Forum Moderators: skibum
Is there an average rate? I am totally lost here. I did see a good chart once on someones site, and it seemed high. I am not looking to charge a lot. Just wondering what the low, high, and average are.
Thanks if anyone can help.
Current adnetwork averages are sub $1 CPM, but you can do much, much better one-to-one with an advertiser like this. There are really no published averages for this type of ad sales, that I am aware of.
Text links should definitely command a higher rate than banners, as they are much more likely to be clicked, and lose a visitor from your site. Size and placement would also have to be a consideration.
Definitely start on the high side, in order to give yourself negotiating room with the advertiser. Taking a guess, if the site in question is the one in your profile, I would probably start around $6-8 CPM range, working down from there. I haven't done any selling like this, so it is definitely a guess. rcjordan has first hand experience at this, and will probably be along shortly with some excellent advice.
You can also check out other sites similar to yours, and see if they have a media kit, which should list their rates. (You can also search for them easily by searching for "'your-keyword-phrase' media kit" at your favorite SE.) If not, email the webmasters asking for the rates. This way you can get an idea of what your topic rates are commanding. (note they will usually be on the high side as well)
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Savvy buyers are out looking for excess inventory of third- and fourth-tier sites, sites that have more than 1/2 million impressions per month. The going rate for solid publishers with a track record is between $1 and $2 CPM for defaults. The deals are subject to availability.
<added 2>
The above rates don't apply to entertainment sites. Those publishers are literally begging for banner advertisers offering .1 CPM deals, but there are apparently very few media buyers interested in those sites.
[edited by: rcjordan at 10:50 pm (utc) on Oct. 30, 2002]
