An overview of sponsored link programs
You've learned some exciting tidbits of information and are already progressing nicely. Great work!
Now, in this section, I provide you with a brief overview of the sponsored link programs. This is expanded even more in Step #7 - Join Some Good Affiliate Programs.
To help you with this section, I have provided links to some of the best-sponsored link programs in the back of this manual, in the Recommended Resources Appendix.
For now, let's focus our research to locating potential advertisers by evaluating Google's AdSense program - the largest and most popular program of this type on the Net.
As you will see, Google adserving technology has an amazing way of serving up ads that are relevant to the content of each page.
So, if you place Google ads on a page about 'scuba diving vacations', Google will automatically serve up related ads.
You're undoubtedly asking, "How does this help me?"
Listen up, because this is a good one!
You see, unlike affiliate programs, which pay a commission for each sale (or lead) generated, a sponsored link program pays a commission on each click generated.
And the more related the ad is to the page, the more likely it is to get clicked on, and when the ad gets clicked on YOU get paid.
And Google does a great job of serving up related ads.
Below is a link to the Google AdSense program, let's take a minute or two now and take the AdSense tour. As you get familiar with Google AdSense, the benefits of this cutting-edge program will become more obvious.
Keep in mind as you look around Google AdSense that you can't join the AdSense program until your site is live.
And, I'll walk you through this process in great detail in Step #7 - Join Some Good Affiliate Programs.
For now, use the quick and easy tour to familiarize yourself with Google's terminology such as 'auction', 'bid for placement,' etc.
Sure, this sound like mumbo-jumbo right now, but Google is setting the pace on the Net right now and it is important that you get comfortable with Google, it's programs, terminology, etc.
For instance, you are about to learn that advertisers actually bid for placement or for positions here.
You are also about to learn how this earns you money!
That's right: You earn a percentage of the advertiser's bid price. Nobody knows the exact percentage, other than Google of course, but we do know that it fluctuates based on some criteria set by Google; however many feel the rate is around 20%.
So if the bid rate for the link that it clicked on is $1, and we earn approximately 20%, then we would earn $0.20 for each visitor sent.
You really need to understand the basics of how this program works before you move on, so STOP where you are now and click (or visit) the link below. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much clearer this makes this entire process for you!
http://www.google.com/services/adsense_tour/
Continue reading here: Baby step 1 Visit Wordtracker
Was this article helpful?
