Being quite unhappy with my results of using CPA (cost-per-action: you get paid once the visitor from your website did some action on the website you are affiliated with) programs (I am signed with Commission Junction, Shareasale – do not use them much – and LinkShare) I have decided to explore what works with other online entrepreneurs.
Here is a list of my observations:
- There is a new generation of CPA networks that most webmasters discuss and use: AzoogleAds, HydraMedia, etc. At this time Azoogleads.com seems to be the buzzword for a CPA network. I have applied to become a member – they promise to contact the applicants within two business days. Now it is a week – no reply: approved/ rejected – no idea.
But as I have discovered it is their standard practice – they have too much applications at the moment and strict screening guidelines. It is recommended to call them. They have a big amount of applicants due to all positive feedback on the Internet and fail to process every application in time.
- What programs to apply for? I mostly run offers to buy some products – promotions with banners and text links. But at the moment it is the history.
What works now according to those webmasters who are doing fine with CPA networks:
Freebies. Free trial memberships (ringtones, diet, etc).
Surveys and contest.
- Promoting techniques are more or less traditional:
website,
PPC (unfortunately for affiliate marketers, you can’t send the traffic directly – you need a landing page on your website. From that page, you cane send your visitors to the merchant website),
forum signature,
MySpace spamming (send your hot offers with your bulletin and embed the affiliate links. Remember to properly express the benefits and call to action within 1-2 sentences),
E-mail marketing
Summary: CPA as an income for online marketers is obviously not dead. One just has to keep up with the changes that occur so fast on the Internet. Yesterday’s leaders are no more key industry players, promotional techniques change even faster with social networking topping the list for this moment. Just apply for the new networks, browse their offers and test, test, test.
[tags]cj, commission junction, shareasale, linkshare, azoogleads, hydramedia, cpa, reviews, freebies, incentives, myspace, seo, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, blogs, content generation, news aggregator, ebay, google, make money online, work from home, home based job, wikipedia, del.icio.us, technorati, bloglines, duplicate content, links, earn your living online, surveys, contests[/tags]