(Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the December 2008 issue of GameCola, back when GameCola was published in a monthly online magazine format.)
Welcome to Pimp My ‘Cola, the article that talks about advertising for GameCola. This is my second and last time writing Pimp My ‘Cola, following in the footsteps of former Pimp My ‘Cola writer Gina Holechko, who also wrote two installments of the column.
This month, we’re going to have a little tutorial on how to advertise for GameCola. Follow these simple steps and boost GameCola readership today!
Step #1: The T-Shirt
Most of you probably have some sort of novelty t-shirt that has something to do with videogames. Well, the next time you’re out wearing your shirt, mention GameCola! It’s called “free advertising,” and it really works! Check out this sample conversation
Random Person: Hey, nice shirt!
You: Hey, thanks!
Random Person: I love videogames, too!
You: Really? Then you should check out GameCola.net! It’s a free monthly magazine about videogames!
Random Person: Really? Cool! I’ll check it out!
See how simple that is? Just make sure you’re wearing the right kind of t-shirt, otherwise things could get a little tricky.
RIGHT.
Step #2: Tell Your Friends
Telling your friends about GameCola is a great way to improve readership. However, you have to be careful and make sure you don’t screw things up. Let’s take a look at the unprepared Michael, and see how HE tries to advertise GameCola.
Michael: Hello, Sarah. Do you like videogames?
Sarah: Why, yes, Michael. I do like videogames.
Michael: That’s great! Me too! Have you ever heard of GameCola?
Sarah: GameCola? What’s that?
Michael: It’s a…wait a minute…you’re a GIRL!
Sarah: Um…. Yes.
Michael: (breaks out into a nervous sweat) Guh…duh…WILL YOU MARRY ME??
Sarah: NO! Stay away from me, you creeper!
Tsk, tsk, tsk, Michael. Now let’s bring Paul in to show us how you’re supposed to do it.
Paul: Hello, Sarah. Do you like videogames?
Sarah: Why, yes, Paul. I do like videogames.
Paul: That’s great! Me too! Have you ever heard of GameCola?
Sarah: GameCola? What’s that?
Paul: It’s an online magazine about videogames. It’s super funny.
Sarah: Well, gee, Paul, I don’t know….
Paul: Did I mention it’s free?
Sarah: Free? I love free stuff! I’ll check out GameCola today! Thanks, Paul!
Paul: You’re welcome, Sarah.
See how simple it is? Just be like Paul and play it cool. Don’t be a Michael and get overly nervous.
Step #3: Link to GameCola
Have you heard of this thing called the “Internet”? It’s where GameCola lives, and odds are you spend some time on the Internet, too.
Well, a really simple way to advertise for GameCola is by linking to it. Seriously! All you have to do is wite a one-sentence ad like “Check out GameCola.net for videogame fun!” Put it on your MySpace profile, your Facebook status, or your signature on GameFAQs. Do this, and we’ll get new readers. It’s as simple as that.
It really works, too! For example, I wrote a GameFAQs guide for Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess that has gotten about 14,000 hits. I put the ad for GameCola in the guide, and even if just 1% of the people who read the guide decide to check out the link, that’s still 140 new readers for GameCola. The best part is, I don’t have to do anything at all to keep the readers coming! Free advertising, you’re awesome!
Step #4: The Flyer
(click here for full-size)
Here’s an easy advertising job for you! Print out that GameCola flyer I just made! Then hand out copies of the flyer to everyone you meet (which is a lot of work) or just post it on the local bulletin board (which is less work).
The flyer has everything: The GameCola Web site address, topless hunks, and a disclaimer about dolphins. How could it NOT bring in more readers? Get that flyer out to other people today!
Well, that’s it for me and Pimp My ‘Cola. Just follow those simple steps, everyone, and soon GameCola will have more readers than ever before! If that happens, our editor is going to double the writers’ salary from ZERO dollars a month to ZERO dollars a month! YES!!!!!!