Weird advert request for my site, not sure how to proceed. Please help!

[PeriPathetic]

I started a new website / blog a few weeks ago and it's had a lot of interest - which is very nice. But it's taken me a bit by surprise.

It's very niche. Shortly after it launched I had an email from a marketing company (I did some research, it seems OK) - here's some of the relevant text c&ped

"I would like to have a banner ad on [name of site], please see example below [a picture] and in return we shall give you part of our monthly advertising budget.

It's the italicised bit I'm having an issue with. Surely they should be paying me per month or something?

I put them off for a while as I had to make a 'quick' site redesign; contacted them again and yes, they still want to advertise. Eek!

So what on earth do I do / say now?! And I need to reply to them pretty quickly too, and making it sound like I know what I'm talking about

Any suggestions gratefully received! Please?!

[MmeLindor]

I get a couple of emails like this a month. I have never taken them up on it, because they generally offer so little money that it is not worth my time.

Having a more niche blog might mean that they are targeting you because of this.

Whatever you decide - take your time. Don't feel rushed into it.

[ZombTEE]

I think, I could be wrong, it's a scam. I have heard of this before and the payment has never actually come through.

If they are legitimate, they will offer you a contract for advertising, based on click throughs usually, not just placing the advert, or maybe page views. Do you already have that many page views that it would be worth their time and yours?

I don't think I'd agree anything until a specific payment was agreed, in writing, and any contract checked thoroughly.

[RosinaCopper]

Firstly, let me say that I know nothing about anything related to this, but to a lay person the italicised writing looks like it is saying it'll pay you monthly - ie they will pay you part of the advertising budget that they have available each month? (You'd need to clarify how much and whether it will be the same amount each month) I think it's just worded badly.

If I were you I would ask them directly how much per month they will give you and get in in writing too!

But remember, I know nothing about advertising, or bloging for that matter!

[RosinaCopper]

Or blogging even! And get it in writing.

Or ignore it!

[PeriPathetic]

Thank you so much for your quick replies

MmeL - yes, I am being targeted because of the niche and they have the sort of company who fit it perfectly.

ZombTEE - I don't think it's a scam, I checked out all the leads / contacts and they are for legit. But on the other hand, I don't think for one moment I'd get paid much, if anything! And no, not that many page views - yet!

Rosina - I did actually correct some of the spelling in the quote!

I will probe further. Thank you again for the advice.

[PeriPathetic]

Should I create & send a media pack?

[2under2blog]

Sound svery exciting, I've had no such requests yet! I guess if you're going to run any kind of advertising on your site, you've got to feel 100% comfortable with it. Part of that is getting a good return for that valuable space.

Let us know how you get on!

[PeriPathetic]

Update: and EEK!

So I took my time (prompted by MmeL & RL) and emailed this earlier today (It's a bit curt, I've had a bad few days):

"Whilst I have no problem in theory in accepting your advert, I?d like to know a lot more about how it will benefit me? A pay per click option is not viable, neither is a pay per action.

I can see my niche site does focus on the people you are aiming to attract, but at the moment, I can?t see any profit in it for me.

If you would pay a set fee on a monthly basis I would be happy to include your advert."

And expected that to be the end of it...

But NO Almost immediately I got this in response...

"Yes we are happy to set up a monthly fee. Our aim for this campaign is to get brand awareness by sponsoring and supporting [my website], in a way that will would get our brand and services mentioned with a link back to [their website]

Also, if you can propose any creative way we can sponsor and support you, we would be happy to consider

Do let me know your thoughts, hope to hear back from you soon."

OMG! Now WTAF do I do? How much can I charge them, bearing in mind the site is only about 6 weeks old and visitor numbers are not high at all.

And what 'creative' way can they sponsor & support me? Because I damn well need the support. And sponsorship would be fabulous.

[GetLippie]

Personally, I'd just pick a number, say - I don't know - £50 a month, or something (pick an amount that means something to you) then ask them if there is an option to raise that figure once your profile raises.

There's nothing to worry about, really - they'll put an ad on your blog, and if they don't pay you, you can remove the ad, where's the harm? It won't have cost you anything, and hey! you might get some pin money from your hobby.

[borninastorm]

go for it!
I wish someone would offer me something like that
And keep us updated on how it all goes with them.

[PeriPathetic]

Oh, forgot to update, sorry.
I plucked a number out of the air, more than doubled it for a larger sized ad (because I didn't particularly want a huge ad for this particular company on all my pages) and also quoted them a price for a sponsored post.

They went for the sponsored post. They also tried to get me to write it (no way!). I told them it had to be angled towards my niche readers, and they sent the copy through within a couple of hours. They paid me instantly too. So I got some content that I didn't have to write, and some money in the pot.
Good outcome, thanks for the advice