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First Decision for A Newbie - Who To Target? Which Offer? What Angle? (6)

01-05-2014 10:05 PM #1 phil2014 (AMC Alumnus)
First Decision for A Newbie - Who To Target? Which Offer? What Angle?

Ok, just so you're aware, this is just a typed up version of the debate that's currently going on in my head.

Sometimes, writing stuff out - either in a letter or maybe a forum - can help clear thoughts up. And assist in decision making.

Following much good advice here, I shall get my feet wet in PoF. So that's one decision made - traffic source.

But I'm a little pre-occupied with the decision of how to segregate that traffic source into manageable, marketable, demographics. I read somewhere (probably Finch) that you should choose your traffic source first then find an offer to match it.

But segregating traffic is an adjustment of the traffic source. And segregating it is really unhelpful if you have no offer in mind. So what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

I've been reading with great interest, and much relief, Caurmen's getting started guide: which is fantastic, by the way. I've also read Maynzies guides, which are also massively helpful. And bowlcutah's guide. And stuff by Finch. As well as the PoFpro Mastery Guide and Ben's blog over at pof.com.

And I'm still reading and absorbing. Certain things repeatedly get stated by different people in different ways.

One thing that sticks out is Maynzie saying that PoF is easy, just match the targeting with an offer and you're away (I paraphrase). That kind of resonates with the post by Ben on pof.com, where he shows an account that minutely targets 100's of different demographic variations.

So my uncertainty is really about traffic. When you've decided on your traffic source, ie, PoF - how do you decide what targeting to use? Since targeting is really just a further traffic decision. 'Go niche' is often said, and examples of niche dating offers are suggested: that makes sense - yet in Ben's example of an almost obsessive 'niching down' of the traffic source, the marketer seems to be sending his/her highly selected and defined punters to the broadest of offers, eg - Be2, match, etc

I seem to recall Finch saying something along these lines too. So is the best scenario (for a newbie) to highly target your punter to send them to similarly targeted offers - such as BBWs to BBW dating offers - or is it better to call them out and then explain, on a landing page, why a broad offer like Be2 or Match will cater for them?

Maybe there's an argument for split testing the two offers; but I'm deciding on my first position right now.

Choose a gender; choose an age group; choose a country; choose a state; choose a religion; choose a race; choose... choose.. choose... but how do newcomers make those choices? It's like asking how long a piece of string is. Is there a strategy for these first decisions or is it as precarious as it seems - just make a choice and commit your money?

Anyone?

01-05-2014 10:10 PM #2 maynzie (Moderator)

So my uncertainty is really about traffic. When you've decided on your traffic source, ie, PoF - how do you decide what targeting to use? Since targeting is really just a further traffic decision. 'Go niche' is often said, and examples of niche dating offers are suggested: that makes sense - yet in Ben's example of an almost obsessive 'niching down' of the traffic source, the marketer seems to be sending his/her highly selected and defined punters to the broadest of offers, eg - Be2, match, etc
Once you have your source chosen, let your creative juices run free. Every source has different targeting options, with POF you have endless matches I can think of. First of all, you have to find your offers bro, you have to get in touch with your affiliate manager and ask for good performing offers, 2-3 of them. From there you can choose what angle you're going to go,

Think like this too:

Niche: BBW, Black, Senior, Christian etc
Micro Niche: Black BBW's, Christian Seniors

01-06-2014 12:29 PM #3 phil2014 (AMC Alumnus)

Thanks for dropping by and posting, Maynzie. Your opinion is much appreciated.

I've been assessing all the targeting options offered by PoF and there really are a hell of a lot! I guess you're right, it's just a matter of picking a niche and calling it out.

And yes, an offer with a good performance makes sense - maybe it's better for a newbie to stick with what's safe than to try anything unusual, what do you think? I see some niche offers available, but maybe it'd be better to try split testing the more established offers like Be2, Match, Date, etc. At least that way I might be able to reduce some of the variables - they have proven themselves over time so an unusual conversion rate might point towards a flaw in my campaign rather than the offer itself.

01-06-2014 05:23 PM #4 caurmen (Administrator)

Yes, that's a good idea. Test some more established offers - but also test some newer ones.

AM is a numbers game to a great extent. Test stuff, see what works, see what doesn't. Move on and test something else. Repeat.

Eventually, you hit a winner!

Some quick guidelines for POF: I'd recommend targeting a specific login count group. Don't bother with Session Depth. Don't bother with Marital Status or Search Intent unless they're key to your targeting. Do split-test age groups, always.

Go forth, test some shit, see what happens, and learn from it!

01-07-2014 09:14 PM #5 phil2014 (AMC Alumnus)

Quote Originally Posted by caurmen View Post
Yes, that's a good idea. Test some more established offers - but also test some newer ones.

AM is a numbers game to a great extent. Test stuff, see what works, see what doesn't. Move on and test something else. Repeat.

Eventually, you hit a winner!

Some quick guidelines for POF: I'd recommend targeting a specific login count group. Don't bother with Session Depth. Don't bother with Marital Status or Search Intent unless they're key to your targeting. Do split-test age groups, always.

Go forth, test some shit, see what happens, and learn from it!
Thanks for dropping by aswell, Caurmen.

With your and Maynzie's input, I'm getting close to a strategy. I'll build my first campaigns on established offers, then maybe split test some newer ones once the campaign has been running a little while.

01-08-2014 07:44 AM #6 bbrock32 (Administrator)

With your and Maynzie's input, I'm getting close to a strategy. I'll build my first campaigns on established offers, then maybe split test some newer ones once the campaign has been running a little while.
Nice man, keep us updated with your progress!

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