Ad HustlerConfessions Of A Serial Internet Entrepreneur

The schedule for Affiliate Summit is filling up like crazy.  In “What Networks Are Doing For Affiliates At Affiliate Summit Part 1” I wrote about some of the parties and events that affiliate networks are having for their affiliates.  A couple of new things came up so I figured it would be fair to update with some of the added events.

CX Digital Roll Like A Billionaire Party

This party seems like it’s going to be pretty cool.  The promotions for its state “money is no object” so hopefully the party lives up to the expectations.  I’m sure it will considering they are picking everyone up in Limos.  Pretty crazy but sounds like lots of fun.

XY7

XY7 apparently does not want to disappoint.  They are now throwing 2 parties.  One on Sunday where they are taking people to an MMA fight at Planet Hollywood.  The other is a kick off party for the event.

That’s the update for now.  Expect posts throughout the event.

Please Note: I do receive a Press Pass to Affiliate Summit which get’s me in for free however, all statements and thoughts are my own opinions.

Ad Hustler

Convert2Media is a newish network on the scene but is run by industry veteran Ruck formerly from CashTactics.net.  His blog used to rock and now his network does too.  Ruck sent out an interesting email today to all of his affiliates:

Morning C2M,

I wanted to drop a note that Convert2Media is not going
to be dealing with Email Submits for now on. Seriously,
they are the biggest headache in the world. From Advertisers
and Agencies scrubbing to the offers just stop converting for
odd reasons, we are doing away with them.

The retarded part of all this is when this stuff gets pulled uneducated
affiliates assume and place the blame on C2M. A little clarity here, if
you dont get paid, we dont get paid. Plain and simple.

I will put up a more detailed response for anyone that may
want more clarification on this in the forum but for right now,
please pull all email submit offer links immediately. I’m seriously
sick of the bullshit we have to deal with and more importantly
that these offers have so many flaws that providers of these
offers have a number of options to screw you out of money.

The buck stops now with Email Submits. Until I can find a solid
provider or someone different out there that will actually respond
to customer service, we just arent going to deal with it.

Please pull all email submit links immediately.

Thanks,
Ruck

Some people may think a move like this is crazy considering the shear volume that can be generated through email submits.  I think this move solidifies why Convert2Media is going to be the network to watch in 2009 and beyond.  Ruck is not just some suit sitting in an office trying to run a corporation.  Ruck was a top affiliate who knows what it’s like to be in our shoes.  By removing email submits from the network he is doing something that not many other networks do.  PROTECT THEIR AFFILIATES.

I’ve personally generated huge volume on email submits but they are the sketchiest offers on any affiliate network.  Email submits are scrubbed and shaved to hell.  Some are so blatently obvious that they rob affiliates blind.  I think that more networks should take convert2Medias lead and either ban email submits OR be damn sure that they aren’t participating in shady tactics. Yes, there is a lot of affiliate fraud on email submits, but if you are paying an affiliate to generate a lead which is defined as the user entering their email address, thats what they should be paid on, REGARDLESS OF QUALITY.  As an email submit advertiser, if you don’t like the quality you should ban the affiliate from promoting your offer, not steal their traffic.

If your not already an affiliate of Convert2Media, join now.  You won’t regret it.

Ad Hustler

So as is everyone, I am phsyched for Affiliate Summit West 2009 in Vegas.  The schedule is filling up.  I got to thinking that some affiliate networks treat their affiliates a whole lot better then others.  Maybe that’s an unfair statement.  Maybe it’s just that certain affiliate managers treat their affiliates better then others.  Here are some cool things some affiliate managers/networks have set up so far.

Copeac

My affiliate manager Jeff is taking me to a nice Sushi lunch.  Can’t beat that.

Copeac is also having a killer party at the Palms called Thrilla In The Villa.  Its at The Palms  Sky Villa 1/12/09 at 10PM and is by invite only.  What this means is that if you want to go, get on your Copeac affiliate managers ass and give them a guilt trip for not inviting you.  Copeac are cool people and i’m sure their party will be loads of fun.

NeverblueAds

My affiliate manager Scott is taking myself and Ian Fernando out for dinner.  I’ve never actually met scott so I look forward to it.

Hydra Network

April will be taking me out to lunch.  I’ve also never met April so it should be a good time.

Buy.At

Honestly, I have very little idea who these guys are but they still inbvited me to their party at the Palms.  The party will be at The Moon Nightclub at The Palms on 1/10/09 at 10:30pm.   This is also an invite only party.  I look forward to finding out what these guys are all about.

Ads4Dough/Wickedfire Get Together

Ads4Dough in conjunction with Wickedfire are throwing a little get together at The Rio on 1/10/09.  This small get together is exploding and they are running out of room to take people.  My suggestion is to hop on wickedfire and RSVP so you can get in and chill with all your favorite degenerates from wickedfire.

Ianteract/Paradigm Visions Dinner

Ianteract and Paradigm visions have teamed up to take a special few out to a really nice dinner at Rum Jungle at the Mandalay Bay.  Paradigm Visions is probably not a very well known name in the industry but they are cool people and I suggest you check out their network.

Yep Revenue

My boy Elias, owner of the coolest damn affiliate network in the industry is taking out a Penthouse at The Venetian.  He’s having a get together for his industry friends.  Can’t wait for this one.

Tatto Media

Tatto are a bunch of true gentleman.  In gentleman fashion they will be having a cocktail party similar to their Ad Tech NYC party.  Should be fun and I look forward to attending.

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I’m sure there will be tons more parties and get togethers but these are the ones I have penciled in so far.  It seems like a good portion of networks are doing some great things for their affiliates.  SOme companies that seem to be dropping the ball however are:

CX Digital – They send out a broad invite to a “Billionaires Party” that is supposed to exclusive and then tell you to contact your AM for more information.  What?  How about the AM just send an invite if they want you at the party.  Sort of insulting.

Affiliate.com – Haven’t heard of anything.

Xy7.com – Haven’t heard of anything other then a brief mention that of you did some crazy amount of business with them before Summit, they would give you a “Free” invite to their party.

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If any other events come to my attention I will update this post.

Please Note: I do receive a Press Pass to Affiliate Summit which get’s me in for free however, all statements and thoughts are my own opinions.

Ad Hustler

I tried a small test on a popular PPV network.

Targeting

Country: U.S.
Keywords/URL’s: 4
Budget: $25

Traffic

Views: 1,168
Cost: $22.80
Average CPV: 0.0195 cents

Revenue

Leads Generated: 7
CPA: $1.25
Gross Revenue: $8.75

Net Revenue: -$14.05

My first test was not a winner but not a complete disaster either.  I got a feel for how the system works and what type of traffic comes through.  The conversion rate was rather low but I have a feeling it always is on the low side considering its adware traffic.  To get this right I’m pretty sure that I will need to test a lot of different niches.  One thing I want to try is an offer that pays out better then a buck or two.  Since the conversion rate is low, a higher paid offer may do well for ROI, if targeted correctly.

Ad Hustler

I’ve been hearing a lot about PPV lately. Basically it’s been around for years but I have never heard so much talk about it as I do now. It very well could be the next frontier as a traffic source.

What is PPV Advertising?

PPV advertising stands for Pay-Per-View. When people hear that they automatically think it’s the same thing as CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impression) advertising. It’s not! Pay Per View means you pay every time your landing page is viewed. Although that sounds like PPC it’s different because to view your landing page no one is clicking. Your landing page is appearing in a popup.

How Does Someone See A PPV Ad?

PPV ads are typically served as a result of adware being installed on a users computer. If you advertise on a PPV ad network you are essentially advertising within adware. When the user takes a specific action within their browser, such as searching or going to a URL, a new instance of their browser opens up with your landing page in it. You are charged every time this happens.

So How Does PPV Work From An Advertisers Perspective?

PPV works similar to Adwords. You input a destination URL and then you bid on either keywords or URL’s. If you are bidding on the word ‘dirty banana’ and the user goes to google and searches for a ‘dirty banana,’ a new instance of their browser will open and your landing page will display in front of the window they were using to perform their search. If they are interested, they continue on your landing page and hopefully perform the desired action, if not they close the window.

What Does PPV Cost?

In most cases it costs .015 – .02 cents per view.

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PPV is not better or worse then PPC or CPM, it’s just different. You need to keep in mind, WHY the users are seeing your ads before you start a campaign because their intent could be wholly different then that of users clicking PPC ads. This ad style is much more intrusive. You have the option of setting a frequency cap of how often the same person sees your ad. You may want to utilize this so you don’t annoy the piss out of someone by showing them your ad time and time again.

I will probably be posting some small PPV case studies, so stay tuned.

Ad Hustler