Blog Owners.. Tips On Increasing CTR?

So we've been doing quite well on Hardcore Pride sales wise however, the amount of traffic we're actually getting and, the amount of that traffic clicking through to the Condom Cash sites could be a lot better, right now it looks like we're at around about a 15% CTR but im positive that can be greatly improved upon.

How are you folks making sure that you optimize your CTR's on any blogs you own? Do you find linked images work well? What about fully linked entries?

Any tips you would care to share with us on increasing CTR's on adult or gay blogs?

Regards,

Lee

Interesting question that has me thinking as well. I know that links within work, that pictures work, and I'd also hazard a guess that making the entire blog post clickable would be a mistake. It would become too obvious of a ploy in my mind, but that does assume some intelligence by the surfer/customer.

I think that in monitoring the blogs I do, that the mix of images/links within are the best. It comes down to the blog theme in many ways, and the way the words can elicit a click response.

Also I'd note that it depends on building up the blog. Not just one or two entries, but a consistent updating that brings them back to read more... and hopefully click thru more. Also varying the click thrus to not all the same one themed site...

my 2 cents worth for now... :coffee:

Fully linked posts? I think not. Your clicks through would surely increase but I seriously doubt that it would bring you any more sales. (significantly).

Theme, personality, regular posts, interesting posts, hot posts...

Basically if it smaks of being a splog it's going to do poorly.

Robin,

How would you rate Hardcore Pride at the moment entry wise?

Im always looking of ways to improve things for our affiliates so if you have any constructive criticism it would be appreaciated :)

Regards,

Lee

I see what you're doing Lee but I think it needs a bit of refining. In the loosest sense you're doing contextual ads.

For instance: When you link this phrase: "unbelievable basket of his" people expect to see a pic of some guy with an unbelievable basket. What they don't expect is to be taken to the front page of manspice.com

Another example: "Hell I enjoy cheese with my wraps". is linked and it goes to manspice.com

Why? It makes no sense.

In my opinion contextual ads work best when they actually go to a specific, site, product or what not. It takes more traffic when you're doing generic contextual ads.

I noticed that in some months you've got pics posted. But I didn't notice any in this month's posts. As this is basically a porn blog I would feature more pics. Interesting and unique hotties come to mind.

Just a couple thoughts for ya. :)

Cool thanks for the feedback Robin, ill pass that on to the guy who actually writes the daily updates :thumbsup:

Anyone else have any suggestions on how we can get affiliates more sales from Hardcore Pride?

Regards,

Lee

I've been told to update my blog about 6 times a day and that'll increase the bookmarkers. They want to know they're getting a lot of updating.

Michael

6? that seems bit excessive to me, but hell, whatever works. I think that it is about the content... not just quantity... so as stated in another thread, one reason why writers charge $20 to $25 per post...

Coo I'd never get anything else done If I was updating 6 times a day. :)

I suppose if a blog is all you've got and you've got plenty of content and stories to work with or an army of writers...

I prefer quality over quantity myself. It's the same with email -- just because you can send out a lot of email doesn't mean that you should. You're going to find that sooner or later there is a decline in open, read and ctr's.

my 2 cents though based on my own experiences. :)