If you have read this blog previously you know a handful of entries have been about traffic exchanges and although I am also working on other ways to drive traffic to my blog and website I also rely on TE’s to brand my name and build my list.  Some will argue they don’t work but there are many who know they do, but only because they have learned the formula to succeed using them.

I guarantee for every form of traffic generation you will find both negative and positive feedback but unless you are testing and tracking your results it’s irrelevant, so I take it upon myself to find out for myself if it works and traffic exchanges are no different.  I could identify with some of the criticisms but more often than not most people who say traffic exchanges don’t work – are making or made the same mistakes.

Here are the 5 Common Mistakes People Make Using Traffic Exchanges:

1. Sales Pages – this is common sense folks.  How many times have you stopped to read an entire sales page at a traffic exchange? What makes you think they are going to stop to read yours?  You are given a small window to promote your page why would you show a 10 mile long page?  I try to keep my pages above the fold.  If people have to scroll down during their surfing session you will be one of those bitching about TE’s not working.

2. Affiliate Pages – another no-brainer.  How many times have you seen the same affiliate sales or splash page OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER again?  Unless it’s your very own unique page you are minimizing your chances of making sales and getting sign-ups.  It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  Your affiliate sales or splash page is that needle, so what are your chances?

3. Splash & Squeeze Pages – small space, so make use of it.  Successful TE users are rotating splash and squeeze pages to get their message across.  In both cases you have a short time to promote your page, so why muck it up with crap?  Make it short and sweet, whether you use great graphics to stand out or put your name and picture on it you can’t go wrong.  Use affiliate splash and squeeze pages only if you can put your name and photo on it.  It doesn’t make sense to use the same splash pages a bunch of other people are using without setting yourself apart.

4. Blindly Surfing – are you testing and tracking your results?  People will bitch and moan about something not working but how the heck can you possibly know what works or what doesn’t if you don’t test and track?  There really isn’t any excuse.  These days you can join ad tracking systems like HitsConnect & ProTrackerPlus for free and they also show you how to use their tools.

5. Social Networking – people just don’t get it.  The traffic exchange community is a tight one and there are many of them who are accessible and willing to help you along.  Some traffic exchanges have chat features which you can use to meet fellow surfers.  A lot of the traffic exchange owners have blogs and forums. Many TE owners have free reports as well.  They are on Facebook, Twitter, etc., so it doesn’t make sense to dismiss traffic exchanges, just ask questions and get the help to ensure you succeed with TE’s.