Advertising is the most important revenue source for us here in Chamonix and for our bloggers around the world.We think that there is a lot that we can do on advertising, to make it better, less disturbing and more effective.

Here is our recipe for the successful ad revenues:

Single platform:

All blogs are on Wordpress MU platform, so that we guarantee certain ad placement, traffic and share of voice to our advertisers and create custom ad placements if needed.

Less banners:

As we know that it’s hard to focus on ads in Time Square as there are so many of them. Just like many web sites are filled with banners and while site owner/webmaster things that now I am making money with all those banners, the trth is that because there are too many ads they are disturbing and users eye learns quickly to avoid them. If banners dont get clicked, advertisers dont get return to their investment (ROI) and they will next time decide not to advertise at all or they pay less. So for websites shortsitet revenue maximization becomes a declining business.

We will only run one two two display ads on each page and aim to sell themboth to same advertiser. Ad sizes will be 1000 x 125px for the “First Spread” top banner that can expand to 1000 x 250px and “Wide Skyscraper” 160 x 600.

This way advertisers can build nice presence, just like on a first spread of the magazine, and have 100% share of voice on display advertising.

Content ads:

Besides those two display ad placements, sites text ads will be by Google Ads and selected Affiliate Programs.

Google is the worlds largest ad supplier for small and niche websites so we absolutely want to run their text ads that have good content targeting. We will adjust Google ad modules look  and feel to be consistent with the blog.

On Affiliate Programs we are focusing on top retailers, like Backcountry.com, Oakley, etc. Well places and content related CPA (cost-per-acquisition)

Sponsored posts:

We all know how gear manufacturers, ski resorts, etc. want bloggers to write about their gear and news events. As we want to offer PR people a “sure ticket” to get their content published, we have developed a “Sponsored posts” section that will be separate from bloggers own posts and clearly a sponsored post.

Innovate:

These are the ad formats that we start with. Key thing is to study what works, innovate, follow the trends of the ad market and listen advertisers needs. Innovation and capability to adjust quickly will be our strenghts that will separate us from the competition. Also, we should never forget that after all, it’s the great content that drives the traffic and advertisers will follow.

We are very keen to get bloggers ideas and comments that help us to improve our ad sales, so don’t hesitate to contact me ransu@zherpa.com

1.0:

It used to be that magazine publisher was the master of publishing. They knew how to buy a paper, print it, sell advertising and handle the distribution to newsstands and how to get subscribers.

Then they went after many interest groups. Large publishing house can have rock magazine, summer cottage magazine, bride magazine, current affairs magazine, etc. They had good journalists for sure, but real strength was printing, marketing and distribution. That was hard for start-ups to do as was so expensive to set-up. Last great magazine launch, as far as I know, was Conde Nasts business magazine Portfolio that was like 100 million dollar project and now, two years later, gone.

2.0:

Martha Stewart Omnimedia took a different approach. They (she) is the master of content to housewifes and wanna-be house wifes. No more print or TV focus but rather a strategy of “lets use any medium that reaches our target group”. Martha Stewart went to TV, print, Internet and syndicated radio. Any way possible to reach the right people. Great strategy, except that things were on their case build too much around the one person, who sold some stocks that she should have not…well, that’s another story.

3.0

Tom Peters was well ahead of his time when he announced “Brand – You” – Now it’s a every man for himself.

Bloggers and Youtube producers can create articles and videos that attract huge audiences without any help from the old school media houses.

My interest has always been extreme and outdoor sports. So lets think abou

So lets take this to smaller scale.