[tentblogger-vimeo 17344771]
[This is a part of the "Getting Started with Blog Advertising" blog series.]
The story of the “Saddest Sidebar Ever” is the preamble to a new series that will cover some of the following topics:
- How to start advertising (direct sales) on your blog.
- How to choose the right sizes of advertisements for your sidebar, header, etc.
- How to price your advertisements strategically.
- How many advertisements you should have on your blog (and on which parts).
- How to pick the right partners and sponsors when you first start advertising.
- And more…
The goal is so that you don’t become “that” blog that has the nasty looking sidebar that is riddled with un-purchased ad spots that make it look lonely, sad, and just plain pathetic.
Those ads look so sad and lonely...
Instead, you’ll become the blog that is vibrant with contextual and strategic advertisements that are providing value for your readers without overwhelming them while putting a few dollars in your pocket at the same time.
I’m looking forward to it!
Lesson #1 – Limit the Amount of Ads!
As I had mentioned in my video, the first rule is to be exceptionally careful, wise, and judicious when it comes to offering advertising space on your blog. Opt to not have as many advertisements as you possibly can and limit them.
So many... and none of them sold... Sad!
The challenge, as I mentioned, is that it’s too easy to add advertising slots on your blog; sometimes I wish it were harder! But within moments you can add hundreds of ad spots everywhere and make your blog look so very sad very quickly.
You may want to review this post here in which I share specifically about “When You Should Start Advertising” to get some groundwork laid for this upcoming series.
Finally, please let me know your thoughts and any specific topics you’d like me to cover. This blog series will be very much like the “Making Money Blogging” series that was so successful!
Someone needs some SERIOUS help with pricing...
Cool? Let’s hear it in the comments!
[This is a part of the "Getting Started with Blog Advertising" blog series.]
I’m one of those blogs with four empty advertising spaces. Sad.
Why not put in cool temp ads of products you love? Or run affiliate ads?
definitely could. I’m going to argue strongly about waiting even for that a bit.
you’re not alone. courageous to call yourself out. props to that!
Though I am a fun-blogger, rather than a tentblogger, may I add a comment?
It’s just that I am really cheesed off with web sites that have lots of advertising, but NOT ONLY in the sidebar, but substantially in the main body content. Very difficult to get past the almost column-wide blocks of ads which are often clickable and surround and ambush my cursor! A big turn-off for me.
agreed. this is both strategic (from the bloggers side) and also extremely annoying (from the readers perspective).
the question is how “good” is the content that’s getting you to come back…!
love your thoughts! i think you’re not alone on this one…
Yes…I have a problem with this one as well. I don’t like reading content that is punctuated every few paragraphs with ads. Maybe it’s just my ADHD, but I’m really distracted by them. :-\
perhaps both.
John, may I add, I find the key to successful ad placement is “congruency.” When the ads or affiliate spots offer something congruent to the theme of the blog, or topics that blogger openly addresses they don’t seem as intrusive. Especially when the blogger does a product review video post, or a truly useful “how-to” post. Currently, I don’t have any on my blog but will soon be somewhat modeling Michael Dunlop over at IncomeDiary.com.
totally! i agree. dunlop has some great stuff, but is that where you want to head?
I’ve seen his blog evolve over the past year. I don’t think I will be heading “exactly” where he is. What I like is his philosophy that pretty much every ad/affiliate promotion is something he or his team personally uses. He shows how and why he likes and trusts’ it. Pat Flynn at smartpassiveincome.com also uses that approach too, somewhat. I want to model the approach of illustrating how and why I use the tools and resources I use to coach people online and offer affiliate links to those resources or programs.
I really would like to keep the minimalist feel of my blog. But I realize I need to be using more pictures in the future in my blog post, and more video (thanks for your example). But my focus will be on coaching people on how to translate their passion into purpose and profit coaching people online and illustrating the tools and resource they will need in order to thrive.
sweet. great points here byron.
I am in… I dont really want to monetize my blog but I dig the messaage and I like what you are saying here… Added you to my RSS BTW kudos to you on the vlog… I have done a few (Im getting back into them) they are difficult or can be.
thanks mike! it’s fun, but a bit time consuming, that’s for sure. this is mainly why I do it though:
http://tentblogger.com/video-posts-close-the-gap-and-increase-authenticity/
Great, now I’ll have to go get rid of my shameful empty ad spots…
I’m so ashamed…
courage bro, calling yourself out. most people won’t. that’s rad. now, you can begin to fix it!
done. now only one lonely box
and now you can start anew…..!
For whatever reasons, Sidebars drain me. Like I’ll do an entire site, get all of it finished. and then I’m just out of gas when I hit the sidebar.
Fortunately Standard Theme has all kinds of cool Sidebar features to make it easy.
I was curious about sidebar advertisements as I’ve begun to plan the launch of a self-hosted WP blog in January. Am glad for the reminder to stay focused on the content and community first. And to limit the amount of ads to avoid an abandoned appearance.
cool. do you have any specific questions?
Shakespearian-esque… Nice.
Ugh, I hate the thought of having ads period… unfortunately at some point I’d like to make some money.
This is useful information though. I cant’ wait to read all of your awesome pricing etc posts.
it shall be grand.
When I really start to focus more on ads, I think I’ll want to advertise only those things that are important to me and in which I find great value personally. These will hopefully add value to my site and I will feel confident in their placement.
definitely. i think you’re spot on here.
Personally, I don’t want more than one blank (unsold) ad. If I have more than that, I eliminate a few.
i agree. i have to prune and manage almost daily. at some point i’ll get someone to actually help me do that (like you)!
Just started advertising. Two gray squares to decorate my blog.
My intent is to provide limited and niche advertising in order to get my blog to a point of self sustainamousity (if that word does not exist, I claim it, lol) financially.
Don’t want to clutter are distract the readers.
love the thoughts here. you’ll see this repeated a few times.
Really looking forward to this series! Thanks for everything you do!
sure thing bubba!