How to monetize

I think I understand....

So, in an ideal world, you would have the traffic (and the statistics) to approach the companies and say "Look - I have this many people wanting to buy / are interested in your product".

Once you get to that level, with the figures, just use it as proof. Providing your traffic is consistant, I can't see there being too much of a problem getting the site to earn you money.

It's an affiliate program, pure and simple (as far as I understand the post).

I once read, people treat their email like cash, and have 'monopoly money' accounts that they don't mind if they get spammed, because they can just delete it.

I think once you get the proof sorted, the rest should come, but the kind of companies I think you're talking about probably wouldn't just go for photoshopped traffic stat screen shots (not saying that's what you would do, of course).

It's been a long day, and I hope this made sense, if not, I'll take another look if you clarify your question a bit.

Cheers,

Andy.

Thanks for the reply. You got what I was saying pretty good. I think you're right on the fact that I should build up the list first then approach. I don't think there will be much of a problem with having to prove my list though, for if I was making purely commission off purchased items, a throw-away list would be useless to me.

Perhaps I'm not understanding your question entirely, but here's my 2 cents, and hope it helps.

Tell your list that you go out and find the best deals for them. So give them the deal. But in the email, just include a section called "sponsored ad" or something. Then people will still see that your bringing them the deal they opted in for, just like you promised, but they also see an ad in the email too. No problem with that. People put additional ads in their emails all the time.

The companies will know that your email lists are 'ad supported,' but you promise not to promote a competitor product/site. The companies probably only care about whether you're bringing them buyers.

Well, we are moving from analog dollars to digital dimes, and to cell phone pennies soon. Right now there is a decline in CPA and it is getting worse. Like you need a lot more traffic now. People are not clicking as much and those few that do even click are hanging on to their money.