Lately, I’ve been experimenting a lot with image ad placement campaigns in the content network. I like image campaigns for a couple reasons:

• Image ads of course are more eye catching than text ads
• Using image ads with placement targeting can be very effective
• You can dominate an entire ad region with an image ad
• There is less competition for certain verticals in the content network
• They’re quick & easy to setup
• Google’s quality score works differently than search, making direct linking to the offer a much more viable solution.
• And if you’re lucky enough, the creatives have already been made by the advertiser
  * (the caveat of course is that not all ad formats are available, hence the reason I am writing this post)

Last night though, I had to shoot off an email to my main affiliate networks with a request that I think all affiliates can agree is lacking in the industry. We need compliant creatives in the networks supporting all the available Google image formats! Read the rest of this entry

What’s the key to a successful CPA campaign? Hmm, wouldn’t we all like to know?

While I can’t give you the “magic bullet” to making an offer work, I do have a few tips you can use when working with your affiliate manager to greatly increase your chances of making money. These are questions you should ask before running the offer, to make sure you’re ready and armed.

Remember, your affiliate manager makes money when you do, so it’s in his/her best interest to provide you with as much information as possible to ensure your success.

1) Establish A Personal Relationship First: This may seem like a no brainer, but getting to know your manager a bit on a personal level can be hugely beneficial to you both. Meet him/her in person if you can at an Affiliate Summit or other event. Get on the phone with your manager on a regular basis, chat via IM, Facebook, and make it happen.

2) Ask For A List Of The Top Converting Offers: Your affiliate network will regularly send out newsletter blasts with some of their top offers. But go the extra step by getting a more concise list from your affiliate manager and if available, make sure they include the conversion rates for each offer, with the offer/campaign ID, and street payout. Read the rest of this entry