Hello, I am working with a website that targets alternative music fans (goth, metal, industrial, etc.) and gets good traffic. I am helping to sell banner ads. We don't want to join an ad network, we want to deal with companies individually and only get advertisers that the site users would appreciate. I have approached relevant companies and have gotten some good responses. What I am looking for is how to find media/ad buyers for movies, video games, comic books and similar consumer products. Besides banner ads we can also offer them promotional and sponsorship opportunities through live music and nightclub events the site puts on. I used to sell ads for a music industry magazine but did very little consumer advertising sales so never had to develop these kinds of contacts. Thanks. Ed
Contact the sites listed on yellowpages ? there are ad networks which sell niche based inventory so try to contact them too. Selling ad inventory individually is not productive or scalable.
On this type of situation when you don't really know how to do it I would suggest to rather focus on the site itself, make it better, promote it better and the advertisers will contact you. If people aren't contacting you looking for buying ads, you would better work on the site itself. It's just my advice.
I am assuming that you have a list of competitive websites to your own? Check them out to see who advertises with them. Those advertisers will be high probability prospects for you, as well. And don't limit yourself to competitors' sites. Look at the gaming new sites, blogs, etc., and see who advertises with them, as well.
Good point. If your website is reputable and is attracting good traffic, advertisers will look for you.