Along with the reporting and tracking technologies that we enjoy with the ExchangeMyAd.com platform, we also have some additional options with the “look and feel” of the ads that are run on the network. Here is a bit of advice…take advantage of them. The ads don’t have to be just basic static ads, though you can do that. At the same time, we really dislike the annoying ones like those that simulate a Microsoft warning.

Once you get into the system, you will be able to access an ad builder that can help you with the creation of the different sized ads. With that ad builder, there is a library of images, static and flash, that you can use. It will take some messing around with to get used to. We’ll create a post or few on this later.

Down the road a bit, unless you are or know someone that is proficient with flash, you can incorporate flash animation with the ad—there are many simple and clean ways to do this in a nice classy way. Animation can draw more people to actually pay attention to your advertisement. And the animation can actually better illustrate the benefits of your product or service.

Finally, you will be able to take advantage of the video function of our platform. Video does not consume the entire ad, it is just “thumbnail” sized, but it does “pre-roll” about 10 seconds of the video over and over to help draw people’s attention to the ad and get them to watch the video. As we all know, video can be a powerful tool of persuasion that creates buyers and loyalty.

Technorati Tags: advertisement, flash animation, persuasion

I understand the thought process and the simplicity of just paying for ads. Exchanging ads is a bit archaic, a bit of a throwback to the days of bartering. People used to exchange what they had in excess for what others had in excess—milk for wheat, wheat for wool, and even cows for wives, etc. Over time there was a migration from trading to the use of currency. Currency makes transactions simpler, faster, and more efficient…as long as there is plenty of cash to go around. When cash is tight, people get a little more creative.

Tough economic times are good for everyone involved, even though it doesn’t seem like it sometimes (I don’t wish them on anyone…well, maybe I do). Difficult financial times spark a new level of creativity, once you get yourself out of depression. Financial stress forces people to get back to basics and make better use of the things they’ve been given: talents, abilities, relationships, and assets.

A business’ website is an asset, often times a much underutilized asset. Traditionally, smaller websites are used only to help market the goods and services that the business is offering. However, through the Ad Exchange Program, we are helping business owners with websites of all sizes better utilize their website and grow their business. We are helping smaller guys use their website to monetize their website and generate free advertising to drive more traffic to their site and increase revenues. The larger sites, those with more traffic, already perhaps have advertisers on their site—however they know that it is difficult to monetize their site below the “fold”. With our system they are able to take advantage of the real estate below the fold and put it to good use.

I love the fact that this ad exchange program is set up to help businesses of all sizes get more exposure without having to increase their budgets. And if they do want to buy advertising, they will do it once they know they have a campaign that will deliver the desired ROI. Through good times and bad, we’ll be able to help businesses grow.

Technorati Tags: business owners, business website, economic times, exchange ads, exchanging ads, free advertising, roi

ExchangeMyAd.com unveils Ad Exchange Program!

ExchangeMyAd.com is helping businesses join together to form a free online ad sharing network using RealVu Technology’s patented online advertising tracking system to manage the Ad Exchange Program.

The owners of ExchangeMyAd.com have long been involved in the marketing and advertising worlds both online and off-line.  Both have a passion for working with small businesses and entrepreneurs and felt that this would be a great way to help them—especially with the current economic uncertainty.  Business owners have been cutting back on their advertising budgets, but want to remain visible to their customer bases.  ExchangeMyAd.com knows how difficult it can be, and found a way to help out.

The Ad Exchange Program is set up such that businesses place our advertising module (ad “window”) on their website.  As the ads are seen by people visiting that business’ website, that business earns ad credits that it can use to advertise its business on other non-competing sites that are participating in the Ad Exchange Program. 

Technorati Tags: Ad Exchange, ad exchange program, exchangemyad.com, Online Advertising, Tough Times

In my view, “impression” based internet advertising is riddled with problems.  That said, if you just want to get your message out there without a concern for response rates, you can negociate a good deal.  On the other hand, pay for performance (click, lead, acquisition, subscription) campaigns don’t always do online “rich media” advertising justice–what I mean is maybe you intended to drive an online response, but the ad actually gave you a foot in the door that isn’t tracked.

Due to these issues and others we chose to partner with a company called RealVu Technologies, www.realvu.net.  RealVu technology tracks when our ads actually come into view on a person’s screen, and is then tracked as a “view“.  You can see this in action on www.exchangemyad.com, or by going to the RealVu site linked above.  Look above the upper right hand corner of the ad and watch for when the red checkmark appears in the RealVu logo.  This gives us a few advantages when it comes to exchanging ads. 

1.  Whether or not someone places exchange ads on the bottom of a page or buried on some obscure page in their website, credits on ads will only be earned when they are “viewed” by someone for a full second.  By the way, this is great for someone that hasn’t been able to sell the remnant space on their site.  Let me restate that, you can now monetize remnant space on a website with this technology–or at least use it for earning exchange ads.

2.  You will get the reporting to show when and where on the network an ad was “viewed”, and the ability to compare impressions to views as well as click rates.

3.  Since you can see the response rates of your ads on the sites it showed up on, you can stop your ad from showing on sites with lower response rates–making your campaign more effective.

The list of benefits for the RealVu technology goes on and on, but that list will provide subjects for future blog entries.

Suffice it to say, you can rest assured that your ads are fairly exchanged.  That is the bird’s eye “view” of the Ad Exchange Program.

Technorati Tags: ad exchange program, exchange ads, impressions, internet advertising, RealVu Technology, view

The Ad Exchange Program at ExchangeMyAd.com is set up so that business owners around the world can help to provide relevant advertising space to each other and keep businesses running in a difficult and uncertain time.  I am a business owner and understand how difficult it can be to adapt to a changing environment.  Advertising, in particular, is a sore spot.  Try as I might to watch the ROI on various campaigns for different businesses and make prudent decisions in good times, I am extra careful, cautious, and analytical during difficult times.  Advertising mistakes just seem extra costly when the margins are thinner; on the other hand, I know that to keep the business going I have to keep in front of my customers!

Some conversations with friends and associates led me to help create ExchangeMyAd.com where we can do our part to help the business community.  There are some challenges in making an exchange of advertising fair and effective.  First, online advertising that is based on “impressions” is begging to be wrought with fraud (especially in tough times).  Second, “clicks” aren’t a fair way to exchange–one “click” to one company may be worth a lot more, and the percentage of clicks varies on so many factors.  Third, you have to be able reach your target audience.

The first and second issues were dealt with through an arrangement with RealVu Technologies, www.realvu.net.  They have a patented technology that tracks when an ad comes into view on a person’s browser.  Tracking “views” facilitates a fair method to allow an exchange of advertising.  In addition, the reporting tool allows you to to actually compare impressions, views, clicks, videos watched, along with a whole host of other information that is useful for honing in your campaigns.

The third issue will be dealt with in time, which is why we are currently in beta.  The more websites that are exchanging ads, the better for everyone.  Even tiny sites are great, ones that wouldn’t normally be able to get advertisers, because when they are all aggregated it creates volume in even very niche markets.  Additionally, there are plans for local businesses to be able to target local customers (geotargeting). 

The greatest thing about the Ad Exchange Program is that I test out new messages, promotions, graphics, and videos until I find something that works.  I know the ROI, before I spend any money on additional advertising!  Crazy.  I will spend money on advertising all day long under those circumstances!

I am excited to have launched this platform for exchanging advertising, and for the future planned developments.  I am sure that there will be bumps along the way, and I thank you for your patience as we deal with them.  I appreciate your participation in the Ad Exchange Program and welcome feedback.

Technorati Tags: ad exchange program, business community, exchangemyad.com, impressions, patented technology