By Durk Price

These days there are so many people that consider themselves to be foodies.  If the criteria are eating out a couple times a week, checking out a lot of new places, and enjoying some amazing chef creations (along with some fantastic wine) then, I too, am a foodie.

Not only have innovative chefs changed the dining landscape but I believe that it’s also the food coupled with social media that has contributed to the foodie craze and changed the dining experience.

Back about 5 years ago, some diners would tweet about their food, post pictures on sites like Food Porn and share on Facebook. But not all restaurants embraced that kind of social behavior.  Many felt it tainted the dining experience – especially when it happened at the table.  I liken it to chefs who refuse to put salt and pepper on the table because in their opinion the food is perfectly seasoned when it arrives. Many restaurants frowned on the hoopla (and disruption) created by of taking photos of plates or even having a cell phone on the table. Now it s de rigueur.

My personal dining experience has also evolved with the trends and typically goes something like this:

I find a place to dine on Open Table (yes, I am an Open Table addict). I send emails to my dining partners from the Open Table app alerting them to the reservation. We arrive at the restaurant and everyone puts their cell phones on the table. My dining companions often take pictures of food and immediately share them on Facebook or Twitter. We settle in and get some great conversation going where inevitably we have to use our phones to look up something we are chatting out. There are pictures taken of wine bottles and uploaded it to a wine app (so I can remember it).  Most times during dinner we talk about when we are going to get together again. Then we check our calendars on our smartphones. That’s usually followed by making another dinner reservation right then and there using Open Table.

Many of the clients I tend to go out with are young and very tech savvy and it’s just part of the meal to take out their phone and text, check email and check into places on Foursquare.  I’m right there with them and I love it.

I don’t consider this to be rude. In fact, it’s just part of the experience and I found that it also tends to park some great conversations that have led to business deals, lively discussions (we can also settle bets by Googling) and even spawns blog posts – like this one.

Restaurants seem to be more accepting as well. On a recent dining experience, our server put down our plates then asked me if she should arrange the food on the table so I could take a picture. I wasn’t even reaching for my phone at the time. She later returned with another bottle of wine and asked if I needed to snap photo of the label.  Just five years ago that wouldn’t have been the case. But then again, this restaurant didn’t even exist back then.

On another recent trip to restaurant, I checked in on Foursquare at the beginning of the meal and by the time I went to pay for the bill with my corporate credit card, I was pushed an offer on my smartphone by another of my credit cards letting me know that if I paid with that card I would received a discount on the meal credited back to me. I had previously opted-in to their rewards program.

Nowadays restaurant seems to have a keener understanding of how to use social media to their own advantage. There are hundreds of examples of places that have started up and developed a nearly cult-like following through Facebook and Twitter.  And restaurants are also getting better at not just leveraging social media to push out their message, but letting users generate content and buzz for them in the form of checking in, tweets, and Facebook status updates.  I think they understand that part of the current dining experience is sharing and that means more than eaters going home and posting a review on Yelp.

I’m just waiting for the day when there are electrical plugs at every table so I can make sure I am fully charged for dinner.

GeographicBags

National Geographic Media Bags and Tripods

• Bag some great commissions when you become an affiliate of Geographicbags.us, provider of National Geographic brand lifestyle media bags and tripods.
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KaTom

DataFeed Active & Updated Daily

• KaTom.com has great news and we want to share it with you – KaTom Data Feed is active!
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• Sale Items
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February Offers:

DouglasToys

$6.99 Flat Shipping on All Orders

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BuddhaGroove

Save Up to 40% and More

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Klipsch

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TotalDiabetesSupply

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• See attached link for our December deals.
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LinensBargains

Buy More Save More Now! Plus Free Shipping

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PeaceLoveWorld

Save up to 75% on Over 100 Items

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MelissaAndDoug

Sunny Patch Rain Gear Keeps Kids Stylish During Showers

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inhabitny

Get Ready for Spring with The Spring Collection

• It’s time to shake off winter and bloom into spring with the Spring Collection from inhabitny.com!
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• 6% Affiliate Payout, $227 AOS, 2% CR. DataFeed Available

CulturalElements

New, Expanded Jewelry Selection

• CulturalElements.com happily announces that we’ve expanded our jewelry selection.
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• 8% Affiliate Payout, $60 AOS, 3% CR

GummyLump

Check Out These Amazing Offers

• Check out these 3 amazing offers from GummyLump.com!
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• You Choose 1 of 3 Amazing Offers:
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      • 10% Affiliate Payout, $68 AOS, 2.5% CR, DataFeed Available

DailyDeals

Check Out What’s New – Save, Save, Save with these fantastic Deals

• DailyDeals.com - All-natural anti-aging skin care kit for only $35. Free Shipping. Offer valid from February 15th through 17th, 2012. Online redemption only. Offer expires August 18, 2012. Limit three per person, and three additional as gifts. May not be combined with other offers
• DailyDeals.com – 50% Off Pure Fit nutrition bars. Gluten free. Offer valid from February 16th through 19th, 2012. Online redemption only. Offer expires May 19, 2012. Limit five per person, and five additional as gifts. Flat rate shipping of $9 per order will apply. May not be combined with other offers.
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• *The above offers are subject to change at any time.
• DailyDeals.com maximizes on the hot “deals” space and overcomes the obstacles of local markets by offering only prominent national retailers and online stores.  Consumers buy a voucher online and redeem it online! No printing, no driving, no fighting crowds, no more store hours! With DailyDeals.com consumers can use a voucher ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!
• 6% Commission, Deals for National retail stores and online stores only, Valid all over USA (not just local markets)

eFaucets

Special Offers

• Save 10% on select Kraus Bathroom Sinks, Faucets, Accessories, and Kitchen Faucets
  • For a limited time only eFaucets.com is offering 10% Off Kraus bathroom sinks, faucets, accessories and kitchen faucets. This offer expires February 29, 2012 so hurry and order today! Below is just a sample of the Kraus products you can choose from.
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      • 4% Affiliate Payout (Top Publishers may earn more), $224 AOS, 3% CR, DataFeed Available

LightingCatalog

Save 10% on Select Items

• LightingCatalog.com has 2 special offers for February.
• ·       February Special Offer 1:
  • Save 10% on select products from Dolan Designs and Maxim!
  • Shine a light on great commissions while promoting these special offers that let customers save big.
  • Save 10% on ALL Dolan Designs Pendants and Mini Pendants
  • Offer Valid through February 29, 2012
  • Use Coupon Code: DOLANPENDANT
  • February Special Offer 2:
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    • Offer Valid through February 29, 2012
    • Use Coupon Code: KIT10
    • LightingCatalog.com is the online leader of home lighting and lighting fixtures. We offer huge savings on top name brand lighting fixtures, along with special offers.  Our vast inventory includes chandeliers, lamps, landscape lighting, ceiling fans, and many more styles. We have one of the largest inventories of lighting products available online and at factory direct prices.
    • 10% Affiliate Payout, $85 AOS, 6% CR, DataFeed Available

Manfrotto.us

10% Off Entire Order

• Wow! Manfrotto.us is offering 10% Off your entire order!
• Use code: save10 at checkout to receive 10% off.
• So shop, shop and shop some more. Take advantage of the savings.
• Based in Northern Italy, Manfrotto, designs and manufactures innovative quality equipment. With a full range of tripods, heads, accessories, alternative supports, dollies, and bags so you can design your own perfect kit, Manfrotto.us is a passionate photographer’s dream come true. We also provide video support systems, including a wide selection of fluid heads and video tripods, monopods, alternative supports, as well as a large family of accessories, remote controls, arms, clamps, bags, straps, and more.
• Be sure to pick-up all of our 10% Off offers in the network program interface. Below is just a sample of the 10% Off creatives you will find.
• 6% Affiliate Payout, 3% Coupon Payout, $180 AOS, 1% CR, DataFeed Available

Tech4o

Free Shipping on Discover GPS Watch

• For a limited-time Tech4o.com is offering FREE Shipping on our Discover GPS Watch.
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• Be sure to pick-up all of our Free Shipping on our Discover Watch offers in the network program interface. Below is just a sample of the creatives.
• 8% Affiliate Payout, $78 AOS, 3% CR, DataFeed Available

Kata-Bags

10% Off Entire Order

• Wow, keep making great commissions with Kata-Bags.us!
• We are offering 10% Off the entire order. Use code: Save10 at checkout to receive 10% off.
• Promote this great offer so customers can save big and you can make big commissions.
• Kata-Bags.us is a supplier of lightweight, protective carrying solutions and bags for photo and video equipment.
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• Earn 6% Affiliate Payout, $110 AOS, 3% CR

Coyuchi

Announcing Free Shipping & NEW e-Gift Card

• Coyuchi.com is honored to have won ‘Best of Web’ by InStyle Magazine!
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  • Coyuchi.com is excited to announce our NEW e-Gift Card!
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  • 8% Affiliate Payout, $272 AOS, 2.5% CR

GaneshMall

Save Up to 40% and More

• GaneshMall.com is passing big savings on to our customers of 40% or more on our Sale Products page.
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• Sale products are already marked down so no code necessary, no expiration date.
• Drawn from India and Hinduism’s most popular cultural and religious icon—Ganesha—GaneshMall.com offers an extensive, unique collection of products.
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• 8% Affiliate Payout, $60 AOS, 3% CR

Hit a home run when you become an affiliate of Mizuno USA and earn top commissions on shoes, equipment, and apparel for team sports.

Never Settle™ is more than just a tagline for Mizuno USA. Whether the sport is volleyball, baseball, or softball, Mizuno USA Team Sports outfits teams for peak performance.

Volleyball – Mens & Womens

With a wide selection of women’s and men’s volleyball jerseys, customized uniforms, warm ups, and court shoes, like the top-rated Mizuno Wave Tornado, players can own the court in style. There’s plenty for both Men and Women to choose from, as well as their coaches.

Baseball

Baseball players will also have pro performance well in hand with Mizuno’s bats, batting gloves, and classic ball gloves. The throwback leather with ultra-soft palm liners give the ball gloves the feel of a time-worn favorite with the performance of a new glove. Mizuno also carries baseball footwear, uniforms, protective gear, duffle bags and backpacks to stow equipment. This is all available in both Adult and Youth sizes.

Softball – Slow Pitch & Fast Pitch

And if fast pitch or slow pitch softball is the game of choice, players can dig in and get game ready with a selection of ball gloves, bats, protective gear, batting gloves, and a great line of footwear, including the ultimate metal cleat—the 9-Spike Swift G2 Switch. Available in Mens and Womens sizes and styles.

Affiliate Program Details:

• 6% Affiliate Payout
• $80 Average Order Size
• 8.3% Conversion Rate
• Keyword Policies: Affiliates may not bid on tradenames (or misspellings). Affiliates may not bid on phrases which include tradenames (or misspellings). Affiliates may use the destination URL in the advertising links. Affiliates may use the tradenames in ads.

To join the Mizuno affiliate program, sign up at Google Affiliate Network.

For more information contact:

Kent Heltne-Affiliate Manager for Mizuno USA Team Sports

mizunousa [at] eaccountable.com

By Durk Price

A couple of interesting items this week for your reading pleasure including retailers losing interest in Facebook stores, Pinterest looking for other ways to monetize and some funny Siri stuff. Happy Reading!!

Facebook “Stores” shuttered- not a good enough ROI. Retailers Shut Facebook Storefronts Amid Apathy

I’m not sure what plan B is going to be! Pinterest Drops Skimlinks, Might Try Ads; Says Copyright Issues not a Significant Issue Yet

I can’t wait for my Siri! (Adult humor may not be suitable for work.) Siri Argument

By Durk Price

I love data. I’m kind of a data geek.  But sometimes I get a slightly irked at the methodology behind the numbers.  For the past few months my irritation has been specifically centered on the flood of data coming out about tablet use related to online shopping.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPad and I’m thrilled to know that people use theirs (and other tablets) to shop online. I do it all the time. However, I’m not sure that way market research firms are coming up with these figures is an accurate representation of the overall mobile ecommerce market.

My beef is that tablets have been lumped in with other devices such as smart phones. On the surface that seems to makes sense. But when I really think about it, why not add sales that originated from laptops (and netbooks) to that category? Those devices are intended to be mobile as well.

My Problem is that I consider mobile shopping to be something that takes place when sites are optimized for these specific mobile platforms or purchases are made through an app. Just like a laptop, most tablets use a mobile browser but many of the sites I visit and shop at when using my iPad are not optimized for the particular platform or device.

I think this all seemed to come to light for me around Black Friday. Many consumers were on the go and figures began coming out about how many people used their mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) to track deals and make purchases. I’m fine with that because much of the data centered on downloaded apps. But there was still a portion of research that focused on purchases made from mobile devices and included tablets as part of that category.

Of course, Christmas rolled around and consumer began receiving tablets as gifts and starting using them to make purchases. For me, that’s when the numbers seemed to get over hyped. I don’t mind when the data is broken out by specific device but when tablets and smartphones are categorized together, it bothers me.

We’ve got e-commerce for all things done on a computer or a laptop, m-commerce for all things mobile so now we need t-commerce for all things tablet. Let’s keep them all separate and not use the tablet to hype mobile shopping.

What do you think?