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Generating revenue through advertising can be golden; however, how does a network creator manage the advertising real estate?


First...what is advertising real estate? Since there is only so much space on a web page (okay so technically there is nearly unlimited space on a web page, but being realistic, there is only so much that is considered quality space) advertising real estate, is that space that a network creator allocates to advertising.

A few of tips before moving forward:
  1. Too much advertising can take away from the site visitor's experience and too little can be lost revenue. Finding a balance that works for your demographic is key.
  2. Work within your chosen web design. Placing advertising in awkward places on the site just to draw attention can be counter productive. Yes, you may get a visitor's attention, but by diminishing their experience on your site can be a huge negative.
  3. The key to success in advertising revenue is going to be return site visitors. The amount of effort and cost to get a new visitor to your website can be very costly and usually is. Keeping a balance of new visitors vs returning visitors is key. The balance and mix of these two variables is dependent on the site business model. For a social network, heavy percentage on return visitors is a must. If they aren't returning, something is wrong.
Okay, so how to manage the ad space? First, what are the variables that affect ad space?

They are:
  1. Ad size
  2. Ad placement
  3. Ad cost
  4. Ad exposure
In a nutshell there are just four variables to consider. Let's break each one down.

First, Ad size. Ad size is defined by the actual space that the ad will occupy on the web page. Whether placing graphics-based or text-based advertisements, the space requirement should be considered. Banner ads are typically sized by pixels, so for example, a 160x600 banner requires 160 pixels for the width and 600 pixels for the height.

Second, Ad placement. There are many combinations that can be used with regard to ad placement. The typical placement on a Ning network will be the right column. This space will receive the highest exposure because nearly every page on the network will have this column visible. It is also easy to manage by simply placing a text box and adding a banner image. Network creators can also easily place ads in all three columns on the network homepage. With bit more work, posting ads in the header, footer, and content areas, can be done; however, at present this will require a bit of javascript code and may offer some unpredictable outcomes.

Third, Ad cost. In determining how much to sell advertising space for, there are numerous considerations.
  1. What are the demographics of the site?
  2. Who could benefit from advertising?
  3. Do I charge CPC, or CPM?
  4. How much traffic does this network generate?
  5. Where will the ad be placed, (for example above the fold or below)?
This consideration (ad cost) can be expanded even further, but I will leave that for the comments.

Forth, Ad exposure. Ad exposure has four basic variables. They are:
  1. How many times an ad is seen by an individual.
  2. How often an ad is seen by an individual.
  3. The geographical location of the individual seeing the ad.
  4. The time the ad is being seen by an individual.
There are additional variables, like age, gender, browser type, etc., but those are beyond the scope of this discussion and can be explored in the comments.

Managing the complexity of advertising space can be daunting if not properly equipped. for the task.

For this reason, I recommend, Google Ad Manager as a solution for managing your advertising campaigns. This robust solution offers handy tools for managing your campaign along with providing confidence in reporting for your advertisers.

What experiences do you have regarding generating revenue via an advertising model?

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Hey guys! So I was one of the lucky winners to spend some time with Ning down in Austin, and I just wanted to drop in to give some feedback from the perspective of Creators.

SXSW is billed as a Tech Conference, but it's really a Festival. I think what that means to Creators is the following...

This is aimed towards those who are interested in making money via your network, and feel ready to do that (big audience, big traffic, unique segment of a market). I know that's not everyone, but I feel like it'd be one major agenda that might drive you to consider going to SXSWi if you haven't been.

  1. Industry People: Austin is all about people. Everyone is there. Bloggers, Company Founders, marketing teams, PR people, advertising people, and thought leaders. There's lots of educational and non-profit conversations happening. If you wanted to meet them, hear from them, or pitch them (in a non-pitchy way), Austin is a great opportunity. I'd build a list of hopeful meetings, reach out beforehand to set a few coffee chats up, and then spend your time there using Foursquare/Gowalla/Twitter to track down the one's you don't have on your schedule.
  2. Feedback: The early adopter crowd is there in full force. They're willing to hear your ideas, your community dynamics, and your story. Literally everyone there has a story, and is open to share it in exchange for yours. There's no reason to be shy, because rather than criticize or shoot you down, you'll get valuable feedback and insight into what else is happening in your space.
  3. Promotions/Marketing: I was really underwhelmed at the 'buzz building' tactics in Austin this year, despite the opportunity. With 15,000 early adopters/open minded geeks walking around, all carrying with them an audience of interested parties, you can really make a bang with very little COST. It's more a matter of doing something really innovative. Perfect example: the Ning team hands out free pie slices during their 'office hours'...and they were not only gone in short time, but generated buzz that I heard for the next 24 hours at parties and via twitter.
  4. Parties: Parties are a big, big part of the agenda down there. Problem is that they're expensive and exclusive, generally. Thing is, the best ones happened off the radar. If you want to bring people together to talk about you or your community, do that in a social setting 'off campus'.

I'm sure there's more, but that's a lot. If anyone has questions, just let me know...I'm happy to share!

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Finding the right ads to post is easy... if you know where to find the advertisers. To help save you some time, or maybe give more work then you were expecting, here is a list of 232 Affiliate Ad Networks. I personally have experience as an Advertiser on Commission Junction and multiple internal affiliate programs for my employer. As a part-time affiliate publisher in my free time, I get links to monetize my personal sites and Ning Networks from Commission Junction, LinkShare, PepperJam, Amazon Associates.

Links to apply to all of these networks plus reviews and opinions from other affiliate marketers on which is the best programs or ad networks to work with, I find OfferVault to be extremely thorough. That site will also help you find which network the company you want to promote is found on and where they are paying the most.

Find more revenue ideas for your Ning, join the Making Money with Our Nings Group

AdOptim
AdPerio
adreporting.com
adrevolver.com
Ads4Dough
adscendmedia.com
adsmarket.com
advibrance.com
advtise.com
Aff.Biz
affbot1.com
Affiliace.Com
Affiliate Future
Affiliate Lounge
Affiliate Teer
Affiliate.Com
AffiliateBot
AffiliateNetwork.Com
AffiliateShop
affiliateventuregroup.com
AffiliateWindow
Affiliator
agamimedia.com
ampedmedia.com
andesnetwork.com
aquasismedia.com
ATM Interactive
Avangate
Axill.Com
Azn network
bestpriced.com
bigtopnetworks.com
blitzads.com
bloosky.com
bluephoenixmedia.com
BluePhoenixNetwork
bountycpa.com
bridaluxe.com
bulletads.com
cactusmedia.com
Canadian Sponsors
capitallnetwork.com
CashEngines.Com
cleafs.com
ClickBank
ClickBooth
clickkingdom.com
clickmount.com
Clicksor
clickXchange
clixGalore
ClixSense
Commission Junction
Commission Soup
CommissionXchange
Convert2Media.Com
copeac.com
coprosper.com
Cosmic Affiliates
CPA Junction
CPA Lead
CPA Shine
Cpa Universe
cpaadstrategy.com
CPABoo
cpabullet.com
cpaemarket.com
cpaflash.com
CPAPark
cparev.com
cpathunder.com
CX Digital Media
CyberBounty
Dale Network
Dark Blue Network
digitaltargetmarketing.com
Direct Leads
Direct ROi
directagents.com
dmipartners.com
dpowermedia.com
eadvertising.com
EarnReal
ecomleads.com
eggressivenetwork.com
e-Junkie
empyremedia.com
enjoyclicks.com
Epic Edge Media
exclusivecpa.com
expressrevenue.com
filinet.com
firelead.com
FlexOffers
floatinteractive.com
Flux Ads
fusionwhiz.com
fxcash.com
globaladrevolution.com
globaldirectmedia.com
go2directads.com
Google Affiliate Network
gptmedia.com
guppymedia.com
holidayaffiliates.com
hooqy.com
hybrydads.com
Hydra
icommissions.com
ideamamaadnetwork.com
idicampaigns.com
ilogins.com
iMedia Team
incentreward.com
incentvalue.com
income-list.com
instantdollarz.com
interactivebrands.com
internetmediaaffiliates.com
Inuvo (Kowabunga)
Iron Offers
Joe Bucks
join.eu
jumboaffiliates.com
Kolimbo
Lead Flash
leadcreations.com
leadexpose.com
levelclick.com
LinkConnector
linkmo.com
linkoffers.net
linkrevenue.com
LinkShare
LinkValu
Logical Media
lvntracker.com
MaxBounty
media202.com
mediadnet.com
MediaTrust
Merchant Zoo
metarevenue.com
Modern Click
Monetize It
money3affiliates.com
More Niche
motiveinteractive.com
mysavingsmedia.com
ndemandaffiliates.com
NDustryClix
netpartner.com
neverblueads.com
nivanetwork.com
Offeratti
Offers Direct ADS
offersquest.com
OfferWeb
OfferWise
OMG Network (UK)
Our Free Stuff Net
paidonresults.net
Panthera Network
partnerstats.net
payaff.com
PayDotCom
peerfly.com
PepperJam Network
perfectpaycheck.com
platinumpartner.com
Plimus
pntra.com
pokeraffiliateworld.com
Primary Ads
ProfessionalCash
profitcenternetwork.com
profitistic.com
quadrantnetwork.com
rapidresponse.com
ReferBack.Com
RegNow
responsivedata.com
Revenue Loop
Revenue Street
revenue500.com
revenueads.com
revenueco-op.com
revenuegateway.com
revenuehill.com
revenuewire.com
revresponse.com
Rextopia
rocketprofit.com
ROI Rocket
roibooster.com
search4clicks.com
Share a Sale
shareblossom.com
sharecpa.com
Share-It
shareresults.com
Silvertap
Spark Network
Sprin Trade
superaffiliatesoft.net
synervation.net
tarsus-media.com
The Web Gem Network
ThinkAction
TML Affiliate
topaffcash.com
Trade Doubler
trafficpayouts.com
trafficsynergy.com
trafficvenuedirect.com
triadmedianetwork.com
Uffiliates
uniqueleads.com
Valued Network
VHM Network
vintacore.com
VIP Profits
vtarget.com
Web Clients
WebGains
WebJamAds
Webmaster Life
worldofoffers.net
xorclicks.com
yahyahmedia.com
YEP Revenue
yottacash.com
Zanox
AdOptim
AdPerio
adreporting.com
adrevolver.com
Ads4Dough
adscendmedia.com
adsmarket.com
advibrance.com
advtise.com
Aff.Biz
affbot1.com
Affiliace.Com
Affiliate Future
Affiliate Lounge
Affiliate Teer
Affiliate.Com
AffiliateBot
AffiliateNetwork.Com
AffiliateShop
affiliateventuregroup.com
AffiliateWindow
Affiliator
agamimedia.comampedmedia.com
andesnetwork.com
aquasismedia.com
ATM Interactive
Avangate
Axill.Com
Azn network
bestpriced.com
bigtopnetworks.com
blitzads.com
bloosky.com
bluephoenixmedia.com
BluePhoenixNetwork
bountycpa.com
bridaluxe.com
bulletads.com
cactusmedia.com
Canadian Sponsors
capitallnetwork.com
CashEngines.Com
cleafs.com
ClickBank
ClickBooth
clickkingdom.com
clickmount.com
Clicksor
clickXchange
clixGalore
ClixSense
Commission Junction
Commission Soup
CommissionXchange
Convert2Media.Com
copeac.com
coprosper.com
Cosmic Affiliates

I personally prefer the convenience of working with the networks, but remember, companies with internal affiliate programs pay more then those that are listed on ad networks. The ad networks will charge an extra 20 - 30% fee to the advertisers on top of your commission per transaction. So that means if you can partner directly with the company you can earn 20 - 30% more.

Website Hosting Affiliates earn $90 - $150 per sale, among the most profitable type of ad you can run. Often retail affiliate programs only provide a 10 - 30% commission; average sale less then $100. But don't be discouraged by smaller commissions per transaction, a popular retailer, especially one your audience is interested in, can generate significant traffic and commissions, from your members online shopping.

Strategy Tip:One idea that plays on affiliate ads is to start a page for Member Discounts. Collect the best coupons and special offers you can find then keep your members updated with online savings to help them pinch their pennies. Not only will this strategy ad valaue to your network's content, it will give your members another reason to return frequently to check out the latest deal that you have uncovered.
If anyone finds a great printable coupon affiliate program. Please write a review, as I am in the search for the best places to find that type of offer to run.Happy Ninging,ben

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