Exposed: My New Baby – Pay-Per-Call!
First there was Pay-Per-Click then there was Pay-Per-View and now we have entered the era of Pay-Per-Call.
After my first discovery of the WAP phones and the Smart Phones marketing I started looking for what and how to advertise on them. My first reaction was to think of them like we think of PC and laptops – find a good offer -> create a good landing page -> test a couple of different traffic sources (Search/Content/Media Buy) and see what works.
I signed up with a couple of mobile media buy providers and started testing some campaigns. Very quickly I have realized that although the amount of possible traffic is huge and people are clicking the ads like crazy (Huge CTR) no one was sighing up for my offers – let alone buy something… (Later on I have learned that about 47% of banners clicked on mobile devices are accidental clicks…)
It made me stop what I was doing and contemplate. When people are using their mobile phones they are using them in a completely different way than they use their laptops. This is true especially for WAP phones were every page takes forever to load.
I came to the conclusion that Mobile phones are mainly used for doing practical things like calling someone to help you get back in your house after being locked outside in your underwear… (You forgot to take the key with you but you didn’t forget to take your mobile phone…J) Or searching for a restaurant in your new neighborhood that you just moved into, or looking for the nearest plumber because your house is flooded. You get the idea…
2 days after I had these enlightening thoughts I received an email from Jon Shugart the owner and creator of “Keyword Rockstar” – when Jon sends me an email I open it. This one was about a webinar on Mobile Pay Per Call with Justin Elenburg. I had no idea what Pay Per Call was but it sounded like a perfect contribution to my Mobile advertising quest. Sometimes existence just take care to help you… well, maybe it does it all the time but not all the time you are aware of this.
I couldn’t attend the webinar (it was 4 am in Tel Aviv – too early even for me) but I have listen to the reply and immediately after bout Justin’s course – took the last weekend and went through every single module and video of this great course. (I bought plenty of internet marketing courses in my life – this one is really good believe me).
I also had the privilege to watch another of Justin’s great webinars and now I feel I am prepared to start taking action.
My first action item is to register with 5 Pay-Per-Call networks.
Wish me luck 
I will come be back to tell the story…
WAP Phones, Smart Phones and in-between…
A couple of weeks ago it finally hit me that mobile marketing is gaining more and more volume as the years go by, and it’s about time to start diving into this industry.
My first lesson was to learn the difference between a “WAP Phone” and a “Smart Phone”. (For someone like me who uses a prehistoric mobile phone that can hardly send text messages, this was a real challenge…)
(The Evolution of Mobile phones – You see this first handset? I use to walk around the hospital carrying one of those in my pocket…)So what is WAP anyway?
In the ancient days before the invention of the iPhone (for those who forgot the first iPhone was released only 5 years ago) it was rather complicated to surf the internet using a mobile phone.Web pages contained too much information to be processed by and display properly on the small screens of mobile phones. To get around this, the mobile phone industry invented WAP – Wireless Application Protocol. It takes existing pages and rewrites them in a special, simplified language so the mobile phones can deal with it.
Most WAP phones have data transfer rates of 14.4 Kbps or less. (Compare this to a typical cable modem or a DSL connection..) Most Web pages today are full of graphics that would take an unbearably long time to download at 14.4 Kbps. Wireless Internet content is typically text-based in order to solve this problem. On top of this there was a need for special Markup languages (like HTML) to be created. WAP uses Wireless Markup Language (WML), which includes the Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML) developed by Phone.com.
So using a WAP phone your connection to the internet is limited: you could see stock quotes, sports scores, some news headlines but not much more than this. Some search engines including Ask, Google and Yahoo! are available over WAP, and you can search for both WAP and web content using them, yet not all websites have a WAP version and worst then that trying to surf the web like you would do with a laptop is a pain when you do it via a WAP mobile phone!
“WAP Phones” are replaced by “Smart Phones”
Nowadays we have “Smart Phones” – mainly iPhones and Androids that are capable of surfing the internet using a WiFi connection like a normal PC or laptop.
No need for special protocols and special Markup languages. This is a totally new way of using a mobile phone to surf the web – still I am pretty sure that people will use their mobile devices in a different way than they use a laptop or PC.
After reading what I wrote here you might think that WAP is a prehistoric phone that no one is using any more… right? Wrong!
In the US the main WAP phone used today is Blackberry – surprising enough… J and around the world iPhones and Androids are much less popular than in the US – so most of the world’s population is still nowadays using WAP phones!
I found this to be an interesting revelation and I am going to soon, very soon explore this new horizon – and come back to tell you of course.
Information Products Review
The Internet is like an ocean of information - some of it is brilliant but some is complete crap, and it’s not always so easy to distinguish between those two. Since I purchased so many different Internet-Marketing courses and actually went threw all of them I have decided to make a list of my recommendations.
Recommended Internet Marketing Courses
Mike Dillard is the guy who taught the MLM* industry
how to use the internet to their benefit. He was also the first Internet-Guru I came across when I first started.
I was so exited about this whole thing that I bought all of his products. Going through his courses I got a better understanding of the options I have as an Internet-Marketer. Eventually I have decided to concentrate on Affiliate-Marketing** and not on MLM*. But still it was Mike who helped me with my first steps in this industry.
Mike’s courses are great as a starting point and you can benefit from them as an Internet-Marketer even without being in the MLM* business.
Mike Dillard – “Magnetic Sponsoring”
Mike Dillard – “Building on a Budget”
A 
couple of months ago I have decided I should overcome my addictive habit of buying Marketing-Information-Products I came to the conclusion that I need to concentrate more on the “doing” and less on the “learning”.
Recently Mike has launched a new version of his mighty “MLM Traffic Formula” course that covers in details the different aspects of marketing in the internet.
.
I had to
gather all of my will power in order to resist buying this new version of “MLM Traffic Formula” – it nearly killed me… but I didn’t buy it! I have the old version and if you have the money – I suggest you invest in this comprehensive course.
Mike Dillard – “MLM Traffic Formula”
Mike Dillard – “Black Belt Recruiting”
.
Jim Yaghi is the number one Affiliate-Marketer** of Mike Dillard’s products. He has a PhD in
Computer-Science and a brilliant mind. He also has a way of making
complicated things look very simple.
Jim Yaghi – “Project PPC Domination”
Perry Marshall – is considered to be the “father” of PPC*** marketing. His book is the BIBLE of internet marketers and recently he has published a new updated version of it. I didn’t have the chance to go through the new version yet (since I am still withdrawing from my addiction of buying
Marketing-Information-Products…) but I guess that if the old version was the “Old testimony” than the new version might as well be considered as the “New testimony”.
Perry Marshall – “The Definitive Guide to Google Adwords”
In 2003 C
hris Carpenter discovered a way to make great money online using what he called “Google Cash System”. He wrote an eBook about it, published it on ClickBank****, quilted his corporate job, took his family and drove to Mexico.
When he eventually arrived to an area where he had internet connection he realized that his eBook became a “best seller” practically over night. A lot has changed in the world of Internet-Marketing since that time but Chris is still a major player releasing cutting edge products and courses.
Chris Carpenter –” Google Cash 4 Home Study Course”
Chris Carpenter –” Google Cash Detective”
.
Amit Mehta – I got a recommendation from Perry Marshall to buy Amit Mehta and Anik Singal Learning-System – “PPC*** Classroom 2.0″ –This system is much more than a course
– it’s a way of living. It’s a package where you get access to comprehensive Affiliate-Marketing** courses, a set of software, a forum, a weekly Q&A webinar, a monthly advanced module and so much more.
Amit Mehta – “PPC Classroom 2.0″
Jeremy Wilson – Everybody in this industry is connected to everybody. You start with one guru and he introduces you to the second guru and the second guru introduces you to the third and so on. Jeremy Wilson was a student of Chris Carpenter back in the days, since than he became a respected Internet-Marketer by himself. In this outstanding course he lets you pick over his shoulder as he builds from scratch a full Google Adwords***** campaign. Never before have I met such an honest guy who really shows you everything he does including his failures…
Jeremy Wilson – “Reality PPC Workshop”
David Garfinkel is a very well known copywriter who charges up to 50,000$ to write a Sales Letter.
Tim Erway is Mike Dillard’s partner. In this course they put up together, they teach you the
basics of Internet Marketing Copywriting. You want to know at least some copywriting if you want to become successful in this business.
David Garfinkel & Tim Erway – “Copy Writers Guild”
Joshua Gregory is not a real name, it’s a pen name. Joshua teaches you a simple yet comprehensive system of making money on the internet without spending a dime. When he calls it “The No Money System” – he really means it! And he shows you how in a step by step manner.
Joshua Gregory – “The No Money System”
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* MLM - Multi-level marketing also called network marketing – Is a structure designed to create a marketing and sales force by compensating promoters of company products not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of other promoters they introduce to the company, creating a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. (Wikipedia)
** Affiliate-Marketing - is an Internet-based marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate’s marketing efforts. (Wikipedia)
***PPC – Pay Per Click is an Internet advertising model used on websites, in which advertisers pay their host only when their ad is clicked. (Wikipedia)
**** ClickBank - is a secure online retail outlet for digital product vendors and affiliate marketers.
***** Google Adwords - offers pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and site-targeted advertising for both text and banner ads. (Wikipedia)
Yesterday I Received My FREE iPad™! Here is What You Should Do to Get Yours:
You’ve probably seen all these ads everywhere offering a FREE iPad and thought: “No way…! This can’t be true…! Well, I had the same thought, but I gave it a try anyway, and guess what? Yesterday it arrived in the mail – my brand new shiny beautiful iPad! Freeeeeeeee of charge!
The best part is that it was quit easy to get it, just follow these simple steps:
- Click on the link I added here below, it will take you to the offer page
- Enter your valid Zip code (it has to be in the US)
- If still available, you will be taken to yet another page to fill out your Shipping Information so they know where to send your new iPad
- Go through their surveys (I admit this part is a little tiring, but hey, wouldn’t you answer a couple of questions for the chance to get a free iPad…?)
- Complete the offer participation requirements (they explain you everything) and enjoy your new Apple iPad!
7 Tips That Will Help You Easily Get Accepted to CPA Networks*
There are so many rumors floating around the Affiliate community about how difficult it is to get accepted to CPA Networks*.
I myself hesitated for months before having the courage to even try – Only to find out that it was not that difficult.
Just last month I was able to get accepted to 5 different CPA Networks* – here are 7 tips that will help you do the same.
Tip # 1
First build yourself a blog.
I suggest using WordPress as your platform.
It’s an easy-to-use open source platform. It takes some time to learn how to use it, but you can find plenty of tutorials on Google that will teach you how to do just about anything.
It took me a very long time to overcome my “Fear-Of-Building-A-Website”, but now that I have put up this very blog, I wonder what kept me so long…
Building a blog is fun! You get to talk about yourself without having to feel guilty
Tip # 2
Register to at least twice the number of networks that you want to actually work with.
If for example you want to start your CPA Affiliate career by working with 5 different CPA Networks* you should register to 10 of them. I am sure that if you follow my few simple tips you will be accepted to at least 50% of the networks you have applied for.
Tip # 3
Check www.offervault.com before registering.
Before picking the CPA Networks* you want to register for go to www.offervault.com and check what type of offers those Networks have.
Register with them only if they have offers that look appealing to you.
Tip # 4
First apply to the smaller CPA Networks*.
Don’t start by applying to the largest and most popular Networks. They get so many applications every day that I’m not sure if they actually read them all. And even if they do, they can afford to refuse most of us – by tomorrow they’ll have a pile of new affiliates trying to get in.
I call the smaller CPA Networks* “Boutique Networks” – fewer affiliates know about them, so fewer affiliates are registering. Their Affiliate Managers** pay more attention to the applications they receive, and chances are good that you’ll get a more personal treatment.
Tip # 5
Apply to the most popular Networks only after you have gained some experience.
After working for a couple of months with the “Boutique Networks” you can try to apply to the more popular ones. Now it will be much easier to get accepted because you already have some experience with CPA offers.
Tip # 6
Be very determined about getting accepted.
Only a handful of Networks will process your first application.
That’s OK. That’s the name of the game. Know it, accept it and act accordingly.
A couple of days after filling out your first application, if you don’t hear from one of the CPA Network* Affiliate Managers**- get online, find their details and send them an email.
You can either do a search on Google or you can try this list of “Affiliates AIM” that I found last week.
Now don’t stop here either- if the Affiliate Manager** doesn’t answer your mail in a couple of days, get online again, find his phone number and call him!
If you have “Fear-Of-Phone-Calls” like I have -
take a shot of Vodka before calling – It helps I swear
Tip # 7
For god’s sake don’t lie to the Affiliate Manager**!
Not because “Don’t Lie” is one of the 10 commandments but because you don’t really have to.
The reason why it is so difficult nowadays to get accepted to CPA Networks* is because people abuse these networks so badly that they have been forced to be discriminative. Just go a head and tell them the truth about yourself – even if you are a newbie, even if you live in Israel, or India or Indonesia or Iran –more times than not they will accept you.
I wanted to get accepted to 3 CPA Networks*
I applied to 7 of them and got accepted to 5.
I am a CPA newbie and I live in Israel.
Good Luck
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*CPA Networks – Cost Per Action or CPA is an online advertising pricing model, where the advertiser pays for each specified action – a purchase, a form submission, and more. CPA Networks acts as an intermediary between affiliates and merchants, where the merchant pays the affiliates using the CPA pricing model.
**Affiliate Managers – are assigned by CPA Networks to manage affiliate programs by helping affiliates choose offers, generate sales, track purchases get commission and so on.
Here I Start
The path is more important than the goal – Is it?
As a part of my Internet-Marketing education
I follow the blogs of some of the most successful internet gurus
Eben Pagan, Frank Kern, Perry Belcher, Mike Dillard,
Perry Marshall, Amit Mehta, Anik Singal…
A couple of weeks ago I have realized that all of these blogs
belong to people who are already successful in this business.
All of them have war stories about how difficult it was
to become a successful Internet-Marketer back in 2005, 2003, 1998…
How they had to walk barefoot in the snow
having nothing to eat but a Big-Mac…
Now, don’t get me wrong – those guys are my heroes! I admire them!
They taught me everything I know about Internet-Marketing.
But as mighty heroes many times are –
they are untouchable, not tangible
and they have probably forgotten long time ago
how it feels to be in the trenches…
I have never came across a single blog
that belonged to the thousands of straggling Internet-Marketers,
fighting the up hill battle to become successful in this business.
It takes guts to write an Internet-Marketing blog
before I became extremely successful.
It takes courage to admit the struggle
and discuss the hardships as they take place.
It takes honesty to deal with my stupidity and my failures.
What if I fail?
What if I will never make it?
What if a 10 years old can do it in no time and no effort?
What if my English is not good enough?
What if my mom won’t like it?
An old Buddhist saying suggests that the path, the road we take
carries more value to us humans, than achieving our goals.
In today’s Goal-Oriented society it sounds totally far fetched…
In spite of it all I have decided to start this blog.
My goal is to accompany my self and other “Newbie”,
And less “Newbie” on our path towards success.
In this blog I am going to openly and honestly
discuss what it takes to become a successful Internet-Marketer
on the year 2009.
