What is CPA?Cost Per Action means that, when a website user completes an action, you get paid a commission for the completion.For example, if a website user sees an advertisement you have created on the internet, clicks on that advertisement and then, as requested, completes a form, requests a report, buys something or registers for a trial or quote, you receive a pay out when their action has been verified.1. The first step is for the internet user to visit a website and see an advertisement which they are interested in. This could be for something as simple as a payday loan, free report or quote on insurance, purchase of a bargain or deal promoted by you.2. The second step is they click on that advertisement to get further instructions3. Next they are directed to a salespage, landing page or another website providing further details of the offer and their required action and instructions on next steps4. Lastly, on entering their details, submitting the information or buying something, a commission is generated.The four steps you need to take to create a campaign for the CPA process is:1. Select an offer to promote using various research techniques such as previous sales, popularity and commissions2. Register with the marketplace or provider which are representing the company looking for business and get verified to promote their products, being as honest as you can i.e. if you are new to internet marketing, state this3. Register with an autoresponder to create opt-in forms for the computer users who will click on the offer4. Create a link from the opt-in form to the affiliate offer in order that the computer user can complete the required action.As part of this whole process, it is possible for you to collect the email addresses of those who request or take part in the offer in order to promote further products.The most successful CPA campaigns use contextual links which are not intrusive to you website and not necessarily “in your face” banners.There are numerous niches you can focus on when it comes to selecting your offer and creating your website as, much like affiliate and internet marketing, people are constantly looking for information and guidance and inherently lazy so will take the easy option when seeing something they need, or think they need.So in summary, CPA marketing is the easiest to set up from an affiliate marketer point of view, easiest to complete from a computer user point of view and potentially the biggest money-maker from a pay out of commissions point of view.For more information on how to get started today, visit Progress for Success NOW.
Social Commerce With Pinterest and Facebook
Social commerce is not a new term but it’s one that is getting paid a lot more attention lately by businesses. It refers to the use of social media in e-commerce to encourage the buying and selling of a business’s products or services to consumers online.Facebook was once the leader of social commerce but Pinterest has quickly been on the rise and looks to be taking over in the top position for social commerce. One survey conducted by Boticca.com shows that Pinterest users spend an average of $180 on e-commerce sites whereas Facebook users only spend $85 on average.These numbers show that social media sites are having a lot of influence on consumers and help to drive online sales. Just because one may be showing more promise at one time or another does not mean that the other should be ignored. After all, social media is an ever-changing flow and what works well today may be slow tomorrow.To get the most results, you want to utilize both Pinterest and Facebook for your business marketing. Each has proven to be helpful in driving customers to e-commerce sites and will continue to do so in the future.Here are some of the tactics that your business should consider when taking advantage of the marketing opportunities that are easily available through social media.Facebook OffersA while back, Facebook introduced “deals,” which totally flopped and was quickly replaced by Facebook Offers. These are really taking off, allowing businesses to offer fans exclusive offers for their products and services. The company creates a great offer, like free shipping on an order or a coupon for 50% off. Users can click on “Get Offer” and an email will be sent to their inbox.The great thing about these offers is that once they are claimed, a notification appears in their friends’ news feeds, meaning more exposure for your offer and more potential customers being reached. You can post an offer that is good at your physical location, with users printing off the coupon to present in person, or your online site with a promotion code to enter in at the time of purchase.Just make sure that you can fulfill your offer. You don’t want to offer a free donut and then have 50,000 claims when you won’t be able to make that many donuts to give away!Pinterest Board OptimizationPinterest is all about the visual appeal. You want to have pictures of your products that are great to look at. You want to entice users to not only repin your products to their boards but also to click through to your website and make a purchase.Take plenty of pictures of each product until you find the images that are most appealing. Have pictures of someone wearing or using your product too. You can also add the price so that it appears in the top left corner of the image. This lets users know that the item is for sale and for how much.Integrate Social Media to Your E-Commerce SiteWith social commerce, it’s important to integrate social sharing into your website. With each product, include a way for users to share, recommend, like and pin to their social networks. When people are shopping online, they like to let others know what they like, what they are buying and what they are adding to their “wish list.”Make it easy for them by adding all of the share buttons to your site, especially for individual items. This is essentially free advertising, so don’t overlook this important part of social commerce.What social media platform do you use the most for your social commerce marketing? Have you found one to be more useful than another? What have your results been?
Top 12 Blogs For Travel Bloggers
This is a list of creative travel blogs that I read and follow. They are written by independent travel writers, the list include those that I consider as heavy-weights in travel blogging. These bloggers are associated with large travel sites/blogs but their focus is on living a unique life (getting to see the world around them) and be an insightful writers. All of them are fun and inspirational to read.Blog: Everything-EverywhereWriter: Gary ArndtGary has been on the road since 2007 as a professional traveller. On the blog you’ll find interviews with leading figures in the industry like Laura Bly from BlyOnTheFly.com. The posts are factual yet personal as they include Gary’s insights and reasons for visiting each of the destinations. Everything-Everywhere is the top travel blogger on Twitter according to its Klout score.Most recent post: This Week In Travel – Episode 152Blog: Nomadic MattWriter: Matt KepnessMatt offers practical and tactical advice about how to travel better, cheaper and longer. The blog gives down-to-earth details about the best ways to explore the world. The blog is more of a collection of useful tips rather than a chronicle of Matt’s adventures although there is a travel guide section with info gathered from Matt’s travels since 2004. The site includes videos and a list of resources.Most recent post: How To Travel Anywhere For FreeBlog: Go-See-WriteWriter: Michael HodsonTravelling since 2008 he circumvented the globe without getting on a plane. The blog includes Michael’s adventures and experiences as he goes through each of the travel destinations. Dubai travel is included in the long list of destinations you can read about and there is a section of travel destination tips. The blog is a personal journey of a solo adventurer exploring the world.Most recent post: Visiting One of the World’s Highest LakesBlog: Fox NomadWriter: Anil PolatChosen by the Huffington Post as one of the top travel writers to watch Anil is a full time traveller but a gadget geek as well, so the focus of the blog is often on the technical aspect of travel. He often visits countries which are off-the-beaten-track and gives practical advice about how to cope in places like Yemen and Iraq. On the blog you’ll find destination tips, tech posts, resources and insights into green travel and culture.Most recent post: The Landmarks To Look Out For When Flying Into IstanbulBlog: Legal NomadsWriter: Jodi – A former Lawyer from MontrealShe has been travelling and eating her way around the world since 2008 and the blog focuses on food, culture and her adventures. One of the plus points about this travel writer’s blog is that it is ad-free (except for Amazon links) which makes it a very clean-cut blog to look at. This is a good blog to watch if you’re into food related travel, the blog is on the MSN list of top travel blogs.Most recent post: Thrillable Hours: Doug Barber, Co-Founder of MinaaBlog: Almost FearlessWriter: Christine GilbertOne of the top ranking travel & leisure blogs written by a mother traveling with her family since 2008, this blog has beautiful photography and the blend of family, self and travel. The family travel focus can be seen by the blog sections – life, kitchen, photos and kids. You’ll find some useful destination tips but more general life insights.Most recent post: How I Spent 10 Years To Get Where I StartedBlog: Camels and ChocolatesWriter: Kristin LunaOne of the top travel writer blogs according to Elliott.org and other “top” lists due to the well written text. The writer is a professional journalist, has interviewed the stars and in addition is a travel addict. She covers a long list of travel destinations recording her adventures with the occasional travel destination tip thrown in. The blog boasts many photos of the travel writer in the various travel destinations.Most recent post: Photo Friday: Columbus, OhioBlog: Johnny VagabondWriter: WesAnother of the Huffington Post picks for best travel writer blogs, the charm of this blog is in the well written descriptions of the writer’s adventures. Wes is traveling around the world on a tight budget and taking brilliant pictures as he goes. The writing is engaging, intelligent and entertaining as well as giving you plenty of info about the travel destinations.Most recent post: A Love Letter from the PhilippinesBlog: 48 Hour AdventureWriter: Justin MorrisA very useful and highly practical blog where each post is dedicated to a 48 hour plan of what to see and do in various travel destinations. What makes this travel & leisure blog standout is its no-nonsense usable quality. You’ll find a “48 hours in Dubai” post if you’re interested in Dubai travel, listing sites, how to get around, orientation and plenty of large photos.Most recent post: 48 Hours in ReykjavikBlog: Global GrasshopperWriter: A team of travel writers Gary and BeckyUnlike many of the blogs on this list it is not a chronicle of any one person’s travels but rather a collection of inspirational travel stories and travel destination tips written by travel writers. For example you’ll find “top 10″ lists, cool hotels and beautiful places as well as the section for travel snobs!Most recent post: 10 of the Best Travel DestinationsBlog: Travel Business SuccessWriter: Tourism Tim WarrenSince 1994 Tourism Tim Warren works to inspire, guide & connect tourism pros’ to realize their dreams. From Michigan to Mongolia, Baja to Bolivia, “Tourism Tim” Warren has helped 1000′s of small start-up tour operators to international business development agencies increase sales, arrivals and profits via his book, online courses and webinars. An entrepreneur at heart, he enjoys helping current & future travel entrepreneurs succeed financially following their passion of a profession in tourism.Most recent post: 5 Travel Website Sales TipsBlog: Y Travel BlogWriter: Caz & Craig MakepeaceCaz & Craig originally from Central Coast of Australia alongside their daughters have been travelling round the world. Y Travel Blog was started in April 2010 as a way to share personal travel tips and stories to help others live their travel dreams. There consistency, dedication and global travel knowledge makes their travel site one of the best.Most recent post: What a Day at Famous Hyams Beach Looks Like