I think I'll make up blandest ad I can find, but make sure words "Digital Women" are in it because I just want people to remember name. I don't care if they click or not because I am just after brand recognition at moment. Then I won't have to pay anything to poor sap that showed my ad 500,000 times but I can still get brand recognition that I need to succeed at my present goal, which is just making sure my "name" is seen around world on lots of people's web sites.

This article is not meant to sound bitter. It is meant to open your eyes to what is being handed to you like it's something special. It's not special and they couldn't pass this off in a real newspaper or a real magazine or a real business development mall or shopping mall.

Stop being a victim to these guys. If they offer a CPA or CTR send them out same door they came through. Wise up! That is your prime advertising space. Stop "giving" it away.

What are your best options if:

-You accept advertising -You buy advertising

-If you "accept" advertising, make sure you offer a flat rate for your prime space. You can offer a CPM which is a cost per thousand impressions, or you can offer a flat monthly rate based on how many impressions they can get in 30 days.

Your rates should be in line with what your site offers as content. Adres has a chart but I think it is a couple of years old. You can check out CPM rates there. When you hit site, look to right for a link to "sample rates": http://adres.internet.com/adrates/article/0,1401,,00.html

Have a clear ad rates page set up. We suggest using an advertising agency to sell ads for you. They know all ad terms and communicate better with those who buy ads. One great place we know that specializes in advertising for women is Queen of Pizzazz. You can find that advertising agency here: http://www.thequeenofpizzazz.com

-If you "buy" advertising, make sure you have a budget in place before you start looking. Also you will need to have several different ads to try at different places. If you don't do some sort of ad tracking or some sort of program in place where you can see which of your ads did best then you will be wasting valuable ad dollars.

Again we suggest using an ad agency that will do all that for you. The above site also offers service of buying ad space for you. Try them out.

To sum up...

-Educate yourself to ad terms being used today. -Don't accept every offer that comes along. Check to see if it right for you. -Target your ad space. Don't sell space to a tire manufacturer if you sell diapers on your web site. -Target your own ads to sites who compliment what you are selling. -Remember that if you choose to go with someone like Google's adsense, that MINUTE someone clicks on their ad, you just made a few cents and ALSO just lost your web site visitor as they don't let ad open up in a new window for you.

Q. Are there other special needs or concerns for gay and lesbians who are being married?

A. Gay couples look for a comfort zone when utilizing services of a vendor. They also may want to employ some creativity in their approach. For example, a lesbian woman may want to purchase a wedding gown or she may prefer a tuxedo. At RainbowWeddingNetwork, advertisers are screened, and conversed with personally before signing on. Advertising contracts stipulate that discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated. If a representative of a company does discriminate against a gay couple, Network immediately has right to discontinue advertising.

Q. How lucrative is gay honeymooning market?

A. Many people in gay community like to pamper themselves, show off, and enjoy life. The spending trend which began with ceremony continues with honeymoon. Travel statistics show American gay and lesbian community represents $47.3 million, or about 10% of travel industry. Eighty-nine percent hold a valid passport, and 54% budget $3,000 + on a vacation. Not only does community travel, it travels well and purchases a variety of services while vacationing, to broaden their holiday experience. Q. What considerations do gay honeymooners have when they select travel services and destinations?

A. Often gay and lesbian honeymooners will do business with a travel agent or travel services that work with openly gay couples, simply to insure that they can travel comfortably; not only enjoy themselves but moreover feel recognized as a couple having full honeymoon experience.

Q. Is there other special advice to businesses that want to work with gay and lesbian couples?

A. It is most important to remember that gay weddings are not much different from heterosexual unions. These are two people in love who want to pay for respectful service. Treat gay unions as any other, and make certain there is good communication. Dialogue with your gay clients, as you would with any others. This leads to common ground, and ability to provide most ideal services for particular couple with whom you are doing business!