I have been contributing articles here at Associated Content for almost eight months and I am ashamed of myself – ASHAMED, I tell you! How many articles, slide shows, videos and audios do I view each day, not including my own? Oh, probably 200 or more, depending on how productive my favorite contributors are on any given day. And last week I realized that during all this time I have ignored something very important: Our advertisers.
“What?!” you say, “How could you forget?” That’s exactly what I asked myself! Here I am, a retired advertising manager, forgetting to pay heed – and homage – to the ones who pay advertising contract fees to AC, who in turn pays us for having all this fun at Associated Content!
Well, I’m changing my ways! I have made an oath: Here at AC, every time I read an article, view a slide show, listen to an audio and watch a video, I also am going to pay attention to the advertising on each page. I started this last week, and have discovered a whole new world out there.
Already I have found a new package of free and creative smiley creations®; learned about the healthy benefits of using electronic cigarettes (too bad I don’t smoke, but if I did…); signed up for free coupons for Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington attractions; subscribed to a new (to me) foodie website called Tasting Table, which emails me daily updates; found a good website listing eco-friendly promotion materials; and subscribed to a great new (to me) travel website called Travel Zoo. Oh, in addition, I have enjoyed learning all the propaganda about the new Buick LaCrosse, Mini Cooper, and Buick Regal – I can dream about a new car, right? I decided that either Progressive Insurance really likes Associated Content or got a really sweet contract (a deal they couldn’t refuse!) because they pop up everywhere, at the slightest hint of being linked to content that includes the word car or auto. Information about Qwest high speed is found on many pages – I already use Qwest Internet, but it’s reaffirming to know they see value in advertising on Associated Content. There is much more. In fact I took two days and concentrated on the web ads. Clicked on eighty-three ads and actually enjoyed learning about many new products and services. It’s been an entertaining and educational exercise!
The point is this: Remember that these advertisers pay for ad space, and they keep track of the number of clicks that go to their websites. As we know, there are a thousands of us contributors out here; our participation can make a significant impact. When we respond to web ads, the value of advertising on Associated Content pages increases. Bottom line: current advertisers stay, new advertisers come on board, the revenue stream from these web advertising contracts increases, AC and Yahoo! have money to pay for our articles and PVs, and we continue to have a platform to write our content. Everyone wins, so please join me and “Click it!” the next time you see an interesting web ad on AC.
