IS An Advertising Page Really A Good Idea? An Interesting Opposing View…
Many of you know by now that I do LOTS of blog commenting. I’ve also always been a big advocate for having an advertising page if you plan to sell ads; now I’m not so sure.
While doing my own commenting I always try to read as many of the comments already there, before leaving my own. (Good advice in itself, soon to be a post as well.)
While recently reading an article entitled, Banish Low Balling Ads To Earn More With Your Blog on HowToSpotter, one of the comments really caught my eye.
Pat from Make Money Fast, wrote the following:
Only thing I’d add to this is I’ve found that with an advertise page you could be limiting yourself. For instance, Microsoft contacts you when you have an open spot and you have it listed for $35 then they can pay ten times that much. But if Joe Schmo blog finds you on the advertise page then they can only page that much.
So I guess what I’m saying if you don’t have an advertise page and seek out advertisers you can charge more for a bigger site. Contact Microsoft and offer them ad space for $500/month, contact Joe Schmo and offer them ad space for $35/month.
(Microsoft is obviously just an example and I wouldn’t let them advertise on my site anyway 
I did bold the one line, as actually seeking advertisers might make some skin crawl. lol. So, what do you think of Pat’s point of view overall?
Related posts:
- Would Even The Slightest Hint Of Porn Stop You From Advertising? Oh did I think a few times on that headline....
Jaq @ Net Age Web Design
Kev
Latief@AnotherBlogger
sherry
November 18th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Glad I could spark something in you for this post….
The comment I made on HowtoSpotter’s site was born from my own history trying to get people to advertise at my original site (it’s not Make Money Fast… and I don’t want to say). For instance recently a site reached out to me and asked if they could advertise with me. Well, the site that wanted to advertise is a top 1,000 Alexa site so I jacked up my rates from what I usually give to mom and pop blogs. If I had an advertising page, that wouldn’t have been possible. Either way, cheers!
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
@Pat,
No no, thank you for the inspiration! I’m a HUGE believer in the power of constructive comments; adding to the post above it, sometimes more informative then the post itself, and very often a trigger for a post in itself like this one
.
I too had a pretty cool similar experience regarding my contest blog (which I was actually thinking of selling until recently).
I haven’t officially started selling any spots on any blogs, so I don’t really have numbers worked up yet…especially for that blog.
Out of the blue I get an email (which was basically unsolicited spam lol) from someone asking to advertise for her “clients”. After seeing what type of sites they were (entertainment, gambling/bingo, etc.) I decided my cash contest blog was perfect.
She told me she would give $30 per month for 3 months in advance. Even though I hadn’t worked up any numbers on my own, I think it’s a safe bet that I would have charged even less…not much on the blog and all. so I grabbed it!
David Reply:
December 25th, 2009 at 4:57 am
@Dennis Edell,
Hi Dennis,
Be careful with those kinds of inquiries.
With the wrong advertiser, the following could happen:
1. The credit card is fraudulent so a chargeback occurs a month after the transaction when the true owner discovers the transaction on their statement.
2. Ads or landing page contain a virus or some sneaky content.
David
Dennis Edell Reply:
December 26th, 2009 at 11:19 am
@David,
Hey David, welcome aboard the community! Awesome comments so far.
Favor - no signature links please, Akismet caught both comments so far and spammed them…..not everyone checks their spam box before deleting all.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:43 am
By not putting a price tag on your ad spaces and aggressively seeking out new advertisers you will definitely be able to vet who can afford what and why. I can not think of anything worse than letting out prime space for a long term contract at bottom line rates, only to have an opportunity to make ten times as much present itself at a later stage.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:28 pm
@Jaq @ Net Age Web Design,
So so true. The only real issues I see are with newbies. One, not knowing anything about what to charge, and more to the point, being too scared/nervous to approach anyone saying gimmie. lol
I’d say the safest bet is to have an ad page with all info except pricing…let them contact you for that. You’d still have to know what to say, but you’re not making this initial cold call.
James Moralde Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
@Dennis Edell, Thanks. I’m new but I know that someday, when the time is right I’m going to approach this avenue and get some earnings from it. Your tip above is worth a whole article if you elaborate on it further. If you do, I’m gonna be there to devour it enthusiastically.
Dennis Edell Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 9:25 am
@James Moralde,
This is the article lol, what kind of elaboration are you thinking about?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Hmmmm … interesting food for thought. I don’t post ad pricing but was about to implement something … and it’s a little different so we’ll see how it goes over. LOL … It will involve posting pricing … and you have me thinking this through. I’ve even considered doing it as a bidding type thing? I’ll be interested to see what others have to say about this. Thanks for posting about it. *huGs* Suzanne
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
@Suzanne Franco, I hope you subscribed to comments because others do seem to have pretty good (strong) opinions
.
Definitely let us know about this ad project of yours…I’d be happy to brainstorm it with you if you wish.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Personally I would stay with the advertising page as you want to let people know the benefits of placing an ad on your site. I suppose you could leave the prices out of it, but I prefer to leave them there because I don’t see the likes of Microsoft or anyone else in their caliber knocking on my door.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:32 pm
@Sire, I agree with the top part, mostly.
This is part of my reply above. “I’d say the safest bet is to have an ad page with all info except pricing…let them contact you for that. You’d still have to know what to say, but you’re not making this initial cold call.”
Perhaps MS was a strong example, but it did make her point. lol
Sire Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
@Dennis Edell, Let’s say I will consider it once I start getting offers
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:53 pm
@Sire, Consider MS? lol
November 19th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Frankly it is necessary but not required. If you would like to let people know you are selling ads then it should be
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
@Tinh,
So you would rather they come to you and pay what you list, over actually seeking them out and possibly getting more?
Tinh Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
@Dennis Edell, getting more maybe the first target I should do now
November 20th, 2009 at 5:06 am
This is very tricky indeed, I use a third party ad network to source advertising for my travel blog. I have an advertise page where my rates are lower than what they’re selling to potential advertisers…I’m surprised these advertisers don’t ask questions or come directly to me to get the lower rates.
I recently approached a service provider with the aim of selling my advertising space to them, I regretted my lower rates, as I thought they could afford even higher rates.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
@Muzi Mohale,
First, welcome to the community! Thanks for your input and I hope to see you around more often. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip, I give plenty of luv to those that luv me. I’ll be visiting your site soon
.
You seem to have two things going on here. On the top part, advertisers are probably too busy to look for rates after being given rates from the 3rd party; why would they? Probably a good thing as you may tick some off with that like that.
On the 2nd part, it seems like you’re rethinking the whole thing, yes?
November 20th, 2009 at 9:27 am
In most niches, I sell ads (or fill it up with something like Adsense) until the blog proves itself to have regular, buying traffic… and then substitute for either direct product sales or affiliate stuff.
Generally you make a lot more money this way, even more than selling advertising (unless of course you’re huge - think TechCrunch charges five figures per ad if I’m not mistaken)
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:41 pm
@Jason Pereira,
I personally agree, once you’re established in traffic then product sales would easily make more.
Yep last I looked they were 10K per month with a 2 month minimum; can’t leave that part out. lol
November 20th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hmmm…yes personally I think it is a good Idea.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
@resume writing services,
First, welcome to the community! Thanks for your input and I hope to see you around more often. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip, I give plenty of luv to those that luv me. I’ll be visiting your site soon
.
Second, in the future please help yourself and I by ensuring proper linking of you name. Check the comment policy linked right above the comment box at the bottom and be sure to include a real name before your keywords. Thanks!
.
Which idea did you think was good, the ad page or Pat’s?
November 20th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Just because MS can afford to pay more doesn’t mean that they will.
Your offerings should be fair market value so if you have a spot that is worth $35, then you sell it for $35. If someone is willing to pay $500, then you should be selling it for $500 to everyone. That is, unless you want to charge differently based on placement.
Pat Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
@Gabe — Sure, there’s fair market value, but not everyone’s budgets are the same. If you reach out to a potential advertiser with a product to sell, they could/should have more money than if you reach out to a potential advertiser who is simply looking for a presence on your site to attract eyeballs to their blog.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
@Gabe | freebloghelp.com,
Overall I think I agree with Pat’s reply, however you were spot on as far as placement goes….it should be a no brainer that a header banner get more then say a middle to end of sidebar banner….as an example.
November 20th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I am a master of Marie Curie high school, I’d like your blog.
I will tell my student about your post for them to get more exp
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
@Marie Curie High School,
First, welcome to the community! Thanks for your input and I hope to see you around more often. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tip, I give plenty of luv to those that luv me. I’ll be visiting your site soon
.
Second, in the future please help yourself and I by ensuring proper linking of you name. Check the comment policy linked right above the comment box at the bottom and be sure to include a real name before your keywords. Thanks!
.
Do you teach business/advertising to your students?
November 21st, 2009 at 2:35 am
Actually an interesting post and discussion. I think if I had an advertising page that I probably wouldn’t post a dollar amount myself. I’d wait to see what someone thought it was worth and go from that point. After all, I remember when you used to have those 3 ad blocks at the top of your theme. If your blog was getting heavy traffic, would you really want to limit yourself to only $35 per if someone were willing to pay you more? You could have a minimum in mind, just in case someone asked you how much, but you could always do the “private” bid thing to see how much someone else thinks it’s worth, just to see if they come in above your minimum.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
@Mitch,
I do believe we’re in agreement!
I replied to another above, “I’d say the safest bet is to have an ad page with all info except pricing…let them contact you for that. You’d still have to know what to say, but you’re not making this initial cold call.”
I think one of us is confused though, those 3 blocks were never used for ads.
Mitch Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
@Dennis Edell, True, but you were thinking about it. Remember, you posted something saying you were thinking about it and wanted people to tell you their thoughts on what you should do with them? If not, here’s the link.
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
@Mitch,
Wow I do remember now, but that lasted about a minute. Having ads there would be way to in your face.
Mitch Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
@Dennis Edell, True, but it shows you that I had read, and remembered discussing it. lol
Dennis Edell Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 7:49 am
@Mitch, Indeed it does my friend.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 am
@Dennis
Its again a chance game. One might not like to add an advertise page after reading this post but such opportunities are less. I personally keep an advertise page and interested advertisers keep contacting me for interested ad spot. This saves lots of time in negotiation game as we already have all the required info on one page.. So usually the message I get from advertiser is asking for the availability of desired ad spots or sometime they might like to go on waiting list at higher price…
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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December 8th, 2009 at 10:29 am
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December 20th, 2009 at 6:23 am
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December 25th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Hi everyone,
I don’t I agree with Pat’s view that “hiding prices” is the right way to go.
There are very few markets that operate that way. Unless your site is extremely in high demand, then hiding info is more likely to scare away advertisers.
I’d say be open with all the information that will help the advertiser make a quick informed decision.
By that I mean:
1. Detailed analytics - impressions, uniques and timespent. Break it down by country and state if possible.
2. Define your niche audience. Segment them if necessary.
3. Be clear about what targeting options are available.
4. Show examples of reports they will get
5. Allow them to A/B test their ads easily.
Think about how Facebook makes it easy to advertise with them.
The good thing is that there are free off-the-shelf tools that make all this possible like Trafficspaces.
One final note on the “hiding prices” issue, rather than do that, just show a minimum bid price and let advertisers bid up in an auction. It is a much better way.
David