Is it recommended to use spy tools as a newbie?
Will it accelerate the learning curve or decelerate it?
You will obv have a higher chance of success right from the beginning if you use them.
On the other hand it might increase the risk of becoming lazy when it comes to using your own creativity to create new angles and banners.
Also the money could be used testing campaigns. However if you have a few thousand dollars to test it likly won't make any difference.
What tools would be recommended? WhatRunsWhere seems to be the number one choice.
Which route to go as a newbie? Use spy tools or not?
Thanks
I would:
1. Use the PoF and adult spy tools available freely here if useful.
2. Spy as a normal user i.e. just look at ads you see in the wild and landers.
As for starting out and getting straight into spy tools... I would focus your time/money on getting your feet wet with some campaigns. Spy tools can be helpful but...
The fact of the matter is, as a newbie, you have a lot of challenges ahead of you that are unrelated to the quality of your banners or landers.
You will have to wrap your head around data, learn how to implement tracking, build a rapport with your AM, select offers wisely, split test, make banners and landers, deal with offers going down, keep cashflow under control, you will get kicked off offers, you will make mistakes left right and centre, you will lose money, the list could go on...
My point is that spying isn't going to make the journey easier. In fact, it may make things more confusing as you see people doing things you can't seem to figure out. You may try to emulate them but fail, resulting in exacerbated feelings of failure.
That's my opinion - others may think the opposite completely. It's really up to you. The worth of a spy tool is influenced by how effectively you can capitalise on the insight it gives.