This is my second part to my ‘How to Sell Ads on Your Blog Despite It’s Size’ series. In part one I explained why you should directly sell your ad spots and the benefits that both publishers AND advertisers receive when engaging in a “direct/private advertising relationship”.
Two weeks ago I sold four sidebar ad spots within just a couple of days. Despite still being a PR0 because of Google’s lack there of a Pagerank update, and a relatively smaller blog than the big guys like John Chow and Problogger, I am still able to sell advertisement spots to advertisers.
Part Two: Ad Placement
On every blog, there are always three spots where advertisements will be and should be placed. The sidebar, the header, and the post. I’m going to take each one and break it down for you.
Sidebar Ad Spots
These are the most commonly used advertisement spots, and for many reasons:
-They aren’t intruding
-They’re small
-You can place more than one ad and not look desperate
-John Chow does it
Let’s face it: it’s the ideal place to stick 2, 4, or even 6 ads. If you are going to sell advertisement spots, I would start with these first. The downside is that these advertisement spots sell for less than a post or header spot would. But, because you can sell a couple of them, it ads up pretty nicely.
Recommended ad size: 125×125
Recommended number of ads: Always in even numbers. 2 if you can manage with a super small blog. 4 is ideal for any blog. 6 if your blog is larger and able to sell them.
Recommended ad price: Each ad should be the same price and cheaper than both the post and header ads. If your blog is small, you want to make sure the price is dirt cheap. Larger blogs, it all depends. See how much you can try and sell them for. And if everyone thinks they are too expensive, cut down the price.
In Post Ad Spots
Second most commonly used. These ads appear in each post.
Pros:
-They sell for a lot
-You’ll make more than from adsense
-If you do use adsense, most clicks will be on this spot
Cons:
-Very intrusive
-Sends visitors away from your site to that site
The cons definitely way down the pros, but hey- you gotta do what you gotta do to make money online. The size of your blog doesn’t really matter in this case- a prime spot is a prime spot.
Recommended ad size: 200×200 or 300×250.
Recommended number of ads: Just one in each post in plenty!
Recommended ad price: It’s all dependent on the size and how much you feel that prime spot is worth.
Header Ad Spots
These aren’t used as commonly, but they are definitely around.
Pros:
-They are worth more than sidebar ad spots
-First ad seen
Cons:
-A bit intrusive
-If you use sidebar and post ads, doing this too would seem a bit too much
-Sends visitors away
If you have a smaller blog, don’t use this in addition to the sidebar and post ad spots. You need to give your visitors some breathing room!
Recommended ad size: 468×60
Recommended number of ads: Just 1, if any
Recommended ad price: I’ve never dealt with header spots, so I’m not exactly sure. It would also be dependent on the size of your blog, and the position of the ad.
Take advantage of the space you have on your blog to make money online. Just make sure you balance content and space with your advertisements. You want to make money, but you don’t want to send all your traffic to someone else.
10-10-2007 20:52:10
Good tips for how to post the advertisement post on site. We need to see how much to sell them and to depends on the size of the blog. We need to give our visitors some breathing room while viewing our post!
Y
10-10-2007 21:00:36
Thanks Jim!
10-11-2007 15:31:07
I’m probably going to use sidebars eventually…
10-11-2007 16:15:38
Good advice and nice read…
We’re still having problems trying to decide how much to charge for ad spaces. Is there some kind of standard?
If not, what are your current rates for your own blog(s)?
Thanks!
10-11-2007 16:56:09
You should!
10-11-2007 16:58:29
I can’t give an exact price, but it’s really all dependent. For references, I sold my sidebar ads for $12 each. John Chow on the other hand, sells for $500 per month.
10-12-2007 10:50:45
I think when I get some time I’m going to redesign my site to offer up some actual space in the way of ads. I’m actually in a run of productivity right now, so hopefully I’ll actually do this before the month is up. But besides ads, the biggest thing I want to do with my site is making it a bit more legible. What do you think?
Personally I think it is a strain sometimes to read my posts because of light text on a dark background. Any thoughts on this?
10-13-2007 15:21:50
I have 4 ad spots in my sidebar. Right now I have 2 affiliate ads there, a “your ad here” banner and my first private ad sale banner.
I don’t like ads in posts, b/c I think it looks weird and b/c I think it takes away from the post’s content. The header ad is lucrative, but, you have to have the right theme for it. For example this theme {or mine for that matter} would not be good for header ads.
10-13-2007 18:10:41
Please, and for god’s sake. Stop talking about John Chow!
10-13-2007 18:31:34
Haha! I use JC as a reference because he’s a problogger in the same niche. Sorry if it bugs ya.
10-13-2007 21:05:19
I hear ya in regards to ads in posts. But I do think that not all ads are created equal and depending on where you put them in the post and what size and shape they are, you can get around it.
I mean, take a 300×250 ad. If you put that in the natural break of a post, it could probably still get clicks/exposure but not ruin your post too much. i.e.
“Here’s my post,
finishing my first thought
XXX AD XXX
Here’s my second thought
…”
And you’ll notice that a common thing for bloggers to do after they’ve been in the game for a while is redesign their theme so that they have more ad space (like header ads and such). You’d be surprised how little you’d have to tweak your design to put a header ad in it.
10-13-2007 21:07:33
Personally I don’t mind John Chow. I think if you’re looking for ways to increase traffic, ranks and all the rest - It’s good to certainly keep his site in your thoughts because agree with him or not, he often gives you SOMETHING to think about.
10-14-2007 06:29:22
heh, I’m not a huge fan of him either. But, making 20k a month from blogging certainly makes people respect you.
10-14-2007 09:06:08
But, since he’s so popular and successful, he’s an example blogger, or “role model blogger” if you will.
10-14-2007 09:14:51
I totally agree. You need a redesign!