For those that are looking to advertise their blog or website to increase traffic and brand recognition, they just might soon realize that internet advertising almost always costs an arm and a leg.  Not everyone has a huge budget for facebook, google adwords, or other banner advertising services.  Thankfully, there is a brand new free ad banner exchange called Miloads.  I gave it a shot a few months back, and it has generated some really decent traffic.  All you have to do is sign up, and then embed the tiny bit of code in your blog’s sidebar widget.  That’s it!  If you look at our lower right hand column, you’ll see the layout we chose (there are a variety of shapes, sizes, and customization options).  Having used facebook and google advertising in the past, I can honestly say it’s very similar.  You can customize your banner designs and ad content text just like the others.

It takes no more than two minutes to get everything up and running.  When you log in to the Miloads website you can view each of your ad campaigns, track your traffic, and see which ads are getting clicked on the most.  Anyone else who runs miloads on their website will be advertising for other users on the Miloads network, so your ads will appear all over the internet, instantly.  With over 2 million unique ad impressions already, Miloads is definitely an ad banner exchange that will get your ads viewed, and clicked on.  Our website has already had close to 1150 clicks and over 176,00 impressions, in just 2 months.  I’m very impressed thus far.  The statistics will continue to increase and improve as time goes on, as more and more users sign up; and the ad banner network’s reach will expand even further.  There’s no cost, so you have nothing to lose. Try out Miloads today, and see what it can do for your website.

This is a powerful example of how rewording such a simple phrase gets an entirely different reaction. The blind homeless man has a cardboard sign with the words “I’m Blind – Please Help”. An onlooker stops and changes his sign to read “It’s a beautiful day and I can’t see it”, and then the spare changes starts coming in like money is falling from the sky.

Thinking outside the box (as cliche as that expression is) when it comes to slogans and advertising propaganda is definitely necessary. Sometimes being overly simple and direct with your message can cause your audience to overlook it. We all are being inundated with information on a daily basis; so much that we tend to zone most things out, sometimes without even realizing it. Think about this video on your next marketing project, whether you are designing a simple ad, or titling your next tweet or blog post; I know I will.

• Photo: Antisocial by Evan Sharboneau

  

   

   

   

   

   

• Photo: Snowman Made of Sand on the Beach by Katrina Brown

  

   

   

   

   

• Photo: Peyto Lake by StarStock

  

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Here is a new amazing photography website that helps anyone learn how to light.  Ever look at a photo and wonder, “I wonder what type of lighting setup they used?”.  Well, now there’s a website (and an app) for that.  Strobox is an entire website dedicated to the behind the scenes setups of each and ever image submitted.Here is a stock photo I had shot, along with the lighting diagram I just posted.  It took me a total of about 2 minutes to make the diagram and post.  I’m definitely going to be bookmarking this website for those days when I just feel dull, and need some strobist lighting inspiration.

• Photo: Glossy black and yellow shield emblem

  Glossy black and yellow shield emblem with vine accents
  Keywords: coat of arms banner black blank coat crest construction warning defense emblem floral government governmental politics shield symbol weapon white silver glossy shiny yellow vector

• Photo: Rusted Diamond Plate Metal

  Close up of real diamond plate material with a slight vignette. Most of the yellow paint is chipped and scratched off.
  Keywords: abstract aluminum backdrop background build closeup construction diamond diamondplate durable floor grip grunge heavy industrial industry iron macro material metal old panel plate rough shaped silver stainless steel surface texture textured tough tread bumped real rusty rusted brown rust vintage aged yellow city grungy weathered vignetting vignette sidewalk chipped scratched

• Photo: TV In Bed

  Person watches TV at night in his bed with his feet sticking up out of the blankets. The TV screen is blank white
  Keywords: tv television addiction night feet white bright screen monitor bed sleep sleeping awake insomnia dark light lit illuminated lay laying in tired sleepy 1st first person sticking up sheets blanket watching staring couch potato lazy american bedroom indoors inside looking lying relaxing remote technology news copyspace blank black background vertical

• Photo: Red Pepper Water Splash

  Red bell pepper splashing through water over a black background.
  Keywords: red food fruit vegetable energy air healthy water surface power clean up clear liquid spray ingredient movement action dynamic flow motion force vortex underwater fluid pure pepper suspended shining reflective splash bubbles drops droplets bell pepper submerged splatter on black dispersion displacement freshness