Sara posted a question in Will removing AdSense make you richer? asking me how to get direct advertisers. Since this is very good question I decided to help bloggers with some tips on how to get some direct advertisers.
Basics
Let me tell you what everybody tells you almost everyday. You won’t get direct advertisers if you won’t write good content. Interesting posts on your blog makes it interesting to other people and that makes it popular. What you have to have for advertisers to think about you is traffic, a lot of traffic. But that’s not the only thing so read on.
Finding advertisers
There are many ways how to find yourself advertisers. I’ll cover two approaches:
- from marketing websites (text-link-ads)
- from blogs with similar content
Marketing websites
Go to www.text-link-ads.com and register. I don’t know if they still have $25 registration program but if they do, you’ve already earned some money.
When you login you’ll see “Browse by category” menu on the left side. Select category which will describe your blog the best. You’ll see the list of websites, with similar content than yours, which advertise text-link-ads. When you see a website which has sold 3 links, visit it. Find these links on the clicked website and click on them. You’ll be redirected to advertiser’s websites. Find the way to contact them (usually there is a contact mail or form).
Next step is very important. You have to compose a mail where you’re telling your likely advertisers what do you offer. Do not make it to long because nobody will want to read long mails. Try to make only text without pictures. You should include these elements:
- Introduce yourself and your blog in one paragraph.
- Mention why you’re writing.
- State all the benefits of advertising on your blog and the prices for your ad. Don’t make to many variations of ads. Keep it as simple as possible.
- Make an advertise page on your blog where you’ll put all the necessary information about ad placement, prices, discounts, etc and put a link to it in your mail.
- Try to stress out that this could be mutual collaboration. Don’t just say “You can advertise on my website if you want.” You want for your future advertisers to know they’ll benefit from it too.
Blogs with similar content
Search for blog in the same niche as yours. If you’re writing about making money online you could check Problogger, John Chow, etc, if you’re talking about web design you can go to A list apart,…
You don’t have to check only famous blogs. Sometimes is even better to find unknown blogs. Because you’re fairly unknown to, you’ll might have better luck with these kind of advertisers. Now, find advertising banners, ads and links on these blogs and follow it. The rest of the process is the same as with marketing websites.
No current advertisers
You don’t have current advertisers and that’s why others aren’t interested in your blog. Solution for this problem is very simple. What you need are some ads. Many advertising sites like WidgetBucks, Text-link-ads, Kontera,… has an referral ads which you can use if you don’t have current advertisers. Put them in your sidebar and other advertisers will see where will their ads be placed. You can also make one ad of your own with link to the advertise on your blog page.
I hope these post helped you with your search for direct advertisers. Remember not to be to disappointed if no one replies to your mail. It will happen a lot. Just keep trying and you’ll get some sponsors for your blog. When you’ll find some advertisers your blog is going to look more professional and better suited for other advertisers.
Do you know any other way to get direct advertisers?
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sara
That was a fast response, thanks! It was very helpful and explained a lot about direct advertising.