As advertising budgets become scrutinized across the board, marketers look for new placement strategies that deliver predictable results and a clear return on investment (ROI). Although 62% of CMOs expect their media spend to bounce back in 2021 (Gartner), advertising will not look the same as it did before COVID-19 arrived.

For affiliates (also known as “publishers”), selling calls is an easy way to monetize their ad space and drive new revenue through high payouts. Many affiliates who sell calls choose to do so by working either directly with an advertiser, or indirectly through the network. In this scenario, the affiliate applies to an advertiser’s offer, and once approved, receives a tracking number so they can send the calls they generate to that advertiser. For each call that meets the specific quality and duration requirements of the advertiser, the affiliate is paid a fixed price specified in the advertiser’s offer. This kind of campaign allows affiliates to apply to the offers with the best payouts for their traffic and gives them the most control over their earnings.

1.      Pay-Per-Call

Pay-per-call is a type of performance marketing in which businesses buy inbound phone-based leads from publishers and affiliates. The advertisers only pay for calls that meet their specific geographic and duration requirements as well as any other previously specified conditions such as call category. For each qualified call an advertiser receives, they will pay a predetermined, fixed amount to the pay-per-call network or publisher that generated the call.

Selling calls is a quick and easy way for publishers (also called “affiliates”) to earn money. If you’re new to pay-per-call, your first step in getting started is to apply to an offer. Usually, the offer will include details related to the advertiser’s geographic location(s), hours of operation, approved advertising methods, duration requirements, restrictions, and payout. Once you’ve been approved for an offer, you can add a tracking number and start driving call traffic to the offer. For each call you generate that meets the advertiser’s requirements, you will be paid a fixed amount.

Whether you’re new to pay-per-call or have been running campaigns for years, it’s important that you know how your call-based leads are ­­generated to ensure you receive the kinds of leads you want, and your campaigns are compliant with common laws and regulations. In the pay-per-call space, there are typically four types of calls that advertisers can opt to receive: inbound and outbound, warm and cold transfers, carrier or intercept, and directory assistance. If you’re unsure of which types of calls will work best for you, we’ve outlined each below.

Why a Trusted Network is Important

Performance marketing is a strategic use of advertising spend that makes sense: affiliates generate leads that they sell to brands who pay for the leads that meet their qualifications. It’s a win-win for both parties involved.

Affiliate marketers face the unique challenge of identifying and capitalizing on outstanding sources of consumer engagement. In the pay-per-call space, affiliates (also known as “publishers”) generate call traffic using a variety of advertising methods – web-based, offline, carriers, and call centers. In the age of digital marketing, some of the most common methods for call-based lead generation include paid search, organic search (SEO), social media, and display ads. However, that’s not to say that other sources aren’t of value in driving call traffic.

To achieve a high ROI on your marketing budget, you need high-value leads that are likely to convert. However the financial services industry is very competitive, so consistently generating qualified leads can be challenging for marketers in this field.

The life insurance industry is notoriously competitive, but successfully generating leads for your agents is as simple as choosing the right strategy for your marketing budget.

The home security industry is ripe with opportunity. As homeowners become more aware of home security systems and lean into the benefits of adopting a smart home, the home security industry is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2025 even in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.