How To Use Traffic Exchanges To Build Email Marketing Opt In List

Traffic exchanges have gotten a bad rap. People looking to "get rich quick" try them out for a couple of days and when they don't see immediate results they declare them a waste of time.

But there are a lot of people quietly building HUGE targeted opt in lists using only traffic exchanges.

One of those people is Jon Olson. He's the owner of Hit Exchange 101. Says Jon about his experience with traffic exchanges - "I first got my start with them actually trying to promote a music band I was managing back in 1999. They have been the best source of traffic I have ever used."

So why does Jon think that people are so quick to say that traffic exchanges don't work?

"A few reasons.
One, they take effort. Internet marketing has always been based around the 'set it and forget it' way of doing business, and that's fine. But getting good results in the traffic exchanges does take a bit of elbow grease. The next reason, people try to sell all the time. In a traffic exchange, the selling should come on the back end. Generic affiliate pages do not work and that is still to this day, what is promoted the most in the exchanges. So I think ignorance is why these programs have never been as respected as they should be. There's much more to them that sticking a page in the exchanges and surfing for credits."

According to Jon, anyone can see success with the traffic exchanges. His advice is to "be a sponge. Soak up as much information as you can. There is a lot of amazing information out there on how to build an email marketing opt in list using traffic exchanges, but not everyone takes action. Get out there and learn the who's who in the business. Learn the terms. Come to the forums. Attend the weekly seminars. Just be a sponge."

Step #1: Determine Your Objective
Jon has strong opinions when it comes to what you should NOT promote in the traffic exchanges. "Promoting generic affiliate sites. You must remember, traffic exchanges are on a short 10-30 second timer. So why on earth would you promote a 15 page long sales letter? Think of it this way. People are surfing to earn credits, not to read a novel. So KNOW this and promote accordingly."

Another thing to keep in mind is what type of people are using the traffic exchanges. They're other entrepreneurs like you looking to make money. A report on "How to Get Started with Needlepoint" probably isn't going to be a big seller with them. However business and health related topics definitely will be.

Step #2: Choose a Giveaway that will Build a Good Quality List
Remember, your ultimate goal is to build a targeted opt in list. The more that the members of your list are interested in what you sell, the more likely they'll be to purchase from you. Keep this in mind when choosing a giveaway to offer.

For example, if you sell information on "Keeping Your Heart Healthy", a great free report would be "Tips for the Busy Entrepreneur to Stay Heart Healthy". By relating the title of your report to the audience you'll greatly increase your response rate.

Step #3: Choose Your Traffic Exchanges
There are both free and paid options. Which one is best for you depends on whether you have more money or time to devote to the Traffic Exchanges. Either way, be sure to do your research before choosing which Exchanges to participate in - they are not all created equal!

Some of the best Traffic Exchanges are found at:
TrafficHoopla.com

Step #4: Setup Your Mailing List Software
A reliable mailing list solution is very important when building an opt in mail list of prospects. Making it easy for them to subscribe and unsubscribe automatically will mean less time you waste managing your list. And using professionally managed mailing software means MUCH higher delivery rates. The major mailing list providers have relationships with the large ISPs such as Yahoo!, Hotmail and AOL so that your messages get past the spam filters and don't end up in the dreaded "Bulk Mail" folder.

TrafficWave.net has one of the most reliable autoresponder/mailing list services available. If you're looking for an affordable solution that will grow with your business I highly recommend that you check it out. I use them, I love them.

Step #5: Create Your Splash Page
The key to success in the traffic exchanges is having a killer splash page. If you're not familiar with splash pages, they are short and to the point pages that tell visitors what you're offering. This is what prospects will see when they click on your listing in the Traffic Exchange so it has to grab their attention immediately and make them want to take action.

"Use splash pages" Jon recommends, "and hire a professional designer to make them. Shock and awe works in the Traffic Exchanges."

And as Jon says - you have to promote you first! "The trick is to always be branding you in the traffic exchanges. So whether you are promoting XYZ Opportunity or ABC Business, you are always promoted along with it. And then the biggest 'secret' that will explode your mailing list opt in is to stick with it. Keep your face / name in front of people for more than a month. People give up so quickly with traffic exchanges because they don't see results in 3 weeks. Slow and steady wins the race!"

The important elements of a good Splash Page are:
Title - Make sure it grabs the reader's attention. Without a great title you'll never get the prospect to look further down the page. Craft a great title by asking a question, making a shocking statement, using an interesting quote, giving a little known statistic or explaining "How to..."

Offer - Offer them something that has a high perceived value. The more irresistible the offer, the more signups you'll get!

Signup Form - Make it super easy for interested prospects to know how to get the freebie offered. Make the form stand out so they see exactly where to enter their name and email address.

Your Picture - Brand yourself by including your picture and signature on your splash page. People are more likely to buy from people that they feel they know. So let them get to know you and associate your face with what you sell.

Remember, Traffic Exchanges use a timer that is no longer than 30 seconds. Your website has about 5 seconds to make an impression, and trust me, the viewer has already made up their mind after those first 5 seconds.

Step #6: Plan Your Backend
The way to make money from the traffic exchanges is to build an opt in mail list and then sell them products on the backend. Giveaway a little in the beginning, to make a lot in the end!

Before you even get started it's a good idea to have a plan in place for how you'll follow up with new subscribers to build a relationship. A big part of this is knowing what offers you'll present them and when.

This is a great opportunity to promote your audio or physical products if you have them. Or you can offer other people's products as an affiliate, resell rights products or even your time for coaching/consulting or to do some other work for prospects.

Learn my proven techniques to creating a huge email marketing opt in list using Traffic Exchanges.

FREE Download:
Traffic Exchange SOS: Secrets of Success!