Pay per click (PPC) is a search engine marketing technique and a great way to bring quality web traffic to your site. It is an advertising model where advertisers only pay when a user actually clicks on an ad to visit the advertiser’s website. This can be either a text or banner ad and is used on websites, advertising networks, and search engines. An advertiser will use platforms such as Google Adwords and Microsoft Adcenter to run traffic to their selected list of keywords in which they bid a Max CPC (Cost Per Click).  When a user types a keyword query that matches one from the advertiser’s keyword list, the advertiser’s ad may appear on the search results page depending on how competitively they are bidding on their keywords. These ads that appear on the search results page are called “sponsored links” or “sponsored ads” and usually appear next to or above the organic results.

When it comes to the realm of PPC (pay per click) advertising, there are options other than Google. Popular secondary options include Facebook, Yahoo!/Bing, Adbrite, and Advertise.com.

Facebook –  Facebook’s PPC program is known to have great targeting options because of the data they have on their users; Age, gender, marital status, past and current employment history, connections, business/books/movies they like, etc.
Pricing model, both CPC and CPM.

Yahoo!/Bing – Reach 162 million potential users on both Yahoo! and Bing through only one account.  The platform (Microsoft AdCenter) has the ability to transfer any of your current Google search campaigns.

Adbrite – Adbrite is a large ad exchange platform that places your ad across many different advertising networks.  You have the ability of opening up to all networks or you can just run on a specific category of sites (i.e.- Technology). Adbrite offers complete transparency and provides a list of sites where your ad has appeared.  This allows you to optimize on a site level.

Advertise.com – Advertise.com is a very user friendly platform that has highly sophisticated keyword targeting capabilites.  Your ads are served across numerous advertising networks to people who are actively looking for the product/service being advertised. They also have a dedicated support team that are very helpful and always willing to give tips on how to improve campaign performance.

“You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.” – Abraham Lincoln

It can be difficult to get started in the affiliate space, the competition is rough and the industry changes rapidly. Putting your hard earned money on the line in hopes of a return has caused more than a few hearts to skip a beat. For this reason, more than a few good affiliates have gone astray and tried their hand at a few dirty tricks to increase profits.

While some tactics may seem successful on the surface, others can come at high risk to your campaign. Here we find a breakdown of some of the dirty tricks that may threaten the health of your offers, and methods for identifying and avoiding them.

Falsifying Conversions

Of Conversions tracked by affiliate networks, an average of 11.4% are believed to be fraudulent. Although this statistic will vary greatly from one network to the next, fraud accounts for millions of dollars annually across the industry. The best thing you can do to arm yourself and your offers against fraudulent conversions is to gain an intimate understanding of how your system functions and monitor it closely. Some networks rely heavily on third-party fraud and risk detection services. If you are not an internet guru, this may be the option for you!

Cookie Stuffing

An all too common practice in the software marketing space, cookie stuffing takes many different forms. This blackhat marketing technique can be used to create records of illegitimate affiliate sales. Cookie stuffing occurs when a user visits a website and receives a third-party cookie from an affiliate website that will attribute any qualifying transactions back to the affiliate- typically without the knowledge or consent of the user.

Spam, E-mail and Search Engine

In need of some “natural enhancement?” Although not as prevalent of a problem as it was in the past, there’s hardly a person out there who hasn’t been a victim of spam e-mail campaigns. While most users have gotten wise to this game, and many terms and conditions prohibit this type of behavior, some affiliates will still try this method of generating leads. Spamdexing also finds favor with some, and continues in this same vein of undesirable behavior. This is a practice of deceiving search engine indexes by methods such as the frequest use of keywords and the creation of pages, often devoid of meaningful content, for the sole purpose of increasing page rank and traffic.

Malicious Redirects

In some of the worst cases you may find your offers involved with an affiliate who is willing to use malicious Iframes or javascript to achieve their goals and attempt to boost their numbers. It can be rather difficult to tell if malicious code was inserted intentionally by the site owner, or if they were simply hacked due to a weakness in their sites security. Yet, when it comes to user experience, if you receive an infection on your computer, intentions matter little. Whether used for fraud, cookie stuffing, phishing, or to spread malware, malicious redirects can be very difficult to spot, and cause significant harm.

Only Join Reliable and Honest Networks

When evaluating a prospective network, look for experienced Affiliate Managers working for transparent and forthcoming companies. A strong system of core values and a strict adherence to business ethics should be at the foundation of any network with which you associate. The best networks will offer support in the form of Risk Analysis, Compliance, and Quality Assurance.

Affiliate marketing is a booming industry, estimated to be worth $4 Billion by 2014. For this reason it is imperative that one not allow a few dirty tricks to cause distrust, and obscure the benefits of an honest network. Take your time to research, read reviews, and find out what sort of reputation your potential network enjoys. Do your due diligence and you will be rewarded with a network that provides new and exciting offers to keep your campaigns fresh, and the clicks converting.

The computer and internet gaming industry is a multi-billion dollar giant, worth around $74 billion in 2011. If you have ever wondered why anyone would be willing to spend their hard-earned money on a video game, the reasons are simple… and yet, complex.

Primarily, games are fun! This is why in the US alone, 83% of people play video games. Additionally, as platforms, graphics, and mechanics evolve the games we play are ever more immersive and psychologically gratifying. Gamification is a very powerful motivator which has left its own unique mark on nearly every industry. With computer gaming monetization models constantly being revolutionized, ever more gamers are brought into the fold finding great reward in unsuspecting tasks.

So what does all of this mean to the affiliate marketing world? Massive earnings potential! These ten simple tips will help you find favor with gamers.

1. Identify who plays online games.

The short answer… everyone! According to the Entertainment Software Association the average game player age is 37 with 53% of gamers falling into the 18-49 bracket and a solid 29% of gamers hit the charts at 50+.

2. Appeal to the gamer’s inner nature.

The complexities and intricacies of the gamer psyche are far greater than I can begin to scratch the surface of here. Yet, most gamers share at least a few qualities, such as a competitive nature, sentimentality, and a desire and skill for accomplishing goals. Many of these traits held by those of us who love games are already commonly leveraged by the digital marketing industry. Stay up to date with current events in the game industry such as major content releases and anniversaries, and customize your creatives to keep quality traffic headed your way.

3. Research which genres of games are played online most often.

Gamers are as varied as the games we play. However, understanding which games your users are playing will assist you in finding the best offers. Puzzle, Board Game, Trivia, and Card Games account for 47% of online games played. 21% of gamers are playing action, sports, strategy, and role-playing games. Downloadable games slide in at 13% and the persistant multi-player universe accounts for 11% of games played.

4. Consider where, and with what devices, your audience plays their games.

In our modern world of handheld devices it should come as no surprise that over half of gamers, 55%, play games on their mobile device. However, for some of us, it is hard to imagine any activity taking the place of our PC games. Infact, a third of gamers say that playing computer and video games ranks as their favorite source of entertainment.

5. Clear Call to Action to drive conversions.

One of the most important things you can do to successfully convert the right gamer for your interactive entertainment offer, is to provide a well worded Call to Action. Consider your offer, and the message you want to portray. Identify terms that are more likely to achieve a goal from a gamer. Instead of “Download Now” try “Play for Free!”

6. Drive traffic to a high-converting landing page.

It is important for marketers and advertisers to clearly communicate the value of their offers. The internet gaming industry is crawling with free-to-play Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) and gamers have no shortage of options to choose from. You have only a few seconds to capture your audience.

7. Know who is buying video games.

The age of the average individual purchasing video games is slightly higher than the age of the average players. For the most frequent of video game purchases we find on average that the buyer will be 41 years of age, and is slightly more likely to be male with females contribuiting 48% of purchases.

8. Nostalgia is a powerful tool.

Many gamers are hardwired to associate the freedom and joy of their youth with their time spent gaming. However, even though the gaming community tends to be rough on new and emerging games and platforms, our loyalty runs deep and memory is kind. When we reflect on our experiences as gamers, an average of 12 years – we’re practically experts, we find that we have somehow formed connections with those games. Never underestimate the power of a blast-from-the-past. Sometimes just the simplest tease of a game once loved is all it takes to go from impression to conversion.

9. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

“What [many] companies are doing, is a simple economic experiment. They know gamers are a loyal group, and they want to see just how far they can push you to shell out money for the “complete” experience of a game you love [...] For every [gamer] who has the moral fortitude to take a stand and say no, there are a hundred thousand other gamers who don’t care enough to keep the $10 in their pocket.” – Paul Tassi

10. Remember to keep it fun!

Keep things simple, and light. Gamers are intelligent and investigatory individuals who will appreciate a concisely presented point, while rejecting meaningless content. Revel in the freedom to experiment with your offers, and enjoy the fast paced ride of the gaming industry. Above all else, remember that simple motivator that keeps gamers coming back; we like to have fun.

Achieving long term and sustainable revenue from Affiliate Marketing can be a daunting task. There is no exact formula for success, and often times staying ahead of the game is the only thing that keeps you in it. Many affiliates hope on banking off the next big “hot offer”. While this can certainly work and achieve initial success at some point the offer is either going to become too saturated, or will face potential changes due to regulations or advertiser adjustments to make it back out. This is certainly not the most sustainable business model, and leaves too much out of control of your hands. To combat the inherent risks involved with affiliate marketing, developing different niches will allow you the options to push “hot” verticals based off the marketing seasons. Establishing multiple verticals allows you to maximize your traffic sources, while reaching a higher volume of your targeted audience. Below are some verticals to seriously consider adding into your rotation. Using the seasons as a research tool allows you to work smarter, not harder. The goal is to add these verticals into your rotation in addition to your tried and true campaigns.

1. Spring Holidays

Spring is nearly upon us, and the floodgates will soon be opening for affiliates on multiple fronts. Easter and Mother’s day both provide ample opportunity for any gift related offers. Flowers, chocolates/candy, and gift card based offers will be overflowing with fresh leads for advertisers, so make sure to do your diligent research now. Know your demographic base, and cater the products by testing multiple offers across the board. When trends start to show, it’s time to maximize your efforts towards those results.

2. Summer Holidays

The summer season is somewhat different than taking advantage of holidays in the Spring. The main distinction between the two is the inherent gift purchasing associated with the Spring holidays. Independence Day and Labor Day bring about more feelings of patriotism, than urges to make purchases online. Be creative and tap into the wallets of your consumers with easy submits and quiz offers. There will be a big increase in users on the web, so make sure to capitalize.

3. Weight Loss

This has been a burgeoning industry in the affiliate space for quite some time, but there are certainly spikes in interest. Right after the New Year, and a few months before summer are just the right time to be pushing everything from a white label diet offer, to the latest as seen on tv ab cruncher. You can bet to see a large increase in click through rates and conversions.

4. Green Energy Solution

This vertical is not so seasonal, but rather a growing industry that will continue to evolve. As technologies begin to advance and become more mainstream, there will be large inventory from both the advertiser and your traffic sources. The annual growth rate for solar energies alone hovers around 30%. Solar panels and wind turbines merely scratch the surface of renewable energy products to promote. Body and hair care, baby products, and household appliances are all moving towards a more “green” product and want to be marketed as such.

5. Sports Season

Organized team sports comprise a billion dollar industry with diehard fans eager to show their support through jerseys, hats, and other merchandise. There are professional and collegiate sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA, FIFA, and MMA to name a few. That is a market audience waiting to be tapped into. Many programs are based on a rev share basis, but individual cpa offers often pop up trying to take advantage of the latest trends and sports seasons.

6. Travel

Online travel agencies really run the majority of the space, but it is growing so rapidly there is plenty of market space for you to carve your way in. Travel marketing is also directly linked to the state of the economy, but while people are less inclined to go on vacations the deals available to keep these agencies alive still allow for a large scale affiliate success. The biggest impact on affiliates comes from the ever changing restrictions on keyword bidding, as many of these sites are beginning to drive traffic in house, and want no part of competing with affiliate traffic on bidding.

7. Tax season

Tax season could be the be all end all of seasonal trends to follow. Many affiliates are able to make enough revenue during the bulk of tax season, that they can set up a few tax settlement and extension based offers to run the remainder of the year. I have seen affiliates run tax offers on PPV, media buys, Email, SEO, and Search traffic all with rather substantial success. If Uncle Sam is going to tax you anyway, you might as well profit off the process.

8. Allergies

Get your Claritin ready. This is really an undervalued vertical because allergy relief goes far beyond an itchy nose from pollen. Food allergies, asthma, drug allergies, cigarettes, plants, and chemicals are just a few of the main causes of allergies. There is a sub niche for each of these, and building out specific sites will allow for great success with minor competition. The ceiling is a little low on the revenue that can be generated, but it has the potential to be a building block to diversify your business.

9. Refinance/mortgage

Due to the recent mortgage crisis within the last few years, the government has had to step in to regulate the industry from marketing to how mortgages are given. Despite these setbacks, the mortgage industry isn’t going away until we can start mass producing pineapple based homes under the sea. The key in mortgage is finding an offer that sends the leads directly to the mortgage firm or client who will be trying to close them. The more middle men and affiliate programs involved in the process, will only keep your ROI low, and be difficult to optimize. Even setting up a host and post system with your local Mortgage broker can be far more lucrative than working with the giant portals of the industry.

10. Test preparation/tutoring

While this vertical is seasonal in the sense that there are peaks and lows, it is really more year round than many of the others mentioned on this list. Parents have little issue spending money on their children if it will help them get into a better school. Affiliate blogs and sites that promote tips, tricks, practice tests will see major spikes in traffic as the SAT and ACT deadlines approach. This is also a great vertical to deviate from the normal EDU offers, which are getting more and more regulated every month.

LinkedIn Corp. operates the largest online professional network. LinkedIn makes it easy for business professionals to share their professional background and identity, build business relationships, find job opportunities, and access shared knowledge. One of the best ways to connect with other professionals in your field and use LinkedIn as a tool for knowledge is by joining Groups. I have joined several professional groups on LinkedIn and found them to be extremely helpful when I want to connect with other business professionals, share ideas, stay up to speed on industry news and find out information about marketing events.

In particular, I would like to highlight 10 LinkedIn groups for anyone in affiliate marketing to join:

1. Affiliate Marketing Masters: Community for experienced Affiliate Marketers, Affiliate Program Managers, and all interested in the art of internet marketing.

2. Affiliate Marketing Professionals: This is a group for Affiliate Marketing Professionals to expand our network of people and ideas.

3. Linked Affiliate: A Place for Affiliate Marketers to Meet! A networking hub for affiliates and affiliate managers to meet each other and share ideas.

4. Pay Per Call Affiliate Marketing: One of the fastest growing portions of affiliate marketing is pay per call marketing. This group is to bring all people together who are interested or involved in pay per call affiliate marketing.

5. SPADES: Performance Marketing Experts. SPADES is a group for those involved in SEO (S), PPC (P), Affiliate Marketing (A), Display Media (D), Email Marketing (E) and Social Media (S).

6. Global Affiliate Marketing: The purpose of this group is to promote and encourage internet affiliate marketing success through sharing knowledge; you must be logged in to Linkedin to access this group.

7. Affiliate Marketing in Europe: An exclusive group for Affiliate Marketing Professionals across Europe. Aimed specifically at high-end Publishers, Affiliates, Directors and Agencies.

8. UK Affiliate Marketing Professionals Network: Networking group for U.K affiliate marketing professionals.

9. A4uexpo: Affiliate Marketing Conference: A group for past, present, and future delegates of a4uexpo – Affiliate MarketingConference. Based in London and Mainland Europe each year.

10. Affiliate Marketing and CPM AD Networks: An exclusive group for Affiliate Marketing and AD Network Professionals across the world. Aimed specifically at high-end Publishers, Affiliates, Advertisers Directors and Agencies. You must be logged in to Linkedin to access this group also.

Joining groups on LinkedIn is one of the best ways to share ideas, learn from others and find connections within your industry. Find your favorite groups and get connected today!

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We provide our publishers with a multitude of features other networks simply don’t offer. We understand that high converting offers are primary. However, we feel that there are countless other features that are essential to successfully running campaigns, and effectively managing your Internet Marketing business.

Beyond our dedicated Affiliate Management team that will make certain that your campaigns run smoothly every day, we consult you in asset security & overseas structuring, both financially and commercially. With this in place your IM business will be protected and will grow exponentially as access to foreign investment markets (which provide much higher returns than domestic) coupled with tax liability mitigation will provide cash “out of thin air”. You can rest assured that the earnings from your hard work are protected by unlawful government bureaucracies and frivolous lawsuits, while mobilized to earn more in high return environments.

We truly believe we stand alone in the vast ocean of networks trying to win you over. We don’t ask you to try us; we instead show you what we offer, suggest you investigate other networks, and then make your own decision. Should you decide to try 007, we guarantee that we fulfill all of our promises here, and much, much more.

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We hope to create a bond between our users that no other network can provide, this way we can both succeed in the marketing world.

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