Need sponsor/word ad advice

Mr Bobby · Posted: 10/15/2009, 7:50 pm Post subject: Need sponsor/word ad advice

My music website is a sort of a grassroots not-for-profit community for promoting aspiring singers. All the software, add-ons, and server costs have been absorbed by myself and my techie guy/co-owner.
We don't charge anyone for anything, and don't intend to, in order to preserve the friendly welcoming family-like vibe of the site.

But, we do need to devise a way to generate a little income to offset operating costs, and would consider discreet line ads and sponsorship.
Specific sponsorship would be my first choice, such as businesses that deal in musical instruments, or more to the point, acoustic stringed instruments, and possibly karoke track "retailers" as well.

Having googled "sponsorship" I find many looking for sponsors, and don't find much in the way of sponsors looking for sites to work with.
The "find a sponsor" sites are a bit too confusing or broad in their objectives.
I would appreciate any advice I could get on finding an appropriate sponsor without signing up with a half a dozen places that turn out to go nowhere for me.

Also, any insight on increasing traffic would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

Bobby, host
www.TFCTalent.com
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My main passion in life is music of all genres, with a special fondness for the young and gifted female voice. My own website features several dedicated forums within the site and serves as a gathering place for the fans of my featured artists.

Patrick · Administrator

Hey Mr Bobby,

Thanks for posting this.

What you'll find is that people look for sponsors way more than sponsors look for them. Smile

Once your community is at a level where you feel it offers value to sponsors, identify the companies that you feel would benefit from being exposed to your audience. And contact them. When you do so, have a media kit prepared with information about your site and audience (use QuantCast and become actually Quantified with them for some good data), along with rates.

You have to go out and get them. Just the way it is. I'm working on this myself, as I can. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Patrick
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Mr Bobby · Posted: 10/30/2009, 9:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Patrick, I appreciate your insight.
I'll see about using some methods you've suggested.
Regards,

Bobby
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My main passion in life is music of all genres, with a special fondness for the young and gifted female voice. My own website features several dedicated forums within the site and serves as a gathering place for the fans of my featured artists.

Patrick · Administrator

My pleasure. Smile

Let us know if we can help more.

Patrick
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trhale99 · Posted: 11/5/2009, 5:13 pm Post subject:

I would also add;

You might wan to try a social media campaign. Create every type of fan/group type pages on facebook and twitter. You want to create a buzz about yourselves (nobody wants to advertise on a website that doesn't get any traffic.)Put something up on your website or if you have brochures, put a small blurb about how you are excepting advertising campaigns on your website. Traditional ways such as word of mouth, business cards, brochures, still work. Try the all!!

Good luck
Cheers
Cody
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