on either Monday or Tuesday.

Pepperjam is also a co-sponsor of the official Ad-Tech party - “the Money Makers Party” - on Monday night at NYC’s hottest nightclub - PACHA. Other sponsors include Jamster, Zanox, XY7, and Grey Goose Vodka. The party features several celebrity guests, including the notorious rapping legend - Rob Base - who will sing “It Takes Two” and “Joy and Pain.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about the party.

Please e-mail (UPDATE - All of our tickets are SOLD OUT) to be added to the exclusive Pepperjam VIP guest list - get added to our list and avoid lines at the front door and get special access to our VIP room.

See you at Ad-Tech!!!