Getting into CPA Networks

As I've written recently, these days I'm working hard at promoting CPA offers. CPA means Cost Per Action, so you get paid when the visitor performs a certain action, rather getting paid per click or per view of an advertisement. The kind of action depends on the offer, but rather than a sales commission you usually get paid when somebody signs up for a free trial offer, gives their email address or zip code to a market research company, fills out a survey, etc. So you normally get paid per lead, meaning that the visitor doesn't even have to buy anything and you still get paid for the lead. This is what makes CPA special.

But since you are not getting paid per sale but rather per lead, a lot of scammers and spammers have jumped on board to send fake leads, or useless leads not interested in buying -- in huge numbers. If it were pay per sale, the possibility of fraud would be lower. But it's easy to send fraudulent leads so CPA networks can be pretty careful about who they accept as affiliates.

The way to get into CPA networks is to apply to the network through their website, and then follow up on your application by phone. That part is very important, because you can build trust with them on the phone. They can tell from talking to you that you are not from Nigeria or some other blacklisted country, they can ask you questions about your experience and your plans, to see if they match your application and that you know what you're talking about, etc. They want to know who they're dealing with. If you are uncomfortable or shy about talking with strangers on the phone --- get over it, fast. It makes me uncomfortable too, because I'm a naturally shy person. But I do it anyway.

Don't b.s. them. If you are new, don't lie about your experience. Just tell the truth but give it a positive swing. Don't say "I have no experience" or "I don't know how to do it". Say "I'm excited to get more experience promoting a variety of CPA offers" or "I'm excited to learn as much as I can about this industry" etc. They'll understand you're new, but see that you're serious about promoting their offers.

If you live in a country where few affiliates live, you may have to jump through a few hoops to be accepted. I live in Japan, and some of the networks (particularly those that are not located on the west coast)
seem to think that Japan is part of China, so my application gets flagged as suspicious. Again, getting on the phone with them and building some trust helps, and so does getting a referral from one of their current affiliates.

Some networks have rejected me. It's frustrating, but you can't let it get you down. Just do your best with the networks that do accept you, and in the future you can reapply to the ones that previously denied you.

The networks I've dealt with have ranged from very professional to somewhat amateurish. So far my best impression has come from Ads4Dough network, whose affiliate managers are all reportedly great and are affiliates themselves so they understand the business well. I've just started with them, but my AM Arthur Lee has already given me some great tips and pointed me in the right direction.

Neverblue has also impressed me with their professional service and offers that convert. The AMs don't seem to know what it's like to be an affiliate, but they're helpful and friendly.

I'll keep you posted on my impressions as I do more business with a variety of networks.