Buying Ad Space
I’m an OM reader | I’d like to buy ad space
The banner ads on The Omniscient Mussel work on a rotating basis, meaning each banner changes when the page is refreshed or the reader moves to another page within the site. There are several advantages to this system, the most important of which for you is that it keeps things fresh. Repeat visitors quickly learn to ignore static banners, a circumstance that is not helped by flash animation.
Sizes
TheOmniscientMussel.com offers several standard size banners on both the left and right sidebars.
The left sidebar is 160px wide and can take the following:
- 1 - 160px by 600px (Wide Skyscraper)
- 2 - 160px by 90px (Button 1)
- 1 - 160px by 240 (Vertical Banner)
The right sidebar is 300px wide and has the following spaces available:
- 4 - 300px by 250px (Medium Rectangle)
- 125px by 125px boxes available as well depending on availability.
Rate Card
This may seem a little complicated on the first read through but it’s really quite straightforward once you get the hang of it. The ads on TheOmniscientMussel work on the same principle as a Florida timeshare except there are no free Disneyland tickets thrown in. Also, there is no danger that you will be eaten by an alligator while out on a walk.
Banners work on a rotating basis with each advertising space consisting of 4 banners. Think of it like a rotating cube. So, for example, on the right sidebar, there are 4 spaces, which total 16 possible banners.
The smallest unit of ad space that can be purchased is 1/4 share, which means your banner will be shown 25% of the time in its space. If you wish it to be shown exclusively, you will have to purchase 100% of the space.
The rates are calculated according to the ad’s position on the page as well its size, so that those choosing the bottom of the page are not paying premium rates.
The base rate as of September 2008 is $25/month for a 1/4 share.
Right Sidebar [all 300 x 250, always visible]
Space 1 - 150% - [$37.50]
Space 3 - 100% [$25]
Space 3 - 75% [$18.75]
Space 4 - 75% [$18.75]
125 x 125 banners may be negotiated separately.
Left Sidebar [only visible on homepage, archive, category, tag and search visits]
Space 1 - 75% [$18.75] 160 x 90
Space 2 - 75% [$18.75] 160 x 90
Space 3 - 75% [$18.75] 160 x 240
Space 4 - 75% [$18.75] 160 x 600
Example 1 - 2 shares of the premium spot on the right sidebar [2 x $37.50], an exclusive Space 1 button on the left sidebar [$18.75 x 4] and a 1/4 share of the 160 x 600 banner [$18.75]. Campaign Total: $168.75
Example 2 - 1/4 share of each of the right sidebar spots [$37.50 + $25 + 2($18.75)] and a 1/2 share of a Space 2 button. Campaign Total: $137.50
Aesthetics
Advertisements not meeting the OM standards of visual decency will not be posted. Items that are most likely to cause offense are those with extraneous punctuation or capitalization, an excessively busy layout or moving images that are distracting or annoying.
Dynamic advertisements are allowed as long as they are done in good taste. Slow fading is good. Lots of quick flashing, not so much.
I Need Help Making An Ad
Despite all the dire warnings in the previous section, making an advert is not too difficult in Photoshop. If you don’t have the time or inclination, Miss Mussel will be happy to create one for you. Prices start at $25 and you will be able to use the finished product anywhere you please. For reference, the adverts Miss Mussel has made on this site are the ones for the Wimpy Player, Archiv and Solostream Premium Themes.
Demographics
OM readers are generally well-educated, curious about the world around them, knowledgeable about art and culture and although they have their likes and dislikes are most open to things that might change their mind. They are different to the usual off-line classical music demographic in that they are not, for the most part, elderly nor are they interested in all the status items that usually appear in marketing for this niche.
They are passionate about art music, the opera, the ballet, galleries, museums, design, architecture, as well as more usual pursuits such as having a good laugh and spending time with their families.
Jobwise, many but certainly not all readers are professors, journalists, writers, artists, students and, of course, musicians.
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There are deals to be done for long term customers so get in touch with any questions.
