You know, I rarely rant but today, I just had to.

It's so funny...
No matter how much info people give out, myself included, a percentage of people always complain.

No matter if it's via blog, via guide, etc. I think some people are just mad because they are mad. Maybe they had a bad day, I don't know but you would think the last person you would want to take it out on is the person trying to help you.

For example, when I first launched my affiliate marketing guide, I didn't include a PDF download version. People would write in literally YELLING (ALL CAPS) saying how they expected PDF and how dare I not give them a PDF.

Here is just one of the emails I found - there were many more surprisingly.

Hi Jonathan,
Pls dont just use clever marketing words with users. We aren't excatly naive users. First you said 'download' free affiliate marketing doc. Then in the link you expect us to read it online. Then you send this mail that you have received 'some' requests for a pdf version. What do you mean by that? What did you imply to start with when you said download it? Isn't there any difference between reading online and downloading? does it mean the same thing?
I honestly expected more honesty from you..really.

I generally laughed and would reply letting them know the PDF was having some issues converting (another story in itself) and it would be released shortly.

Fast forward to today.

Yesterday we did an amazing webinar with Corey and David. They talked about PPV, dropped some epic tips, and then talked about their tools and coaching forum.

I uploaded the webinar to Rapidshare because it's a 100+ mb file and I didn't want it to suck up all my bandwidth.

The hate mail from that was surprising.

Probably the best one is this one:

Dude,
This is really slick. I go to rapid speed to download the webinar and guess what?? They(rapid speed) try to sell me something-Daaaaaaaaa!!. Well after this insult, I try to down load and guess what ?? They try to up-sell me again!! Well by this time I am getting really pissed and then they kick my ass off the download because I won't buy anything from them. Well next they are going to throw a shit load of gasoline on the fire and they now won't let me download because "You have reached the maximum number of FREE downloads" "try again in 15 minutes".

Well dude, screw the webinar and the download. I don't appreciate being solicited with rapid speed with these scum techniques. If you are going to partner with this kind of crap then take me off of every e-mail or marketing list you have me on. I have had it with all this BS marketing that IM's and advertisers think they have to resort to in order to make a freaking dollar. I know exactly what they are trying to do--Damn it I am an Internet Marketer also..

I use straight-up honest marketing in my business and guess what--I probably make more than 80% of all the IM's out there right now. I have an unsubscribe rate of 0.7% because when I get a client I give to them straight--no tricks--no sucker punches, and my clients respect that!! GET ME OFF YOUR LIST now!!!!! Never send me anything associated with Rapid Speed , Mike Filsame or Frank Kern. Our reputations would be better off without these guys.

Now, I understand being upset. I mean he's probably been emailed by a lot of the gurus for a bit and he is sick of hearing what some people would consider just another snake oil product.

But common, really?

Another email I get...

What a crap way to deliver a free download!
They make you wait, unless you sign up for their thing:(

Wait... So you're telling me you don't want to wait 86 seconds for a free download?

I just don't get it. Haha.

Anyways, I just find it hilarious. I try not to let it get to me because I stand behind my guide and the content I am providing.

< / rant >

Today is my birthday.

I am now turning 23 years old! For my birthday, I am going to just hang with friends and family - nothing extravagant.

Anyways. That's all. Off to celebrate!

Bleh... Had my wisdom teeth pulled out this morning at 8:30am.

The surgery was awesome. Got laughing gas and then fully sedated. Next thing I remember it's 1pm and I'm laying on my couch.

My wife had some funny stories of me acting crazy and reminded her of:

Apparently I kept pointing to my eye then my heart and then her (which she really enjoyed) and just saying crazy things. Haha.

Later on, I kept trying to take pain medication but could not hold it down to the tune of throwing up 9 times. Haha. Anyways... since I can't think very well, this is as good of a post as you're getting today!

After writing my first thank you for the gifts post on the 24th of December, more gifts have come in and I wanted to thank those companies!

First, the mystery gift...

I received this HD flip video camera and the box had no message and the return address was best buy. After tweeting / facebooking I found this awesome gift came from my favorite affiliate network, AzoogleAds!

Thank you AzoogleAds for continued support and being overall completely awesome!

My new affiliate manager, Matt Mirman, has been absolutely awesome and is doing a great job. Ryan Sessler will be missed!!!

This awesome little gift box is from Convert2Media!

Ruck is one of the people I respect a LOT in this industry! I really appreciate the gift basket! Keep up the great work with C2M.

The really great thing about this gift is that it has a bunch of great food and my wife really loves the chest it comes in, so she can use it for something after the food is gone.

This awesome gift is a bunch of sweets from Eagle Web Assets! Also known as Ryan Eagle's affiliate network.

I've eaten a few and they are actually some of the best chocolates I've ever had. Yum!

Ryan is a huge affiliate turned affiliate network and has always treated me well. Great payouts, great payment terms, great email guides. A+ Network.

Hit me up if you're not in it and I'll try to hook you up (but you have to be earning some revenue already).

This awesome new wallet is from Yousif, the owner of PKM Network!

My Coach wallet was starting to get a bit old so this new Dockers wallet will be a perfect replacement! Thanks for getting me a really useful gift!

Yousif is another large affiliate turned affiliate network and he has treated me well. Always paid on time (weekly) and great payout terms.

Hit me up if you're not in it and I'll try to hook you up (but you have to be earning some revenue already).

Thanks again to everyone who gave me a gift! I really appreciate it!

The end of 2009 already. Wow. Crazy.

This is the time that I recommend you sit down, and start to both reflect on your year and begin to think about new goals that you want to achieve for this year.

You know, as I reflect upon just the last few years, I am so thankful and appreciative for all the things that have happened. I know the success that I have seen both in my life, friends, and families lives are rare.

You see, just over three years ago, I was working at a part time computer sales job, attending college, and trying to find my place.

Now, three years later, it almost seems unreal at times.

This year was my best year ever. Not just in business but in growth, knowledge, and relationship.

Some of the major events...

I got engaged and then married, bought my first house, hired an employee, expanded my revenue streams, gain a ton more RSS subscribers, and had the best year in sales and profit ever.

In line with my long term goals (helping people), I was able to give more this year than I ever have before in my life (combined from all the previous years). To me, there is no greater thing than to touch someones life for the better. (Based upon this)

All in all, not too shabby of a year.

I am thankful for everyone who reads this blog and for having this platform to be able to communicate with my fellow affiliates and internet marketers.

In 2010, I look forward to seeing higher, larger, and better things... although getting married will be impossible to beat.

Goals:
My goal for 2010 is going to be to hit at least $5 million in gross revenue. I am confident that with a lot of hard work and walking in the continued favor I have found, that all things are possible.

I plan to achieve this goal through many avenues such as starting some service oriented websites (more on these later), expanding my traffic sources and the methods used for traffic generation, and working towards building this blog even more.

As the year progresses you will continue to hear more about these items.

I would love to hear some of your goals, however big or small.

To a successful and prosperous year.

Merry Christmas! Today is a day to relax and spend time with family! Enjoy your Christmas!

And for those of you who still have to be on the computer during Christmas... here are some funny comics for ya.

Also thanks to everyone:

Thanks to the many people who sent me Christmas Gifts this year!

I always appreciate gifts.

Some cooler gifts I enjoyed this year:

Elite Clicks Media sent me this nice Christmas card with a fresh $100 bill inside. Pretty sick idea.

Thanks guys!

Kevin from Xy7 sent me a Lobster dinner! Haha! Awesome!

And the most epic gift of them all:

Clickbooth sent me a drum (knowing that I am a drummer and so is Eric who works there), a Slanket (snuggie-ish blanket) with a CB logo on it, CB logo man, and two iphone cases. Epic win.

And..... My Christmas present to myself.

It's like the Lamborghini of office chairs, the Herman Miller Embody Chair. It's the most amazing chair I've even sat in. It's something I have wanted since it was announced last year. Highly recommended... will post about it more later.

Thanks for the gifts guys and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Today is a day to relax and spend time with family! Enjoy your Christmas!

Also thanks to everyone:

Thanks to the many people who sent me Christmas Gifts this year!

I always appreciate gifts.

Some cooler gifts I enjoyed this year:

Elite Clicks Media sent me this nice Christmas card with a fresh $100 bill inside. Pretty sick idea.

Thanks guys!

Kevin from Xy7 sent me a Lobster dinner! Haha! Awesome!

And the most epic gift of them all:

Clickbooth sent me a drum (knowing that I am a drummer and so is Eric who works there), a Slanket (snuggie-ish blanket) with a CB logo on it, CB logo man, and two iphone cases. Epic win.

Thanks for the gifts guys and Merry Christmas!

My wife, being the awesome fashionista blogger that she is, came up with an awesome idea. She figured that like myself, many of you would have trouble figuring out what to get your significant other for the holidays.

So, she came up with an awesome list that might help you. I think it's really well done.

Original article here.

Coming up with that perfect gift can sometimes be tricky, especially when you are on a budget. I know I can’t be the only one who ends up resorting to Bath and Body Works sample bottle lotions, the ultimate re-gifted present (because the likelihood of picking the right scent for someone is rare at best and it screams I copped out!). So I’ve come up with a list of some really great items all under $50 (most falling much below that) for you to snatch up for family, friends, and a treat for yourself. Enjoy!

*click images for larger size*

For the Ladies

1. Baking for all occasions by Flo Braker from $22.00, Purchase Here
2. Philosophy Bake Shop Collection $22.00, Purchase Here
3. Philosophy Holiday Cookbook Collection $35.00, Purchase Here
4. Philosophy Time on Your Hands moisturizer $18.50, Purchase Here
5. CO Bigelow Mentha Body Buffer $14.00, Purchase Here
6. CO Bigelow Cinnamon and Lemon lip Balm each $7.50, Purchase Here
7. Philosophy Smell the Roses lip gloss $16.50, Purchase Here
8. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold from $7.85, A girl watches her family cope and move on from Heaven, Purchase Here
9. We Were the Mulvaneys Joyce Carol Oates from $10.88, a heavy read about a family who must overcome tragedy, Purchase Here
10. Free People Flower stud earrings $14.00, Purchase Here
11. Philosophy Look on the Bright Side blush $22.50, Purchase Here
12. Philosophy Amazing Grace Moisturizer $22.00, Purchase Here
13. Olive Kitterage by Elizabeth Strout from $8.40, short stories that tie a small town together, Purchase Here
14. Confessions of a Shopaholic Giftset from $27.72, a fun, light-hearted read about a girl who spends far too much (I can relate), Purchase Here
15. Free People Gold Studded flats $29.95, Purchase Here
16. Free People on the Radio dress $49.95, Purchase Here
17. Free People Rhythm Crystal necklace $38.00, Purchase Here
18. Free People Volumptuous pullover top $19.00, Purchase Here
19. Free People White Leather Ring $18.00, Purchase Here
20. Free People Cold Day hat $38.00, Purchase Here
21. Free People Stone Bib necklace $38.00, Purchase Here
22. Free People Silver Disc cuff $24.00, Purchase Here

For the Fellas

1. Bigelow Barber After Shave Elixir $10.00, Purchase Here
2. American Apparel V-neck shirts $9.00 (Must have!), Purchase Here
3. Van Heusen Pin-stripe shirt $26.99, Purchase Here
4. Philosophy Razor Sharp shaving gel $18.00, Purchase Here
5. V Fraas Men’s Multi Colored scarves $19.99, Purchase Here
6. Nautica Vintage Oil tan belt $24.99, Purchase Here
7. Levi’s Men’s 514 Slim Straight Eco Jean (100% Organic Cotton) $39.99, Purchase Here
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 $44.96 (for PS3, also for Xbox 360 and PC), Purchase Here
9. Philosophy Shelter sunblock $25.00, Purchase Here
10. Star Trek the movie $14.99, Purchase Here
11. Levi’s Slim Straight Cut $36.99, Purchase Here

Thanks for the awesome list! Remember, most places you can get regular shipping up through the 15th so you should order ASAP.

Enjoy your holidays!

Jeremy Shoemoney is holding this contest called the Gambler (or not) contest.

The basic idea is that you write a blog post explaining why you should win. This is my entry and if you would like to enter, you should do so quickly as you only have one more day.

The winner gets:

• 1 Platinum pass to Affiliate Summit (by Affiliate Summit)
• 3 Nights hotel paid in full (by Affiliate Summit)
• Airfare – up to $500 in airfare reimbursement.
• Roll with me to some super badass private parties

PLUS... (My favorite part)

The winner get's to pick between $1000 in cash or $2000 that the winner has to bet all of it on a single hand of blackjack. Epic.

So here is my entry into that contest.

Why Do I want to Win?
My main reason for wanting to win is because of the Black Jack. I would bet and win. No questions. I would double the money to $4000. I would then color up, and donate 100% of the original $2000 to charity and the other $2000 I would divide up among the 7 judges and myself ($250 each).

Beyond that, if I bet the $2000 and lose, I will give each Judge $20. Either way they win.

The other reason I would want to win is to hang out with all the judges. All the judges are people who I really appreciate in business and / or look up to and would enjoying spending time chilling with them.

Here are the list of judges:
Jeremy "Shoemoney" Schoemaker
David Dellanave
NickyCakes (almost reformed blackhat)
Erin Hughes (AzoogleAds AM)
George Avery (Get Ads)
Neil Patel
Barman (PPCBZ)

Oh and also, for Barman, this could be you my friend.