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With the affiliate marketing industry projected to grow to almost 7 billion US dollars by 2020, it’s safe to assume this advertising strategy is here to stay. CPA networks are becoming a vital part of the affiliate ecosystem, and a large portion of marketers are flocking to these platforms to help them get better offers. Which, of course, translates to more profitable campaigns.
Whether you’re a new affiliate or have been going at it for years, the first step to getting access to better offers is to join a better CPA network. That said, most networks have an application process and other aspects that will affect your approval as well as the overall performance of your future campaigns.
Below, we’ll go over the steps you need to take to apply for a CPA network and provide tips to help familiarize you with the process. We’ve included quotes from Roman, one of our seasoned affiliate marketing expert here at PropellerAds, to help improve your chances of success.
Read the case studies form Roman: Home Improvement CPA Offer [Brazil], Hair Growth Treatment [India], Rapicredit [Columbia].
Without further ado, let’s jump in!
Step 1 – The Application
The application process is the very first step you have to take to join any CPA network. “All CPA networks allow you to apply online, although the process itself can vary tremendously depending on the platform,” says Roman.
According to our affiliate expert, the application can usually be broken down into two different formats:
Option A
In Option A, affiliates fill out a comprehensive online form in the CPA network’s site. “Marketers who fill out the application usually need to describe their experience as an affiliate and specify the verticals he or she is working with. It’s also common to find questions about GEOs and dollar estimates for your monthly volume.”
After you submit the form, an account manager from the CPA network will contact you and arrange a chat via Skype, Telegram, or another platform that suits them best. According to Roman, “Account managers are great because they help with the screening process, but also listen to your goals, needs, and requirements to help you hit the ground running if you get accepted of course.”
Option B
Other CPA networks may have a different application process. While it’s similar to Option A, some platforms will have you fill out a simple form. Then, the account manager will contact you directly and collect information about your specialization, GEOs, experience, and other important details.
“At the end of the day, CPA networks simply want to ensure that all affiliates are legit. They provide account managers with other resources, so they need to verify that an affiliate has the potential to be profitable. Whether it’s via a form or directly through the interview, you need to have all the answers to these questions ready in order to improve your chances of approval.”
It’s important to note that in very rare cases, a network may ask for proof like screenshots and so on. But, this practice is considered to be outdated because it’s very easy to provide fake information just to gain access to a network.
Step 2 – The Personal Manager
Once you get approved, you may be assigned a new account manager or work with the same one who did the on-boarding process. Keep in mind that the relationship with your account manager can have a huge impact on the performance of your campaigns.
“If your account manager sees potential, they can unlock a number of features you didn’t even know existed,” says Roman. Some of these benefits can include, but are not limited to:
- Higher Payouts
All affiliates want to increase their payout, and an account manager can help increase it by 10% to 30% depending on the platform.
- Exclusive Offers
Fresh offers usually have higher conversions and having a good relationship with your manager can help give you access early on.
- No Capping
Some platforms and offers may have a cap on the leads you can generate in one day. Personal managers can remove this under certain circumstances and allow you to monetize all the net leads you generated.
- Shorter Holding Periods
Shorter holding periods translate to faster money, which you can then use to invest in a new offer. If you are performing very well, your account manager may be able to implement shorter holding periods. “Standard holds come in Net 30 and Net 14 formats, which take 30 and 14 days respectively. Net 3 and Net 1 are the most coveted, but they are only awarded to superstar affiliates,” according to Roman.
Step 3 – Benefits and Support
Joining an affiliate network isn’t only about an application and hard work. Yes, getting awesome offers and support from your network is crucial, but you’ll also enjoy a number of great benefits if your performance is up to scratch.
Some CPA networks help out affiliates by sharing Facebook lookalike audiences. These networks can also create banners, landing pages, and pre-landers to help bolster the affiliate’s campaign.
From a fun and entertainment point of view, affiliates will also enjoy some cool bonuses. These can include:
- Exclusive tickets to private industry events
- Passes for the hottest affiliate expos and summits
- CPA bonus shops that allow you to buy physical items with the network’s bonus points
- Birthday, New Year’s, and other holiday gifts
Want More Tips on Getting the Best CPA Offers?
Joining a better CPA network will give you access to better offers and can help take your affiliate efforts to the next level. To learn more about the best CPA networks and offers, stay tuned to our blog!
Have questions to Roman? Leave your comment below or on our Telegram chat.
