Re: Site startup questions

From: Jim Reardon <jim_at_amusive.com>
Date: Thu 09 Dec 1999 14:35:37 -0600

BRYAN MORGAN WROTE:
> To begin with, I'm interested in discussing
> advertising opportunities with a select list of approx.
> 100 companies in my targeted industry. Is there a
> minimum number of monthly page views I should be
> receiving before even contacting their marketing or ad
> agencies?

Each company is different. It doesn't hurt, I run
fairly sizable sites (I own about 2 million pageviews
monthly), and I've been told I'm too small. But I've
gotten a large number of contacts because of it and
often they'll have extra $$$ in their budget and shoot
it to me (not every time, but it's happened more than
once).

Some sites will buy small amounts in advance. Tim
Carter, when starting out Ask The Builder, cold called
several building companies before even launching his
site. On his fourth call he sold $12,000 worth of ads
and got paid instantly (and this was in 1995, before
the web was as big as it is today). If he can
succeed, there is no reason you couldn't. (That
story's taken from the book "StrikingItRich.com", which
I highly suggest everyone here pick up!)

> If so, obviously the next question would be: What to
> do in the meantime? I've looked at a variety of banner
> ad networks however my feeling is that their ads are
> very loosely targeted and end up hurting my site's
> credibility (i.e. ads for online casinos/gaming when
> I'm targeting business professionals). If this is my
> only option while I'm in sub-100,000 page view
> territory, then so be it, I guess. (Any suggestions if
> so?)

What you can't sell get rid of through ad networks
and/or ad exchanges. Most networks will not display
ads that will hurt your site's credibility if you ask
them not to display them (ie: FlyCast, who I deal
with, delivers Casino ads. I tell them not to put them
on my site, or block them myself, and I don't see
them).

I'd suggest working with FlyCast.com (100,000+ a
month), and if you don't have enough for that,
BurstMedia only requires 5,000 a month. Both do
fairly well for me (FlyCast a little better). You
could also swap ads between other sites, promote other
content areas, or participate in banner exchanges
(such as LinkBuddies.com or LinkExchange.com).


--
Jim Reardon <jim_at_amusive.com> 815-744-3119
what do you want for free? http://www.freecenter.com/
free forums, polls, and more! http://www.sitegadgets.com/?sig




Received on Thu Dec 09 1999 - 14:35:37 CST