How To Sell Online Advertising?

What are the best methods strategies to sell online?

[Maverick24]

I'm with a new start up educational/networking website. Our traffic is currently pretty low (350) uniques per day, however we need to show revenue in order to seek Venture Capital.

The site spans over many smaller markets and my boss has suggested to attempt selling ads to these local small businsses at a flat rate. There is not much traffic to sell right now and all my selling is over the phone do to geographical constraints.

I havn't had much luck do to lack of competitive advantages, not to mention how difficult it is to get a small business owner to speak with you on the phone or to respond to your emails.

Any suggestions, ideas or strategies on an effective way to do this? And is it even possible with such low traffic numbers?

Keep in mind we are already using Adsense, Affiliates and Networks rotating evenly.

Thanks for any help it is certainly appreciated.

[jchampliaud]

This might be way off the wall but what about giving away some ad space way for a limited time? I did something like that once and it worked. I had an advertiser who left and I kept running their ad and they came back and ended up staying with me for a few years.
It might get the ball rolling. If some businesses see you have ‘advertisers’ then they might be more willing to sign up. Just a thought.