Should you advertise?

There is a lot of talk about advertising on your site, as a publisher. As a publisher, you should probably take a look at advertising as the advertiser. This is the first of several posts that I'll be writing concerning advertising your blog. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the many options available for advertising.

Reasons why you may want to advertise your blog

1. The internet has over 50 million worldwide customers which means that the potential for readers is enormous.
   
   
2. Your over-all image. If you are a or want to be a "professional blogger" your PR is important from day 1.
   
   
3. Advertising on the Internet is said to be the most cost-effective form of advertising available. There are virtually no costs associated with paper, ink, printing, postage, or delivery etc
   
   
4. The internet is Versatile and Interactive meaning, to update or improve on your ad is easy to do.
   
   
5. The internet gives some control over your target demographics. You get the target demographics from studying your traffic reports. Quick and easy.
   
   
6. Watching your traffic stats can also allow you to test market a demographic, an ad or a product.
   
7. Launching a new site is easier to promote via advertising.
   
   
8. Advertising is a cost efficient way to increase traffic.
   
9. Online advertising is easy to get started- as I'll discuss in future posts.
   
   
10. Blog readers spend a lot of time online and can be an influential bunch.
    
    
11. Advertising can help you publicize an event, contest or something special
    
    
12. The more your name or ad is shown, the more common it will become and recognized.
    
    
13. Most of the highest trafficked blogs are advertised in as many as several different ways.
    
    
14. Advertising will take your blog up a notch as far as it's presentation goes. Average bloggers generally do not advertise because they never though about it.

I'll give you pointers about advertising options in my followup post.