Is TrafficHoopla just a bunch of hoopla?

Found these 2 posts in a forum and have to say I agree with what these folks are saying...too bad too many other just can't see through all the hoopla.



In my experience with Traffic Exchanges ( I've tested nearly 100 including all the allegedly "Top Ranked" and regularly sell Clickbank products on a handfull) the rankings given at the various sites like Hoopla and Aff. Funnel don't have anything to do with whether the exchange is any good.



They're like an old-time Chicago election - Bribes for votes is the SOP. I've received many free credits at various exchanges in return for my vote.
The exchanges I've found to be best mostly don't appear on any "top ten" lists.



Like anything else, the only way to know what works is to test for yourself. Most people will tell you what they want you to hear so you will use their service or buy their product.



Without going into specifics, here's how I test traffic exchanges:



I build a simple "Splash*" page offering something of value, for free.
I mean free, no opt-in required. I link the page with an adtracker and track the CTR. I run them for at least 2000 hits. If they don't pull at least .5% CTR (1click for every 200 hits) I usually test a different page for 2000 hits. If that page fails to pull .5% I go on to the next exchange.



If a test page pulls at least .5% CTR I go on to further tests.
I never run an opt-in page on an exchange. Test have shown putting an opt-in form on a landing page linked from a splash page works best. Give people something good for free, then offer them the option of further information via your opt-in form.



*"Splash" page - If you are not using "Splash" pages on traffic exchanges you are wasting your time. The Trafficwave lead capture pages are good examples of "opt-in Splash" pages. When you find a good exchange, the $35 or so for a professionally designed, unique page can be a good investment.



Note: I surf at least eight exchanges at once. In Firefox, open each in a new tab, simple go from one to the next. By the time you get back to the first it will be ready to advance to the next page. Never surf one at a time!



Best of Success!



Brent



POST #2:



I agree with Brent to a large extent.



The traffic exchange industry is a bit funny in a way,
not heehaw funny, just an insanely mad industry.



What I mean is, there are people that try to control the
traffic exchange industry. When they are handed the
right amount of money and/or they know they can make
a killing (as in money or lists), they'll claim 'that' traffic
exchange is the best.



Perhaps you have viewed some traffic exchanges that
have those various images of rankings, member of __,
and so on.



I've found, like Brent, various traffic exchanges that net
me, better results and/or results period, that were almost
unknown TX's.



I recently prelaunched a TX. It has almost 2,000 members.
Not many members at all in comparison to those TX's that
link up to the controllers. However, it is growing, and not
bad growth for a recently new traffic exchange.



Point I am making is, I know my traffic exchange would grow
a lot faster, have a lot more members, if I sold my soul to
the devil.......whoops, I mean 'controllers'.



There is a lot going on in the traffic exchange industry that
people do not realize. I'm also very aware of the scripts
being used in many traffic exchanges.....and I would not give
a dime for them.



I'm not in strong agreement about using splash pages and
optin form pages, within traffic exchanges. I think a lot just
depends on what it is you are promoting, what kind of web
page it is. Of course, if you are advertising in a traffic exchange
that has a 6 second timer (which is totally dumb, in my opinion),
then you are going to need a very short page...very short.



I don't believe marketing is a numbers game, either. Not really.
If it were just a numbers game, we would all be very wealthy.



Personally, I've found the best thing I can do is place complete
contact info on my pages. It's almost common for people to
call me after seeing my page in a traffic exchange. Some times
they are truly interested. Some times, they are wanting to
promote something to me....and that is ok....because often
the conversing continues and they become interested in what
I have to offer.


_________________

Valerie Underhill