After running offers across a few different verticals, a handful of unglamorous basics ended up mattering more than any "secret" trick.
- Match the offer to the traffic's actual intent. An offer that converts great from search traffic can flop on social traffic that wasn't looking to buy anything yet - the mismatch kills conversion more than the offer itself.
- Landing page speed matters more than people think. A slow lander bleeds clicks before anyone even sees the pitch, especially on mobile.
- Honest comparison content outperforms a hard sell. Content that lays out real pros/cons tends to convert and retain better than pure hype, since people can tell the difference.
- Test the same vertical across multiple networks. EPC for what looks like "the same" offer can vary a lot between networks - it's worth spreading test traffic before committing to one.
- Disclose the affiliate relationship clearly. Beyond the compliance side, it actually builds trust with the audience rather than hurting conversions.