Issue 262 – Less Talk, More Action Is Needed
Author: Jon OlsonI have been chit chatting with a few of my associates today about the state of the traffic exchange industry and I had quite a wake up call. See, I check the numbers everyday for new members coming into my exchanges, new subscribers to Hit Exchange News and they are always increasing. So for me, everything looks peachy…
But is it?
My associates argue this and the more I think about it, the more I agree…Traffic exchanges will always fall behind the rest of the internet marketing world because this industry seems to do more talking that acting.
One look at my forum, Net Marketing Forum, and you see constant bickers from people who claim ‘this is the way to do things’ but never seem to ‘do things’. We spend more time debating about what could work, then actually making things work and getting the job done.
Now please note, this is NOT directed at everyone because there are some movers and shakers in this business that don’t wait for the masses to get on board, they move mountains themselves. But this is directed at the folks that would rather talk the talk then walk the walk.
Something I really admire about the ‘other side’ of internet marketing is that everyone KNOWS there is enough of the pie to go around. They work as teams, they compete when doing a promotion WITHOUT bashing each other, they have a lot of fun building their businesses….
I say it’s time we do the same here! Less chit chat more action. Let’s all have a great summer and continued success in everything we build together!
Thank you very much for being a reader of Hit Exchange News and have a wonderful week!
Jon Olson
The Traffic Exchange Guy
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The News
- Blue Surf is hosting a brand new surf giveaway contest called the ‘10 days of 20 and 250′. It’s pretty cool and another great example of traffic exchanges working together. It works like this, surf 100 sites in Blue Surf and a selected traffic exchange for that day, get entered to win 250 bonus credits. Simple, to the point and a great joint venture!
- SWAT Traffic had a bump in the road this week as it got injected with some malicious code. Not to worry, we got it taken care of and are in the process of getting off Google’s ‘Mal Ware’ site. Amazing that after such a huge month that SWAT had, some ‘real nice’ person decided to do this to the site…
- Speaking of SWAT…There is going to be a new feature released very soon that no one has ever done before in the traffic exchanges. David Foley and I sat down the other day and came up with something we think everyone is going to love…I know this is just a teaser, but trust me, you guys are going to love it!
- Cast your vote today for your favorite traffic exchanges at Affiliate Funnel’s Surfer’s Choice ranker. This is YOUR voice and YOUR opinion on what traffic exchanges you feel are the best in the business. Be sure to vote every day and get your opinion heard!
- Splash Page Hall of Fame – Blue Surf’s splash page promoting the new 10 / 20 / 250 promotion is a cool little mini-downline builder as well. Clean, to the point and great layout! Note: Why do I focus on splash pages every week? Simple, you MUST be using them in the traffic exchanges to get results. Get a custom made splash page by clicking here!
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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. Dragon Surf
2. Traffic Splash
3. StartXChange
4. Traffic Taxis
5. Blue Surf
6. Traffic at the Races
7. Traffic Witch
8. Soaring 4 Traffic
9. Max Traffic Pro
10. Farm 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 and SWAT Traffic 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
Site Design…Is It That Important?
Another gem this week in my forum where some people arguing the power and importance of site design. If you have been reading Hit Exchange News for any amount of time, you will know that I am a BIG fan of visuals.
I have argued that the look of a site is the most important aspect of it’s marketing in the traffic exchanges. Why? Because this is a visual medium. Sure, ad copy is important. Sound is effective. Even video these days, all these things are great but the look of a site determines if a person is going to stop and check out what you are promoting, or keep surfing.
The entire concept of a splash page was developed to ’stick out’ from the rest of the sites in rotation and this was done visually. Now of course, some people want to debate this and that’s fine, they can, but the proof is undeniable….A site that looks like a million bucks, makes money.
I still maintain and HIGHLY recommend that if you are using the traffic exchanges, you should invest in your design. A quality splash page is not expensive, it’s very affordable and I do recommend someone like Jamison Raymond at Black Hat Graphics. A good site design makes all the difference, and this being a visual medium I don’t see that changing anytime soon…
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Things That Make You Go Hmmm…
- There is going to be a BIG announcement tomorrow morning at 11am Eastern. Be sure to check your inbox for more information…
- Hey aWeber, sending people to a tutorial site is NOT un-targeted traffic! It’s about as targeted as it gets…
- I wonder what ever happened to the ‘pro only’ traffic exchange model?
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Hi Jon.
You are absolutely right about the power of owners teaming up to maximize their business.
It is a benefit to customers, prospects and subscribers.
Personally, I look forward to opening up some of the emails I get to find out who has the latest and greatest partnership for the day or week.
Major props goes to Paula and Ray for Powersurf Central, Scott’s 10 day 20 and 250, and Ian/Robin’s and Michael’s EasySurfExchange and RoyalSurf team up this week and of course David’s Jenuine Jackpot team ups – AWESOME STUFF!
Jimmy
Hi Jon,
I’m not sure if you remember me but we met online way back in the day on MPAM. What I find interesting is that everyone is still talking about the same things they were talking about in 2003! Everyone is still trying to sell the same stuff too!
It may have a nice new wrapper and a shiny new bow, but it’s all the same. I have been watching from the shadows for a few years now and nothing seems to change much.
You are a very kewl guy and I have a lot of respect for you because you are one of the few that has really become a big player from those days. You actually walk the walk and I respect that a lot.
But, traffic exchanges are still the same ‘ol thing. Marketers selling to marketers. Until we figure out a way to get the average people interested, I don’t see any room for substantial growth.
After all. how many exchanges can you truly belong to and keep up with?
Hey Bill, good to see you.
Have to disagree on what you wrote. There is tremendous growth in the traffic exchanges, the two exchanges I own myself grow by about 500 new members each and every week. That’s 500 new people coming on board. That’s just my programs…Take a look at these numbers for new members coming in industry wide…
http://affiliatefunnel.com/rank-report.php?rid=4
Plus, the argument about marketers advertising to marketers….You are correct. So the thing is to know this and market accordingly. There is plenty of business to be had in business to business advertising.
I dont think TE’s will ever be for the ‘average’ person. They are targeted to home based business and opportunity seekers. They have been and always will be. =)
I agree 110 percent with Jon.
Traffic exchanges are the perfect advertising venues to bring new marketers and business inside your sphere of influence and build those all important relationships.
After all people don’t surf to get their dog and cat to stop fighting, right?
And I can’t till tomorrow morning either
I have to agree about the site design. Many of you may have heard I recently purchased a existing exchange and I am in the process of getting a kick ass new design put on it with lot’s of different size banners and splash pages and lots of mods to give my members more then the average exchange has. Previously it was just a plain Jane exchange with little mods and a ugly design. I have always believed in sharing the profits with my members so commission will be offered for all members. Expect a lot from a very experienced Traffic Exchange owner. I’m not ready to announce which exchange but look for a relaunch around mid July if I can bring it all together by then. I would rather extend the launch then not to have everything ready when I make the announcement!
I’m new to the whole Online Marketing and TE’s. I’ve read so many hypes about this system and that system. Everyone giving me a Rags To Riches story and trying to entice me to buy their product. After reading 100’s of these and 100’s of TE’s telling me how great they are, I don’t trust any of them. (Sorry about that!) And having gotten stung with my first venture, (luckily only a few dollars!), I’m determined to only spend after careful thought. There are thousands of scams on the net and thousands of suckers to buy them. So now I’m going to look behind the Great Web Design; the Great Splash Page; the Great Copywriting first. Check out Alexa etc., and see, firstly if the website lists an owner and address. You’d be surprised how many don’t. And how many don’t even live in USA, but their main target is the US. Many based in offshore islands and the far East. Also email the owner (if listed) and see if they respond, and if they speak English. And ask them if it’s real USD they payout with. (20,00 Zimbabwe Dollars will buy you 2 eggs!) One site was paying out in this currency while advertising $10 PTR. Oh boy! Oh for some honest marketeers on the net. Yes they are there but hard to uncover. The proof of the pudding is in the eating….. When I see the USD in my account then I’l know if there is reality behind all the hype.
Dick
Hi All, I agree with Jon and Jerry in that TE’s provide a great way to market to new ppl every day. I’ll built up a downline of over 1700 ppl in a well known affiliate site using just TE’s and Viral List Builders. This week alone I’ve had over 40 ppl join from the top 20 TE’s in Affiliate Funnel. With a simple splash page and some consistent surfing that program now pays for all my TE upgrades each month and the income just continues to grow. So GO TE’s you rock
Cheers
Martin Webster
http://www.affiliateprosperity.net
Jon,
Have you ever considered that the new signups are simply new marketers coming online? How many signups (if there would be a way to tell) would be experienced marketers? OR how many of the new people ever become active?
People, take notes! Martin has got it right. Build the list first, then advertise to it. And he even reinvests in himself! Wow, what a concept.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people have no idea what they are doing when it comes to making money online. Instead, they just join every free program they can find (that usually offer ridiculous returns), and then whine when they can’t even hit the minimum payout in any of them.
Ah, the almighty lure of the “quick buck”. When will people learn.
PS – Dick, not all companies that operate outside the USA (but market mainly to the USA) are bad. My company (Logiscape Technologies Inc.) is proudly Canadian and we have been going strong for nearly a decade now. I also have electricity and hot water in my igloo.
Hi Tyler. Hope the hot water doesn’t melt the walls of your igloo, Ha Ha. But my point is still valid. (present company excluded) Many websites on the net do not register an owner name or office address. And I actually received a reply back from several companies with no greeting start and no Yours etc, ending and no signature. And the message was in pidgin english. That to me is not the sign of a legit organization. One of them which in their advertising were very American actually replied to me from a Chinese (?) email address!! Another company could not be traced by their own country’s registration office. Etc., Etc., But all, repeat all, have beautiful website designs and wonderful catchy splash pages!! Yes there are, naturally, many honest ligit companies on the web. But separating the real from the ficticious, for a newbee like me is a minefield. The wonderful website is no indication whatsoever.
Since you’re thinking of improving your Alexa Rankings, better give non-Alexa informed people some quick run down. The Alexa is under the umbrella of Amazon that offers information on different traffic levels for websites.