Hi, We have been running a very large soccer community online for several years and have just started looking into effective monetization techniques. Is MySpace still a viable way to promote one's site or is this old school now? If it's the latter, then what are the best alternatives? We are currently trying a blend of ValueClick and Google ads, but not sure that we have gone about it effectively. The site is http://talksoccer.net Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.
great domain. Have you tried promotional contests? Those seem to be pretty popular right now. I've never had luck with myspace.
Maybe become an affiliate of a soccer gear cie (like teams jeysey and stuff). Or contact those kind of companies (online soccer stores) to see if they'd like to advertise on your forum.
Thanks for the advice. Much aprpeciated. We started using valueclick but I'm not finding them to be as productive as Google ads. I think contacting the right organizations and asking them if they're interested in advertising is a good way to go. I wonder if it's worth getting a marketing guy because the community is extremely active and has unbelievable potential.
Hey man, there are a ton of companies willing to take you on as an affilate. Just go to cj.com or linkshare.com. I'm a Walmart.com affilaite and make money by pluggin stuff they sell...which ranges from electronics to sports equipment. don't feel that you have to be specific to a soccer supply shop.
Nice site and busy forums! I would go the route of affiliate marketing. Try out these UK ones. http://www.affiliatefuture.co.uk http://www.buy.at http://www.tradedoubler.com http://www.webgains.com Pick out afew companys you want to work with, you could do anything from club credit cards, casinos (32red = aston villa, betfred = man u), club kits, england kits etc. Lots of scope to target them with, even gadgets etc.