Posting Classified Ads And AdImages Guaranteed To Increase Traffic

This Information Is Provided In TWO PARTS. This is the SECOND segment of an article that discusses One Guaranteed Way To Increase Traffic In 48 Hours. The First segment told WHAT that guaranteed way is: Classified Ad Posting. But if you post ads by using the "Ad Images" that I describe below, it will help to cut down on some of the work and monotony of ad posting. This article tells HOW to use the "Ad Image strategy" in order to see a FAST traffic increase. I suggest reading these details more than once.

While it was already discussed in the first part of this article series, there is a point that is worth mentioning again for emphasis. Driving traffic to your writing, by the use of classified ad posting is tedious and time consuming, but can be extremely effective when done correctly. It is also worth noting again, that this is a method that will ONLY yield results if you continue to use it daily. If you slack off in posting ads, expect your traffic and income to slack off as well. With that said, here are the instructions for creating ad images that you can post on craigslist and other classified ad sites.

#1 – To create your text ad, click on AUTOSHAPES and select "Rounded Rectangle" in the “Basic Shapes” option. I like to use this shape for my ads because it always works well for me, I can’t vouch for all the other shapes, because sometimes they behave unpredictable.

If AUTOSHAPES is not on the Desktop, you can go to "View" - "Toolbar"s and check the “Drawing” option.

When you have the rectangle shape on the page, re-size it until its' a nice medium size areas to work in. Make sure the contents will be proportionate (the text and image). Some ad networks may display the original size of your ad image, while some may shrink it to fit there system. If you create it "small", and they shrink the size. your text will not be legible. I always make mine larger than I actually need it to be.

In ILLUSTRATION 1 above, you see a table containing text that I created for a previous blog entitled Early Holiday Spending. I just copied a bit of text I already was using, , then: RIGHT CLICK on the AUTOSHAPE and select Add Text.

The yellow arrow is pointing to the small bit of text I just inserted into the rectangle AUTOSHAPE. You can format your text by changing your font type, size and color, just as you would with a MS Word document.

When you create your text, just think about where you want to direct your traffic, and what they will find when they get there. Then use the best and most effective words you can think of to tell them that. Remember, this ad image will convey everything you need to say, so you wont' have to keep repeating the information. If you notice in the illustration, I’ve tried to do a little pre-formatting before I start working with my image. That is why the text lay out is pretty simple. Basically, the ad is already half way finished.

The Next Thing you will need to do is capture an image to put with the text ad you just created. Just go to your desktop or online, or where ever you choose to get the picture, clipart, or other type image you want to use. You do not need to save the photo you select to your computer, unless you want to. Instead, simply RIGHT CLICK, and Copy the image, then Paste it on the same page as the AUTOSHAPE. [Note: Be sure to be mindful of any copyright restrictions when using images from the internet).

Now, notice ILLUSTRATION 2 because it not only shows you the graphic I will be adding to the text, but the downward arrow is showing you what to do in order to place the photo exactly where you want it. Look at the icon where the second yellow arrow is pointing, and click on that icon (looks like a little dog) to select the In Front Of Text option.  My image of the Xmas packages in the illustration is ready to be moved over and placed beside the text. . It can simply be dragged to the place I want and dropped. 

In Illustration 3, you see the completed ad image. The ad image in the top view, does not show a border. I made a second ad image below it, but I made the border green so the ad image stands out more. To do this, simply RIGHT CLICK on the AUTO SHAPE (Ad Image) and select Format Autoshape. You can get creative with borders and backgrounds if you already know how, OR, if you aren’t afraid to play around a little and experiment.

To save your new ad image, you will need to go to the FILE menu and select WEB PAGE PREVIEW. Wait a minute while the computer logs you onto the internet, then it will display a view of everything that is on the page you were just working on. Even though you created it on your desktop (offline), it is giving you a view of the document form an online perspective (Notice the arrow in the above illustration is pointing upward to the browser. I'm showing you how the browser now depicts the internet logo, like when working online. Just scroll to the picture of the ad image you just created, and RIGHT CLICK on it. Select Save Image As, from the options and give your new ad image a name.

NOTE: When naming images, keep these two points in mind:

• If you will be uploading the image to a web space, you will more than likely need a One Word Name, with No breaks (just to be on the safe side, because some websites won’t let you upload any type of graphic any other way.)
• If you will be uploading directly to the ad network, or wherever – like HubPages, the name of your images are IMPORTANT, and help your articles to be more searchable. In these cases, the "one word" rule does NOT apply.

Once you get a really good feel for ad posting, it will become second nature. You'll find yourself posting a few here and there, when you have spare time, as well as sitting down to do a two or three hour campaign.

Another important part of posting the ads have to do with learning to understand what works and what doesn't work. If something works, try to duplicate the exact steps. Be mindful of the variables that affect the results, like:

• Title of the ad
  
• Time of day ad is placed
• Category ad is placed in
• Locality of ad placement
  

If you found this article and the information in it useful, be sure to check out more of my articles related to making-money online with article writing. You can also stay updated by returning to this article and checking out the blog feed to: Finally Real Help For New Writers. (to the right)

NOTE:  This information was simply stated, and prepared for individuals who have a pretty good working knowledge of MS Word.  If anyone had trouble following this information, you may be interested in my STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL which gives a more detailed explanation and screen shots of all the steps involved.  If you'd like to find out how to get the Tutorial for Free, please check on the Finally Real Help For New Writers blog link, and you can get full details. 

Be sure to check out other related articles (Titles Below)

Once your ad image is complete, you are pretty much ready to start posting ads.

DO THIS LAST

The remaining steps can be as easy or difficult as you make it. If you are already used to posting ads on craigslist, you will only need to know WHAT the next steps are. They simply involve:

Post Free Ad - with or without a craigslist account, you can go to their site (link below) and start posting ads. While some categories allow you to upload a photo (which will be your new AD IMAGE), some cateogories don’t provide the option. Here’s what you can do:

Instead of uploading the AD IMAGE, you can “point to it” if it is somewhere online. Just upload the AD IMAGE to your photo bucket, yahoo pictures, website, or wherever you host your phots online. Then use the following code to “point to” the image of your ad.

<img src=http://jus-write-4u.110mb.com/Graphics/image003.gif>

By making sure <img src= is directly in front of the url address where your image is located, and the > is directly at the end, your AD IMAGEshould have no problem displaying.

I usually add a few words above my little ad image, before completing the publishing process. I also want to make sure to include a link to my blog, which is the whole point of the ad. Here’s how I usually do my ads:

EXAMPLE:

My TITLE might say: 3 Ways To Earn Some Extra Holiday Cash

The Ad Body Would Include:

Check out this <a href=http://holiday-planning-and-spending.blogspot.com/>Informative blog</a><p><img src=http://jus-write-4u.110mb.com/Graphics/image003.gif>

In the above Example, the only thing I would have to change for each ad is the TITLE and the information that is underlined (“Check out this”). The link where you want them to end up stays the same, and if you supply all the main details in the Ad Image, you don’t have to keep typing it or trying to repeat the same thing in a different way. Notice, I chose to attach the link to a group of words (“Informative blog”), rather than linking to the image. Sometimes people don’t realize that the image is a link and they won’t click on it.

Now you can Click continue, and type the verification code to complete the process ( OR check your email for the ad confirmation link if you placed it without having an account).

Now that you know the procedure, post a couple of ads to give it a test run. Find out what, if anything, you particularly have trouble with. Read and find the solution so you can create yourself an ad campaign and get started driving traffic to your writing . Monitor your Google and page stats and see how your strategy has worked. Now, figure out ways to duplicate your efforts.

There’s nothing like the power that you will feel when you see these little ads work so quickly and effectively. They help to confirm that it is YOU who is in control of your money-making efforts!

BELOW IS THE FINISHED VERSION OF THE AD IMAGE I USED FOR THE EXAMPLE. Also - See the links in "Other Related Articles" because I've provided:

• A Link To The Actual Ad That Is Currently Posted On Craigslist
  

• A Link To Details On How To Get A FREE TUTORIAL So You Can Create Your Own Graphic Ad Images Like The Ones On This Page

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THE AD READS:

3 Ways To Earn Some Extra Holiday Cash

Check Out This Informative blog

(this blog not currently active)

Since the initial writing of this article, there is new related information pertaining to the first part in the series. This specifically deals with posting ads on craigslist. Please keep in mind, they have made many changes to their rules and regulations regarding their free classified ad posting service.