I got this email yesterday from a reader: “I tried MySpace ads without any luck so far, but I am encouraged to continue
there. Do you feel that is the best place to start out for an AM beginner” This seems to be a common question so here is my take on where to start.
I know a lot of people who are coming up in affiliate marketing today are going the social network route. Social networks meaning mostly Facebook and Myspace. I can definitely see the appeal. Tons of relatively cheap traffic, super easy to setup, and low learning curve. But I would not recommend starting there.
I think paid search is still the best place to start, even for newbies. First of all paid search traffic converts better, plain and simple. By the very act of using paid search, people are already in buying mode and actively seeking your offer. They have taken the time and effort to seek out a keyword related to your niche, versus just seeing your ad passively on a website. Content advertising has its place for sure, but nothing can beat PPC search.
By starting with PPC, you are forced to learn the techniques that will make you successful in all types of advertising, including social networks. Those techniques aren’t so apparent just writing an ad and placing it on a social network. But once learned they will serve you well in all types of advertising.
So where to start specifically? I would recommend starting with Yahoo. Policies are still less strict that Adwords, competition lower, click prices are decent, and traffic is good. Then move on to MSN, Google, and social networks.
I already know some of you are thinking: “but so and so started on Facebook and is making $10k a day”. Of course there are many examples of people making thousands a day from their social campaigns alone who never used PPC. But I think if those people would have applied the same time and effort with paid search, they would be making even more now.
lol, I fall into the category of the last paragraph. I started with Myspace Ads and have had success (luck) with them.
Although since I have not yet started with PPC, I’m really anxious to. Although finding time and startup capital is the main problem.
Couldn’t have said it better chad. Google search advertising is best place to be in both in terms of traffic and conversions. Thou its hard but once you can get something going, you cna pretty much float from there on. I started doing PPC on google in 2007. it wasn’t until mid 2008, i got something in return. Now, its my #1 ad platform.
Alright, you have me convinced. I heading over to start a campaign in Yahoo. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks.
I agree with you there are stories everywhere about how so and so made x amount their first try. I would also suggest using google content to start because you can target your main keyword and have it spread out over the net.
I agree with the comment about starting with PPC. PPC forces you to understand fundamentals or you will be out of the game very quickly. Unfortunately, I see many who go the Facebook/MySpace route quickly, and all they become good at is spamming.
I have to say that it always shocks me to see veterans recommending PPC to novices. I have to wonder how this could be a good idea? Experts estimate that less than 15% of Adwords users are profitable, and under an estimated 19% on Yahoo for the same.
PPC is NOT the place for inexperienced advertisers to cut teeth. Social media can be done by a monkey in 24 hours, PPC takes an expert months to get any good at. I have seen guys selling PPC secrets on video for hundreds of dollars that I know from the inside were losing campaigns. Some losing big time.
Now, Yahoo is a stronger bet than Google, but the fact is that is because Google’s business model is better designed than Yahoo’s IMHO, and Google has built in a very high expected attrition rate - by all estimations a 30% /month attrition they would not even feel.
Stick to where it works every time, Social media is not beatable with PPC, never was, and never will be.
At very least go social media first, and augment with PPC if need be. I have reviewed literally thousands of landing pages through the perspective eyes of a Google bot, and maybe saw 15 or 20 that were optimized for minimum cost per click with maximum conversion and ROI.
Great stuff!
Ron
Ron, I appreciate your thoughtful response. You make some great points.
I do however have to totally disagree with your comment that social media is not beatable with PPC. I have seen the direct opposite many times, PPC is so much bigger in scope and sheer volume when done right. Of course like everything it varies with the niche so its hard to generalize.
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