We all know that it’s hard enough to get people to visit your blog which is why we all try our best to get as many people as possible find their way to them. This includes such tedious tasks as SEO and the more enjoyable, if not arduous, task of commenting on other blogs and forums. So, we do all the hard yards to get them on our blogs but it all seems such a waste of time if they don’t click on our affiliate links.
This is because as hard as it is to increase a blog’s traffic it’s even harder to get them to click on an ad. We spoke about this in an old blog post called Rotating Banner Problem Resolved By Max Banner Ads where I concluded that we could reduce the effect of ad blindness by showing the reader a different image every time the page was loaded.
Overcoming Ad Blindness
The problem is that even rotating the ads didn’t work for long because people saw them for what they are, an ad! So, the way to overcome ad blindness is to give them something to click on that got their attention but didn’t look like an ad!
Let me ask you something, what is it that almost everyone is into these days? The answer would have to be some sort of social media, whether it’s FaceBook, MSN, or whatever, and being associated with such media they are constantly exposed to their instant messenger notifications. Enter Covert Messenger.
You’ve probably noticed the plugin in action while reading this post. Yep, that’s the one that popped up in the bottom right hand corner of this blog, the one that I’ve configured to look like a FaceBook instant message. That ad has only just gone live and while writing this post it’s already gotten two clicks, as can be seen on the image below.
Heck, since capturing that picture the figures had just doubled, and this post still hasn’t gone live yet! It just goes to show that rather than being turned away people are actually attracted to this form of ad. Of course they are because they don’t realize that it is an ad, even though mine does give it away because I placed that attention image in it.
Can you see the potential in this form of ad? Because people are going to be more prone to clicking on it you want to make sure that it actually takes them to somewhere useful. Don’t send them to some obscure site or squeeze page just to make a couple of bucks, especially if the product is somewhat suspect. So, what can you use it for?
- Building Your List: This would be a great way to build that list you’ve always dreamed of.
- Promote Your Affiliates: Can you think of a better way to send people to those affiliate products or services that you know and love?
- Promoting A Special Post: This would also be a great way to send visitors to a particular post which may actually be promoting something.
I could go on and on but I’m sure you have a great idea of where I’m coming from.
How Good Is Covert Messenger?
Covert Messenger is a great little plugin for two very good reasons. The first is that it’s been formulated around an idea that has been tested and proved and the second is that its so simple to use. I’ve configured it to show a Facebook ‘instant message’ 10 seconds after the page loads. It then disappears after 60 seconds and reappears again after another 10 seconds. If they close the ad I’ve configured it so it won’t appear for another 24 hours. The beauty of it all is that you can change those values to anything you want so it works just the way you want it to.
As usual with any new plugin there appears to be a time limit before they lift the price. I decided to get in early and that wasn’t just because I wanted to save a few bucks. I would have paid much more for it because I can see how this would be a powerful tool to ad to my IM tool.
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Tagged with: Banner blindness • Covert Messenger review • Facebook • Instant messaging • Social media • Windows Live Messenger
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It’ll be interesting to see if it generates sales for you Sire. I have to admit that it freaked me out when it popped up because I thought you were about to talk to me when I thought you were asleep. lol
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Mitch Mitchell recently posted…5 More Lessons About Blogging Learned From A Poker Tournament
Twitter: AussieSire
Yeah, how cool was that?
I reckon I will have to do my own video about this plugin because the one the link takes you to is a little long winded.
Mitch, I thought the exact same thing, what an interesting plug-in. Sire- sounds like it is a good time to buy the plug-in before the price goes up. Its better to test it now and see how customers react versus waiting.
Byrl Lane recently posted…Good Samaritan Shot in the Neck in Phoenix
Twitter: AussieSire
Yep, and if you become an affiliate for the plugin you’ll get the money back in no time. I know I did.
The thing that i do for call to action is most of the time i use a contrasting backgroundcolor on the affiliate blocks. I track them with mouseflow.com to see if it attracts the eye. I get a good CTR using these simple tricks
DWR recently posted…Daten in Nijmegen
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Yep, I reckon I could do that too but it sounds like a lot of hard work. I’m sticking with this plugin because it’s easier and I’m sure it will have a much higher success rate.
I’ve been noticing more and more those little right hand popups but never knew it was a plugin..
Hmmm. I’m still undecided, altho I will say it’s better than the full page popup.. or even all the way across the bottom.
dee
dee recently posted…Tickets OnSale April 13-15, 2012
Twitter: AussieSire
Yep and that alone is a huge positive. I know how much those ads annoy people which is why I’m sure this one will be so much more popular.
fyi, thought you’d want to know, I just hovered mouse over your (right/bottom) popup and the arrow never turned to the hand that typically occurs when hovering over a link.
I clicked anyway, but may not have if I wasn’t reading about the new popup in the post.
dee
dee recently posted…Tickets OnSale April 13-15, 2012
To make your visitors, customers is a tough job. A lot of patience and consistency is required in this regards.You guides us in a right to promote our affiliate.
Azam recently posted…Being a Sales Rep for Silpada Designs
I’ve been looking at this plugin myself so its great to see how it’s working for you (and how you’re using it). Thanks for the great info as always Sire!
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Kimberly Castleberry recently posted…Need A Blog Post? Legally Steal This One! Now Reblogging Friendly
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Always a pleasure Kim, especially getting to try something before you do as I’m usually the one lagging behind
I have been doing a lot of reading up regarding pop ups and despite this being my first time to your site I actually found myself wanting to say “hello” to the pop up than clicking back out!
I’m impressed. Thanks for the info too.
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I know Sarah, and it’s because it doesn’t give you the same impression as those annoying popups. I don’t even bother to read those and click them off automatically.
I’ve always found that they ruin my time on that blog as it pops out blocking what I am reading. The Covert Messenger will be more acceptable to people than those popups we’ve all grown to hate.
Another major bugbear about the other pop-ups is when they pop up and ask you to fill in a survey about their site! I’ve not even had a chance to read so click back!
This one is very good. Me like :-)
Sarah recently posted…Do you want to be a fighter? A guide to getting started in Mixed Martial Arts.
Twitter: AussieSire
So do I Sarah, especially because it doesn’t cover the whole post forcing people to deal with it. Mine just pops up in the bottom corner, not covering the post whatsoever.
Twitter: bivori
Looks awesome plugin and yes it appears more effective. A couple of things I noticed, and I don’t know if the feature is available or not. Curiosity on just looking on your implement, I’d like to ask
1. Does it allow to set several messages to show so that every time a new message pops up rather than the same as is being displayed on your site?
2. The mouse pointer had to change into hand icon to inform the content is clickable. Because the mouse pointer is normal, so it fails to inform users that they should click on it.
Looking forward for your reply. I’m really interested in this plugin.
Twitter: AussieSire
Hey Suresh,
It doesn’t actually have the function to show different messages with every popup but that is a great idea. I was actually going to change the message manually on a regular basis but doing so automatically would be a great feature.
As to the mouse pointer, I noticed that as well. There’s been an update to the plugin since writing this post, maybe they will have fixed it. I’ll let you know once I get home and upload the update.
yes, it is indeed hard to have people visit and read your blog. And sometimes, ads with links on it don’t get clicked too often. There’s a lot of competition out there. I haven’t been able to use convert messenger since I haven’t heard that one before. Anyway, will this plugin automatically choose the terms to hyperlink?
Twitter: AussieSire
Nope, you choose which link you want the ad to point to.
Its an amazing plugin that looks fabulous.I was gazing at the plugin,the way its working.If there could have been a hand tool,it could be more convenient for a user to follow that it is a clickable content and new page is displayed.I looked better than full page pop up.
Twitter: AussieSire
I agree and I said as much on the developers blog. Who knows they may fix that in the next update.
Great post! I think that is all we are trying for, Increase the traffic. In my small & short stint while promoting my Blog I have experienced that whenevr I hard to promote my own blog, the results are really not satisfactory. In this trying hard I tend to go overboard with things. where as when I take things lightly and keep in mind the basics, the results are MUCH better. The Covert Messenger looks impressive going to try it.. :)
Grant Brookes recently posted…DIY Conservatories & the Green Deal
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I know the feeling Grant, but we strive on because we love what we do, well at least I do.
I’m sure you’ll love the plugin, if you go ahead and buy it that is
I’m so glad you brought this up. I have this problem too (making readers to click on a link), but now, thanks to you, I might have a solution. Thanks!
Elena recently posted…Duties of a Traveling CNA
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Well Elena, this plugin could be the answer for you.
An interesting idea. I hadn’t really considered something like this chat pop up thing. I will be curious to see if it works out. On a personal level, I immediately go for the exit button when ANYTHING pops up on the screen, but I think there are still a good amount of people out there that are attracted to something like this. We shall see, indeed.
Twitter: AussieSire
So do I Robert and I’ve always said I wouldn’t use those annoying popups, but you know what? This isn’t one of them because it’s not as in your face as those are as it doesn’t hide the content at all and it’s something that all FaceBook users are used to
I guess this plugin works best for CPA ads. I’ve never knew that the pop-up showing every-time I load a page was actually a plugin. However, taking into account that it works for you it makes me realize it has a huge potential. The main issue is to find the right product to promote, according to the profile of my readers.
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Jack Sander recently posted…Outdoor barbeque designs
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Not just for CPA Ads Jack. It would also be great for List building and to promote those special squeeze pages or to take people to a post that you want to promote, just to name a few.
Redirecting people to other pages (like pages with great CTR or high CPC) sounds like a great idea… The only problem I see is that returning visitors might not like the pop-ups and not come back…
Jack Sander recently posted…Bbq pit plans
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I suppose that could be a problem with any popup but I truly believe that it’s less of a problem with this one.
Twitter: TechInitio
A excellent post with a topic that is more important than it looks. It is very different seeing a link and clicking on it. I will try these tactics out!
Rashmi Sinha recently posted…Sony Play Station Vita
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It will only work with the plugin Rashmi, but of course you realize that
Agree with Suresh Khanal on the mouse display. If there is a link, the mouse should be displayed with a hand, not a pointer, it makes the audiences easier to recognize that it’s linkable.
Twitter: AussieSire
I asked them about that Harry and they said that it was designed that way on purpose so as to mimic the actual FaceBook message box. They also said they may add the option in the next update.
hi, i am beginner for blogging and i try to make some income of it.
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thanks for share the information and hope it will help in my blogging.
what else you think can help me to promote my blog?
chinho80 recently posted…Laser Surgery for Eye – What Is Laser Eye Surgery
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Heck, where do I start? Tell you what, why don’t you spend some time browsing through the blog? I’m sure you’ll pick up a few tricks here and there.
ok. thanks anyway. i will spend some time in this site. i sure i will have great time during reading this blog.
chinho80 recently posted…Laser Surgery for Eye – Laser Eye Surgery Procedure
Looks useful – Thanks for the review and the viable links – will be sure to do some extra research and review a couple of reviews. Thanks for sharing.
Anton Koekemoer recently posted…What makes a good social media strategy?
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No worries Anton, that’s what I do. Sharing that is
This looks really good…I like to think that I have implemented all that I can to get the visitor to click. Thanks for the info, will be getting this from you, since you revealed it to me!
Wade recently posted…Preaching Sermons to Today’s Church
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I’m sure you won’t regret it Wade
I do not agree that this is a good way to get readers to click your link. This is a commonly used technique, usually applied by scam sites saying “Meet attractive women who wear nothing in your town!” the immediate reaction is to click the little “x” and be done with the pesky little things.
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I wouldn’t know Steven, I don’t visit those sites. Personally I think it’s a great idea otherwise I wouldn’t be using it and I definitely wouldn’t be recommending it.
Sure some people may not like it but I still believe it’s a hell of a lot better than those annoying popups. That is something that I would never use.
Normally I’m pretty positive about everything you write, but I have to very staunchly disagree here. I absolutely despise covert messenger and would never consider putting it on one of my sites for a number of reasons.
For one it will drive away trafic. Up until today I have seen CM used on only two genre of website, and that is porn and torrents. Just having the pop up is a red flag to any visitor that your site is likely infested with malware and low quality content.
For two, it’s immoral. I get adds, adds are fine and necessary to supporting a website, but the point is that people clicking on the add know what they are getting. Covert Messenger is trying to trick visitors into clicking on adds that don’t interest them by disguising it as something else; and I think that’s a pretty cheep trick.
So yeah; I hate covert messenger.
Stefan recently posted…New 5p & 10p Coins to Be Made Out of Nickel
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Hey Stefan, I actually had fish this comment out of the spam filter. You’ve made some valid points and I would agree that there are probably a lot of people who would abuse the plugin. Having said that, just because that may be the case does not make it a bad plugin. Take my Covert Messenger ad that you see on this blog. I’m not hiding anything and people who click on it know exactly where it’s going to take them.
Hi Sire,
I heard about covert messenger but I donot try it yet. Well, this pop up is better than full page pop-ups. I don’t like Full page pop-ups but pop-up appears in the side of page is much better in catching attention then full page pop-ups.
Pete Goumas recently posted…Vitalicious Discount Coupons & Review
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I’m with you Pete.
Is it a good idea to replace links with banners? Some people believe that it’s more scary for the readers, as it is usually associated with something fishy… Some other support that plain link lists are not impressive enough, to draw attention.
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