So what is it that you want out of a traffic exchange? Is it money? Traffic? Loyalty? It seems to change periodically and it's interesting to watch.
The past year we saw a lot of money money money. It became the focus of many exchanges. Really crazy if you ask me, because I thought the whole point was traffic?
I wonder what's next? With the announcement of a new traffic exchange mod that lets you build loyalty with upgraded members, I'm thinking that might be next. Of course there is always going to be controversy over who's idea it was. The last time I heard about the idea was when Randy mentioned it a few months back, but definately not 2003..
Anyways putting that aside is that where you want exchange owners to go? As a member are you more interested in just getting the most credits/traffic, earning money, or being rewarded for loyalty?
{ 22 comments }
Hi Tim,
I think people want all 3 really.
People want credits so they surf all day. Then they want traffic which is why they surfed to begin with and then from that traffic they want money.
Now what people also would like is to be rewarded for using the system. This could be credit rewards, or BOGO or something.
So again all of the above is my answer.
Tim – credits are nice but revealing HOW to get leads for people’s business is what we will then spend money on credits for :)
Teach us how to generate leads faster (list grenade comes to mind see above link)
This is what we really want :)
Mike
aka
neromancer
We want sign ups – period and help getting lasting sign ups
Indeed a conundrum Tim, and as you say, a vicious circle where no one really wins.
I own a TE, and IMO the loyalty of my members is the only reason I open my eyes some mornings. After all, I offer a service, one where in return for a member’s surfing, I will keep promoting my site to bring in new, unique traffic to see their offers.
When I heard about the loyalty bonuses being offered sometime last year, I was pretty P.O. My first reaction was as a surfer. “Who do they think they are? Is my surfing at their site somehow less loyal than the surfer who surfs til they reach whatever bonus level they want?” Nay,nay, I say. The time I spend surfing at any site in particular is in direct proportion to the time I have to surf each day. And is my way to show loyalty, from the surfer side of me.
Then I put on my owner’s cap and took a closer look at what those first few sites were offering as a “loyalty bonus”. Again IMO, the loyalty bonuses wreaked of pressure, goading and even downright bribery. “Surf me for 20 hours and I’ll give you extra credits for you to “speed surf”. “Surf me until you reach some proverbial limit and I’ll throw you a nickel for your efforts.” And after surfing many of the sites offering “loyalty bonuses”, it quickly turned into members being Paid To Surf. They weren’t seeing the ads fellow members had submitted, they were seeing a pittance of cash at the end of what can only be seen as a blind surfing sessions.
So, guess what? I stayed true to my initial reaction towards the so-called loyalty bonuses and refuse to dangle carrots in front of my members, just to build my numbers. If you want to join a site that stays true to the actual purpose of a Traffic Exchange, the trading of traffic, then I’m your gal. I will find ways to thank you for joining my site for your traffic needs, for your loyalty, but you will not be “paid” to surf my site.
And that’s the truth!
Camille Thomson
For me personally, I want traffic and I want it fast! I do a lot of surfing and tend to be loyal to the sites where I see the best tangible results (not just volume of traffic, but sign-ups as well). Money is nice as well because it can assist in paying for upgrade costs, which, of course, results on higher traffic volume per surf — but traffic is what traffic exchanges is all about.
Loyalty from members and readers is by far the most valuable thing an exchange owner can have.
It is something that can only be earned over time,but a list of loyal people will out do anything else.
I am on a lot of lists,but there are few that I ever even read,let alone stop to comment to or buy from.
Yet here I am.
Yes-hype sells,but most do not have the money-not at the start,so a loyal base built the old slow way -such as was done with StartX will over time out perform any list obtained by following the latest craze.
In my very inexperienced opinion of course.
“Learn to learn” my Daddy always said.
Tim and company,
I like the question. I have asked that many times of my members and also got a variety of answers, however the strongest was traffic, but better yet, traffic that provides results. We need to think about the “ulimate” desired outcome.
On ocassion, I have commented about the chasing of $ and whenever I did, the most flack i received was from other TE owners thinking I was nuts. When at the same time, more members than owners byu far ommented “kudos”. We want traffic with results.
I am a common sense sort of person, and feel that if members are chasiing $ on a surfbar, they are NOT looking at any sites. So that makes me feel, no $ to chase. We want signups, so chase credits by “exchanging” views by suirfing.
Rewards for using ones system. Ok, I see where that is coming from, and people who “upgrade” get the better rewards. After all, the owners need to make a buck for without, our business dies. that would be the theory about providing better rewards to pro members. Rewards… so what sort of rewards are you all looking for might be my question. Many of us have JV surf promos to entice people to surf with a chance to win one of so many daily prizes etc. Is that what people mean? I’m not sure, and as Tim is asking, I too am asking too. What is it you wish for?
If, and I say “IF” you are honestly here to grow a business, a list or affiliate site etc, then you really want sign-ups right? I know I do. So focus on that, and that alone for a minute. Do you know what your getting? Do you know if your efforts are paying off for surfing and/or paying for traffic? You know what i am getting at, tracking.
Someone said, teach us how to get leads and signs ups. That’s a great topic. Is that what you want from ALL the TEs out there? If so, the do we take a TE and make it a learing center? Make it part of the business?
Tim is doing that right here. As a matter of fact, Tim offered to us all the chance to have basically a class here on list building and i was quite surprised not many people at all, at that time were interested. To me they are equally important, but it is not the sole job of a TE.
Back to basics is what I wish for. There are great people like Tim, Jon Olson, John Guanzon to name a few, that will teach you list building, traffic generation and will help you “Get It”. With that information then we need to get educated on finer details that they may talk about. Tracking, what should be on a splash page, what programs to use for tracking, splash making, list building, autoresponders and more will be another whole entity to “Get”. Then you put it all to use.
If you are going to use a traffic exchange and surf for credits, then credits you will get and you decide where you wish to get the best bang for your efforts by following what you learned elsewhere. yes prizes are great. Everyone loves to win something. Me….I want sign ups. I want people to buy whatever i am selling. that’s where I make the money and you will to.
Anyway…. I get why Tim is asking this, and I too, just wish to offer whatever help I can in helping you meet your goals. My specialty is traffic…. my sideline is to help you in any other way I can. But remember we all must be diligant and find the right info in the right resources anbd not confuse what each of them were designed for.
I wish everyone a Happy, healthy and prosperous 2010. I too look forward to your wish list, as it pertains to what “I can” offer you.
To everyones online success,
Ken Athas
we want all of the above and more
Hi Tim,
I can only think that the TE world went to Money Money Money this year simply because of the crappy economy and everybody is a little short on cash. I think it will stay that way until the economy breaks a little.
I have been holding off on buying any credits until after tax season, assuming Uncle Sam doesn’t send us all IOU’s like California.
Yeah I think that’s a great point. Many people are coming online because they need money to live, but those gimmicks will earn you less in the long run than a business will. I suppose it’s just harder when you are desperate to wait for the bigger money when you can have a little bit now.
I believe it is all three.
After spending years in the traffic exchanges, I believe, what keeps people loyal is the human connection- the ability to network and connect in some way with each other.
Sites and Splashes flashing all day is just not enough anymore- people like to be with people.
People bring people into their programs.
Faith Brooks
Hi Tim, you’re talking once again for things, almost nobody is talking about… I use dozens of TE, but I use only 7 TE EVERY DAY. And i feel good with those, because i’ve been rewarded for my loyalty…
Of cource the money and traffic are as much important, but i wouldn’t use a TE only for them…
All the best Ivan Golemdzhiyski
I want all 3. Money is a big priority 4 me at this time, I really want and need to build my list. So currently that is what I’m working on.
I agree it is all three, but what really should matter the most is traffic..without it our sites arent seen,which results in the money issue not coming through..the loyallty is just a perk i think for the greater outcome of the surfers credits and other bonuses..
HI Tim and all.
I think all three are the key, loyalty would be first, second is the traffic and third would be the money. The reason for this is you need loyal clients that will come back,traffic and money is why we all surf. we want the traffic to get our product or products seen so we can make the money.
Just my thought.
Shirlene
For me the most important issue would be traffic that creates signups
to the site’s I promote. Small money
rewards makes surfing a bit more exciting.Team surfing I find also an important asset and the chat community a great place to build lasting friendships.I am not placing loyalty to the TE admin last because I
think it is also a very important of the whole package. Rewarding upgraded members with better surfing ratios makes sense as it provides the admin with income
John M
Here goes. I like the TE’s. Some are better than others and I receive hits on each ad. My problem is I can lead them to my page, but I cant make them click AND join! That is not a TE problem, it is mine – I need more training in an effective ad campaign.
What I do no like about some TE, receiving too many emails from the admin of the site telling me I’m not a preminum member. I know I’m not, so what is the point?
I also feel forced to join other sites from the one site I joined in order to get more credits, etc. I think each site should be able to stand alone and offer what a surfer is looking for. You mentioned the needs above in your post.
I like to choose my sites…If the owner of the site has other TE sites, let me choose. The other site may have more benefits, etc.
Anyways, that is my opinion and I know, opinions are like aholes….everyone has one….
I think last year was a big money thing because of a number of reasons.
1. It worked it brought in new members fast and surfing numbers to an all new highs its what people wanted.
2. Once a few people started doing it and others saw the results it pretty much became a game of. Oh god my numbers are starting to drop I need to input some cash for my members as well to get my numbers back up or better.
I think this is past us and we are back on track with quality traffic.
There is more money to be made from active surfers who buy products then surf quickly for a few pennies.
Loyalty and hooking your members up is whats going to be the name of the game in 2010 I put my vote for.
Hi Tim
I am a loyal member to startxchange,I myself like it all LOL but seriously I surf traffic exchanges hoping that a business might be introduced that will click for me and the money will roll in.
It could become a reality you never know.
I will leave it at that. lol
Tim I believe members would like all three, I know as an owner I prefer loyalty above all others. However loyalty is a thing earned and it is a two way street. As a TE owner it is my responsibility to deliver Quality Traffic, surfing to receive Traffic should be the main focus of members. I am not so concerned with money like anything do your job well and you get paid. I feel many members prefer Eyes on pages way more than the money. I have plenty of mail to back that statement up. I believe small competitions with cash rewards can be exciting for members but serious marketers do not want to surf all day for 50 cents and do not like it when it happens as there credits go way too quickly being used up by people who are not watching the ads, rather they are watching for the penny reward. Loyal members must be looked after and we have that as a part of our agenda already even down to the point of offering a one on one assistance at no charge for our loyal members. Really though it comes down to a fine balance, that is a balance of the three
I have been sat in front of this for two hours reading what others say and procrastinating. I am already day late due to my computer or rather my Internet provider giving us about 1 meg when we are paying for 20.
A lot of the people who surf sites that give money are desperate. They are not here to do business but to surf for enough money to eat today.
I do not know about other teams but team De hawkins (sorry Richard if I spelled that wrong) all had a PM from a young man wanting to sell his credits
These people also use the pay to click sites and ad exchanges that have what I call penny solos.
No, what the majority of us want are sign ups that what we are here for.
As for loyalty that cannot be bought with either money or credits.
It is impossible to make any money this way as you have to have on average $25 before you can draw it out. If you do not know where your next meal is coming from you will do anything to earn something.
These are not the sort of people you actually want as members.
Yes we all want traffic and mainly conversions but I can’t help feeling sorry for these people who are so desperate having just spend 4 months living on an income which was a third of my rent all my savings are gone but we did come through it.
I think the sites that are giving money will live to regret it
I want:
- Recognition
- Advertising that helps me stretch my meager budget
- Relationships with humans…the life of an internet business marketer is really lonely!
I was a community organizer for 25 years it was a rush to get 3 – 5,000 people to a benefit or other activity. I’m now happy with an email from a Twitter or Sokule follower…YIKES
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