How To Open A CPA Account

You do have to “qualify” in order to join the more reputable CPA Networks. Fortunately, this is not hard – and if one network rejects you, move on to another.

The most important thing you can bring to the table is a thoroughly professional attitude. The number one mistake that gets most new marketers rejected? Sounding like a new marketer. 

Look at it from the CPA network’s viewpoint, for a moment: They are paid for results through their advertisers and through your efforts. They are not going to waste time with someone who hasn’t a clue what to do.

Fortunately, you can move very quickly from “obvious newbie” to “great prospect” by merely being aware of a few key points. Take care of these before applying, and your chances of acceptance are extremely high.

#1: You Need A Website

Number one on the list – you need at least one actual website.  This website doesn’t have to be the be-all and end-all of websites. It just has to look professional. This lets the CPA Network know you know what you’re doing.

Remember that keyword research we did?  Well, a site based on one of those strong keyword phrases will work very well for your “token” website.  Even better, if you have an old website kicking around that you’ve never done anything with – put it to work. (The advantage with an “old” website? Your CPA reps will check it out and discover it’s been “in business” a while.)

Set your new site up as a WordPress blog (hosted on your own domain – never use a “free” blog actually hosted on WordPress!)  Load it with a minimum of 10 posts – I like to use slightly more, because “10 posts” can be a giveaway sign of someone who has just hurriedly created a blog for income purposes. And while CPA networks know perfectly well this goes on, of course, you may notice your success rate in getting accepted may be higher if you avoid the giveaway “10 post” dummy-website standard.

Pick a generic name for your site, because you may be working with this website a lot in the future, and changing focus quite a few times while honing your campaigns.  Sites with the words “how to” or “reviews” combined with your keyphrase work well. 

For example: AudioReviews.com would work better than RingtoneReviews.com, because “audio” is more general than “ringtone”.  You might start working with ringtones and discover there’s a fabulous headset you’d rather promote; or a highly-converting piece of recording software.  You can get away with switching campaigns on something called “AudioReviews.com” – but promoting a stereo system would not bring in the right searchers and look rather strange on “RingtoneReviews.com”.  (By the way, I didn’t check, but I’m 99.9% sure that both of these names are already taken.)

When you set up your blog, do not populate it with any advertising – even if you’ve picked a theme already loaded with ads. If this is the case and ads appear on your new blog automatically, log in to your dashboard. In your Theme Editor, view the files containing any pre-populated ads such as Google Adsense, and copy paste the body of the original file into a text editor like Notepad. Save it, to preserve the original .PHP file (or in case you delete the wrong one!)

After you’ve done this, copy-select the file text again, and delete the content of the file from within the editor page display.  (Do not delete the actual file!) If you’re having a hard time finding the correct file, look for one which has the word “publisher” or “pub” in it.

You will absolutely need two more elements on your blog – a Privacy Policy and a Contact Form. Plug ins are your easy, instant answer for both these items:

WordPress Contact Form Plug-in  - Use this if you don’t have one from your own autoresponder.

Eric Giguere’s Privacy Policy Plug In  (This one is specifically for Adsense, but it works.)

You may also wish to check out the new FTC guidelines (due to be in force by December 1, 2009) and if you feel it necessary, add a Disclosure page or section.

#2: You Need A Target Market

You’ve done your research, and picked the best niche you can discover. This is another way to impress CPA reps. 

Remember that list of popular CPA products earlier in the report? That’s a good place to start.

But do try to find a good twist to your niche – an area that tests well in your keyword research that has low competition.

#3: You Need A Phone Number Where You Can Actually Be Reached

Whenever you apply to a CPA network, 7 times out of 10 they will telephone and “interview” you in person.  This shouldn’t be the ordeal of the century. It usually only takes a couple of minutes, and consists of you confirming a few things.  Looking at it from their point of view, they just want to make sure that you know what you’re doing.

Do you?  Well, you’re well on your way already, just from having read this far!

There are standard questions they’ll ask you.  Answer cheerfully and firmly – and whatever you do, don’t over-answer.  Respond exactly to their questions – then wait for the next one.

Standard Questions CPA Network Reps May Ask
CPA Question	Your Answer
“Which site will you be using to promote our products	- give site you used on your application form, and add that you’ll be developing niche websites, based specifically around their offers
“What PPC methods are you going to use?” “Are you familiar with PPC?”	- The CPA Rep will usually only ask you this if you’ve selected Pay Per Click as one of the types of offers you’ll be promoting. However, he may ask it anyway.  Just tell them, yes, you’re familiar with PPC and you’ll simply use Google Adwords.
“What are your plans for promoting this product?”	- “I’ll be starting out on my [name of your website] site, and adding targeted niche sites built around and optimized for each of your products.

Remember, their main purpose is to confirm that you:

A.   Are a Real Person

B.   Are serious about promoting their product

C.   Know the basics of internet marketing

Beyond that, they’re not the slightest bit interested in how you got your start, or why you aren’t any more experienced than you are now.

# 4: You Need A Dedicated Email Address

This is not a big deal.  Just set up an email account for the new website you’ve set up – your web host will provide a certain number of email accounts for your new domain – but whatever you do, avoid free email providers!

In fact, your biggest challenge in your whole CPA venture is likely to be simply setting up your new email and making it checkable in Outlook Express (or whatever other mail client you’re using.)

#5: You Need A List

Let’s face it – CPA Networks love people who have big lists.  If you don’t have one yet, don’t panic. You can still start out in CPA, and earn some income. (The main thing is to just get started.)

The whole key to being accepted by CPA Networks lies in how confident and businesslike you sound.