I need ideas for a local site.

by ShayB
12 replies
I am in the process of creating a local blog featuring about 20 local work-at-home moms (including myself) and I am trying to develop a marketing strategy that will be beneficial to all of us. Here are a few details:
  • All of the members have different businesses, so there is no competition.
  • Some of the members have businesses that they created from scratch (such as a catering company, birthing coach, etc.). Other are reps for a company (like Tupperware, Avon, etc.).
Once the blog gets active, I will begin to market it - a PR campaign, etc.

My plan is to get all of the members to participate in the blog (with comments, posts, etc.) for the next 2-3 weeks to get it active.

Since I am not charging any of the members of this venture anything for doing this, I would like to generate income from the blog.

Any ideas? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
#ideas #local #site
  • Profile picture of the author Glenn Leader
    You could allow your members to post a discount coupon on your blog, and
    charge them for the privilege. They could get new business as a result of
    this. You could also give them for discount for a banner on a prime location
    banner ad on the blog.

    Good luck, and I hope it goes well for you.

    Glenn
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Shay, here are a couple of ideas to chew over with your group...

      One group of radio stations (same ownership) trades on-air promotion for merchandise certificates, which the various stations sell for half of the face value. You could ask each member of your group to contribute one or more certificates, which you could either auction off or sell from the site itself.

      Another idea is to have the various members offer a discount for first-time buyers (buy one get one, buy one get second half price, etc.). Create a coupon for each offer, bundle them into a PDF, and sell the booklet from your site. You could compare it to a local "Entertainment book", with $xx worth of savings for $Y.yy price.

      You get to monetize your site, and everyone that participates gets additional exposure and a chance to contribute to promoting the community.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clark
    Create 20 How to ebooks for each of the EXPERTS utilizing their expertise of course for the foundation of the content. Create a sales page and get it into Clickbank.

    Check out post #131 by Steven W. here for the "How to" part http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ere-now-4.html

    Give the writer/expert your affiliate link to the product their niche is about and share 50% of the sale (x 20 products for you)

    Have the writer/expert make a post about any problem in their niche on your blog then point the reader toward a solution - Your Clickbank product!

    That should inspire your volunteer staff to keep on writing for fun & profit.

    With multiple writers, you will meet one of the qualifiers for getting into Google News... and that's pure gravy!

    You could also look into CPM impressions marketing, CPA marketing, Adsense etc.

    Have one email list or multiple based on the reader's niche desires then continue to market to them via email on a consistent (when they can expect the next mailing) basis.

    Based on the diversity of your theme, you should create a sort of online magazine blog format with a unique voice which caters to a specific group of people with similar diverse interests.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Thank you for the ideas!

      I will post about my progress!
      Signature
      "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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  • Profile picture of the author Monetize
    Include AdSense and affiliate offers (credit cards,
    health insurance or whatever) just as you would
    any other website.

    Sell ad space to other professionals in your area,
    not just the ladies that are being featured.

    Setup and sell blogs (or websites) to others.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      The first place I am going to approach about advertising on the blog is the restaurant where we meet each month.
      Signature
      "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        BTW - I am trying to keep this free for those members featured on the blog.

        After approaching the restaurant owner, I am going to approach other local businesses that cater to work-at-home moms or moms in general.

        I will let everyone know how it goes.
        Signature
        "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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      • Profile picture of the author Monetize
        Originally Posted by Shay60654 View Post

        The first place I am going to approach about advertising on the blog is the restaurant where we meet each month.
        I was going to suggest doing restaurant reviews but
        I didn't want to overwhelm you. Also wasn't sure if
        that might clutter up your site with too much info.

        If you're open to multiple projects, you might think
        about doing a city directory site also. They're real
        easy to setup
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  • Profile picture of the author peteinoz
    Hey Shay,

    Not trying to be a git,

    but I think its always best to have the product and or way to make income first or foremost, when creating money sites.

    I'd hate to see you put a lot of time and energy into a site, that could be doomed to failure due to lack of appropriate method of income generation.



    Pete
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    HangoutMillionaire.com World Premeire Automated Video Marketing Software, Streams YouTube Live and Google Hangouts. Special Offer Link!
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    • Profile picture of the author jaydollar
      I would use something like - Meetup.com to give it an offline element for other woman in your area to Join, network and support each other.
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Originally Posted by jaydollar View Post

        I would use something like - Meetup.com to give it an offline element for other woman in your area to Join, network and support each other.
        We actually had the Meetup.com group first - and added the blog second.
        Signature
        "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by peteinoz View Post

      Hey Shay,

      Not trying to be a git,

      but I think its always best to have the product and or way to make income first or foremost, when creating money sites.

      I'd hate to see you put a lot of time and energy into a site, that could be doomed to failure due to lack of appropriate method of income generation.



      Pete
      No problem at all!

      I did not adequately explain everything in my OP.

      I already have the home biz moms group established. I am using the blog to generate income from my offline biz, along with helping everyone else in the group with their biz, but I am also looking for ways to actually monetize the blog itself.
      Signature
      "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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