Choosing Wisely for Your Ideal CPA Network
Okay, so you’ve done your research and are interested in promoting campaigns through a CPA Network. Smart move – the right CPA network is like hiring an in-house sales team – but ten times more profitable. They’ll make sure your inventory is filled, manage your advertiser relationships and handle billing issues, so you can focus on your core strength – generating traffic. The next question poses what networks to research and how to choose your best fit. This should be considered thoroughly and carefully to get the best fit for your needs.
For a potential publisher, the first step is to visit the networks’ website and begin the application process. This initial part of the process will require the input of personal information such as first and last name, email address, phone number, etc. Providing an instant messenger contact (sign up for one if you don’t have one already) is a great way to begin and maintain contact with your affiliate manager. After submitting this information, you’ll receive either a phone call or an email to verify that all the information was accurate. The better networks tend to implement a stricter standard in regards to verifying potential publishers. This selective process is another thing to look for in a network. By only allowing quality publishers into the network, you keep your payouts higher and your offer options larger. Next, a publisher will have the opportunity to officially register their website, and will get to choose which type of traffic they’re going to focus on. The whole process usually takes no more than five minutes, and once you get set up you’ll be ready to make some real money!
After joining multiple networks, you’ll soon notice that networks are structured differently. Some networks will simply pair you with an account manager who handles publishers of all traffic types. I’d recommend working with networks who match you with affiliate strategists – these contacts are knowledgeable about all traffic types but are experts in a specific category, such as email marketing. The affiliate manager will be there to share their expertise with the publisher to answer any questions, and to also get a better grasp of the account. I work with email marketers and have found that when a publisher signs up it is the best time to go over any concerns and to start building a relationship. I even make myself available to jump on a call and walk a new publisher through the website step-by-step, at the request of the publisher. This gives the publisher a chance to see everything for the first time. Additionally, talking with someone who knows the site inside and out can help make things easier to understand and a little less overwhelming. The publisher gets a chance to have their questions answered right away instead of wandering around the site trying to figure things out on their own. The best part for the publisher and the manager is finding the right campaigns for the publisher’s traffic that ends up making the publisher a ton of money. I’ve personally been able to double what a publisher was making with another network basically over night. I’ve done this through a collaborative discussion with the publisher – by asking the right questions and finding out a few small things to change which ended up making a huge difference.
Once you have an account and have talked to your manager, you should be sure to communicate with them on a regular basis. A good affiliate manager will make themselves available 24/7 to offer advice and answer questions through phone, email and AIM. This way a publisher can feel confident that they have the most up-to-date information available and all the hottest offers to run. Once a publisher gives their manager a good idea of what they excel with, the hot offers should be rolling in everyday. Quite beneficial and exciting! And, when a publisher is ready to expand their marketing, your affiliate manger should be an email away to give you a heads up on the next great offer. Choose wisely and you will have the best offers and the greatest ROI.
