From time to time, I am contacted about running banner ads on various sites I own. I haven't ever contacted anyone before, so I am hoping someone can give me some insight about a particular request. I have a specialty site that runs adsense or YPN as its only form of advertising. I only run one block on each page. A company (mediatwo) keeps sending me requests about running a banner on one of my sites for a pretty big client of theirs. I never followed up on any of these attempts to contact me, but today I get an email from an account rep offering a flat montly rate of $X,XXX to run their clients banner. My site is exactly targeted for their type of customer. My skeptical nature always assumes these type of offers are marketing ploys or scams. This particular company has been around a long time and does seem legitimate. I just don't see how they can make an actual dollar offer without first obtaining any traffic stats. Before I contact them to get more information, I wondered if anyone else has ever dealt with them before? I am unclear whether they were proposing to have me run their clients banner in addition to the contextual advertising I currently run, or if they want me to replace it with their banner- meaning that the only type of advertising on the site would be theirs. If this is what they meant, I am not going to be interested. Assuming they are talking about running a banner in addition to adsense, I would appreciate any advice from someone who has experience running paid banners. Does a large company usually pay monthly, in advance? Thanks.
Always get paid in advance. I would send them an email with how to pay you for that 1 month. Also tell them that they can pay for 3,6,12 months for a discounted price. If they send you the money then put their banner up.
I have quite a bit of experience with television, radio and print advertising and know that large companies never ever pay in advance. The bigger the company, the slower they pay. I was assuming that would be the case here, but haven't had specific experience. If this was a small company or mom & pop operation, I would absolutely require payment in advance. I just don't even want to waste any time dealing with some marketing pitch, so was hoping someone had dealt with this company before. Thanks for the input.
Here too. For me to replace my adsense spots on my sites would take a high $x,xxx amount. They'd have to prepay. Getting a huge company to pay a bill, especially on advertising is a PITA. I used to work for a hotel and a lawfirm, each considered the advertising bills the lowest priority to pay and usually waited up to 90 days to get something in the mail.
Definately depends on whether they want exclusivity or not. If they do, I'd lock them into 6 months (preferably 12). The carrot the rep is dangling is probably just to catch your attention and they will want stats before its a done deal. I don't know the company you are talking about but good luck for it working out in your favour.
Take their money first. Tell them you will not put their banner on your site until their check has cleared and their money is in your bank account. Make it clear that you are simply offering to put that banner on your site for the stated period and that you are in no way responsible for performance (click-thrus). If they are happy with that then they are obviously rich and prepared to take a risk, but you are covered so that is their problem and not yours if it does not deliver the results. Plus - make sure they pay you at least 25% more than you make in Adsense on average.
Banner ads are typically served from a remote server - maintained by the advertising company. If you think the person contacting you is for a competitor who is willing to offer some X dollars then you have to think a bit more. They can easily monitor the traffic patterns and user base and probably how you get the hit rate that you get and try to replicate it for their site easily... Just a word of caution...
I buy ads on small to medium size websites all the time. I always pay in advance. If the discount is good I will even pay in advance quarterly or yearly. If someone is willing to give me exclusive advertising on their site (besides their current advertisers) I will pay more. My advice is to write back to them and get more details. That is the only way you will know what they want. There is no commitment on your part by opening up the line of communication. If you do not like what they have to offer trust me they will not be offended by telling them you are not interested.
If you don't want to ask them to pre-pay then just require a 1 month deposit up front. Amounts to the same thing basically.. but tell them if they pay on time for 12 months you will refund their deposit or apply it to future billings.