Advertising Questions...

So a new thread on this though it hits on the Picks thread and parts of the Sales thread-

I ask folks to add me to their Picks- if they do, great, if not, oh well- I won't pay for it because it seems it is overly competitive and I just can't be bothered. I have no real ethical problem with it but I would not choose to sell mine.

I buy a Classified Advert- I have my parcel listed in search and so is the Group- I advertise in three huge groups and think I have decent keywords. I do get traffic as evidenced by the list that comes into my in-box everyday. I am not getting HUGE numbers but that's OK- I am just starting out and it will come with time. 'Course I realize I need to do something about making it come 'cause it won't fall out of the sky!

So - my question is- how do I even determine where I fall in Search placement and is that one and the same as with advertising in Classifieds? It may sound silly but I am not sure- I do know as a consumer, when I look for something, I look in Search- All- I do not go to a separate Classifieds section - input please.

Amaranthim,

I never have and never will understand the parcel-based search, so I'm only going to answer this in terms of classifieds.

In "search all," a listing appears over on the right hand side, which represents the 8 or 10 highest-paid classifieds for the search term you just tried.

It really depends on what industry you are in, as to what your best strategy is for classifieds. Obviously something like "penguins" or "zeppelins" will rise to the top of the classified listing for way less money than something like "skins" or "apartments."

In my experience for my business, it is pretty well worth it if I pay enough to be in the top 8 classifieds, and not too well worth it to be lower than that because, as you say, most people just use "search all" and most people won't see the classified. Try some search terms in the classified tab, though, and see where you fall. The resullts in that tab will tell you what everyone paid for their listings, so you can decide how much to pay to be listed in a specific spot. Count 8 spots down and that will tell you how much you'd need to pay to be on the first page in a "search all."

There is a segment of the population that realizes that they might have a better chance finding specific goods in the classified section, since the goods there are literally trying to be found. Some of those same people will scan through several pages too, because there tends to be some segment that resents people in the top ads, because it's perceived that we're somehow cheating, or we're rich and don't need their business.

P.S. I might have misunderstood what you were asking about classifieds, and maybe you understand all that stuff already: but maybe someone else will find that info useful anyway.

Search for yourself using search all for your desired keywords and make a note of what page you show up on.

Classifieds are not part of search all, and are ranked solely by price paid. Some people do not use classifieds to shop, others do. Some sections are more effective than others - New Products would be that one, since "Shopping" is bloated and disorganized.

Thanks to you both- that answers it- No- I did not realize that Classifieds would NOT land me in Search all- good to know. I had seen the Classified where I did end up when I first set out my advert- but to be honest- I am not too sure how to get back to it- /me is embarrassed - and Avion- no you did not misunderstand- Advertising is driving me bonkers!

Classifieds show on the right hand side of search all, in the less detailed part.



If you're running a recurring advert then it will be in your profile, click on your profile and then click classifieds.

Ah! Now I see! Geez I feel stupid - /me is blushing furiously- not only did I not realize there was a difference between Search and Classifieds- but I had not seen the damn Classified tab in the the Search!! OMG- Under Ballgown and Ballgowns- I cannot complain too much- they will find me- Fashion- forget it! I am not shelling out multiple k Lindens to end up on a page closer to the top- I think I will hope more ladies are looking for Ballgowns than Fashion

Thanks again for the input folks.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I rented a small cabin that allowed 50 prims. Very tasteful mainland area on the beach and my window looked west over the ocean. 75$ a week. No ad farms. Just a great neighborhood and a great find for starting out where all I wanted was a place to change or to bring someone back to for a chat and a swim. I found it by searching the rentals and starting from the 50$ posts going up. My thinking was that the big weekly advertisement ad's cost have to be paid somehow which means higher price to rent.

Before I found this group of people here, I wanted to buy the best looks in the game; I did not care the cost. I searched the classifieds (before search all) and went to the top 8 or so stores on the first page. I wanted the best and was willing to pay for the best.

My point being, while Avion is correct in that there is a typical distrust of the top player, it may also be benifical to throw in an extra 50$ a week for the price minded shoppers looking for low cost bargins.

Well, Yosef, that's true to a degree. A business that spends 8-16k a week on ads had better take in that much plus the weekly amount for tier in order to survive. While that often means that they do indeed charge more, it doesn't mean that people aren't getting their money's worth. In Avion's case, and then some.

Thanks Cristalle, you're sweet.

In my case, I'm not charging more, I'm just profiting a little less. The beauty of it is that a very large volume of land means that a top-ranking classified ad is only a small percentage of your tier cost. So it cuts into the profit, but at the same time makes the profit possible by bringing in the customers.

Some landlords no doubt will try to minimize their advertising budget in order to make the profit margin higher, or just pass the savings onto their tenants, but that doesn't do any good if no one can find the place, and the properties are vacant.

Property rentals have unique advantages and problems that probably don't apply to ballgowns! All I have to say about that is: be sure to list it under every possible term people might search, like: ballgown ballgowns ball gown ball gowns ball-gowns etc. And from what I've found, commas only waste valuable characters.