No Excuses 3 - Official Thread

[jackfitz]

Mike I have set up a php redirect file on my hosting account and I am getting an error. Can you please take a look at it.
Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/usernamexxxxxx/public_html/redirectfile.php:8) in /home/usernamexxxx/public_html/redirectfile.php on line 8

[zeekr]

Is there anyone trying to push something with SEO? Any hints when going that route with A4D offers?

[Mike]

On one page:

<a href="php-redirect.php">Link</a>

PHP-Redirect.php page:

<?php
header( 'Location: http://Your-Link-Goes-Here.tld' ) ;
?>

That's it.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Faint

Hey Mike, I got a question for you. How do you go about "expanding" you keyword list after you figure out which ones are working? Do you just try to think of some keywords that are similar, or fit the trends of the keywords that are working?

Haven't got to this point yet, but I figured I should ask early.

Take a look at the keywords that are "working" whether that means converting, getting clicks, or whatever other metric you want to use and build more using those as "seeds".

Free Keyword Suggestion Tool From Wordtracker is a fantastic tool and it's free!

[jackfitz]

I was using the tracking202pro redirect code
<? header("location: http://myaffiliateurl.com?subid=" . $_COOKIE['t202proSubid']); ?>

[erect]

Make sure there's nothing before the <? ... even a space will cause the header issue you are receiving.

Make sure there is nothing inbetween the <? and header("...") ; ... a single echo statement will cause the header issue you are receiving

Originally Posted by jackfitz

I was using the tracking202pro redirect code
<? header("location: http://myaffiliateurl.com?subid=" . $_COOKIE['t202proSubid']); ?>

[jackfitz]

Im pretty sure i have exactly that
<? header('location: http://affiliate.a4dtracker.com/rd/r...xxxxxxxxxxxxxx' . $_COOKIE['t202proSubid']); ?>

[rediim]

Originally Posted by zeekr

Is there anyone trying to push something with SEO? Any hints when going that route with A4D offers?

zeekr:
ya. i plan to go the seo path initially. Then when / if i see conversions from my blog / lander / content page, it will give me confidence to perhaps try PPC.

The learning curve for both paths is steep in my case. I can afford mistakes in the SEO path, the risk cost being a loss of time. With PPC, the risk costs is cash. So, as noted, I will use SEO and if see conversion results, then test PPC.

Traffic and ranking methods: mass article spinning and directory submissions; linkwheels using web 2.0 properties interlinking to money pages.

I'm still in the planning stages. Will probably use a review style blog platform. not a flog, though, but rather product review / report supported by article content.

let the games begin....
rediim

BTW, SEO_mike is da man. buzzed him the other day with some stupid n00b Qs and he was kind enough to give me his opinions. much appreciated.

[SeriousBiz]

Originally Posted by jackfitz

Im pretty sure i have exactly that
<? header('location: http://affiliate.a4dtracker.com/rd/r...xxxxxxxxxxxxxx' . $_COOKIE['t202proSubid']); ?>

Maybe there's no such cookie set.
Try this:

<? header('location: http://affiliate.a4dtracker.com/rd/r...xxxxxxxxxxxxxx' . @$_COOKIE['t202proSubid']); exit; ?>

(notice the @ before the dollar symbol)

[jackfitz]

Turns out the host was not working correctly
thanks for your help

[nat3r]

if anyone needs adwords coupons' hostgator gives them free with a new hosting plan, i suggest baby, its 9 bucks and you get to host as many pages as you want

links in sig

[Mike]

@everyone:

So, update me... What have you learned so far? Where are you getting stumped? Is it easier / harder than you thought? C'mon folks, let's hear it!

[oksk89]

I've made $32 so far on my first sale, but I'm still running a deficit due to the cash spent on AdCenter and AdWords.. I've spent about $46 on PPC advertising... The results are pretty disheartening because my CTR are so low.. (below 1%) and I'm not getting very good conversions. aghhh a lot of my keywords on adwords ahve poor QSs, so i updated my website and tried to include more of the keywords, which subsequently improved a few of them to OKAY..

[vtec9k]

Well I've been doing quite well until this week and my campaign took a bit of a dump...

My main problem is that I can't get my ads CTR (6% ish) high enough to get my bids down, should I stop trying for the top 3 spots and make do with lower positions? I think I'm trying for too generic keywords but the things is that they are converting!

[oksk89]

WOW 6% CTR? thats amazing.. damn

[vtec9k]

I know I thought so too but google doesn't seem to think so! Sounds like my LP needs more work to make the most of high bids.

[Mike]

Google's QS is a tricky bird. CTR plays a part, your landing page plays a parts, outbound links on your landing page play a part, keywords, etc, etc. Even when you think you've got it down, something changes. Also, you may be stuck with high costs on your keyword for a period of time before Google decides to drop them for you. Time based. Welcome to the Google Dance (technically Google dance refers to SERPs changes, but it's appropriate here as well).

Hit me up on AIM if you need some help with your lander

[gtrplyr]

Question about SEO on a site...

Lets say I have a review site..."Widgetreviews.com" and it is wordpress but for the most part it is a one page lander with the reviews and outgoing links to the offer.

If I were to create a second wordpress installation in Widgetreviews.com/blog and put a link to that in the footer of my lander, and start making relevant blog posts there, does that satisfy google as far as QS? or do i need to have links to specific blog posts ON my lander?

[oksk89]

BTW, does anyone have any adcenter coupons?

[Mike]

For SEO purposes, start with a "real" site. The more information, the better, then create a landing page on that site and use it just for that. That will not only help with SEO, but with QS. Google's not stupid, they'll figure out that "WidgetsWebsite.com" is a "real" site and "WidgetsWebsite.com/reviewpage.html" is part of that site. Google has said over and over that they want sites created for the users and not for the creators. Meaning: if you create a website with the benefit of the user in mind, such as good info, links to other related sites, internal links to related material, etc, you'll go far.

[oksk89]

Thanks so much Mike for helping me thus far, and for offering more help tomorrow!

Truly appreciate it!

[rotwyla98]

Originally Posted by SEO_Mike

For SEO purposes, start with a "real" site. The more information, the better, then create a landing page on that site and use it just for that. That will not only help with SEO, but with QS. Google's not stupid, they'll figure out that "WidgetsWebsite.com" is a "real" site and "WidgetsWebsite.com/reviewpage.html" is part of that site. Google has said over and over that they want sites created for the users and not for the creators. Meaning: if you create a website with the benefit of the user in mind, such as good info, links to other related sites, internal links to related material, etc, you'll go far.

That's basically what I have done. Should I cross link them at all?

[PANDAmonium]

Originally Posted by oksk89

I've made $32 so far on my first sale, but I'm still running a deficit due to the cash spent on AdCenter and AdWords.. I've spent about $46 on PPC advertising...

Choose one platform to start off with. I know that AdCenter is getting a bit more competitive but then again AdWords can be a bitch to get down quickly. The choice is yours. Just choose one, use the data your getting and optimize your campaign until you start making money.

[oksk89]

Originally Posted by PANDAmonium

Choose one platform to start off with. I know that AdCenter is getting a bit more competitive but then again AdWords can be a bitch to get down quickly. The choice is yours. Just choose one, use the data your getting and optimize your campaign until you start making money.

The weird thing is I'm using the same keywords for Adcenter and Adwords, but I've gotten wayyyy more clicks through Adcenter than I have through Adwords. I also like the template of ADcenter much more; it's easier to navigate and modify things, as well as several ads at once.

I think I'm going to stick to adcenter for now. By looking at tracking202, I've noticed that the majority of my clicks are through bing.com, hence Adcenter.. I think bing.com is gonna be pretty substantial from now on because of all the commercials.

[oksk89]

BTW, is erect still offering his keyword's services? I think I remember seeing something say that he was only going to do it for people up until a certain date, but I can't find that post.

[jackfitz]

Dam I missed the deadline for the first cut of Campaign Sniper KW report.

[errodr]

Originally Posted by SEO_Mike

@everyone:

So, update me... What have you learned so far? Where are you getting stumped? Is it easier / harder than you thought? C'mon folks, let's hear it!

Well, my campaign has only been running for a day but so far here's what I've got:

4% CTR from Adwords to LP
20% CTR from LP to offer
No conversions

I suppose that I just need to wait for more clicks. I guess I was just hoping for at least one sale. I just need to be patient.

This is harder than I thought it would be. Since I am an extremely meticulous person it took a full 10 days to get this campaign off of the ground because I was so obsessed with getting everything "perfect". I need to learn to just put something together quickly and see what it does realizing that I can tweak over time.

I am also starting to realize how serious the veterans were when they stated over and over that you WILL lose money in PPC when getting started. It's not that I thought they were lying, but I'm really seeing now that my AM education will NOT be free.

[LK175]

Originally Posted by errodr

Well, my campaign has only been running for a day but so far here's what I've got:

4% CTR from Adwords to LP
20% CTR from LP to offer
No conversions

I suppose that I just need to wait for more clicks. I guess I was just hoping for at least one sale. I just need to be patient.

This is harder than I thought it would be. Since I am an extremely meticulous person it took a full 10 days to get this campaign off of the ground because I was so obsessed with getting everything "perfect". I need to learn to just put something together quickly and see what it does realizing that I can tweak over time.

I am also starting to realize how serious the veterans were when they stated over and over that you WILL lose money in PPC when getting started. It's not that I thought they were lying, but I'm really seeing now that my AM education will NOT be free.

Dont sit back. You need to get your LP CTR much higher (atleast 65%). Are you split testing?

[Mike]

Last Day To Get FREE Domain / Hosting

If you don't PM me or hit me on AIM today, you'll miss out. According to the sign up thread there is a whole slew of people that needed both, so now is your chance. You have about 12 hours from the time this post is made.

[errodr]

I have 3 LPs, but only one is currently getting any traffic. But on the page that is receiving traffic I am testing different variations within that page. I am trying things such as geoip, and keyword insertion into the headline.

My click volume is quite low so I thinking testing is going to take some time...

[errodr]

Hey Everyone...

For NE3 I decided to promote a beauty/enhancement product. My lander is here: Landing Page

I launched the campaign late last night. Here are my stats so far:
CTR from ads to LP: 2% (41)
CTR from LP to offer: 22% (9)
Conversions: 0

I have learned a lot about ads, LPs, etc, but I am a bit disappointed that I have not had a single conversion. I have made several changes to the page including new images, content and keyword-based headings in an effort to test different page elements.

I realize that I have a very small amount of data, but is there something glaringly wrong with my LP? I would like a much high CTR from LP to offer but am not sure where I am erring.

So that's my first NE3 update. Any advice or tips on the LP would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[erect]

Originally Posted by oksk89

BTW, is erect still offering his keyword's services? I think I remember seeing something say that he was only going to do it for people up until a certain date, but I can't find that post.

It's like the 5th post on this thread

Originally Posted by jackfitz

Dam I missed the deadline for the first cut of Campaign Sniper KW report.

CampaignSniper is still working with NE3ers every day getting your campaigns set up. After this weekend, I'll be opening up the floodgates to all contestants regardless of when you signed up. Expect delays ... this is why I let the people who made the original deadline go first.

So to sum it up ... PM me Monday with your CampaignSniper username (which should be the same as your id here) and tell me to add your credit for NE3.

[nat3r]

Originally Posted by errodr

Hey Everyone...

For NE3 I decided to promote a beauty/enhancement product. My lander is here: Landing Page

I launched the campaign late last night. Here are my stats so far:
CTR from ads to LP: 2% (41)
CTR from LP to offer: 22% (9)
Conversions: 0

I have learned a lot about ads, LPs, etc, but I am a bit disappointed that I have not had a single conversion. I have made several changes to the page including new images, content and keyword-based headings in an effort to test different page elements.

I realize that I have a very small amount of data, but is there something glaringly wrong with my LP? I would like a much high CTR from LP to offer but am not sure where I am erring.

So that's my first NE3 update. Any advice or tips on the LP would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Start a Journal thread, more people will help you out there

[snow5]

Erect - your PM inbox is full. Just tried to send you a PM requesting Campaign Sniper credit for NE3. Thanks.

[erect]

Originally Posted by snow5

Erect - your PM inbox is full. Just tried to send you a PM requesting Campaign Sniper credit for NE3. Thanks.

Yea, it looks like I'll need a do over on that PM, I've gotten a ton over the last few weeks. Time to clean house.

[bjgolf]

Originally Posted by SEO_Mike

@everyone:

So, update me... What have you learned so far? Where are you getting stumped? Is it easier / harder than you thought? C'mon folks, let's hear it!

So I'm attempting my first all out SEO project for this. My question is, (and this is where I mainly get stumped) is that I have read/heard so many things about link building, what happens when you run out of places for links? I don't want to buy any links for this, I want to use only free link sources.

My plan was to set up blogs (maybe 15?) on all the free blogging platforms with my keywords as titles. Then, write articles for them all and get those indexed. After that, link from those to my LP. Is this a good plan to start with? Do I need to do heavy link building for these blogs too?

Also, I was going to submit to all the social bookmarking sites for every article, but have heard this is an easy way to get sandboxed. Is this the case?

Thank you for the help.

[Lil_C]

I was wondering if there is anyone with NE3 helping with landing pages. I really need somebody to tell me the best place to buy my landing pages from but i have yet to know of anyone to help me with that.
Anyone that knows about who or where to buy lps from that is more beneficial then just buying them on A4D would be great.

Thanks,
Lil_C

[trentiles]

Originally Posted by Lil_C

I was wondering if there is anyone with NE3 helping with landing pages. I really need somebody to tell me the best place to buy my landing pages from but i have yet to know of anyone to help me with that.
Anyone that knows about who or where to buy lps from that is more beneficial then just buying them on A4D would be great.

Thanks,
Lil_C

Install Wordpress and get to work. No need to buy LP's. You will learn more making them yourself and finding mistakes you've made, etc...

[vtec9k]

Well here's a little update from me. Bing sucks for UK traffic, I know MS have not being doing as heavy advertising here as in the US but I'm really struggling for impressions.

I stopped running high volume keywords of google because they were too expensive but $0.50 on MSN are pretty pointless if I only get like 4 clicks a day. Half the damn impressions are actually me checking my ads are actually running.

Oh well back to the the big G and exensive clicks for me

[Mike]

Leaderboard as of Right Now! Top 5 affiliate ids and earnings. I'll update you periodically

450714 - $350
450866 - $280
447626 - $181
450336 - $111
450822 - $107

[erect]

Flood gates open for campaign sniper ... all NE3 users welcome.

[malpais]

Thanks for the update Mike. Makes me feel like less of a total loser to see that the top earners aren't banking it hard either...I had two conversions early last week and since then nothing. Fuck.

[michael1]

Originally Posted by malpais

Thanks for the update Mike. Makes me feel like less of a total loser to see that the top earners aren't banking it hard either...I had two conversions early last week and since then nothing. Fuck.

You're not the only one in that boat. I started testing when the thread was announced and am now two Google slaps in, both happened prior to the contest starting!

Mike

[2thetop]

Late to the party but I made it. This NE3 is really, Really cool man. I love how everyone is working together to get things done.

I'm going to jump in if I can. I know I'm late - and I may have missed some of the free tools and reports and stuff. Doesn't matter. I'll do what I can with what I've got. I've got to get some of this...

Let me go sign up to A4D now.

[malpais]

In honor of my best 24 hours yet (2 conversions) for NE3. whoohoo...



I spent my first few weeks here putting together and tweaking a campaign for a niche I see people running a lot, so I assume someone is doing it profitably. But no matter what I did, I had terrible single digit CTR to the offer and was losing mad money.

Switched to a few different offers and I'm hoping my luck continues. Trying to figure out da internets...

[dewme5]

If it's any consolation, I'm on the list above, and I got all my hits in about a 30 hour period, and absolutely nothing since.

What I've learned so far.

-On my campaigns. Google has consumed way to much money, and produced nothing! MSN has taken much less money, and actually made all of my conversions.

-In split testing ads, I'm seeing single word changes that account for .5% to 1% difference on conversion rates. Sure, my sample is to small to be worth any real value, but that's doubling click thru's, which is a good start.

-I'm not running tracking as good as I should. So, I'm not learning what I should. I do have Piwik installed, and prosper, but with so much going on, I'm running out of time to get everything running like I'd like it to. (really need a a/b landing redirect test page)

-I bought a book SEO_Mike recommended. It's called "Tested Advertising Methods" by John Caples. I'll throw in my recommendation as well. This so far, is the best sales/marketing book/tape I've read/heard. Buy the book, buy it now. It really puts the info out in plain form that you are looking for. I paid $12.44 on Amazon, and I'm sure it'll put way more then that in my pocket by the end of NE3.

-It's not until you start digesting the numbers that you can really make sense of what is going on.

Currently, I'm working about 35 hours a week on this. The rest is day job, and family time.

Oh yeah, I'm currently loosing money (thanks google).

[quaffapint]

Yea - I turned everything off a few days ago as all conversions stopped (of course all my conversions occured before the contest started - ARGH). Time to move to a new offer and create a new site. Also dropping Google for now - sucking all my money away, as well.

[AdExhibitJason]

Originally Posted by errodr

Hey Everyone...

For NE3 I decided to promote a beauty/enhancement product. My lander is here: Landing Page

I launched the campaign late last night. Here are my stats so far:
CTR from ads to LP: 2% (41)
CTR from LP to offer: 22% (9)
Conversions: 0

I have learned a lot about ads, LPs, etc, but I am a bit disappointed that I have not had a single conversion. I have made several changes to the page including new images, content and keyword-based headings in an effort to test different page elements.

I realize that I have a very small amount of data, but is there something glaringly wrong with my LP? I would like a much high CTR from LP to offer but am not sure where I am erring.

So that's my first NE3 update. Any advice or tips on the LP would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Some things I think you should do at least to test.

First is I think you page is way to wide. When I go to it I feel like I am being attacked by words. I would suggest you make the left and right sides take up a little more space.

You only link to the product a couple times. This needs to happen from most of the sites I seen 5 if not 10 times.

Trying moving the free trial thing on the right into the main part make it smaller. Maybe double that of the chick pic you got.

You should also move the before and after over. Seems it would fit best after the second paragraph.

On the right side bar place a summary of what you are selling. If you have another different pic of the chick place it there with some general background. In it I suggest trying some GEO Targeting like xxx xxx is xxx from thier general area. I am sure someone here can help you to implement that.

Change the colors around. Try a darker blue on the sides. Lighter text in the main page. A good thing id to look at sports teams for different colors that work.

Last thing, You main area seems sorta stale. There are very few calls to actions. You are not using words to drive your customer. Think of a car for me once. I bet you it was a sport car. Which I mentioned the word sport. So when you get to calls of action and through out you need to include varitions of buy, free, trial, no risk

Keep me posted or drop me a PM to get some things sorted..

[AdExhibitJason]

Originally Posted by Lil_C

I was wondering if there is anyone with NE3 helping with landing pages. I really need somebody to tell me the best place to buy my landing pages from but i have yet to know of anyone to help me with that.
Anyone that knows about who or where to buy lps from that is more beneficial then just buying them on A4D would be great.

Thanks,
Lil_C

Contact me on AIM, I think I can help you with a good service. I will buy you a domain name and host everything for you. So you can work on it.

[AdExhibitJason]

Originally Posted by bjgolf

So I'm attempting my first all out SEO project for this. My question is, (and this is where I mainly get stumped) is that I have read/heard so many things about link building, what happens when you run out of places for links? I don't want to buy any links for this, I want to use only free link sources.

My plan was to set up blogs (maybe 15?) on all the free blogging platforms with my keywords as titles. Then, write articles for them all and get those indexed. After that, link from those to my LP. Is this a good plan to start with? Do I need to do heavy link building for these blogs too?

Also, I was going to submit to all the social bookmarking sites for every article, but have heard this is an easy way to get sandboxed. Is this the case?

Thank you for the help.

Not sure about the last question. I would say maybe do every other or every 3 posts. From each.

When you use the free blog sites. Make sure to find the same types in that network and post/comment on them from your account. Attempt to make friends there.

As far as running out of links, That should never be an issue.

On top of this idea. I suggest making accounts on youtube and myspace that have link backs to your blogs or landing page.

When you post a youtube video include the link in the description. Since YT sucks I say you should upload maybe 2-5 videos a day. Do video responses and try to get some people to subscribe through mentioning it in annotations.

On myspace browse and find people who might like what you are promoting. I am not saying spam. Just find people. Send out like 25-50 friends requests a day and join some groups.


If you are going to submit to social sites. Make accounts there and again build up "friends".

Since you are doing SEO remember it really does take time. You have to be patient and map out your daily regime and have at it. The above shouldn't take you but maybe 2 hours a day if you focus on it. Shut of AIM, no browsing forums, No posting or fucking off.

If you are able to I would suggest getting a small PPC going to your lander. You can sign up to host gator or godaddy for fairly cheap and get some Adcenter and Adwords credits. Use those to build up your sites. PPC helps SEO. Since you are doing the SEO angle just bid low and get the ads running. You do not need to spend a shitload of $$$$$$$

Since you are linking these blogs. I suggest you make your lander with wordpress. Make posts there also. Do not just have a lander. Have content. Sticky your main shit and build the keywords you are targetting.

If you need any help with any of this feel free to PM me I can show you how to do the youtube thing. Get you going with some ad credits or anything else you might need help with.

I am not saying I know what is best. I am giving you things to try out. That is what this is all about. Trial and Error. What works for me might not work for you.