Intro to Advertising

Dear YC,

I’ve got an idea for a quick app/site (that could get bigger in the future based on some other ideas) that I’ll probably crank out over the next couple days.
One thing that I’m wondering is how do I get more impressions/clicks on a page/app that is just one page?

I can make the page all ajaxy/flashy and have ads on it, but a user can then be there for hours and never refresh the page/ads, so my potential clicks (assuming the person would have clicked in the first place) will be lower than they could be.

Do I force refreshes every x minutes? Just sell ads at a higher cost?

I’m new to the ad funded model, so I’m missing step 2 of 1. Built it with ads 2. ??? 3. Profit

My goal is to just get enough traffic to pay the hosting bill and maybe a beer every couple months…

Your friend,
Goofy Grin

Well Goofy Grin, you’ve stumbled upon a problem for the ages: advertising. The ad game is certainly a tricky business as everyone in it is hellbent on making money! It’s hard to get money from those who want to make it, to be sure. In fact, I recommend finding people who want to spend money. These people are always up to buy ads. Look at that guy who sold pixels on a blank site! It was only one page, and it didn’t do anything! And now he’s a millionaire. I bet he’s laughing at us all from his castle as we try to crack this nut.

Here is a list of people who want to spend money. Perhaps it will help you on your way:

1. Gamblers
2. Church-goers
3. “Green” people (just make sure your website is fair-trade organic and all that)
4. Advertisers
5. NPR Listeners
6. Politicians

Hopefully that helps.

Your thought about selling ads at a higher cost is a great idea. People like to think they’re getting something expensive, it makes them feel rich. All you need to do is provide an easy way for them to show off the money they’re spending. Perhaps you should issue a press release declaring that your website is not for sale. That’s sure to garner some attention. After about a month or so, let some larger company eek in for a bit, but call it a partnership to the press. Everyone will know though, that your client just has a shit ton of money.

Love,
YC
Link.

What’s In a Name?

Dear YC,

I’m nearing completion of a web application planned to launch near the end of May. The only problem, well one of the problems, is that I’m completely lacking any ideas for a name. I don’t think I’m alone, but I find this to be one of the hardest parts of developing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas, methods, thoughts, or anything at all worth discussing on this topic.

Thanks!

-msteff

Good question msteff! Names are very important, to be sure! Here’s a trick I use all the time when my newest company needs a good name:

Pretend you are in a rock band or own an ad agency that pretends it’s a rock band. Give yourself a non-sequitur of a name that doesn’t attempt to communicate your already in-definable style.

If you’re stumped, take an adjective and a noun that don’t go together; combine. Strawberry Frog. Velvet Underground. Zeus Jones. Led Zeppelin. Rick James. Got the hang of it?

Now check to see if your name has a .com yet? It does? Eliminate all vowels and check again. Still stuck? Put a few of them back in. Got it? Good.

(If you STILL can’t get a dot come with no vowels, consider making your app a mobile one and get the oft-ignored .mobi address. People will make fun, but stick to your guns. You’re an innovator.)

Let’s walk through a demo, just to make sure we’re all on the same page:

1. Adjective: Tasty, Noun: Shirt.
2. TastyShirt.com? No.
3. TstyShrt.com No.
4. TastyShrt.com Yes.
5. Profit.

Love,
YC
Link.