Advertising on the board

hotcouponmama · 08-02-2006, 06:45:50 AM

Just wanted to touch base with you all and let you know that Heidi and I are beginning to consider our affiliate advertising/site ads that we are going to run.

We are not going to be using the google adsense as we have all seen the types of ads those generate for a board.:tongue:

So here's the questions I would like to ask...

What types of companies would you like to see us hook up with? I have an idea of how this might look for us, but I would certainly be interested in input.

Overall, I don't want to see ads in the middle of threads - too obnoxious and distracting. I am looking for ads though that tie to our specific forums...

Ex - travel companies in the vacation deals forums, or home depot in the hardware forums.

But I don't want ads up that people aren't actually going to use. So a little feedback about what companies you would like to see us ideally be partnering with, and where on the board do you think ideal placement is. I can't guarantee your idea will get used, but I am interested in seeing what your thoughts are.

TIA!

shrup · 08-02-2006, 07:36:25 AM

I like the idea of like-companies advertise in their particular forum, so Drug Stores advertise in the Drug Store forum, grocery stores in the Grocery Store forum, etc. Probably the only incentive for members to click on the ads is if say the advertisements offer some type of discount like % cash back, free coupon, or coupon code?

wookin · 08-02-2006, 09:23:56 AM

Overstock.com is good.
Lots of the members here use Ebay.
SmartSource
CoolSavings
That's all I can think of now. It's early.

shrup · 08-02-2006, 03:21:15 PM

Originally Posted by fremont36

The worst in order:
*any form of popup.
*anything in the middle of threads (especially more than once per page).
*poor/sloppy techical aspects especially intentional or unintentional inclusion of blank space (background or any color) to have to scroll & scroll past.

The best type:
*banner (without tricks like 'your computer is at risk').
*where mention of a Mfr or Store generates a hotlink (or even a key word like stock or stocks or stock broker becomes a link).
*clearly labeled ad threads like a Walgreens ad in the Walgreens forum that begins with ADV.

You specifically asked about ads that would actually be used. To me, that would be limited primarily to the last mention above: threads beginning with ADV & especially sales from internet retailers that then list specific products/prices and/or coupon codes or free shipping offers.

I agree. No hidden tricks in the ads. Simple and straight-forward. Ads that are relevant to this site.

addictedtosaving · 08-02-2006, 05:24:52 PM

Originally Posted by wookin

Overstock.com is good.
Lots of the members here use Ebay.
SmartSource
CoolSavings
That's all I can think of now. It's early.

I disagree about coolsavings. I have never found anything useful from them or from Overstock.com as their 'original' price is generally way overpriced so the discount rarely brings a true discount (from my experience).

As for the others, the least noticeable and least tricky (I hate when you click what you think is a clear space in order to scroll and it turns out you've clicked the ad) the better. ITA that the only ones that really will be used here are those that give a true savings or information about one.

hotcouponmama · 08-02-2006, 05:34:05 PM

Here are some of the companies we are considering. I thought about how even though I coupon, there are online companies I shop with and do things with, and again, we are going to link them site specifically as best as possible...

Itunes and Sony Connect for music
There are some job sites and scholarship sites out there we would like to incorporate, cause many of us are in transition, have been, are in school or have kids going to school.
Entertainment book ( I buy a couple of those a year myself)
online movie rental (like blockbuster)
some gardening places for those who use the garden threads
some finanacial services for the credit/investing threads
An address site - so you can do a quick white/yellow pages lookup - I use that service all the time and hate going through yahoo cause I have to change the city.

I think we have a good mix to choose from right now that the board has been approved for. And the great thing is, we get to place the ads where we want since it's not just an ad thing where the ads auto place or pop up all over the place.

We are also looking at coupon codes that come on the ad - I know the Circuit city one that we are going to use has a free shipping code on it.

Again, the biggest goal for us is to find companies that are relevant to all of us, have good incentives and offers for members, and have a value to the board. No Depends ads, weird lawyer ads, toe nail fungus (unless you really want us to find something for your toes), etc.

mama22qts · 08-02-2006, 07:37:45 PM

no bed wetting please...:tongue:

kpark895 · 08-02-2006, 07:59:56 PM

or mesothelioma or whatever that lung disease is!

MoJo · 08-02-2006, 08:14:18 PM

The bottom line for me is to be able to access the great information on HCW. I understand there are costs to running the site. While I would not be against an annual membership fee, perhaps getting it "for free" through advertising is more in the couponing spirit.

I am continually amazed at the amount of money I save (and even earn) by trading/sharing information with you all. I would hate to imagine this week at CVS without HCW!!

Now, jump up on the tabletop and sing with me (don't forget your Southern drawl), "I gotta little change in my pocket . . going ching-a-ling-a-ling . . ."

mama22qts · 08-02-2006, 08:16:13 PM

"call you on the telephone baby, I give you a ring"