How to Get Approved by Any CPA Network (Even as a Beginner)
You’ve learned what CPA marketing is, and you’re ready to jump in. You find a promising CPA network, fill out the application with excitement, and click submit. A few days later, you get the dreaded email: “Your application has been denied.”
It’s a frustrating but common experience for newcomers. CPA networks are protective of their advertisers. They need to ensure their publishers are legitimate and won’t send low-quality or fraudulent traffic.
But don’t be discouraged. Getting approved is a skill, and with the right approach, you can get into almost any network. Here’s your step-by-step guide to a successful application.
Before You Apply: Your Pre-Application Checklist
Don’t rush to the application form. Spend 30 minutes preparing. This is what separates successful applicants from the rest.
- Have a Professional Email: Ditch gamerguyz23@yahoo.com. Get an email address with your name (john.smith.marketing@gmail.com) or, even better, one with your own domain (contact@johnsmarketing.com). It costs a few dollars but shows you are serious.
- Understand Your Niche and Traffic Source: The most important question on any application is, “How will you promote our offers?” You need a clear, confident answer.
- Bad Answer: “I’ll use social media and SEO.” (Too vague)
- Good Answer: “I plan to focus on the personal finance niche. My primary traffic source will be my blog, [https://www.google.com/search?q=YourBlogName.com], where I write about credit repair. I will also be running paid Facebook ads to targeted landing pages.”
- Have a Basic Web Presence: You don’t need a huge, authoritative website. A simple, clean-looking blog or landing page on a platform like Carrd or WordPress is enough. It acts as your professional resume, proving you have a place to promote offers.
Filling Out the Application: The Right Way
Be honest, but present yourself in the best possible light.
- Use Your Real Information: Use your real name, address, and phone number. Networks have sophisticated fraud-checking systems. Any inconsistencies will result in an instant rejection.
- Be Specific About Your Experience: If you have no CPA experience, say so, but frame it positively.
- Instead of: “I have no experience.”
- Try: “I am new to CPA marketing but have been studying digital marketing for the last six months. I have experience with building WordPress sites and creating content focused on [Your Niche].”
- Detail Your Promotion Methods: This is where your preparation pays off. Write a clear paragraph explaining your niche and planned traffic sources (SEO, Paid Ads, YouTube, etc.). Mentioning that you understand the importance of not sending incentivized traffic (unless the offer allows it) is a huge plus.
The Secret Weapon: The Follow-Up Phone Call
Most beginners submit their application and just wait. The pros do not.
Wait a day or two after submitting your application. Then, find the network’s phone number (usually on their contact page) and call them.
Here’s a simple script:
“Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I submitted an application a couple of days ago, and I just wanted to follow up and introduce myself. I’m really excited about the possibility of working with your network and promoting offers in the [Your Niche] space. Is there an affiliate manager I could speak to about my application?”
This single action does three things:
- It proves you are a real, English-speaking person.
- It shows initiative and professionalism.
- It pushes your application to the top of the pile.
Affiliate managers are people. They are far more likely to approve someone they’ve had a positive, proactive conversation with.
Getting into a CPA network is your first major hurdle. By preparing properly, communicating professionally, and showing proactive interest, you prove that you are a serious partner, not a risk.
