Dictionary.com (the new authority in word-explanations, at least as far as I'm concerned) defines the term 'affiliate' (n.) thusly: "A person who is affiliated; associate; auxiliary." Hmm. Helpful.
Many years ago I was told by a professor of English that one's thesis statement should never begin with a dictionary definition. However, I'm about to break more than one rule of blog-writing, so I may as well embrace error and start out on the wrong foot. Ah, rebellion. Take that, Professor Lewis!
Now, wouldn't you like to be a "person who is affiliated" with Berrett-Koehler Publishers? Wouldn't you like to say, casually, -- perhaps over cocktails? -- "Why yes, I am a Berrett-Koehler associate. An auxiliary, if you will"? It's no "Bond, James Bond" but it's pretty darn close.
Well, now is your chance! Here is where I break another writing rule (this one from Jeevan): Tell, don't sell. Because, my friends, I am about to sell.
Have you heard of The BK Affiliate Network? If you're on one of our mailing lists, chances are that you have. However, if you're reading this, chances are that you haven't signed up. (Because not many have -- get it?) Normally, I'd agree with Jeevan -- this is not the forum for marketing -- but I'm framing this differently. I'm not pushing this for Berrett-Koehler, I'm pushing it for myself. The BK Affiliate Network is my program to grow, so you can chalk this song and dance up to awe-inspiring and motivational go-getting initiative! Right? Or, sure, selfishness. Whatever.
The good thing about this selfishness is that, in the end, it will benefit you too! If you have a website (or if your organization, friend, or family member has a website), you can use the BK name and catalog to make yourself (or your organization, friend, or family member) some money, and it will save those website visitors money too! When you join the BK Affiliate Network (have I repeated myself enough? are you getting very very sleepy yet?), visitors to bkconnection.com from your website receive an automatic 20% discount on any and all of the 700+ Berrett-Koehler Products. On top of that, you (or your organization, friend, or family member) receive 10% in thanks for the referral. You get money, we get money, and new customers get the greatest gift of all -- their own invitation to the program! No, I'm just kidding. What new customers really get is a wonderful introduction to a world of information and entertainment that they never knew existed. Win, win, and win!
Don't believe me? Follow the BK links on one (or all) of these sites:
Notice anything? These happy BK Affiliates are providing their web visitors with discounts on all of our products, not just their own books. On top of the 10% referral bonus they receive, they're also getting a high-profile shout-out from yours truly. Thanks guys! Want to be part of this elite group? I thought so.
Beyond all of us, the BK Affiliate Network really does serve our mission of 'Creating a World That Works for All' by spreading the new ideas presented in our books to a wide-reaching audience, stimulating thought processes far and wide!
Alright, I've had enough crass commercialism for one day. If that debonair image of your cocktail-party confession really resonated, check out this page for more information on the program. You can also use the comments section of this blog posting to pose any and all questions, but also feel free to email me at bkaufman@bkpub.com. After word hits a few offices down that I've been breaking rank, I may have a lot more free time on my hands.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming. More Twitter treats and Facebook findings to come next time.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
VOTE! Seriously, do it.
Whoa you guys - look at your calendars! Mid-October already? I've got some serious thinking to do, as a very important day is coming up. What's that? No, I am NOT talking about Halloween, I'm talking about the upcoming November 2nd Midterm Elections! Have you heard about these? Because, honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. As someone who very well remembers the fervor surrounding the 2008 Presidential race, I'm nothing short of shocked by the relative silence surrounding the upcoming general elections. What to make of all this?
As I've said previously, I generally get all of my information via the internet (with a little bit of TV-watching and magazine-reading in my spare time) and, while I rely on these mediums for news updates and -- almost more importantly -- the related commentary, I also rely on the media (both social and traditional) to remind me when action is necessary. I'm not kidding: If it hadn't been for the collective online groan last tax season, I'd currently be on the wrong side of the law. So where are the people telling me to get out and vote? I see nothing!*
Well, that's not entirely true. I see plenty. The internet is ablaze with political stories, most notably those that aim to entertain. I know all about Carl Paladino's homophobic remarks, Christine O'Donnell's studies in witchcraft and wizardry, and even the shocking Sexy Santa pics of Virginia congressional candidate Krystal Ball. "Scandals" such as these reach my eyeballs each and every day, but what's missing is the imperative towards action. Yes, please point out and detail the perversions of our potential representatives (cough cough Meg Whitman cough cough), but then urge us to do something about it. I know, I know -- we should be able to propel ourselves in these matters, but why risk it and take that chance? All of us -- but young people, especially -- increasingly rely on the imperatives mass media present to us. So, come on, and tell us to vote! In this regard, I really have to hand it to my friends fighting for the legalization of marijuana; not only to they consistently couple their message with a specific measure (cough cough Prop 19 cough cough), but their campaign also targets youth voters. Even if you disagree with their aspirations, you can't argue with their execution.
So, Tweet this, post this, forward to friends and family with this in the subject line: VOTE! No mixed messages, no hidden agendas, just an honest and proper plea to go out and do your civic duty!
In the words of my man, @BarackObama, "I need everybody here to commit to vote. I need you to talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers, aunts, uncles, and tell them -- November 2nd matters."
There, BO -- I did it!
*This is actually not true, since I am blessed with a mother who is both political-minded and exceptionally helpful. This blog post is dedicated to her!
As I've said previously, I generally get all of my information via the internet (with a little bit of TV-watching and magazine-reading in my spare time) and, while I rely on these mediums for news updates and -- almost more importantly -- the related commentary, I also rely on the media (both social and traditional) to remind me when action is necessary. I'm not kidding: If it hadn't been for the collective online groan last tax season, I'd currently be on the wrong side of the law. So where are the people telling me to get out and vote? I see nothing!*
Well, that's not entirely true. I see plenty. The internet is ablaze with political stories, most notably those that aim to entertain. I know all about Carl Paladino's homophobic remarks, Christine O'Donnell's studies in witchcraft and wizardry, and even the shocking Sexy Santa pics of Virginia congressional candidate Krystal Ball. "Scandals" such as these reach my eyeballs each and every day, but what's missing is the imperative towards action. Yes, please point out and detail the perversions of our potential representatives (cough cough Meg Whitman cough cough), but then urge us to do something about it. I know, I know -- we should be able to propel ourselves in these matters, but why risk it and take that chance? All of us -- but young people, especially -- increasingly rely on the imperatives mass media present to us. So, come on, and tell us to vote! In this regard, I really have to hand it to my friends fighting for the legalization of marijuana; not only to they consistently couple their message with a specific measure (cough cough Prop 19 cough cough), but their campaign also targets youth voters. Even if you disagree with their aspirations, you can't argue with their execution.
So, Tweet this, post this, forward to friends and family with this in the subject line: VOTE! No mixed messages, no hidden agendas, just an honest and proper plea to go out and do your civic duty!
In the words of my man, @BarackObama, "I need everybody here to commit to vote. I need you to talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers, aunts, uncles, and tell them -- November 2nd matters."
There, BO -- I did it!
*This is actually not true, since I am blessed with a mother who is both political-minded and exceptionally helpful. This blog post is dedicated to her!
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