It's time for CPA: More profits for your affiliate marketing campaign

Written by Stu Bowes Monday, 13 December 2010 13:42

There is nothing new about commission per sales (CPS) models, but as an affiliate marketer you can also use cost per action models. Cost per action (CPA), also called pay per action (PPA), is a process where you can earn money after a website visitor performs specified actions that originated through your link.

There is nothing new about commission per sales (CPS) models, but as an affiliate marketer you can also use cost per action models. Cost per action (CPA), also called pay per action (PPA), is a process where you can earn money after a website visitor performs specified actions that originated through your link.

As an example, there are CPA offers that establish lead generation campaigns through you're affiliate provider's CPA network. If someone clicks on your link and enters their name and e-mail address, you can earn a commission. There are some instances where a person only has to enter their zip code and, voila, you get paid!

CPA campaigns all have varying goals. Sometimes a person who clicks through your link will be asked to provide quite a bit of information. Sometimes they may get asked to sign up for an offer, or fill out a survey or even make a purchase. The most important thing for you to know, before you sign up for a CPA campaign, is what exactly is required for you to get paid. There are lots of CPA campaigns available, but just make sure that the ones you promote are related to the primary focus of your website. You should also know what conversion rate you'll be looking for.

The one thing to know is that the more complicated, or involved, the process is for the person who links through your site, the more you'll get paid. Just getting zip code information won't pay that much, but getting a complete mailing address will pay more. The biggest pay day for you would be when purchases are made through you link.

Organizations and outfit that originate CPA offers usually work through a CPA network, which is organized a lot like Commission Junction or Clickbank. These networks are simply clearing houses for a wide variety of campaigns. For you to start promoting a CPA offer you must sign an agreement with the CPA network before you can get a link to certain offers. Search through the CPA networks webpages to find the offer(s) that best fit the niche you're focusing on.

Keep in mind that in order for you to start promoting a CPA offer you must get accepted, or approved, first. This process is not as easy as signing up for an affiliate network, but don't worry. Just make sure you're educated and comfortable with the whole process before you seek approval. The network is very interested in knowing how you are going to promote the offer. If you can show them your plans, then you should have no problems.

There are a whole host of CPA networks in operation today. Some of the big boys are: Azoogle, Clickbooth and Never Blue, but there are others too. You should do a web search and look for OfferVault.com to determine what kind of CPA offers are available and which ones might be your best fit.

Please be aware, however, that CPA networks typically reject the "newbie" applicant the first time around. From what I've seen, that's pretty typical. Some people have told me that they have called a specific CPA network up on the phone and spoke with a live person to explain their marketing and promotional plans for specific offers. If you do something like that and demonstrate your professionalism, then you should have no problem getting accepted.