Opinion: Join MM Mall, even w/ 4 Mil Ads?

Submitted by Nilrem on Tue, 20/10/2009 - 5:03pm
Hey guys, Sorry if the question wasnt super clear, I was trying to keep the title short so it wouldnt stretch the active forums. Basically Im wondering if a MM mall that you wanted to required participation in 4 mil ads would this be a deciding factor preventing you from joining? If your already in a mall I guess hypothetically would you stay if 4 mil ads became a new requirement. This is the situation I am in now. Ive been with RIM over a year and am 5mil away from main. There could possibly be an opportunity for me to upgrade into one of the main branches in the near future. On one hand I would really like to join. I enjoy malling with my managers and they ve helped me alot over time so it would be awesome to reach main in RIM. Since I cant mall any category besides training due to time, this could be one of my few chances. On the other hand 4mil ads havent been good to me. Ive done alot of indep ones, but never realized I was losing np until I had the portal to help and counters to see hits. Im sure a mall linked 4mil ad would be better, but Im still skeptical. I know theres training shops out there that make 4mil ads work and, but ive never had the same success. Im sure my markups could be higher in my shop, but ive been waiting to hit main to increase them a bit. I just feel silly when my np goes to hosting an image on Neo that should be profit. So I was just wondering everyones opinion on the issue, so I can see if im being silly and making it too big of a deal and weighing too much of my decision to upgrade in RIM which would otherwise be an obviousl yes. Thanks :)
Forums: 
Public - The Lobby - Shop Advice
  • 12870 reads

But at the same time you have to look at it like this: 1. Not everyone is selling what many people are looking for. Some days you'll make out good, but if you aren't in the right field with the mall, you can't expect to make killer profits. 2. Price comparisons will hurt you even if people are spending a few points more in your shop. 3. Finally, Traffic might increase to your pages because people are using them as an inventory page to keep their shops stocked (That's what I do)
xxgevaudanxx | Fri, 23/10/2009 - 2:13pm |

I've been in a mall 4mill ad every week since early spring I think. I used to do independent 4mill ads, and although they boosted my traffic, I rarely recouped costs, even with a great peak day. Since I got into the big mall, I've found my hits AND sales have gone up dramatically, mostly due to the NB ads (I notice a HUGE decline in my sales on the few odd weeks where we haven't had an ad for some reason or another) Most weeks I make plenty of profit, even after considering that I spend 2x the amount since I pay for 2 categories. I think I lost money 2 weeks ago for the first time since I joined this mall, and only by about 50k so I'm not bothered. Fall always seems to be the slowest sales period no matter what else, this time last year I had only a couple of sales in a day, because I was in a much smaller, less visible mall, and no profit to speak of. I haven't regretted moving up in my mall for one second. The other thing to think of is finding that sweet spot in sales prices. If you're too low, you're not making enough profit per item, if you're too high, you're just not selling enough of them. I tend towards the overpricing side of things, never really having anything at wiz value or even particularly close, but I sell enough at this rate that I still make money, but don't have to restock every time I turn around, since my life is a wee bit too busy. I could probably up my profits by lowering some of the prices a bit, but at 11 pages of stock, and ton of things out of stock, I can't be arsed! :P Good luck, and I hope whatever you decide on works for you! :) ETA: What makes mall ads sooo much better is that not only do you get all the direct hits from the nb ad, but you also get people indirectly who originally visit another category and then use the mall map to switch to your category. I highly reccomend giving it a shot (if you can, stick it out till the holidays before giving up) Worst comes to worst, you can ask to maybe be demoted, or quit the mall entirely, and best case scenario you wonder why you even had any doubts to start with! :)
cinderellie7 | Fri, 23/10/2009 - 11:22pm |

While people find that 4mil independent ads don't make a profit, I have found that 4mil mall ads do. Not only are you linked once from the notice board, you are then linked from the other mall shops so the hits increase a lot more than they would with an independent one. And with training, it'd be worth it. I'd say go for it! The 4mil mall ad would actually be a positive factor for me to join! edit: Arden says it better. My thoughts exactly.
angel_shortcake | Sat, 24/10/2009 - 8:30am |

Hey everyone, Sorry about taking so long to reply to this thread. I think its rude to ask for advice and then receive great advice, but not thank anyone. Ultimately that wasnt my goal, I was taking my midterms and studying took a hold of me for a good couple weeks. So I wanted to send a belated THANK YOU to those that offered their opinion. I ended up letting my mall leaders know that if ultimately the spot did open up, I would have to pass. It was a tough decision. Its real confusing to hear such mixed reviews on 4mil Ads, but I didnt want it to take away the fun of malling for me if I end up losing np every week. Its very interesting overall. There seems to be a few arguments in favor of the 4mil ads from people who swear by them, and the existence of full independent ads. However, I really appreciate the advice of mall leaders like Dmitri and Supre who ran mall wide ads for a short period as a trial before deciding they ultimately werent worth it. Im sure the ad might have helped a few people in the mall profit, but I dont want to take the chance of being one of the majority unlucky categories. You guys helped confirm my thoughts and sway my decision, that maybe Ads for malls are outdated or ineffective. I was surprised by Arden/Cinderelle s experience on how successful 4mil ads have been for them. I noticed you are in Desert Crew of TML, that is mostly comprised of mystery market shops with a few main market shops also. Land of Roo is currently in a similar situation and we ran mall only 4 mil ads that I was apart of once or twice and I found them unsuccessful still. I know the arguement for mall banners versus independent is that hits wont be scattered to all the different malls participating as people click the banners in the shop they initially enter through the 4 mil ad. In Land of Roo when we ran the 4mil I noticed the mall hits did receive an increase on peak day and maybe the day before a little but I didnt find it to be substantial enough to change Ads from losing np to gaining np. This is why I figured the only area I havent tried that could possible be any better would be a 4mil ad for a completely main market mall. Its interesting that weve had different experiences and im glad its worked out for you. Thanks again for the help guys. Nilrem :D
Nilrem | Mon, 02/11/2009 - 8:26am |

Nilrem, I'm kinda in the same situation you are. I was put into the Boardwalk from Roo Island where 4 mil ads are mandatory. They are biweekly so hopefully with my category of weapons/cures/magic, I ought to pull in a little profit. If it was weekly, I'd probably lose badly.
Artemis | Mon, 02/11/2009 - 12:12pm |

It depends though. Often times it's better doing plot times. For example. altador cup. Though the marketplace as a whole might lose 10000 customers due to people playing the cup, tnt advertises alot during those periods and gains 20,000 users, for example. A net increase of 10k
----------------------------- [color=purple]Protect your account[/color] http://www.neopets.com/~punchback_bob CG information & more
saudor | Mon, 02/11/2009 - 12:28pm |

Congrats on the upgrade Artemis. I saw that you were very outgrown for RIM for awhile back, so I was hoping they would find you a spot if you wanted in the larger malls. I hope the ads work out for you.
Nilrem | Mon, 02/11/2009 - 1:37pm |

I'm already at three times as many hits just from mall members. Once I get the rest of the cures and magic added, hopefully the ads will be worthwhile.
Artemis | Mon, 02/11/2009 - 2:15pm |

Its good to see that you've made your decision. This was a similar dilemma with me buying G-bomb or upgrading. HAHA. It was very difficult but in the end I chose to upgrade and sold some of my morphing potions for other investment items. +)
WOW! Selling: Maps, Neggs, Stamps, Coins, Cards, ETC! http://www.neopets.com/browseshop.phtml?owner=1434sweet#p
1434neopets | Tue, 03/11/2009 - 11:41am |

I have to tell you my opinion since I disagree with you Nil. I have been in the 4mil mall ads & the independent ones. The weekly ads that BW does are my best days & most of the shops in the mall always do their best on that day. I say most because I have not talked with all of them & I don't know what they're doing. But I know they get upset if we miss a week. The independent ads are good but they do not compare to the mall ads, I really don't know if it could be because BW has done it for so long or what it is. But with this last ad I hit a new record with my sales. Nil I think you will be a better judge once you get into main mkt & with an established mall. I think that makes a world of difference. Don't take it personal you know I still love ya :D Check out my Faerie Shop: http://www.neopets.com/browseshop.phtml?owner=texas_girl_95
Check out my Faerie Shop: http://www.neopets.com/browseshop.phtml?owner=texas_girl_95
texas_girl_95 | Sat, 21/11/2009 - 9:34pm |

Pages