Today I’m happy to announce the launch of WindyCitizen.com’s real-time local advertising program, which helps Chicago businesses, organizations and media makers drive traffic to their web sites and reach Chicagoans with their latest news at blinding speed by giving them a permanent spot on our home page that displays their latest stories, upcoming events, announcements, services and offers.
I’d like to take a few minutes to tell you about this new program, the only marketing solution of its kind in Chicago.
Q: How does it work?
A: Hundreds of people share stories on WindyCitizen.com each day, hoping other readers will vote them up and push them to the front page where Chicagoans will see and click on them. For Windy Citizen real-time advertisers, we streamline this process by automatically submitting your latest content to the site within 30 minutes of you posting it. Then we automatically feature it on the front page in the “News from our sponsors” box next to the main news feed. In return for supporting the site, we provide you automatic inclusion in the daily conversation.
Real-time advertisers will also be introduced each week on our site blog and Twitter account (followed by 3100 people currently).
Read more about our audience and demographics.
Q: Why is this better than traditional online advertising?
A: As a WindyCitizen.com real-time advertiser, you will see more clicks and audience engagement than through traditional banner advertising on other sites. We’ll get people talking about you.
People don’t click on banner ads. People do click on interesting, relevant headlines. It’s that simple. Our readers come to WindyCitizen.com looking for interesting local links to click on. Through our real-time advertising program, we put your headlines in front of them. By giving them what they want, we give you what you want, clicks and engagement. And because we check your site for new content every hour, your real-time spot will change as often as you update it, keeping your message fresh and giving you unprecedented control.
Q: What do I need to have to get started?
A: If your business, publication, or organization has an RSS feed for its site or has a Twitter account, that’s all you need. If not, we can set that up for you free of charge and take care of any other technical considerations.
Q: What does it cost?
A: Real-time advertising spots start at $300/month. 20% discounts are available to sponsors who commit to six months or more.
Q: What kind of results can I expect?
A: WindyCitizen.com will send Chicagoans to your web site and get them talking about your business, events, or news. We are a destination for Chicago’s media makers and opinion shapers, the people who tell other folks about neat new things they find on the web. According to our tracking, over 100 Tribune company employees visit the site EVERY DAY. As a real-time advertiser, we’ll help these folks keep up to date with what’s new with your organization.
Q: How do I get started?
A: Contact Brad Flora at editor@windycitizen.com to get the ball rolling.
Thanks to our first real-time advertiser, Dream Town Realty, a Chicago real estate search engine with offices on Clybourn, in the West Loop, and in Lincoln Park. If you’d like to join them in reaching Chicago’s digital elite daily, drop us a line and we’ll get you started.
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BradFlora
Brad Flora is CEO of WindyCitizen.com, a web service that lets people share their favorite Chicago news and events with their friends and neighbors. More
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