With so many new people coming in from Traffic Witch, I thought it'd be important to go over the basics again. The number of people using traffic exchanges incorrectly is astounding, so I figure it doesn't hurt for you to hear them again if you just need to be reminded.
Today I'm going to talk about What you advertise. There is this misconception about traffic exchanges that you just make money by using them. No, they are here for you to advertise! If you advertise properly you will make money, but don't use an exchange to surf and earn pennies.
Traffic exchanges work best when you do two things: 1) Brand yourself, meaning your name, photo, etc. If you are recognizable you'll get better results. 2) Build a list. When surfing users generally have a set schedule to surf. If you have an opt in form for them, they can find out more about your product or service later. If you don't, there's a good chance they'll skim over your page but not want to take the time to view it in depth.
It's important to remember that the people using traffic exchanges are usually working from home or small businesses, are looking to make more money online or advertise their business. So if you can target products and services towards that crowd you'll get the best results.
That's not to say other areas won't get results, they can, but it varies much more. So if you don't cator to that crowd make sure you are tracking your hits and goals to see if you should find something else to advertise.
That's it for today, I'll go into it more later but I don't want to bore you too much every day. Any questions?
{ 15 comments }
Hey Tim, Hows your Holiday Going? It’s refreshing to see an Exchange owner that will teach the newbies how to advertise on exchanges, Most of the owners don’t care enough to say anything as long as they are getting their money. Thanks for all you do, Tim
Timothy Millars lastest blog post..Relationships on the World Wide Web
Hmmm…. So TE users should *not* advertise programs, products, or services (unless they own them) on TE’s?
They should instead promote themselves, build a list, and pitch the stuff on the back end? Now there’s an idea!
Good thing not everyone does that ;)
Paul Livingstons lastest blog post..21 Simple Ways to Make More with any size list!
I understand that promoting marketing tools (different forms of advertising, rotators, trackers, etc.) are the best things to advertise on TE’s. Do you agree?
Hi Tim,
A good reminder on using TEs for results. Branding & List Building are both very essential. I know a few successful marketers that always remember Tim from StartXchange as Tim has branded himself.
Cheers..
Best Regards,
Frankie Teo
http://www.frankieteo.com
Great post, Tim. I couldn’t have said it better myself. :P
@James Vest
I wouldn’t limit my ads to just the advertising types of products. I would also make certain I put up a opt in form for various “marketing” niches to build a list that is tailored to the group Tim mentioned, Home Businesse/Work at Home folks.
Thank. — Dennis
Dennis Grubbss lastest blog post..Travis Sago Raps with Ryan Moran
Thanks for te reminders! They re very helpful!
Great post, Tim! When I started using TE’s several years ago, I totally didn’t get it. Frustrated… I quit. I’m back in the saddle again and now I’ve got an optin box. What a world of difference that makes! Now, I not only advertise a generic recruiting system, but I can also followup with those same people with different affiliate offers. Excellent.
As usual great information and a good reminder to double check what we are doing. It is not how you advertise it is what you advertise.
You might sell water to someone sitting in a boat on fresh water but you will make a lot more sales selling water to someone in the middle of the desert looking for water.
Thanks
Bo Tipton
The Ornery Marketer
Bo Tiptons lastest blog post..You Need To Read This And See What I Found
great tips tim, I’d only add that sometimes you can use a splash page with no optin form if the splash page leads to another page where they have to register or sign-up so they don’t need to sign up twice.
for example my link is just a simple splash page, the splash page leads to my site which continues from where the splash page left off, and allows you to register.
of course i could use an optin form on there to follow-up with those that abandon at the registration page.
you have to test both approaches.
one importnt point is that your splash pages should lead into the offer in a sensible way – you wouldn’t want to advertise a particular xbox game and then lead them to a catalog of xbox games forcing them to search for the game you were advertising – it should lead directly to what was advertised so there is no disconnect.
Thanks Tim!
I agree with you 100%, but I’d also like to add one thing.
And that’s I think it’s really important to be different. Even though you do the two things you say, if most people are using the same templates, and the same texts (even though you have different names and businesses), most likely, you wont get many new customers or sign ups.
You need to stand out from the crowd.
Jens P. Bergets lastest blog post..Advertising on Receipts or Tickets
Excellent stuff as always. Sometimes money is not the issue but the person offering a service or something is…
We all like to help one way or another.
John Bassett UK.
I agree that these are the 2 main areas to focus on targeting.
They are no the only areas that do well though.
I exist in a few different but use TEs for all of them.
I think the importance should be in the splash page to gain the interest, encourage curiosity and then of course, a great call to action.
If you follow up on the actual offer or promise made in the page – and do it well – you WILL succeed!
Hey Tim – Call over!
Kym
Thanks for trip back to basics. We all need to be reminded now and then. Keep up the good work!
Carole
Great post Tim – being the shy type was afraid to put my picture and name out there to start with – but you are right – they have to see it. Keep up the good work – never get too busy to read your postings – thanks.
Nancy Radlingers lastest blog post..Check Out My Wildlife Collection
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