Ever now and then, you read some comment on a blog that leaves you feeling as if CPA Marketing is some sneaky or underhanded marketing tactic. It’s become rather rampant lately, you see it in forum comments, blog posts and even a few top marketers have dropped an occasional negative blurb that hangs in your mind like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth!
It’s a question that deserves some serious thought. Especially if you’re feeling uneasy about the idea of placing CPA ads on your preciously crafted sites.
“I don’t want some sleazy CPA ad on my site, forcing people to cough-up their contact information in exchange for some coupon or free sample,” you say to yourself.
And that’s a valid argument. After all, your reputation should be the most important aspect of your marketing efforts!
But think about this…
What are the types of CPA ads that you most object to?
That’s right, it’s the sleazy underhanded ones, aren’t they? You know, the ones that make you feel like they’re manipulating you into giving up your personal contact information. The ones that over promise on these H-U-G-E benefits, only to discover they don’t deliver (always AFTER you’ve wasted your time filling out their stupid survey, or giving up your email address). And for what? Nothing, that’s what!
Then there’s an even more serious scenario: There are, in fact, a number of CPA offers that really do approach “scam” proportions!
Case in point, how about all those “free gas card” offers in exchange for your contact information. When you complete the information, you end up either at a site that says “under construction” or “this promo expired” – or absolutely nowhere at all!
(Disclaimer: I’m not saying all “free gas card” offers are shady – but there have been a number in the past to cause legitimate concerns.)
Now, finding a page that’s no longer valid after you’ve entered your personal information doesn’t mean someones up to something. It could be due either to:
1. Actual shady practices, or
2. An inexperienced marketer who hasn’t removed or replaced the ad when the promotion ended.
Either way, you’re left with a definite bad feeling.
How About The Good CPA Ads?
There’s a choice. Do you want to drive traffic to your promotions at whatever the cost, or, are you going to:
1. Be willing to take the time to make sure honest value IS actually going to be delivered when your site visitor enters their contact info
2. Make sure to present only those CPA offers that add value to your visitor’s experience (ones that are so much a part of your website, your visitor feels as if you’ve done them a huge favor!)
Now, this is the difference between “sneaky” and “great value!”
Ask yourself: “How much thought and effort are you willing to put into adding real, honest-to-God value to your site visitors?”
Listen, ultimately, your visitor is the one who makes the choice of whether or not to part with their email address or other information.
If you do CPA Marketing correctly, then your visitor will end up feeling good about the end result, and not bullied or tricked!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, be sure to check back often for more updates. As always, we appreciate your feedback, comments and questions.
Until next time,
Godspeed
James
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Hi there – first off, been a longtime fan, but this is my first comment. I figured I might as well say thanks for posting this piece, and I’ll be back!
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