That's IMHO (in my humble opinion). Well, no can mean yes in some cases. There are SO MANY effective, proven, quality traffic exchanges that there simply isn't enough time for you to spend on brand new ones which take up way much more time than they can produce results. It is difficult enough to make a sale on a solid exchange. Imagine how much time it will take on a brand-new one that grows at a snail's pace...

The key to a quality exchange is its pace of growth. The only rare case I will join a brand spankin' new traffic exchange is if I know the owners and what script it is running.

On the owners...

ClicksAGoGo was the last exchange I joined when it had less than 60 members. Why? Because the owners Stephen Ayer (of TrafficRoundup) and Bobby Ivie (of FunnyfarmTraffic) have a proven track record of ownership and I know CAGG has a strong promotional campaign behind it. Over 1000 members joined the first 30 days and that is great quality for you and me!

Unfortunately, most new exchanges are new owners with little or no experience who do not focus on growing the member base with their efforts. They *expect* members to grow it for them and learn the hard way that in order to make their program a success, they are gonna have to put their heart into it. I didn't offer a PRO feature on ViralExpress.com until it reached the 2000 active member mark.

On scripts...

Look at the worst and most amateurish *new* exchanges online and notice that there are 2 particular scripts we see over and over. On the same token, look at the BEST exchanges online and notice which scripts they are running. Basically, stay away from new exchanges running those 2 particular scripts, especially if it looks like they are right out of the box. Really, who cares about a PRO upgrade in an exchange with a few hundred members and growing by 30 members a month?

Your time is more valuable to the exchange than the exchange's value for your time... Remember, this is IMHO!

The harder a new owner focuses on bringing new members, the happier previous members are that their sites are being seen, the more comfortable they feel in recommending the new program which brings in even more members and keeps others returning to earn more credits. An upward spiral of momentum and growth. That's the "catch 22" for new owners. Not to join new exchanges, yet get others to join their new exchange!

If you were to use just the traffic exchanges found in TrafficHoopla and CyberWheelers, you will reach the vast majority of active members in the entire industry in proven programs that can expose your website to a diverse audience. There are over 2000 exchanges on the market with most having only a few hundred members and the best having over ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND members.

For me an exchange is proven at the 3000 active member mark, they give great rewards for referring others, they run the same scripts as the top exchanges online (TCNTE and/or LJ, some custom) and they don't sell or give away too many credits and devalue them. Selling too many credits in the beginning means members have no reason to return and view sites.

Realize *your* value as an exchange member and don't be afraid to raise your standards!