Post by Marissa Chancely on Oct 13, 2009 16:47:00 GMT -5
ADVERTISING 101
The Basics
There is one golden rule of advertising. More more more. It is impossible to advertise too much. Reach as far as you can and whore your ad to as many sites as possible.
Let's start with the basics. The ad itself. The current VI ad (the one I was using - in it's coded form) is as follows:
For Proboards:
[center][url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/][img]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3687/vibannerad.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][color=6699cc][size=5][i]S[/size]tep into the world of [size=5]V[/size]ARIABLE [size=5]I[/size]NTRICACY![/i]
[i][size=5]T[/size]he year is 2010.
[size=5]O[/size]ver an uncertain number of previous years, the human race has gradually begun to mutate and develop a new gene that allows those who possess it to be born with extraordinary abilities. These people are chosen seemingly at random, from all countries and walks of life, and sometimes, these abilities are found in dangerous hands.
[size=5]T[/size]he world itself faces a very uncertain future as the human race nears a frightening new age of human evolution. Groups have begun to form, private interests, goals, and ideals established. The stage is set... when the dust finally settles, where will you be?[/i]
[size=5]VI[/size] is a Heroes-themed RPG of intermediate-advanced writing skill level, featuring all-original cast and factions, and an independent plot-line. So where are the canonical characters? None of those will be played on VI. An odd rare cameo or reference may occur, but then again, perhaps not.[/color][/center]
[center][url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/][color=6699cc][size=3][u]H[/size]OME[/u][/color][/url] | [url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pimping][color=6699cc][size=3][u]A[/size]FFILIATION[/u][/color][/url] | [url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=rules][color=6699cc][size=3][u]R[/size]ULES[/u][/color][/url][/center]
For Invisionfree:
[align=center][url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/][img]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3687/vibannerad.png[/img][/url][/align]
[align=center][color=6699cc][size=5][i][b]S[/size]tep into the world of [size=5]V[/size]ARIABLE [size=5]I[/size]NTRICACY![/i]
[i][size=5]T[/size]he year is 2010.
[size=5]O[/size]ver an uncertain number of previous years, the human race has gradually begun to mutate and develop a new gene that allows those who possess it to be born with extraordinary abilities. These people are chosen seemingly at random, from all countries and walks of life, and sometimes, these abilities are found in dangerous hands.
[size=5]T[/size]he world itself faces a very uncertain future as the human race nears a frightening new age of human evolution. Groups have begun to form, private interests, goals, and ideals established. The stage is set... when the dust finally settles, where will you be?[/i]
[size=5]VI[/size] is a Heroes-themed RPG of intermediate-advanced writing skill level, featuring all-original cast and factions, and an independent plot-line. So where are the canonical characters? None of those will be played on VI. An odd rare cameo or reference may occur, but then again, perhaps not.[/b][/color][/align]
[align=center][url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/][color=6699cc][size=4]H[/size]OME[/color][/url] | [url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pimping][color=6699cc][size=4]A[/size]FFILIATION[/color][/url] | [url=http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=rules][color=6699cc][size=4]R[/size]ULES[/color][/url][/align]
It is important to remember that different types of boards have different types of codes. As you can see from the above ads the most noticeable difference is the CENTER tags. There are other types of boards that use other types of codes, but for RP purposes Proboards and IF are primarily used. Be mindful of this if you are advertising on a site. Be sure to post the right ad with the right code, because you cannot edit as a guest and the staff will not edit it for you. An advertisement with broken codes and links will not look as attractive to the clueless masses.
Directories
This is perhaps one of the most useful methods of advertisement out there. There are three different RP directories that I use religiously.
RPG-Directory is one of the best roleplay resource sites on the net. It has a massive memberbase and everyone is there for one purpose; to find a roleplay that suits them, or to advertise one. VI is listed here in the TV-Based directory. Any advertisement can be bumped up to the first page after one month, so I recommend you check in sporadically and if a month has passed, post an update blurb. You can include news about plots or anything you think would attract new traffic to the site.
RPGD also has other facilities to advertise. There is a forum called Requesting RPG where people who cannot find what they are looking for in the directories (or are too lazy) post their RP needs. This is an opportunity for anyone to plug their site. If VI suits the original poster's requirements be sure to respond to that effect. I generally check this every couple of days.
As well as this there is the affiliates forum, which I will explain further later.
RPG Collection is another directory I use. Much like RPG-D, it is basically a forum where anyone can post their RPG ads. This is all I use RPGC for. The ad can be bumped as soon as it is pushed on to the second page, but you cannot do this yourself. Instead you must PM a staff member with the link to the ad and ask them ever so kindly to bump it for you. They generally oblige within 24 – 48 hours.
RPG Underground is relatively new compared to the other two directories listed above, and doesn't get the same amount of traffic. It is still worthwhile posting an ad here, because since there are fewer, they tend to be viewed more often. Nothing further needs to be done at RPGU at the moment with regard to bumping or anything of the sort but it might be useful to check in maybe once a month or so to ensure the ad is still there and nothing needs to be changed.
There are other directories that are suitable out there too, but these three are the ones I tend to concentrate on. If you come across any others that you think would be useful don't hesitate to post an ad, but be sure to follow their rules and fill out whatever application forms they need. You can generally get wind of any new directories opening up on the other existing directories themselves, as they all tend to affiliate with each other.
I assume you do not have accounts for any of these. If this is the case then it would be a good idea to create them, specifically for RPG-D. To post an advertisement there the user must have a certain amount of posts. But as far as I am aware that rule does not apply to someone merely bumping the ad. If this is not the case please let me know and I will provide you with all my log in details.
I'm assuming you won't be using them to chat anyone up.
Topsites
Currently VI is not on any topsite listing. I've been keeping an eye out for Heroes related lists, as well as other sci-fi/fantasy type listings.
There are other topsite listings available out there, and if you find a decent looking one, sign VI up. Don't waste your time hunting them though, most of them are complete arse.
Site-to-Site
This is what takes up the majority of your time as an admod. It's tedious and boring, but it works wonders. When bored and looking for some nice RP, people tend to hop from one site to another, clicking on random links and checking out random sites. This is a good way to catch attention and gain some of that all-important traffic.
Different RPs have different methods of advertising and different layouts. Some boards separate all guest advertisements into First Time and Linking Back. There are variations of this, for example some Admins refer to First Time as Virgins, and Linking Back as Whores, and other such nonsense. They mean the same things.
First Time means this is the first time you've been to a site, and the first time you have advertised on it. They haven't posted an ad on your site, and you haven't posted one on theirs. Yet.
Linking Back means that they have already posted an advertisement on your site, and you are returning the favour.
Some sites don't make this distinction. It is important to pay attention to how they have their ad forums set up, so you don't make a mistake and gain the wrath of another admod, or worse still, have the ad completely deleted. If you happen to post an ad in the wrong forum by mistake then leave a message for the Admin or admod in the Cbox. I find that this works wonders.
If you are linking back to a site that doesn't make the distinction, be sure to include the tags [ LB ] in the subject title.
Here at VI all first time ads are posted in the First Time forum. We have a subforum for sites that are linking back, which means we've already placed an ad on their site. Technically, you can ignore this subforum, it's the first time ads you want to pay attention to.
When a guest posts a first timer ad that's your cue to return the favour and post our ad in turn on their site. You can do this as regularly as you like. I link back to the first timers once a week, when I have a handful to do at once. You can keep track of them by posting something small in the ad like LINKED BACK to remind yourself of where you left off if you need to.
Admod duties also include spreading the word of VI on other sites, even ones that have not yet advertised with us. A great way to do this is through the directory listings. They have huge numbers of sites for you to peruse and advertise on. I keep a list in a notepad of the different listings I have advertised on so I won't run the risk of double-posting. I take it one category at a time and advertise on every single site listed in one sitting. This is a lot to do, and it's mindless, but you don't have to do it every day. Just keep a record and spread the VI ad like the plague when you have the time.
Affiliation
Is key! This is another great form of advertisement. The Affiliation thread here should be checked regularly. If someone has applied to affiliate with us check out their site, make sure everything looks okay and that they have our affiliate button up somewhere on their site. Once you've done this, you can add their button to our list. I will be updating this process shortly.
Affiliate hunting can be done in a few different ways. If you stumble across a spiffy looking RP while doing some site-to-site advertising then apply to affiliate with them. One very effective way of gaining affiliates is to post in RPG-D here. Fill out the form and post it, detailing what you're looking for. You can be as lenient or as stringent as you like. Because of our standard (and soon to be rising memberbase/traffic), affiliation with VI will be an attractive prospect for most people.
You can also have a look at the other affiliate requests. If one in particular looks good to you, post in their thread with the html code for the VI button and let them know you would like to affiliate with them. Be sure to add their button code before doing this.
This is the code for our button:
<a href="http://variableintricacy.proboards.com/"
target="_blank"> <img src="http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee293/textbookenemy/button.png"
border="0" alt="Variable Intricacy"></a>
To add the code for an affiliate button follow these steps:
- At the top of the page click ADMIN
- Under the heading Customize Your Forum click on Headers and Footers
- In the dropdown menu select Global Headers and Footers
- In the first box you will see html code, scroll down until you come to “<!-- CUSTOM SIDE BOX #6 //-->”
- Beneath this is where the codes for the affiliates buttons begin, paste any new codes to the end of this list
- Save changes
Every now and then I check to make sure our affiliates are still active. If they haven't been active in the last two months they should be deleted from the list so space can be made for any new affiliates. You can have as many as you see fit.
Advertising Etiquette
- Do not double post. Make sure our ad hasn't already been posted.
- Do not advertise by PM. It's rude.
- Do not randomly post links in a Cbox. That's rude too.
- If you feel any advertisement has breached our rules, don't hesitate to delete it.
I know this looks like a lot of information, but trust me, it's a fairly easy process. The tricky part is knowing where to go. Use this as a guideline to start you off, and before you know it you'll have developed your own system that suits you best.