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.