If you know me very well then you know that I’m not huge on selling advertising space. I would rather put up affiliate links and make much more money that way. However, a lot of people are making a lot of money off selling ad space. I have actually sold ad space on my other blogs successfully by doing what I mention below.
Dedicate a page on your blog to advertising. Even though most serious bloggers already have an advertising page, there are many bloggers that don’t. I know right now I am in that group that doesn’t, bu that is not the way I will be going about making money on this blog. For the bloggers who are trying to make money by selling advertising space then you need to include the following on your advertising page:
1. Explain What Your Blog Is About
Most people that come to your blog will want to click the least possible times. Just hoping that they will go to your about page is not enough. Just simply explain what your blog is about in a paragraph so they can’t complain after they have already advertised.
2. Tell Them Why They Should Advertise
An easy way to get people to advertise is by persuading them to. Write a quick paragraph explaining why someone should advertise on your blog. The below ways will also help persuade people to advertise also.
3. Size of your ads
Make sure you know what size of ads you are currently accepting. Whether it is just banner ads or sidebar ads, make sure you let them know the exact size of whatever kind of ads you are accepting.
4. Include Page Views and Unique Visitors
People that are thinking about advertising on your blog will want to know how many pageviews and unique visitors come to your blog every month. This gives them a basic idea of the amount of people that will see their advertisement and possibly come to their own blog. They do not want to have to take the time to go and look themselves to see how many pageviews and unique visitors you are getting. Make it as simple as possible by telling them yourself. Make sure not to lie otherwise you may be caught and your blog will pay for it. Word-of-mouth advertising will become very negative and it is one of the worst things for bloggers.
5. Include Pricing and Paying Options
Include the price for whatever advertising options you have. Make sure to let them know what their paying options are. There are WordPress plug-ins that can set up an easy cart for you to sell anything on your blog. It is one of the easiest ways to sell advertising on your blog.
6. Show Where Ads Will Be Placed
Last but not least, make sure to show where ads will be placed. Some people just assume that they will be placed at a certain place on your blog. Do not let them assume anything. Take a screenshot of your blog and circle where their advertisement will be placed. Then place it on your advertising page so they will know for sure where the ad will show up. Then if they complain later that their ad was not where they thought it was going be then you can have them refer back to this section on your advertising page.
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A friend of my is just getting me off blogger and on to a hosted wordpress site. I’m excited about this new step! I’ll be relying on your advice to get my traffic and advertising off the ground.
Great stuff my friend.
Moving to WordPress is a good move. It will give you a lot more options.
When do you think that it is appropriate to start thinking about selling advertising space? If you are getting only a couple dozen page views per day, for example, I can’t imagine that would be very enticing to anyone willing to pay money for advertising.
“There are WordPress plug-ins that can set up an easy cart for you to sell anything on your blog”
Have you used any of these? I didn’t know they existed until I read that. I would interesting in learning which plugins you’re referring to and reading some reviews of them.
I’ll write up a post for the cart plugins.
Hey Frank,
This is a some great information, but I have a few follow up questions if you don’t mind.
1.) How do you set the value/price for your ads?
2.) Where do you have all this information on your site. Do you have a tab on the top menu bar for ads or what would you suggest?
3.) I had heard at one time that “G” did not really like you having an ads page up on your site…have you ever head this?
Thanks for your time,
Eric
Erics last blog post..Happy Birthday UBD 1-Year Anniversary Contest
I’d also be interested in reading about how to price various ads. Clearly more goes into than just page impressions – the size and location of the ad on the page are important as well.
1.) 125×125 ads= $20 for every 10,000 unique visitors/month
2.)Put a link to it on your nav menu
3.)For a while. They don’t like affiliate links mainly.
Yes,
I’m excited about the hosted wordpress move! I’m nervous though because It is a whole new language to learn. I’m already having trouble mavigating through the back office. I’m sure I’ll figure it our though…or be asking questions here and at thenetfool.com
I have been needing to concentrate on an ad page – I have one (I think!) but it is not really enticing or useful at all since I haven’t worked on it or pushed it at all.
I was told charging $1 per 1000 pageviews you get each month was a good rule of thumb…I don’t know if that’s really true or not!
Chelles last blog post..Pros, Cons & Online Dating
$20 for every 10,000 unique visitors.
I am sort of really confused on this matter. Maybe you could help explain this one to me. But your saying $20 for every 10,000 unique visitor, but on your other comments at http://franklinbishop.net/10-simple-ways-to-make-money-blogging/ you state that “2,000 subscribers=$1,500 usually”. Something to me is not adding up in my opinion or could you fully explain this one.
Thanks and looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one!
Eric
Erics last blog post..Application Letter For Copywriting Position
@ Almost Millionaire Wordpress is definitely the best way to go for any professional blog. I started out with a blog on Blogger and a static website on Freewebs. It met my needs for the first couple of years until I outgrew it. I am SO glad I made the switch. I think you will you be pleased with the move and what it can do for you.
Best of Luck.
(Sorry, couldn’t get the REPLY button to work!)
Jamies last blog post..9 Steps to Clearer Writing
I like the idea of incorporating the ads into the main blog, such as along the left column, instead of a special page just for ads. I think this provides greater visibility for the advertising clients. Do you have any advantages to putting ads on a separate page?
Jamies last blog post..9 Steps to Clearer Writing: Keep it Flowing
I was talking about a dedicated advertising page to get advertisers. Definitely advertise on every page.
Thanks for the clarification! That provides even more space to rent out! I still prefer the affiliate program, like you. Brian Clark over at Teaching Sells is working on a course about under the radar affiliate marketing, should be a good one.
Jamies last blog post..9 Steps to Clearer Writing
This was a great article. I’ll remember to make a great advertising page when building my blog. I have gone too many blogs that do not have the advertising page but they still want to sell advertising space.
I do everything except show where the ads will be placed. I don’t do screenshots of this but it is pretty obvious just by looking at my website I think. Thanks for the tips they were really really useful
Thanks for the tips, I already checked your advertising page, it’s nice but needs some work, check out my advertising page, it can inspire you some how!
Good luck.