Ok, to start, i understand i'll probably be flamed for being a noob. I've been doing AM for three months straight full-time now, and have been an avid peruser of WickedFire (using search etc.) under another account (I signed up using a moniker that was way too personally identifiable).
I've been working with google bizopps exclusively during my short experience in the field and began with PPC. After numerous Google Slaps and varied motivation to make smaller volume Search Engines work, I attempted to make the dive into quasi media buys using ad networks with integrated ad servers (don't want to make the dive into purchasing Zedo et al. with a limited starting budget of $20k until I'm profitable) and access to Right Media/Doubleclick/Rubicon/Pubmatic, etc. I've tested three larger ad network partners with "proprietary ad serving and optimization processes...ahem bs..." and spent roughly $2.5k with each so far.
I'm acutely aware of the pitfalls of exchanges and run-of-network traffic so I've explicitely begun campaigns relying on the network's behavioral/contextual/demographic targeting abilities along with their past experience in converting placements for this vertical.
Ok stats.
Ad network #1: Dumped my $500 daily adspend for two weeks, had optimized Banner CTR's of 0.1%, LP CTR: 35%, Conversion rate on Offer of 1%....=losing my shirt...and no upward trend in overall campaign performance.
Ad network #2: Same daily spend, but they are only using a couple of hundred daily and returning $135 CPA's. Banner CTR is slowly climbing to .1%, but I can't optimize on my end without more traffic (...and hence daily ad spend, even though I've authorized them to do 2.5x more). Offer conversion rate is actually around 5%, but LP CTR is 20% with their traffic=still losing my shirt.
I'm done with ad network 1, but what should I do with ad network 2? Force them to drive more traffic? let it ride because $2.5k is not near enough to optimize? I am always PHP split testing offers/LP's that I know work for other pubs (quantcast, Alexa), with google analytics etc.
Half the issue is Banner CTR IMHO, and I've contracted for some professional banners. The larger question is, where are bizopps on display in general? Where are the big bizopp display pubs? Teeth Whitening, Acai, E-cigs seem to monetize the display space MUCH better than bizopps, as evidenced by their much higher impression volume overall.
Is making bizopps work on display going to be a much more expensive and tedious process than those other verticals for an ultimately smaller lead volume?
Sorry its so long...and any help is appreciated...Let the flaming begin!
I've been working with google bizopps exclusively during my short experience in the field and began with PPC. After numerous Google Slaps and varied motivation to make smaller volume Search Engines work, I attempted to make the dive into quasi media buys using ad networks with integrated ad servers (don't want to make the dive into purchasing Zedo et al. with a limited starting budget of $20k until I'm profitable) and access to Right Media/Doubleclick/Rubicon/Pubmatic, etc. I've tested three larger ad network partners with "proprietary ad serving and optimization processes...ahem bs..." and spent roughly $2.5k with each so far.
I'm acutely aware of the pitfalls of exchanges and run-of-network traffic so I've explicitely begun campaigns relying on the network's behavioral/contextual/demographic targeting abilities along with their past experience in converting placements for this vertical.
Ok stats.
Ad network #1: Dumped my $500 daily adspend for two weeks, had optimized Banner CTR's of 0.1%, LP CTR: 35%, Conversion rate on Offer of 1%....=losing my shirt...and no upward trend in overall campaign performance.
Ad network #2: Same daily spend, but they are only using a couple of hundred daily and returning $135 CPA's. Banner CTR is slowly climbing to .1%, but I can't optimize on my end without more traffic (...and hence daily ad spend, even though I've authorized them to do 2.5x more). Offer conversion rate is actually around 5%, but LP CTR is 20% with their traffic=still losing my shirt.
I'm done with ad network 1, but what should I do with ad network 2? Force them to drive more traffic? let it ride because $2.5k is not near enough to optimize? I am always PHP split testing offers/LP's that I know work for other pubs (quantcast, Alexa), with google analytics etc.
Half the issue is Banner CTR IMHO, and I've contracted for some professional banners. The larger question is, where are bizopps on display in general? Where are the big bizopp display pubs? Teeth Whitening, Acai, E-cigs seem to monetize the display space MUCH better than bizopps, as evidenced by their much higher impression volume overall.
Is making bizopps work on display going to be a much more expensive and tedious process than those other verticals for an ultimately smaller lead volume?
Sorry its so long...and any help is appreciated...Let the flaming begin!
