Traffic Exchanges are suffering financially. Less upgrades are being purchased, less real marketers joining for the sake of exchanging traffic. We’re beating a dead horse here, I think everyone is in agreement that Traffic Exchanges are hurting. We can talk about that fact until we’re blue in the face (which seems to be the popular thing to do), OR we can combine our efforts and find a way to move this industry forward!
As I write this post, I’m literally rubbing my forehead in frustration. I attend tons of conferences and the topic is almost always “Boohoo the cash surfing is destroying the industry.” Come on! Where’s the positive attitude that can move real manual exchanges forward into a new era? Where are the new innovative ideas to breathe life back into the exchanges for us that actually use them the RIGHT way?
We are still here; we are still surfing; we are still building our business! WE matter! Cash surfers/surfing purely to earn a few cents (sorry if this offends but I’m being 10000% honest) do NOT matter! They aren’t what keeps this industry alive, they’re not who should be getting the attention and energy that us real surfers rightfully deserve.
The conferences are a wonderful way to get a group of owners and surfers together to discuss the state of the Traffic Exchange Industry, and I love them, absolutely love them. But why does it have to be a group bitch session? Can we not use that time productively to work on changes instead of just collective griping?
We know cash surfing hurts the industry, we know people are investing less money into upgrades, credits. Now what? No amount of collective griping is going to change those issues. No amount of ranting is going to contribute to helpful ideas! Let’s think! Let’s do things that have never been done before.
If people are not spending money like they used to on upgrades, maybe it’s time to rethink upgraded membership benefits? Just because the structure and benefits of an upgrade have always been the same, and have always worked, doesn’t mean you don’t have to adapt and rethink them at some point.
It is the “This is the way it’s always been done,” mentality that kills a business, that keeps it stagnant, from achieving progress and forward movement. I love the Traffic Exchanges, and I love the owners. It just breaks my heart to see the “lie down and take it” attitude creeping in. You guys are better than this! You’ve been here for years, this is YOUR industry! There’s nothing you can’t do here… so let’s do it already!
This is my public plea for the groaning and complaining to finally take a back seat to real thought, progress and innovative ideas that I know are just waiting and fighting like hell to be born. Let’s put the spotlight back where it needs to be, on us surfers that need for the Traffic Exchange industry to succeed, so that we can do the same. Cheers! 
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Hi Winter
You are becoming quite the blogger…. want to do mine lol!
Traffic Exchanges were good 10 years ago, they were good a year ago, they are good now and they’ll be good next year.
Cheers!
Tony
I think the Traffic Exchanges will be fine as long as they’re always forward thinking. The industry changes as the new blood changes. It’s an ebb and flow; you can’t stand still or else you’re not moving.
I have a feeling some exciting things will be implemented, built from the frustration going on now, so I’m excited!
I think maybe I just like to run my big mouth lol either way, it’s a good time! I can barely keep up with mine, not sure you’d want me to do your blogging heh
Nice post Winter now ya got me thinking..especially loved this
“If people are not spending money like they used to on upgrades, maybe it’s time to rethink upgraded membership benefits? Just because the structure and benefits of an upgrade have always been the same, and have always worked, doesn’t mean you don’t have to adapt and rethink them at some point.” and Im working on that now.
Kaye
I’m glad it gave you a starting point for change. I really have faith in the TE industry as a whole to adapt and grow. But it will never happen without change. Every business model has to improve or die… it’s no different here.
Looking forward to seeing your new ideas for upgrades!
Great Post…Please keep up on this subject!!
Hi Winter
Another thought provoking post.
Hmm… As a surfer and a website promoter I like the concept of good old fashoined manual Traffic Exchanges but with innovations that make them more attuned to the current and future surfing environment.
Sweeva is a good example of innovation within the manual exchange environment. A number of sites offer chatting alongside surfing but sweeva enables communication between promotors and potential buyers.
I do worry about shorter display times. I sometimes think 6 seconds is probably too short to give advertisers value but one of my favlorite exchanges uses this (ILH).
Upgrade benefits is a good area to focus on. Mixed models that offer a reasonably substantial downline income (like TrafficWave or TOAN) may have some scope as long as the primary focus remaions on traffic exchange.
anyway -just a few thoughts.
I myself had made a post shortly before reading this blog entry. People may read my opinion over @ NMF.
http://netmarketingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=205328
This little niche is to full of people who matter to just let it waste. Owners need to remember that they have the responsibility of providing a responsive demographic. Owners need to get out and hustle more. That’s it.
Great post Winter. I don’t believe less upgrades are necessarily being purchased, there is just more CHOICE of where people will spend that money.
To capture that money you need to provide a service that delivers over-the-top value. It’s really simple, people will spend money where they get the best bang for the buck. If an exchange has the same offers they had years ago and they are getting less sales, then it’s time to get more competitive in their offerings.
Provide the best ROI and you’ll get more upgrades, and long-term customers, too.
Thanks for posting that here Ian. I think I was writing while you were posting in NMF. I had to reply to that thread of course, because your points are 100% valid.
I’m so tired of the “woe is me” that’s going on. TE’s are suffering, but only those of us that care about exchanging real traffic can improve the state of the industry… and griping isn’t going to get it done.
We’ve ranted, cried, cussed about it… now let’s figure out what is going to be done to move the industry forward.
Amen! That’s the thing…. if the upgrades are the same, and they’re selling less… time to rethink those upgrade benefits, or even the pricing.
There are so many places to upgrade now, it might not be a bad idea to consider lowering the prices some. You can sell 10 at $50 or 50 at $10.
Thanks for your thoughts Darren. It’s always going to be about where people want to spend their money, and how hard you’re willing to work to get them spending that money at your exchange.
Wow Geoff! Great comment
I do like Sweeva, and to date (for me) it was built with some of the most progressive ideas. It might not do exactly what they were wanting it to do, but the concepts and ideas used for its base are really awesome.
I’m sure some ideas are easier to implement than others of course, especially from a programming point of view. But what kills me is the lack of ideas being discussed. There’s no collective brainstorming going on, and for the life of me, I can’t understand why.
I don’t like to spend a ton of time surfing, but a 6 second timer… I mean come on, really! Who’s seeing your site and taking in the information on your page in 6 seconds? No one!
I do disagree with one thing. Part of the upgrade being focused on building downline incomes. The reason being (hear me out) we are already playing into the idea that you get something for nothing, a lot of return for very little work. The focus is no longer on your results, but what you can get out of it quickly. I think this would only compound the problem, instead of offering a viable, long-term solution. Just my thoughts.
Thanks for posting Geoff!
my take on things
http://www.netmarketingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28502
Cheers!
Tony
Hey Winter I missed the town hall so thanks for the post. I agree saying things are bad isnt going to make anything happen. Saying things are good isnt going to make a change either unless things really are good. So lets make things happen if your not happy with the way things are going then make a change. Harping on the negatives isn’t going to do anything but give outsiders that already think poorly of traffic exchanges more fuel for their fire. Instead lets celebrate the good things lets flaunt them to the outside world and bring in new members. Maybe we are doing a diservice as owners saying that TE’s are best geared for the IM crowd and list building. They didn’t used to be and maybe if we can bring back in some of those members, and find other ways to make them more effective to people that aren’t into building a list or joining a team.Maybe I should stop chatting about it now and get to work , wish me luck
Well you didn’t miss a ton William. Mostly talked about how little people are upgrading and most are just surfing for cash etc.
Which is what seems to be the theme for most Town Halls now… and it’s a shame. So many people from the industry in the same room, and yet no ideas are exchanged about how to move forward and keep TE’s new and fresh.
You make a great point; Tony does too! There are many great things we could celebrate about TE’s. Look at Sweeva, it’s innovative thinking. If we could think outside the box and bring some 100% new ideas and benefits to the surfers, we would all benefit.
That’s a really good topic for discussion. I do think TE’s are best for list building, but maybe because that’s the only thing I’ve seen personal results with. Either way, it’s thought provoking to consider maybe a large chunk of the advertisers are being left out if they’re not there to build a list.
Good luck! I’m still keeping an eye on your blog Mr. Brant so there’s a starting point heh
I don’t really see what all the fuss is about.
I might not be as active in the TE community as some people but i’ve been using these things for the last 7 years now and I don’t remember everything being all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, I think things are better now than they’ve ever been.
Back then it wasn’t pay-to-surf. It was pay-to-promote. Join a program and they pay you $0.000001 for every hit you send them. TEs were filled with them along with all the viruses, framebreakers, and pop-ups that went with them.
Today TE owners have just eliminated the middle man. Don’t join a PTP site, just surf here and we’ll pay you instead.
As long as there is a demand for free money people are going to offer it.
Look on the positive side. Look how far we’ve come! TE owners are more visible today and more people are branding and list building than ever before.
My fuss is more about the fuss being made I guess. I still get great results from the exchanges I use. I’ve built up a nice little blog subscriber group already, so no complaints from me!
Offering incentives to keep the membership active and surfing, I agree, isn’t a new concept. The cash incentives are more prominent now than before, which is maybe the cause for a lot of fuss.
I just see it as an opportunity to make advances and improvements to the manual exchange model.
Every industry (not just Traffic Exchanges) is feeling the pressure to adapt right now. People are more aware of and more cautious about how they spend their money, because many have less to spend.
Time to step up to the plate and figure out new ways to get that person to spend with you.
Thanks for the opinions Jerry!
Great post Winter. What’s the expression… if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Something to that effect.
Bottom line, if something needs fixing, whether it’s TE’s, or the washing machine, quit bellyachin’ and come up with a plan to fix it.
I like what they’re doing at Sweeva, even though I haven’t used the site yet – I am a member – because it sounds like a good plan to get the surfers to actually look at what’s offered. And I want people to look at what I advertise.
I think part of the issue here is deciding if we really want people to look at our ads or do we just want to hurry thru to get our 100 pages surfed. I don’t think we can have both.
I’m kind of rambling here, so this may not make sense..
Another thing, the economy is really taking a toll on finances, so there is less disposable income. If someone is operating on a shoestring budget, $30 or $40 a month for a traffic exchange might mean they can only join one. I know there are many of us who are reworking our budgets to see what is going to be continued and what to downgrade in.
I don’t have a solution, so I guess that makes me part of the problem. But I think that TE’s are very important in our advertising arsenal. So I look forward to hearing that the great minds of our TE owners have come up with a plan of action that helps everyone, owners and surfers alike.
I was looking for the 30 seconds of fast talking disclaimer at the end of this post… LOL
I have to agree with you… if you want to change it is not going to happen with out the correct mental attitude! You need to have a mindset of where you want to be not whoa is me! If you always think things are bad they will be bad. You have a choice on what your reality will be. Nothing in life has any meaning accept for the meaning you give it! This is something my mentor has taught me….
@ Nina:
I think it will be interesting to see where it all goes from here. I believe in TE’s and their future ability to still drive traffic to your site. You will always have surfers there for the games and prizes, and you will always have real marketers there purely to exchange hits. For me, it’s just finding the sites that have more real marketers than prize seekers.
The economy is definitely having an affect here. It just too a while to finally creep in. We’re all forced to make adjustments that we didn’t need to make a few years ago, or maybe even a few months ago. Change is good, it’s nice to shake things up now and again.
I don’t think if you don’t have a solution, you’re part of the problem. But if all ideas can spur great ideas. So even if it’s not an amazing idea, it can lead to something that is!
@ Paul:
Success is definitely about mental attitude. Believe you will find success, and you will. Believe you will fail, and you will. I understand the frustration, it’s hard to change. You are allowed to kick and scream for a while, as long as you snap out of it and get that butt in gear!
Here is my take if you are looking for a solution
http://www.netmarketingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=28511
Some very interesting views on this industry, Winter. Things have certainly changed in recent years. I very much agree with you on the 6 second timer. Keep up with the mouth, Winter, you’ve got lots to say. At least it makes sense!, LOL
Thanks so much Max! I think every industry changes, it’s just inevitable. So, it’s not surprising that the Traffic Exchange industry is changing a bit as well.
I’m glad you like what I have to say! Not everyone does, and that’s totally ok with me. I’m just a girl that likes to say what I think and discuss the issue at hand
Hello Winter,
I enjoyed reading this post and its comments.
Regarding this – “There’s no collective brainstorming going on, and for the life of me, I can’t understand why.”
It is my belief that no one is sharing ideas as there are too many people who are ready to take your idea and beat you to implementing it, rather than supporting the person with the idea.
I am in the process of developing a domain that many think will be a traditional traffic exchange “As they are used to”.
After surfing for 7 years and watching both TE’s and owners come and go, I decided to build something that I haven’t seen in the industry.
I have already been told I should do things like everyone else by a fellow owner of the script I bought and to that person and everyone else I say – As I am the owner, I shall decide what is best for MY members, not other owners!
This may be putting a red flag in front of a bull, but I have never been one who liked being told what I should do for myself.
I don’t know at this point if I will or won’t be a success, I know people will try to bring me down (its human nature) and I will still do the same thing I have done since 2003, the best I can for my members. Thanks for listening.