Issue 213 - How To Spot A Shake Up In The Industry?
Author: The T.E. GuyThe brand new series How To Spot A Bad Traffic Exchange? by Tim Linden is causing quite a stir around the industry. Is it a bad ’stir’ or a welcomed shake up?
The thing that has been said is why not focus on the ‘good’ aspects of the traffic exchanges. Well I’d like to think that I’ve been doing that for 213 issues now in this little newsletter, so my feeling is this…Why not? Why not shake things up a bit? Why not focus on things people can improve upon? Two things will happen because of this series…
1. The owner will get upset. Take offense and cause a ruckus, and most likely close the doors on their exchange in a few months. Where’s the problem?
2. The passionate owner will take the comments, act upon what needs fixing and improve their business. Where’s the problem?
I commend Mr. Linden for creating this series and applaud people in the industry like Tony Tezak, Rich Taylor, Soren Jordansen and Robert Puddy who have been saying it for years…Step up or get out of the way!
Jon Olson
The Traffic Exchange Guy
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The News
- Instant Squeeze Page Generator has added a monthly subscription to it’s pro level upgrade. This is huge news for anyone looking to finally promote lead generating splash pages in the traffic exchanges. No more massive yearly purchases, a month by month subscription will help LOTS of people get great results from the exchanges by using this amazing service!
- Tim Linden is full of news this week. Start Xchange has started to offer commissions on all purchases and upgrades in the system. More and more we are seeing some of the older traffic exchanges changing the way they do things to start competitive with the changing market…This is a good thing =)
- Affiliate Funnel’s laptop giveaway contest has ended and the numbers for this month have been staggering to say the least. Hundreds of new members, dozens of new top referrers and even more attention being cast onto the internet’s favorite ‘anti-downline builder’.
- Congratulations to ‘Marlise’ for winning last week’s copy of Hits, Clicks and Misses. Want to win your own copy of the best selling traffic exchange book on Amazon.com (actually, it’s the only published book about T.E.’s on the planet), simply post a comment about this week’s issue of HEN!
- Splash Page Hall of Fame - Yes, I know…It’s a page that kind of promotes I Love Hits , but it’s traffic exchange specific advertising at it’s best!
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The Famous Hit Exchange News Top 10 (Disclaimer: These are my top performing exchanges for the past week. Alexa rankings and fancy numbers have nothing to do with how I rank my list. This is based on my results and my opinion, nothing more, nothing less.)
1. StartXChange
2. Traffic Swarm
3. Dragon Surf
4. Traffic Splash
5. Easy Hits 4 U
6. TS 25
7. Traffic Era
8. Max Traffic Pro
9. Traffic Bunnies
10. Magnify Traffic
Note: Analysis and Tracking by Hits Connect - The Official Link Tracking Service of Hit Exchange News! Sign up today and get your 30% Discount!
Question: Hey Jon, how come I Love Hits, SWAT Traffic and Click Crazey are never on the top 10 list? Since I own them, I feel it would be a conflict of interest to place it on any of my rankings. (But we all know how great they are anyways lol)
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Deep Thoughts - Jon’s Weekly Rambling
Are Traffic Exchanges A Real Business?
An interesting question was asked last week in Net Marketing Forum and it got me thinking about the perception that people have about traffic exchanges, it’s owners and the potential for growth this industry has.
Too many times you’ll hear the common quote ‘I tried traffic exchanges and didn’t see results, so I quit…but I’m back for another go round…’. Sad but far too often the case. So you see, the perception is this, people ‘try’ traffic exchanges, they do not invest their time, money and effort into them. So why is that there are more people today earning a very good living from owning, operating, surfing and promoting in the traffic exchanges if they are just used for ‘testing’?
Even better, why is it that the same people seem to show up in the SWAT Traffic seminar every Thursday night and these same people seem to be the people making a living from these programs? Interesting huh? Here’s the reason…
They are treating this like a real business and not just a hobby! To be even more clearer, they are investing their time, energy, money and effort into networking with others in this business, learning everyday, and getting their name in front of the movers and shakers each and every week. Why aren’t you doing the same thing?
Are these things a business? Absolutely! Can they provide you with not only a steady stream of customers in your mailing list but also a very nice income? Sure they can. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you view things) the people that do the best in this business do not ‘try things’, they build things…Their network!
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Things That Make You Go Hmmm…
- How cool is Black Hat Graphics?
- It’s my birthday today, be sure to check out the extra long HENry Hour session at I Love Hits for the next 48 hours!
- This wins post of the week at Net Marketing Forum by Solomon Huey!
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Happy Birthday Big O!
I think it is important to realize that bad exchanges are like poor quality businesses in any industry. Eventually they whither away and die a slow death. There are some out there that seem to hang around a long time, but they don’t go anywhere.
The important thing is to realize that the exchange will only be as good as the owner is willing to make it. If an owner is in it as a hobby or “part-timer” then their business and exchange will never grow.
I work a daytime job, but I am thinking about how I can make my exchanges better almost 24 hours a day (just ask my wife).
As a reformed bad exchange owner I can tell you that a lot of the bad exchanges out there are probably due to ignorance or a poor business model. I was there and I sought help. I paid some TE Guy a good bit of money for his advice and help.
I asked questions when I could and listened even though it was painful to hear. I’m still asking questions and watching the industry for shifts and trends because that is what is needed to run a quality traffic exchange, just as it is what is needed to work in any industry.
Fortunately for those that get it and are willing to listen this is easy - takes work and PLANNING - but compared to working the 12 hours a day in a hot plastic factory I used to this is a piece of cake.
The problem comes when people don’t want to take the time to learn and understand what works and are just looking to turn on the machine and make money.
No plan - No Money - So Sorry.
So True ..!
What I read here today is so very true, and I am a great example of that. I really thought if I set it up that would be it. And the money would roll in, was I in for a rude awakening!
I’ve learned so much from reading exchange news and asking questions, thus far I believe it has help me gain some trust with my members and gain some stablity for my site.
I believe if your committed in getting quality traffic and help those that have committed to you. You can and will succeed.
I’ll let you know when that happens to me.
I am still learning and happy to do so!
I look forward to the next read.
Happy Happy Birthday Jon!!
Kind Regards
Toni
Shakeup In The Industry? Don’t make me laugh. You know Tim Linden has ulterior motives for writing this. You should be helping each other, instead. Dan Moses had problems with his PageSwirl and what happened? You banned him instead of trying to help him. Tim Linden was the first one to ban him.
Never mind the shake up. Just learn to help each other. Yes, your in competition with each other, but you will raise the quality of the whole industry if you help each other; so, in effect, you’ll be helping yourself.
Happy birthday Jon
Rusty - Great to have your feedback however I completely disagree with you. I have been ‘helping’ this industry since 1999. This newsletter is based around helping. When does one have to help themselves?
Why does someone like Soren, Paul and William develop winning exchanges and create powerhouse advertising venues? What’s their advantage that the others didn’t have? Nothing, that’s what. It’s all in attitude and what you do with your network.
As for Page Swirl, absolutely I banned it. It was the number one reported site in ILH and was giving my members viruses on a daily basis. Then Dan fixed it, it got un-banned. And the problem is?
HAPPY B-DAY JON!!! WHooo Hooo :o)
I agree — to some degree — with all of you. Certainly appearance counts. The bottom line for me, though (as to whether an exchange is “good” or bad” ) is the character and integrity of the owners as demonstrated to me over time by their actions.
Keep up the good work, Jon!
(And Happy Birthday, too.)
The bottom line of any exchange is the results from the splash page I am advertising Donald Duck could be running the exchanges as far as Iam concerned results are every thing.
Is that Tim Linden a bible basher ? he banns gaming sites on his exchange ?
Great newsletter big boy (wink)
The owners of traffic exchanges are in competition with each other whilst at the same time being a close knit community as they all depend on each other. However appearances and artwork in exchanges is subjective so it must come down to the ease and manageability of the surf page / back office and it’s overall appeal.
So it is to their mutual interest to sometimes take a backward step and look at their respective opportuinities in the industry, this in turn creates a better service for their respective customers. A classical “Win Win” situation. Well done for starting the ball rolling.
John in the UK.
Great post as always Jon.
Happy Birthday!
(half my age)
“I have been ‘helping’ this industry since 1999.” LOL! What a joke! The only thing you have helped is yourself to peoples money by giving shitty advice to newbies. Your a liberal and they make pills for your disease, I recommend you take some!
Thanks for the support, I appreciate the comments. Cheers to you I Hate Hits.
I don’t recall any shitty advice. What he says works for me I Hate Hits. Perhaps you’re not following it correctly.
Tom
P.S. Have a good one, Jon.
Hi Jon
Happy Birthday!
Btw thoroughly enjoying reading Hits, Clicks and Misses.
Did you get it o.k.? That’s great to hear. I’ve been having a few problems with the courier company of late, but that’s good to know =)
Happy Birthday Jon!
I’m new to TE’s and have only been reading your newsletter a couple of weeks, but want to thank you for the info and insights.
I’m still exploring what’s out there, but it definitely helps to have a fun as well as results driven TE.
Another thing I’ve been impressed with is the owners (like Dragon Surf) that offer short lessons for those of us that may be new to TE’s or Internet Marketing.
Results, Fun and Owners that do a little more - I may be new, but that’s what I look for.
That’s for the newletter - with so much out there is great to have a place to start looking and jump start on the learning curve.
Thanks
Enjoy Your Day
Congratulations to Rebecca. If you can send me your mailing address to hitexchangenews at yahoo dot com, I will ship you your book!