A Tale of 2 WAHMs

Yep, for about the last week, I’ve decided that I’ve not only been pretty sheltered being a part of the Work at Home Network/Community but I also intend to stay there!

From my other posts, most of you are aware that I’ve been involved with the BETA of Pay Per Play.  Well, in doing so, I joined the Pay-Per-Play Forums.  Made sense to me - I would learn more about PPP, share ideas with other members and well, maybe I would open up my network of friends a bit.  Hmm … after my experience there, I don’t believe I will be making that opening too big to say the least. 

I have NEVER seen a bunch of adults acting the way they were there.  NEVER!  Nor was I ever treated as poorly as I was from other members on the PPP Forums.

Long story short, there were some issues right before the planned official launch of Net Audio Ads on February 1st.  To be honest with you … strictly my own opinion but I honestly believe someone got cold feet at the last moment - and for good reason.  They have … I don’t even know exactly how many affiliates … but it’s in the thousands.  Well, at the last minute someone decided - whoa - do you think it’s a good idea to start this launch wiht these thousands of affiliates all starting to play ads at once?  they were afraid of it crashing the system launching like that.  So, they decided to do a ’soft launch’ … playing the ads on only so many sites to start.  That way if there was a bug, since they ARE in BETA … it could be caught much more quickly.

Makes total sense to me … I mean even WE did a soft launch for MyWahmSpace.com.  We’re not even comparing apples to oranges there.   No where near in size - and not really money involved - except the money we paid for the program.  Oh and to top it off … they still had a couple of bugs after they started the soft launch.  (Heck, we’re still dealing with bugs at MyWahmSpace.com.)  So yeah, they had to take good care of their advertisers money.  Loose the advertisers and you have nothing.  Again, yeah, makes perfect sense to me.  Others apparently just didn’t see it that way.

So anyway, this last minute decision apparently ticked off a lot of people.  Right away people started screaming scam, saying how they were mislead in telling them that the launch day was to be 2/1 yadda, yadda, yadda …

Well first of all .. and the most important thoughts here … They are in BETA.  Everyone knew when they joined that PPP was in BETA.  And what does BETA mean?  BETA means … we’re testing.  So of course things like this are going to happen, right?  Ha, yeah right.  These people thought this program should have taken off immediately - smooth sailing from there on out.  Good dream people!  Wish I could exist in your perfect world.

Secondly … the launch DID start.  They just started it more slowly.  They were being cautious for pete’s sake!

So what do people start doing?  You’re gonna love this.  Some people that had ads playing started posting links to their pages so people could hear the ads!  Oh my gosh!?!  What could possibly be going through some people’s heads?  I’ll never know.

That’s like starting a PPC campaign w/ adsense and giving everyone links to their ads telling them to click the ads.  Hello people!  I bet the advertisers would LOVE that!!  Dare I say it?  Moron!!

Then there were issues with the stats.  (Yeah, I could go on and on about these people!)  Net Audio ads was telling us, no you cannot see your ads yet on your stats page but don’t worry … the system is still gathering the information.  You will see this as soon as the stats pages are back up.  Of course all these people didn’t believe this and yep, you guessed it … screaming scam again.

Turns out … and I can prove this with my own stats … Once the stats came back up, they WERE gathering information the entire time they were down.  I know this because at the time, I was strictly monitoring my own traffic/sign ups etc.  At the time, nothing was “live” on my site (where you could visit the pages from within my site).  I was only telling a few people about the affiliate program and was only giving the page to a couple of people.  I knew exactly who went and who signed up.  Yep, my stats showed this.

Okay and now here’s why I will be much more careful if I ever participate in BETA program again (and I’m sure I will.)

So there’s all these complaints, negativity, people NOT reading the updates … just plain old ball-babying.  I actually refer it to a two year old going through terrible twos throwing a temper tantrum.  I am serious … this is really how these people were behaving (yes, I say behaving just like we would to a child).

There’s a group of us who are willing to do exactly what we signed up for … taking the BETA ride.  Knowing that there will be issues w/ anything in BETA.  We started replying with things like:  “Hey guys, don’t forget we’re in BETA.”  “Be patient, things will come.”  “This is BETA and things like this are bound to happen.”  “Whats all the complaining about?  They did launch.”  “Just think what it’s going to be like when this really takes off and we’re a part of the beginning.”  “Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a founding member of adsense?”  Yadda, yadda, yadda…

Wow!  Was that the wrong way to go!  Being positive was definitely NOT welcome there!  Anyone who replied with a positive comment on a negative post got flamed big time.  They even resorted to name calling.  I know because another gentleman and I personally was called an (Excuse me here…) an a$$ kisser  :shock: 

the kissA## posters that is not in the incrowd or even in the know how that is bucking 4 board admin or some damage control persone makes me sick and right now i would rather hear those complainers than some kissA## that don’t know what they are saying .

Yep, that’s just an example of the maturity we were dealing with.  Heck, I didn’t even know there was an “in crowd” there.  Now I’m bummed because apparently I’m not in the “in crowd”  :cry:  

Then people started complaining and saying that they were going to leave the program.  After being bashed and flamed … my thoughts were (and excuse me again …)  … buddy, don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.  Sorry but year, that was beginning to be my mentality at that point. 

I mean really … who was FORCING them to stay?  If you’re not happy then simply leave and let us who know the bugs will be fixed be fine w/out you.

This post is beginning to get long … sorry … I was worried about that, lol!

Myself and a few others decided to just completely ignore the negative posts … don’t reply.  If they don’t have anyone to complain to then eventually they’re be quiet.  We even started making positive posts.  Although, we still had to be careful.  Seriously, the subject line of one of my posts was … Goals with PPP?  (Please no BAD Comments!)

So then finally more and more people start getting ads to play.  Posts are even beginning to start on the forums w/ people listing the revenue they’re earning.  I’m thinking good … Finally .. we’re getting through the bumpy part and those negative people who decided to stick around aren’t going to have anything to complain about anymore.  We get this awesome blog post alert saying Revenue is Rolling … wanna see the first reply?  I kid you not … the very first reply:

yeah I have made a whole $.86. What a joke this is. Feel free to delete this comment but I am sorry to say this is nothing more than a waste of time.

 Ugh!  I give up!! ROFL!  I just cannot waste my time or feed into anymore of the negativity.  I’ve taught myself to completely overlook the negative posts/replies and move forward.

This guy is talking about the very first day ad were playing on his site.  Does anyone remember when they first placed adsense on their site?  Did you make $.86 in a week?  Not alone one day!?!?  And this is coming from a company that is not even close to being up to full take off!!  Sorry … went off there for a moment.

Oh and as I was chatting around w/ some of the non-negative members … I’m finding that this is COMMON during BETA’s??  ICK!  I’m sure this is not going to be the last BETA program I ever participate in.  I think I’ll just stick w/ the facts straight from the company and totally forget about networking w/ other members until things are running smoothly.  Well, either that or be VERY careful of the posts I read and the people I talk with, lol!

I really have had a lot of faith in the Net Audio Ads/PPP program but of course I too was being on the cautious side.  Just being careful until I started seeing things fall in to place.  Now that I am … I’m gaining more and more faith … making it easier for me to promote.  I even signed up this morning to begin selling advertising.  I truely believe that Pay Per Play audio advertising is going to be as well-known and well-used as Google Adsense … and I’m thrilled to be a core member!  (Ha, now I’ve spoken my peace too!  LOL!)

Later!

Have you heard about Pay Per Play yet?

A quick overview is this …
Publishers sign up as an affiliate, place a small piece of javascript on a page (or more if they choose) of their website or blog.  Every time a new visitor visits a page with the code on it, they hear a quick 5 second advertisement.  The program is similar to Google Adsense in the fact that first you get paid every time the ad is played and two, the ads are set to “fit your content”. 

However, the difference from adsense is with adsense, visitors need to click on an ad for you to get paid and we don’t know exactly how adense is “figured” for your pay (for lack of better phrase).  With PPP, publishers are paid every time the ad is played and you know you’re going to get 25% of what the advertiser pays.  No guessing there.

My first initial reaction was … Hmm … nah, that’ll do nothing but annoy my visitors.  Well luckily PPP has an excellent sales pages which enticed me enough to at least sign up and find out more.  The sales page also had sample ads to listen to and had a sample ad I could play on a sample page of my website so I could see exactly how it sounds/works.  I finally decided that no, I don’t think it will annoy my visitors. 

I have no intentions of placing the code on every single page of my website - which is a guarantee annoyance in my opinion.  I plan on putting it on a few select pages and the way I predict it (for my own site) is that most of my visitors will only hear one ad per visit to my website.

The reason I decided to join first then read more later is because for one reason … the way I like to research and test things properly is to actually be a part of it.  The second reason is that while they’re in BETA and until they reach a certain number of members, all new members are a part of the “core members” group. 

Core members are able to refer new members and build a downline of two levels.  So, if I did decide to go through with it, I would not only earn 25% for myself but also 5% of what the advertiser pays in two levels.  Again, they’re only allowing so many core members so I didn’t want to take a chance of not signing up in time to become a core member (if I’m going to do it … I’m going to do it right, lol!) 

Once they have reached the maximum number of core members , people will still be able to join, they just won’t be able to build a downline.  I figured … let’s at least get in there as a core member and then take it from there.

So I gave you all that info to get to the real point of my post here …
Is Pay Per Play the next Google Adsense - Embarking on a new way of advertising online
or ….
Is it a scam?

First of all … from what I’ve read/seen … my own personal opinion is no, it’s not a scam.  I do not have any proof as of yet to say this for sure is not a scam but I will say I have a really good feeling and I feel fairly confident in saying so.  I think it’s an absolutely fantastic opportunity from both ends … the affiliate AND the advertier. 

I strongly believe that this is just the beginning of a great new way to advertise AND make money online.

However, there seems to be quite a few nay sayers out there.  Apparently Net Audio Ads has a pretty poor reputation from the past.  I’ll be honest … I’ve never even heard of Net Audio Ads or PPP until just recently so as far as how true that all is … I really can’t say.  Apparently from what I’ve been reading, they attempted either the same thing or something similar in the past and it failed.

Well, again my own opinion but I’m certainly for second chances.  I’d like to borrow something Rick London of http://article.affiliatesuccessbuilder.com/  “If everyone was a blinding success the first time with everything they did; I don’t think there would be much left for anyone to discover or profit from it in the future …”

I mean seriously, have YOU succeeded in everything you’ve attempted - especially the first time?

One thing I have picked up about all the “past”.  They have certainly made one major change that makes me feel even better and more positive about this.  They have the backing of one of the top 5 search engines this time ;)  This particular search engine has required to keep themselves un-disclosed until after the BETA (can ya blame them?)  Well like I said, we’re not being told as of yet WHO this search engine is but … I have my own opinion (please note - MY OPINION)  Let’s put it this way …

What major search engine is this going to be in direct competition with?  What major search engine would be VERY smart to join forces … and quite frankly quite stupid to NOT do so, lol?

Again, there is NO proof to back that statement up - NONE.  That’s my OWN PERSONAL OPINION (just covering my own rear there )

I myself have decided to continue as a core member.  I’ve placed a couple of ads on my site and have done a minimal bit of advertising.  Actually, I can’t even call what I’ve done as advertising.  I’m sharing with my readers at places such as here, on my message boards and MyWahmSpace.com.  As far as “advertising” goes or putting anymore than a little bit of time … I’ve not done that.  I also have chosen not to do so until after they’re out of BETA.

Any company, any opportunity … heck even a BETA email system ALWAYS has it’s chances.  There’s always a chance it could all crash and burn.  (I hope like heck it doesn’t of course, lol) But when you participate in ANY BETA program, you should ALWAYS take precaution.  You should invest (if anything) a minimum amount of money and time.

As I said above, the reason I jumped was because first of all … I really do have a good feeling about this.  Of course I can’t go full force into something just because I had a “gut feeling” but I do tend to listen to my gut  ;)  Secondly, as I said … if this takes off the way it’s predicted to … Oh my gosh!  Being a core member is a VERY good place to be sitting to say the least.  And guess what?  I wanna be there!  Imagine this … what would give now to have been a “core member” when Google Adsense first started?

And this is the reason I decided to share with my friends here on our blog and a couple other hand-selected places is because …  First of all, I know every single one of our readers are already making money OR are trying to make money online.  Most of you already know how simple Google Adsense is … you place a code and you’re done.  This is just the same, except you get paid for every visitor to whatever page you choose to place the code.  For a change, you’re actually paid for your traffic.

So here’s my recommendation … if you’re even slightly interested … join now.  Join now so you too can get in as a core member.  However, please also take my advice and do move ahead with caution!  This program is in BETA - and as I said, with BETA, you are taking the risk that it may fail.  It’s free to join so if that’s all you do until they’re out of beta and fully running … no harm no foul. 

You could also take it a step further and place the code on one single page of your website.  It takes all of five minutes out of your time.  Then you will be able to test it even further without much investment.  So, if the worst case senerio happens … you’re out what?  A whole 10 minutes (including sign up time).

But look at it this way … if this does take off … you’ll be sitting in a vey nice position and will be able to not only make money on your traffic but also the traffic of your downline.  Is it worth ten minutes of your time? 

Oh … you can sign up at http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/pay-per-play.html

You can hear a sample ad at http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/start-your-own-home-business2.html 
(Please Note:  That is a SAMPLE ad.  I do NOT earn a commission if you click the link.  PPP ads are also going to match your content - that ad, being a sample ad does not.)  Not annoying at all, is it?

And just one more thing before I go.  I DO have a bit of an ulterior motive here too.  If this DOES take off the way it’s predicted … I NEED as many work at home mom sites playing these ads as possible because once they’re out of BETA, I’m not only going to be a publisher … I’m going to be an advertiser and I want my ad playing on YOUR site!

While Kara has been focusing on Yahoo, I’ve been focusing on Google.  I’ve been focusing on Google because recently I was slapped by a PR wipe-out.  Like that phrase?  Me too … I “stole” it from a “mentor” of sorts of mine, Lynn Terry.  I’m finding more and more every day that I was clearly not the only one.

Needless to say, when I first noticed no PR on MommysHelperOnline.com I was devistated!  I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what on earth could have happened.  I’ve always built my traffic, PR and SEO naturally and “by the book”.  Never once did I ever do anything “black” or any “tricks” and this is how I’m rewarded?!?  I personally have always known that PR is basically worthless. 

However, way too many people put too much stock in PR that I was worried it would have bad effects on my traffic etc.  I’ve had enough time to watch how things were going and enough time to do some research.  I’ve been pleasantly surprised that nothing has changed in my traffic or ad sales and Google wasn’t just picking on me.  A lot of websites were shot down with this recent dance.

Frankly, I’m tired of the way Google believes they rule the internet and are so “secretive” on how they do things.  What’s with the big secret?  Tell us what the heck you’re doing and let us fight to the top in a real competition.  Stop making us guess!

I loved how Paul Short summed it up …

Soon people will ask “What is PR?” and the answer will be “Who cares.”

And according to his research …

This is consistent with discussions I’ve had with quite a few webmasters over the past few months: Socal networking and bookmarking is rapidly becomming a major source of traffic for their sites. In fact, some webmasters are at the point where they have completely given up on SEO in favor of social traffic.

Sounds good to me! I’m going to continue with what I’ve been doing. And heck, I’m going to follow some of the other webmasters around. It’s more than obvious that social networks have been taking the internet by storm so, I’ll continue hanging out on my (of course) favorite social network, MyWahmSpace.com  Besides, it’s so much more fun and I’ll bank on that social traffic!