Advantages/Disadvantages to CPA Offers

Last Update: April 10, 2010

Here at WAU,  we've all learned to promote ClickBank products,  and that's great!  ClickBank products pay anywhere from 50-75%,  and they are a great way to start getting some sales going.  But on the other hand,  it can be very frustrating writing hundreds of articles,  and trying to sell e-books.  In fact,  many people are just not good at it.  And many people can't stand writing articles.

 It's important to always "diversify" in what you are doing.  While selling ClickBank products is fine,  there is always that "window" of opportunity ( 60 DAYS to be EXACT ) for someone to get a refund.  In turn,  your hard efforts are ruined.  It really SUCKS when this happens!!  

But there are definitely OTHER ways of promoting products online.  How about "physical" products?  Of course,  these are great too.   But to make money with "physical" products you need to promote MANY of them.  And many of the "higher priced" items are very, very competetive. 

Places like CJ and Amazon only pay 4-6%.  So that in itself isn't very motivating for a lot of people to want to promote.  And it takes a great deal of time to invest to get really "profitable".  

But there is another way,  pretty easy way,  to sell products online.  This is much easier to get a sale from because, well,  the offers are FREE.  What?!  There can't be such a thing!  But...  there is!  

They are called CPA or CPL offers.  "Cost Per Action" or "Cost Per Lead",  and in both cases,  there is very little or NO cost to the user.  For example,  a dating offer.  Many merchants are willing to pay $3-$5 for a lead.  This is,  when someone fills out an online form for a FREE membership, YOU get paid for a lead.  

Pretty cool huh?

Or,  there are what they call email or zip submits.  These are simply offers that give out a FREE ( or somewhat FREE ) prize to someone willing to complete a series of offers.  The only thing required for YOU in the process,  is to capture their name and email, or simply JUST their email address.  

Now,  along with this some people feel there is an "ethics" issue.  Many of these offers are somewhat "misleading" and "shady",  and require the user to complete a series of offers ( some include a credit card ).  Many people believe that this is "dishonest".  But the fact is,  there is always FINE PRINT and it is listed before the user completes ANYTHING.  

There are also many ClickBank products that are very "dishonest" and "misleading",  but so are many things in life.  If you don't feel good about promoting these offers,   DON'T DO IT!  It's always YOUR choice.  

Anyway,  there are many good Networks you can sign up with to promote these offers,  if you so desire.

  • MaxBounty
  • Copeac
  • Neverblue
  • EWA
  • Ads4Dough

Just to name a few...

Always apply and fill out as much information as you can.  If you don't have a website,  no problem!  Just state that you are planning to use PPC to send traffic to their offers,  and you don't believe you need a website. 

If they deny your application,  there is no worry there either.  Simply CALL THEM.  Tell them you are training with Affiliate Marketing and PPC,  and you'd like to join their Network.  I've never had a Network deny me,  and I am a member of around 10 of them. 

Here are some of the advantages/disadvantages of running CPA offers:

Advantages

  • Easier to sell because of a FREE trial or a very small trial fee ( $2.95 )
  • Much easier to profit from with PPC because the offer is initially FREE
  • In many cases,  you can direct-link to the offer (without buying a domain)
  • More motivation because it's easier to see "quicker" sales
  • Capturing someone's email is much easier than selling them a product

Disadvantages

  • Some people and customers consider these offers "shady"
  • They pay very small commissions ( as little as $1 in some cases )
  • There is always a chance of being "scrubbed" by the merchant
  • There is also a chance of being "dropped" from the offer

If you do end up being "scrubbed",  no big deal.  Just move on to another offer.  Being "scrubbed" just means they are taking your leads from you because your traffic is not very good.  This generally happens AFTER a while,  and it's easy to tell when they are doing it.  It's all part of the game.  

Being "dropped" from the offer is no big deal either.  This happens all the time,  and there are many different Networks to find the SAME offers,  they are a dime a dozen.  

As always,  just another alternative to the "norm". It's your decision,  Have FUN

 

- Jeff D. 



 



 



 



 



 

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reggiemax26 Premium
Hey Jeff. I agree with everything you said in your post. I am actually trying to get my foot in the door with CPA.

After purchasing one product about CPA, I am confident that if used the right way that it can be very profitable.
jatdebeaune Premium
Jeff, I tried CPA once via one of the gurus who set up a program using Twitter as an advertising vehicle. I wrote good friendly tweats as the guru instructed, but Twitter kept kicking me out. It was frustrating. I know there are people making a lot money with CPA. Not sure it's for me. Interested to know how you do. Best to you for success.
kadcpp Premium
Thanks for the info you have posted here! I am taking the long road however and value my Name/Brand reputation researching all products before I promote them.
So far the only CPA or CPL I have promoted are the free ones such as InBoxDollars etc. But I will keep this info in mind.
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