CPA for Newbies

I'm making this post after thinking about some of what was in my mind when I first got bitten with the CPA marketing bug.
CPA isn't for everyone and definitely not for newbies that know NOTHING of internet marketing. that's not to discourage you, you can do well you just need a good foundation to begin with and you will need some technical skills. Here's what I think you need to know before tackling cpa

1. How to run a website. a hosting account is key as you will be uploading docs to your hosting account, modifying web pages and creating landing pages.

2. how google and other search engines work. start with google then branch out to yahoo and msn. why? yahoo will drain your pockets. they were taking money out of my account 2-3 times per week.

3. familiarity with html, and basic php. you at least need to know how to create a php redirect

4. familiarity with keyword tools and how to use them

5. persistence & patience - this is not an overnight process. it took me 3 months to figure out how to make a buck. (Luke and the ppc coach shortened that timeframe tremendously) and i'm still learning everyday.

6. Brass Balls. it takes brass balls to implement a system without knowing ALL the steps involved. just keep moving forward

7. affiliate networks- cpa isn't the only game in town. you can make piles of cash prmoting physical products from commission junction. get familiar with the cpa networks, commission junction, shareasale, linkshare and clickbank

after you get your feet wet and do some studying then you may decide to pick up a course or get a mentor.

Courses I recommend-

* Pay Per Click Formula- top notch info.
* PPC Classroom - when they open this back up, join ASAP! 1 technique I learned last week was worth the entire fee I paid.
* ppc-coach.com - monthly membership site focusing on ppc > cpa offers, but these techniques can be used elsewhere. i'll be using what i learned there to promote my own products as well as any product i can get rights to that has good keywords.
*ppcscaretactics.com/cash.php - once you learn ppc you need to learn how to write ads that literally grab the reader by the eyeballs and forces them to click your ads and buy what you're selling. these videos do just that. they mix copywriting with google ad words using 2 of the oldest most effective tricks in the book for doing that- Fear, and Scarcity.

I've heard good things about steve holdaway's stuff as well as adwordsmentor.com and Chris Carpenter's Google Material generally gets good reviews from what I've seen. I haven't read any of it so I can't speak on it directly.