google
yahoo
bing

CPA Networks Getting Desperate

4 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on October 1, 2007 in Affiliate Networks, CPA Networks  

Back in the day and still used today is cold calling. I have been cold called by CPA networks before and some I am doing good business with. Today I received an odd one because it wasn’t just a cold call it was a pre-recorded cold call and if I wanted to talk with a rep about their network more to hit 1. Are networks getting this desperate!!! It took me back but here is what i think is happening with some of the networks, they are getting desperate! Some networks are working with such low margins cause they are getting an offer from a network that got an offer that got an offer from another network…

So take a basic email submit offer, from the direct source you could get anywhere from 1.00 to 2.00 depending on the offer. So lets say it starts at Network A at 2.00, they share it with Network B which can offer 1.50, they share with Network C which can offer 1.20, then to Network D which can offer 1.00 and so on… So as you can see margins continue to get cut. This honestly isnt really the issue though. The big issue is Network E that is only paying out .75 can easily lose their affiliates as soon as they find out that they join Network A,B,C, or D and will get a much higher payout. So what happens is the affiliate jumps ship and lower networks are struggling.

What are CPA Networks to do? Get direct and unique offers. This is critical because if they can get direct and unique offers they can offer better payouts than anyone else. Which will draw in affiliates.  This is why i always say signup with several networks as the more you are signed up with the more “window” shopping you can do for a payout of an offer.

Affiliate Account Managers a Dime a Dozen or Worth their Weight in gold?

6 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on August 27, 2007 in Affiliate Managers, Affiliate Networks  

Anyone starting in Affiliate marketing or those that have been through the ringer know that there are some good affiliate managers and there are some bad affiliate managers. The key is when you find a good one hold onto them.  Personally Affiliate Account Managers (AM) can be well worth their weight in gold!

First, a good AM doesn’t just look out for the company they work for they find ways for you to grow and earn more. I mean common the more you earn the more they earn. This means they don’t just send you generic emails saying try this offer but try to find offers that will work well with what you are already pushing or even a new hot offer out the gates so you can jump on it.

Second, a good AM WILL bump your payout on an offer. Yes they have limitations as to what they can do but there isn’t a single offer that I have ever come across that I couldn’t get a bump on. A real good AM looks for ways to bump you even at times to help you succeed above the rest.  One instance is I was promoting an offer and doing well. It got completely pulled but the network had a similar offer from another company. To make up for the unexpected pull I got the top payout for that offer and in turn I slammed it hard and made the Network, the Merchant and Myself a nice chink of change.

Thirdly, a good AM will communicate with you. If you have had an am for more than two weeks and you haven’t gotten an email, aim or phone call you should worry. One of two things is happening. Either they are on coast and don’t care or they are working heavily with the affiliates they already have and don’t have much time for you. THAT MEANS REQUEST A NEW AM and do it NOW! 

Lastly, how do you know you got a bad AM? They rarely communicate with you. They rarely bump you without you asking or give you the run around when you ask for a bump.  You never hear about new offers that are out or ones coming up the pipeline. You gain no value from the relationship with them except more “spam” in your Inbox. THAT MEANS REQUEST A NEW AM and do it NOW!

Remember with Account Managers it is in the best interest for both you and them that you make more money. But remember it is a two way street, you can’t ignore an account manager and then expect them to give you a bump or some hot offers. 

CPA Affiliates Top 5 CPA Networks

13 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on August 10, 2007 in Affiliate Networks, CPA Networks  

I figure it is Time to update this post – CPA Affiliates Top 5 Networks.  As goals and time changes sometimes what was hot is no longer hot and what was non existent may be rocking. With that said i have decided to update my Top 5 CPA Networks List. Also note that just because a network is no longer listed doesn’t mean I stopped using them it just means that they aren’t in my top 5 anymore. These networks are here to stay and will be around for a long time. If you signup with these networks and stay with in their TOS you will get paid and paid on time!

Best CPA Networks:

1. Neverblue Ads 

2. CX Digital (Incentaclick)

3. Maxbounty

4. HydraNetwork

5. Azoogle
 If you have not signed up for any of the networks listed above you should click the banners and signup as you are missing out on extra money you could be earning from these CPA networks.

What to do when your affiliate offer is pulled?

3 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on June 14, 2007 in Affiliate Networks, Affiliate Tips, CPA Networks  

I get hit up on instant messenger or Pm’s via forums asking; what I do when an affiliate offer is pulled? (This is not when you are asked to stop running it due to poor quality or low converts, when that happens you need to look how you can increase the quality of the converts/leads) Here is my break down of things I do and questions I ask myself.

1. Was the offer very profitable?

a. If Yes move on to question 2.
b. If No why didn’t I stop running it sooner or it was on coast and you were just waiting for it to die so one less offer to look after. (Back to researching new offers etc…)

2. Is it worth my time to find an alternate offer or another network running it?

a. If Yes move on to question 3.
b. If No then it’s not a big deal that was pulled as I was only earning a couple hundred a month from it. (You may need to look deeper into your EPC and ROI to ensure it’s not worth your time and if not (Back to researching new offers etc…) )

3. Have I seen other networks running this offer?

a. Yes move on to number 4.
b. Unsure, check out your competition see if they are still running the offer. Many people don’t cloak links so link at the root part of the url and see if it’s a different network. Contact that network even if you aren’t a member, then move on to number 4.
c. No move on to number 5.

4. See if the other Network is still running the offer?

a. Yes, well start running it with them. Many times advertisers will pull from some networks but not all.
b. No, I don’t see it in their list of offers.  Move on to number 5.

5. Ask an account manager or a network rep if the offer is a private offer.

a. Yes, Many Networks will have some of the same offers but sometimes they are private and you will never know unless you ask. Start running the offer.
b. No, move on to number 6.

6. Find another offer that would appeal to the same audience and try promoting it in the same manner. This may mean a new site/landing page or may just mean changing an image or two and the links.

7. Once changes are made, either new offer or another network. You must still monitor the information, just because it converted as a great EPC/ROI on one network doesn’t guarantee it on another because many use different tracking software methods etc… So monitor it.

So that is it, those are my questions and steps I go through when an offer is pulled from an affiliate network. I go through similar steps when there is a drastic decrease in payout on a network. If you have any advice, tips or questions feel free to leave a comment.

Testing a New CPA Network and Neverblue Ads

3 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on June 4, 2007 in Affiliate Networks, CPA Networks, Neverblue ads  

As i have time I try out new CPA networks to see if they are worth while or if they are full of false promises. Before i get on to talking about Neverblue Ads, I figured i would discuss how i test a new network out.

Testing a New CPA Network:
1. Search forums and Google to see what other people have to say about the network. (don’t let one bad comment keep you from trying but several negatives you may want to proceed with caution)
2. Contact the Network and ask for a list of offers and base payout. (you never know they may have an offer you are currently running but with higher payout)
3. Talk to the CPA network about payments. (are the payment periods flexible, can they do net 15 or bimonthly or even weekly.) (Note* prove yourself first then ask for quicker payments, off the bat asking for bimonth or weekly payments usually throws up a red flag)
4. Signup and check out the offers make sure the payouts match what they sent or are higher.
5. Start off slow. Usually in the first month i will only send enough traffic to atleast get paid out. (this ensures they do pay)
6. After first month and i receive payment and offers are performing well I will start sending more traffic. (Ask Your AM for reports or whats performing good etc.) (don’t go over board, I usually keep the 2nd month to a few K unless I am just overly confident i will get paid as for every dime i make i am usually spending money)
7. Now in your second month you should by now be working with your account manager asking for higher payouts, even setting goals for payouts etc. (this will not only help them out, it helps them to help you)
8. Into your third month and you received your payment for a few K from the second month. I would say you can rest assured they will pay you moving forward so you don’t have to hold back.
9. If at any point it is unprofittable or offers just arent converting, don’t be afraid to stop using the network. If they keep bugging you (via emails phone calls etc.) tell them to buzz off and/or delete your account and stop contacting you.

This is the method i use for testing. As a side note if a newtowk has offers i am already running and it is at the same payout I am currently at I will ask the new network off the bat if they can give me higher payout. Usually they will give something, then i will split test the offer. Each network tracks a little bit differently and sometimes the same offer on one network may convert poorly on another due to system or slow page loads etc..

So now on to Neverblue Ads. I have been testing them for the past few months and so far i am pleased. My account manager is Victoria Hansen. I will say this she may not know all the ins and outs of affiliate marketing (she is somewhat new as an AM), but she is up front and provides what information you need. I used the methods above to test out Neverblue Ads, and I can say they do payout and on time. They do have higher thresholds to be able to get bimonthly payouts than other networks, but they do offer it. They have exclusive offers, but do rerun some other networks offers. They are willing to work with you on payouts and even landing pages. I have made requests for some offers, some they had created or changed, some I am still waiting. The most important thing with the Neverblue Ads network, they were quick to respond, quick to get me information, and willing to work with me on payouts. Plus to my surprise I got a package in the mail from my account manager. It was a Neverblue Ads Dress Shirt, Coffee Mug, and a gift certificate to Salt Grass steakhouse (one of my favorite places to eat.) See the picture below.
Neverblue Ads CPA Network

So try out new networks you never know which ones will work for you and which ones won’t. BUT if you never try you may be leaving money on the table. *NOTE… Just because a network hasn’t worked for me or other people doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. Only times i stay away from network is if there are tons of posts and articles about non payment.

Which CPA Network is the Best?

7 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on March 21, 2007 in Affiliate Networks, Affiliate Tips, CPA Networks  

I get asked this all the time which CPA Network is the best? Well honestly it is a tough question to answer but yet it is easy. It is easy to say what CPA Network is best for me but it is hard for me to say for sure what CPA network is best for you. I use MANY CPA Networks, but i do have a few choice networks that are my bread and butter. But this post isn’t about me it is about you and what CPA network will work best for you.

First, search the CPA networks, see who has good reviews and reputation with other webprenuers. You can do this by visiting blogs, forums and even searching for review of CPA Network X. Once you narrow your list down to 20 or 30… yes there are hundreds of CPA networks out there but the key is finding the right one for you.

Second, DON’T automatically signup for all those networks. Contact them and ask them about their offers, ask for a list of there offers (with links if possible) and even rates (not all will give you the list of rates but if you ask about specifc offers they will tell you). Now go through them and compare the various networks. See what networks have offers you want.

Third, ask about those specific networks in forums like digitalpoint or earners forum. People will tell you their thoughts and experiences. Don’t let one bad apple ruin it for you. Meaning if one poster is adimant about not using Network X but everyone else is posting good things most likely the guy was promoting spam or illegal stuff and got caught and didn’t get paid (for some reason these types also love to flame networks after they get booted).

Fourth, Make sure there terms and payout terms are to your liking, Signup and start promoting. If you start doing well ask for higher payouts, many people don’t even know they can ask for higher payouts. You can and will get them especially if you can send a nice number of leads. Also you can ask for quicker payouts which helps when promoting via PPC.

Fifth, If you find you don’t like your AM at the network ask for another one, or try another network. Find one that appreciates you and just doesn’t treat you like every other 2 bit out there.

Lastly,  There are times Exclusives are Truely Exclusives, when that is the case and you know you can promote that offer well signup for that network. I have signed up for 3 different networks only for 1 offer as they were the only ones that had it. BUT the more you are in the Affiliate market you will realize that even Exclusives aren’t always Exclusives. Meaning that another company may have that same offer but the exclusive may be on the design or layout (this can make a huge difference in your conversions at times, I was promoting one offer on one network then tried same offer with similar but different landing page and my conversions increased by 10%!).

I hope this helps those in their search for the best CPA Network. In the upcoming weeks I will post a list of all the CPA networks I currently use, notice i didn’t say signed up with as there are some networks i signed up with tried some things and never used them again.

CPA News You Can Use, Easy Submits Email and Zips, Ringtones

6 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on March 6, 2007 in Affiliate Networks, Affiliate Tips, Ringtones  

At CPA Affiliates we try to provide up-to-date information and news you can use. This week has had a few interesting happenings in the world of CPA networks and Promotions.

First off, up and Coming CPA Network Millnic Media is having a Mad Money March for Easy Submits. So if you do volume on Email or Zip submits you may want to check them out. I have tried Millnic Media and will be posting a review of them in upcoming weeks. So far I can say they are a hands on affiliate network and can be reached just about any hour of the day. I can also vouch that they pay and pay fast. If you do $1,000 in a week they will pay you weekly and will pay you by Wire, Check or Paypal. The money usually hits your account every Thursday if not Wednesday. Below are the details on Millnic Media Mad Money March.

Starting at 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Thursday March 1st 2007 and running until midnight and Wednesday March 14th 2007, we invite you to slam the following offers until they go crying home to their Momma’s.
[Total Combined Leads across all campaigns]
If your total combined numbers for those days
0-500 Payout = $1.30
501-1000 Payout = $1.35
1001-3000 Payout = $1.40
3001-10000 payout = $1.45
10001-25000 payout = $1.50
25001-50000 Payout =$1.55
50001+ Total Combined leads for that 10 day span = $1.60 payouts! 

On To Ringtones. If you have noticed lately that there have been a lot of posts on ringtones volume going down. Well it is in general people are searching less for “ringtones” (but are they just searching for more specific ringtones (IE Fergie Glamorous Ringtone) and less general ringtones……), but this is also do to the after Christmas, presummer slump. With that being said there are some new ringtone offers coming out lately not for the US but for other countries. The payout is less but to advertise in these countries it is DIRT CHEAP! Azoogle has Ringtone offers for various countries available:

Brazilian Ringtones

Indonesian Ringtones

Spain Ringtones

Australian Ringtones

(UK Ringtones & German Ringtones but these have been around)

So If you have tried or haven’t tried ringtones in the US, you may want to try other countries ringtones while the competition is LOW.

Commission Junction why it works and why it doesn’t.

3 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on December 29, 2006 in Affiliate Networks, Affiliate Tips  

I get asked all the time if I use Commission Junction (http://www.cj.com/) on my sites or promotions. I do use CJ on my sites but I don’t use them as much as I could or should. I will discuss the ups and downs with CJ and why I use them sparsely.

First, CJ is great because it has tons of businesses and ads all in one place. If you are looking to do either CPA promotion or Sales promotion this could be the place for you. Of course they have the E-bay affiliate program which can make you lots of cash.  CJ gives you lots of options and products to choose from in one place which is great.

Second, CJ’s interface is not intuitive. While getting to your reports of statistics and sales is easy, but if you are trying to search for new advertisers plan to spend your time searching. The search works but it appears that for some reason some of the biggest companies are the hardest to find. A perfect example is for Bass Pro Shops, If you log into your account choose get links and input in the search box “Bass Pro Shops” you get back 0 results. This is just one example but this happens for many companies. The work around for this is to visit the website you want to join find their affiliate link then choose the link that states you are already a member of CJ, but having to do this makes no sense.

Thirdly, CJ does do charge backs. A charge back is when you provide a lead or a sale but advertiser comes back sometimes weeks later and states that lead or sale wasn’t valid and in turn you don’t get paid. I have talked with many people that have had this happen, while many big advertisers can handle the charge backs those starting out new can be squeezed out of the affiliate game due to this. I believe the charge back issue is something CJ needs to fix soon as this causes many publishers to steer clear.

Lastly, CJ is the only option to promote some goods. Even with its issues if you have a site or a way to promote some of the companies CJ lists you should sign up and try promoting. Be for warned that you may get frustrated at times but also be warned you could make a good bit of money promoting other peoples products or offers.

If you have any suggestions or feedback feel free to leave us a comment.

Maxbounty Christmas Gift Arrives – Its a T-shirt and other goodies

2 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on December 13, 2006 in Affiliate Networks, CPA Affiliate Announcements  

Well i got home yesterday and had two packages waiting for me. I tear into them as i wasn’t expecting a package and low and behold it was a gift from Maxbounty. It was a T-shirt for me and my wife, plus a basket of goodies (All kinds of cheeses, salmon, crakers, chocolate and some excellent chocolate truffles). With this I have received from two of my 3 main networks I use. I have gotten something from Google and Maxbounty still waiting for something from my other top one which is Azoogle (Hint, Hint).  Below are some pictures of my gifts from Maxbounty.  Thanks Maxbounty!!!!

 

maxbounty gift

Maxbounty T-shirt

Maxbounty Gives back and you can help.

No One Has Commented Yet - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on December 8, 2006 in Affiliate Networks  

I just got the email below from Maxbounty stating they are going to be donating all revenue on Monday December 11th to various charities. So push hard on monday for those in need!  

Greetings everyone. The holidays are coming, it’s the time of year to be thankful for family and friends, and the success we all see in this fantastic field of Affiliate Marketing. This time of year, we’d like to try and help those who aren’t so fortunate and in need of aid. You can help too.

MaxBounty.com is supporting three needy associations this year, with a flat donation as well as all company revenue generated on Monday December 11th. Our support will mostly help the Children’s Aid Society (committed to protecting children and youth from abuse and neglect), but some funding will also go to the Cumberland Resource Center (a food bank in dire need of donations this time of year) as well as a local troop of Scouts (supplying them with tents). Thanks to you all, our growth in 2006 has been tremendous, and our support this year will be the highest ever.

Would you like to help? All MaxBounty.com network revenue on Dec 11th is going to help someone in need. Just do some extra advertising today, run some banners, drop a mailing, but mostly spread the word and have your affiliate friends do the same.

Thanks
JP Sauve
Maxbounty.com 

« Go Back — More Affiliate Information »