We try to mix things up as much as possible. We do contest / giveaways, raise payouts and play host to gatherings. You just have to be as smart and as optimal as possible when you do them.
The contest are a double-edge sword in a way, as most of the time the winner isn't your affiliate and will never send traffic, however, you really just exposed your product, for whatever that is worth (something of which you may never know).
With gatherings, you just have to be methodical and insure that both non-affiliates you have never met and current affiliates show up. We try to do this by teaming up with other non-competing programs.
At the end of the day, you will be judged by your product: the content, the billing schematics, the support, etc.
The financials in an IPOD giveaway in no way effect payout raises. We will always raise payouts before doing a contest, I think most programs would.
You have a great product Roger and you obviously care about it, I wouldn't read too much into events and IPOD giveaways. I would also not allow one thread to set the tone for all your future marketing, IMO.
I need a new ad from you when you get an opportunity
