SEM Tycoon

**64 bit** · 10-16-2006, 09:51 PM

Lets say its a calendar.
How does one go about monetizing it?

**Geiger** · 10-17-2006, 03:54 PM

What I am learning is that advertising for maximum profit has to really fit what the app does. I have a site that is mostly images, so text ads are HIGHLY under clicked and supplemental images are ignored by peoples built in sub-conscious ad blocker.

For a calendar, I would try selling days. Featured ads on that day similar to the million-pixel page. Or you can do contextual based on the historic events for that day.

To get something that really fits and performs you need to find out what kind of calendar it is. Does it store dates of sporting events? Is it star's birthdays? Sporting events would have links to sporting equipment, team jerseys while celebrity birthdays would have links to sign up for tabloid magazines and such.

**flizz** · 10-18-2006, 12:20 AM

hmm... in this case I think Monetized Links or CPM banners would work well

**imported_WillB** · 10-18-2006, 05:42 PM

How about offering to print up custom designed calendars and mail them out to customers? CafePress offers good services for custom merchandise like this.

**beley** · 10-22-2006, 01:24 AM

Web apps have several ways they can bring revenues.

1 - Subscription based. Charge a monthly fee for access to use the application.

2 - Ad based. Plaster ads in and around the application to make money.

3 - Support based. Give the application away but charge for customization, support, etc.

4 - Hybrid... give away a "teaser" but charge for full-featured version.

There are even more, but those are the most popular. I'm a fan of the hybrid - give an unrestricted free account with some limits on features. Then put ads in the backend for upgrading. Run specials, send emails, have splash welcome screens promting upgrade.

A lot of apps I've seen will even have all the features and the ones not included will instead go to screenshots of the features with reasons why you should upgrade. (look at 37 signals apps)

**imported_SophMedia** · 10-22-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64 bit

Lets say its a calendar.
How does one go about monetizing it?

Like Beley mentions in his first post (#4), offering a limited 'free' version and then charging a subscription based price for the premium features. From my perspective, you really need to give your users a taste of what they're really going to get if they pay and show them what the value in upgrading is.