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Advertising Resource Center |
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Tips for Using Paid Advertising
Quite a few business out there can't survive without some type of advertising and/or brand recognition, so advertising your business is one of the most important aspects in running certain types of business. It's also one of the most frequently asked questions for "how to". This article is especially important for direct sales reps and those with company websites that need to make themselves "stand out" among hundreds of others that are selling similar products. So why should you advertise your business? For one or more of the following reasons: To Gain Exposure/Brand Recognition This would apply to those who may have a unique product or service which consumers and clients may not know exists. For example, a special tool that solves a problem for a certain group of people - they won't know the product exists unless you advertise. Gain Immediate Sales Many forms of advertising may gain you immediate sales. This is ideal for most, but it's also important to realize sometimes your ads may be working even though you don't see sales at the time the ad runs. Announce new product/service If you are an established business and expanded within your market, paid ads can announce your new product or service which those who know of your current business may not know about yet. Now that you know WHY you should advertise, let's look at the TYPES of paid advertising there is: Banner and Button Ads These are graphics, normally either 468x60 in size for banners, and 125x125 or 150x150 for button ads. Some advertisers offer a variety of other sizes. Graphic ads generally have a lower conversion rate than text ads, although do well for brand recognition and gaining exposure. Ezine Ads Most ezine owners allow only 4-5 line ad with a link in "sponsor" spaces, and vary for solo ads. Be sure to choose only highly targeted ezines to run your ads in. For example, you wouldn't want to run a business opportunity ad in an ezine for recipes. If you sold some type of food, an ezine about recipes would be perfect to run an ad with. Text Ads/Featured Ads Many of those who offer advertising also offer some type of home page ad or a featured space on specific pages. Again make sure the website is pulling in the traffic you are looking for. Now that you know what type of ads there are, here are a few tips to make sure you are making the most of your advertising dollars: 1. TRACK YOUR ADS! If you don't know where your visitors are coming from, how can you be sure where you are advertising is working? If you don't have accurate stats for your website I recommend grabbing a free tracker from AddFreeStats ( http://www.addfreestats.com ) 2. Repeat ads Run your ads in the same place at least twice, if not three or four, before you make a decision as to if this is a good place to advertise or not. Not only will you pick up more brand exposure, but you will be able to make sure the first time was not an "off" time to advertise (or just an abnormally "good" time). Also try different advertising options within the website to see what works best. 3. Read guidelines Many advertisers have a list of guidelines. Be sure to read through them, and follow each guideline. Paying for an ad where your website isn't allowed is not only a waist of time for the advertiser, but for you as well. Here is an example of an advertiser's guidelines: http://www.momsmarketonline.com/guidelines.html About the author: Kara Kelso is a work at home mom of two, and the co-owner of Direct Sales Helpers, which is dedicated to helping mothers succeed in direct sales. For more information, visit: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com
MORE RESOURCES: Seeking a cheaper, faster alternative to foreclosure, several lenders are encouraging homeowners to sell short California, New York, Nevada, Florida and Massachusetts are among the handful of states that haven’t signed a deal with banks over foreclosure abuses, according to state officials and two people familiar with the talks. Bank of America Corp., facing increased demand for mortgage refinancing amid government efforts to help struggling homeowners, is telling some customers to wait 90 days, said two people with knowledge of the policy. Democrats are squaring off against Washington heavyweights to determine an appropriate tax rate on carried interest Under Republican pressure, Senator Baucus is backing off a proposal that would increase federal tax revenue from inherited IRA holders The numbers are proving Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke’s critics wrong. Spain’s biggest lenders, Banco Santander SA and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, will take a combined 6.9 billion euros ($9.1 billion) in provisions after the government ordered banks to recognize more property losses. Rajat Gupta, the ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. director accused of giving inside information to fund manager Raj Rajaratnam about that company and Procter & Gamble Co., may face additional allegations he passed tips, prosecutors said. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, whose Workers’ Party rose to power because of ties to the labor movement, is being tested by public employees threatening to strike for higher pay. UBS' stock is down after the Swiss bank reported a plunge in profits in the fourth quarter Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke speaks about the U.S. economy, labor market and tax policy.¶ Bernanke, testifying before the Senate Budget Committee in Washington, said the job market is still far from healthy after signs of economic improvement over the past year. (Excerpts. Source: Bloomberg) The California State Teachers' Retirement System, or Calstrs, intends to question in a letter the controlling power amassed by Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg By trying to help distressed homeowners without appearing to bail them out, the Administration would leave borrowers submerged Analyst Buck Horne downgraded homebuilders and says the spring selling season may disappoint again Rebound from the recovery from Thai floods, and explosive growth in mobile technology make tech stocks a good pick |
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