I received two email messages about the site advertisements like this one, from Carin:
I’m writing because I *have* an idea. I just spent the last few minutes clicking refresh over and over and over on the home page, because I was looking for the ad for “Under His Hand.” It’s one of the rotating ads on the home page and I’ve looked at it enough that I’m finally going to go buy the book.
I don’t know if you get a kickback for me clicking to the book from your site or not, but I figured I’d do it just in case. So while I was doing all that refreshing I had my idea. What if you had a link to a page with all the ads for the month, especially the rotating ones, in one place? I have no idea how difficult or not that would be, but I thought I’d put the idea out there.
Ok, then! Your wish is my command. In order to thank the advertisers who support the site, the hosting, postage, and general crazed merriment like 4 lbs. of chocolate covered cherries, I’ll do a feature for each month and put all the ads in once place. All the ads are below the fold, so you would have OMG GRAPHICSPLOSION as you load Ye Olde Site on Ye Olde Dialup (Hi dialup people. I am waving at you!). Thank you to the advertisers, and to those who emailed me to say that they bought and enjoyed a book advertised here. There are not terribly many places where romance publishers and authors can advertise to a romance-specific audience, and it is awesome to know that the ads are influential to those browsing for new reads. (It’s also helpful for me to know which ads are effective, because I design many of them). (If you’re curious: Man. Titty. I am not surprised!).
So, without further ado, here are the January advertisers: thank you thank you thank you.
Oh, I’m delighted. I too have refreshed many a time, and found some great new books / authors through the ads. Thanks for doing this, and may I suggest a permanent link on the home page (down at the bottom, mebbe) to all posts tagged ‘advertisers’ or whatever, so we can find these later?
And now I have to go have nightmares of that blue guy. He keeps… looking at me!
I can definitely tag all the entries “advertisers,” and put a link to the advertiser posts at the bottom of the ad column. I’m working on a redesign now, so I’ll add that idea to the list. If the text isn’t too intrusive, I can definitely try to do that.
I am so, so SO pleased that the ads work for you, and that you’ve found great books to read from the ads here. Happy dance begins….NOW!
Thanks for this!
Since this being is pretty much the only site where there is a non-zero chance I’ll actually buy something I saw in a ad, I have done the ‘reload to try and get the right advert to rotate back in’ thing more than once.
The worst is when I’m actually looking for a dimly remembered one that turns out to be from last month or even the month before, or something making it effectivly lost forever. The tag will be really helpful.
On it. And if you describe what you’re looking for, chances are I know what it was – I design many of the ads and spend a lot of time with the rest of them, too.
Hooray! I’m glad the ads have a full page place now! Plus this post lets us talk about the freaky blue guy. And how clever I think “bringin’ SELKIE back!” is. And how I just don’t get why people make hearts out of their fingers – is there a special meaning to that? It makes me feel old and out of the loop, and darn it, I am not old and out of the loop!
I don’t need anything, but thought I would let you know that I have bought books based on your advertising. Oh, there is one thing I want….that iron for your anniversary giveaway! LOL
I’ve had the same issue. Thanks for being so obliging!
Another testimonial from a person who buys books advertised on your website! I like being able to come here and “browse” the ads. Please let your advertisers know that this place is golden for selling their books!
this was a great idea, and I have to say that the cover for Then He Kissed Me is really nice. I never even noticed it on the side.
I’ve also done the page reload search! The ads have turned me on to at least two new authors (although I seldom buy online so I’m not sure my clicking the link helped). And since we are talking about the ads: 1) I like the idea of having an unobtrusive place to reference all the ads, 2) I like most of the ads, you do a good job! 3) the ones that I don’t tend to like are ones that advertise a certain book but when I click they go to a generic publishing page.
@carin – You took the words out of my mouth – Love the phrase “bringin’ SELKIE back!”, creeped out by the blue guy & equally baffled by the finger hearts!
From one of your advertisers, thank you, and from a reader, thank you. I’ve clicked through on ads here to investigate authors who are new to me, and I’ve bought books based solely on their SBTB ad.
My own ads have been an effective use of my limited advertising budget, and I appreciate the opportunity to reach such a varied and discerning audience.
Thanks again.
Oh yes. That Cherry Adair cover claiming “He was blown off course” really got to me and I spent a good 20 minutes refreshing to get it back, only to be completely depressed to find out it was not a pirate romance but a navy seal romance. Oh well, the cover still made it worthwhile!
I NEVER click on ads, much less buy from them. But I can’t say that anymore, because that ad for Jill Shalvis’ Animal Magnetism totally got me, and I just bought it. I mean, adorable dog AND sexy man back? It’s like someone researched my buttons.
I am so so so so so glad that the ads are effective for you guys.
I’ve added a link in the ad column to all the entries that are tagged with “advertisements,” which at this point is only this one. I’ll do another round-up in February, and tag that one, too. Thank you for the suggestion!
I just wanted to chime in on what a great suggestion that was – mainly because I have an ad-blocker, so I never see the ads when the page loads any more. This is one of the few websites where I actually used to click on the ads (before installing AdBlock) so it’s good to know that I can still support the advertisers!