I’ll be honest with you, if it wasn’t for the fact that I run TEscoop, which is a blog dedicated to Traffic exchanges, I wouldn’t have even joined Traffic Dynamite . I want you to know that this isn’t a rant against Traffic Dynamite . It’s just that this launch exemplifies a problem I’ve been seeing lately, and it prompted me to write about it. The problem I see with the Traffic exchange industry right now is everyone is launching new TE’s with lots of flash and no substance.
The idea of giving away cash for the Gladiator Hits Launch was a nice touch in my opinion. However once one person has a successful launch using a particular method, everyone jumps on the bandwagon. Dragon Surf did its relaunch awhile back and it had amazing results because they were giving cash for all referrals. Once everyone saw what Dragon Surf did, I’ve seen several websites launch with the same concept and mild success.
The reason these ideas were successful in the first place is because either no one did them before or no one did it as well. Once someone comes along and copies the same idea, it doesn’t have the same effect. Launches should be big and it’s ok to use another idea, but please add your own twist to make it special. Being unique is what helps a launch become successful in the first place.
The other problem I’m seeing is a lack of value. I’m going to use Traffic Dynamite as an example, but again this is not anything against them. They are giving away $7 to the first 700 people who join, but I’m not interested in joining for cash … I’m there for quality traffic! The $7 is meaningless in the big picture, because I’m using the traffic they provide to help me make money. This $7, while a great incentive, doesn’t assure me in any way that I’m getting good traffic. You know what really gets me excited about a TE launch? It’s knowing that you’ve done something that will make your traffic convert better than others. If you’ve done that, I’ll make a lot more than $7.
Yes, these old giant Traffic exchanges don’t have much that makes them unique, but they deserve their place for being first to the market. We’ve established the industry standards, and now I want to see innovation and value, so that I know you’re willing to invest as much time and effort into your business as I’m willing to put into surfing at your exchange.
I don’t know if anyone else feels the same way, but I think it is something that all Traffic exchange users should be paying attention to before joining a new TE.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Oh yeah?
So how can I launch something today COMPLETELY innovative today and no one except me will talk about it.
I release something this industry has never seen, but it wont get the publicity Dynamite does.
So while I agree with your rant, show and prove you want to really see innovation.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
That’s the thing, it doesn’t have to be some great innovation. Even something as simple as a new game or promotions. Even though it’s not a TE, if you look at TheListAuction, I liked the simple twists on an old concept.
Trafficera is the obvoius recent example, but I don’t know if it’s fair to compare them considering their massive resources. But they hyped the networking aspect, and even though it didn’t turn out that great, it got me excited at the possibilities and made me want to join.
I think if someone does launch something that brings something new to the table, people will line up to be involved with the launch.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
The point is that every te should be setting themselves apart in one way or another.
A new one in this crowded marketplace really needs to have the uniqueness even more or shouldn’t even open the doors.
Been fun watching the lemmings that have bought into the I need downline to support me and need these new ones because I don’t have a system that will allow me to do this regularly. Hell, if you would put the effort into building a system and using things that are unique like Jon’s new addition you could afford all the traffic you needed. Course that only works if you can convert it and this looks like your accomplishing something when your not.
Check out my thoughts at Surfing is obsolete if you don’t have a system.
Hats off to Jon and the acceptance of the Web 2.0 world and embracing it instead of fighting against it (finally )
Big boo to the money grab with another new te.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Jon - I like the fact that I can get some links to my blog on ILH.com, but I don’t really see what is so revolutionary about linking out like that. StartXchange had a member directory and such like that a while ago, but it was dropped when search engines wouldn’t rank me for anything but spam.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
As for this post itself. I agree. I don’t really join exchanges anymore unless I hear there are good results and lots of activity going on. Definately a tougher area to start out in than before.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Tim - if you think that the new features of ILH is just a member directory…Wow. That hurts.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
So another brand new TE huh? that’s just dynamite. I heard the next one is going to be about Taxi? nice !
After all that new splashy design, cool colors i’ts just another traffic exchange in my opinion.
Good post.