If you’re a passionate blogger, running your site probably feels like a full time job. So how can you make it pay? As a fashion blogger, your content taps into a demographic that advertisers clamor to reach: women aged 13-35.
If you’re open to running ads, ad networks are a great way to get into the monetization game.
Before you begin:
1. Know your numbers
If you understand how many people visit your site and who they are, you can make a strong pitch to ad networks. Install Google Analytics, get set up in Google Ad Planner, and register with Alexa. Most bloggers say it’s not worth compromising the design of your site with ads until you have at least 500 pageviews per day, as you’ll only be earning pennies a month.
2. Own it
Buy your own domain name. Networks prefer that your home page is not a subdomain (“mypage.blogger.com”), though there are exceptions. I use Go Daddy to check availability, buy, and manage domains.
3. Carve out a niche
For ads, that is. Be prepared to place common ad sizes like leaderboard (728×90), medium rectangle (300×250), and wide skyscraper (160×600) “above the fold,” where your reader won’t have to scroll down to see the ads. Many networks require that you place ads in this prime location, which commands the highest rates.
4. Get serious about content (and copyright)
Ad networks love focused, original content and engaged audiences. Update frequently, encourage commenting, and be sure to cite your sources. Some networks will boot you for “adult content,” so think twice before posting those nude Italian Vogue editorials.
Get Started:
Google AdSense, AdBrite, ValueClick and Yahoo Publisher Network (still in beta) don’t require huge pageviews to join, but might not offer the most attractive or relevant ads.
Cliquesound: I co-founded this new network, which targets fashion and beauty blogs with enhanced-content ads. Cliquesound curates and supports emerging indie music. Ads run within a music module that offers readers a free song download a day, without ever leaving your site. We require 500 pageviews per day. To sign up, email beta@cliquesound.com.
Blogads: This network groups blogs into “hives” by subject and their fashion hive is not overcrowded, so there could be great opportunities. They look for at least 1,000 pageviews a day.
Indieclick: The Urban Outfitters of ad networks, Indieclick aggregates hip culture sites. They look for pageviews of 1,000 per day at a minimum.
Glam Network: This network’s requirements reflect their reputation as the leader in women’s lifestyle site aggregation. They look for at least 100,000 pageviews a month (over 3,000 a day), a strong brand/voice, and excellent editorial content.
The bottom line:
Ad networks look for loyal, engaged audiences, so it’s never worth compromising your content to drive pageviews. If you take your site’s design, editorial voice, and readership seriously, your site will grow and so will your ad revenue.
About the author: Blogger Ann Colville Somma (www.holierthannow.com), co-founded Cliquesound.com, an enhanced-content ad network.
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