Online ad networks are growing locally with their international counterparts setting innovative trends in many respects. Today we get up-close with Liesl Germann the founder of ad network www.internetadsales.co.za which has been my pillar of strength with my travel blog www.travelwires.com as they’ve secured numerous advertisers for the blog for the years since it was launched.
Tell us about yourself, when were you born and where are you based?
I was born in March 1970, grew up in Benoni, I have an older sister and 2 younger brothers, travelled a lot, have a wonderful, caring family and am based in Cape Town (wanting to grow my business to Australia in the near future). I am loving being a mom to my 3 year old son.
What is your business all about and what inspired it?
We are focused entirely on online media and marketing. We assist any company (large or small) who wants to market their products and services on the internet.
I had been working for an ISP, contacting marketers who wanted to advertise to the ISP’s users and it occurred to me that it would be very interesting and exciting to be in a position to offer a whole range of possible websites and databases (instead of just offering the one platform).
How old is www.internetadsales.co.za this year, what are major highlights that your business has achieved over the years?
Internet AdSales is 6 years old this year, I had been in the industry for 5 years prior to starting the business.
We have a network of over 170 quality websites that we represent, with new requests on a weekly basis.
Our service levels are very high, if a marketer requests a proposal, we ensure that they have all the information they need to make a decision within 24 hours. We have always been customer centric, focused on getting our clients the best proposal, tailor-made to ensure results. We are debt free. We moved into our new offices in Steenberg Office Park in October last year.
How many people do you employ?
3 people at present but are growing to a team of 6 by June 2009.
Your industry is huge internationally, recently www.adgator.co.za launched locally, using the same format as www.federatedmedia.net how are you shaping up your operations to better the latest industry trend?
I will be joining!
Is Google AdWords not giving you sleepless nights?
No, we sleep soundly…we focus on paid for ad placements. To date we have outsourced Google ad campaigns but this is going to be changing as we are bringing this into the business from June this year.
Have you considered going into partnership with international players offering solutions currently not offered in SA?
No, we are kept too busy sending tailor-made proposals to marketers and their ad agencies to market on the sites we represent.
Through your experience, which industry sector spends more on online advertising?
Banks and insurance firms, I can say as we specialize in the niche sites, we regularly sell out inventory to companies targeting SME’s, Women and the middle – upper earning Black market.
Is being only based in Cape Town not negative for your business?
No, we have agents who we work with in Johannesburg. We are looking to get a full time J’burg representative by June this year.
Who many publishers do you currently have on your portfolio and is the birth of blogging helping grow your operation?
We have about 170 publishers, we have not started blogging but having just completed a course offered by Godfrey Parkin, I realize that we must use social networking as it is a powerful tool.
Operating in an online environment, why has your website not received a revamp in recent times?
We are currently working on a new website which will be launched this year.
How do you unwind after a busy day in the office?
Looking after an energetic 3 year old…
Is your family involved in the business?
No but I am hoping my brother will join us soon. He has been involved in online media for over 10 years and has many skills that will complement ours at IAS.
Are you involved in any projects that groom or mentor young entrepreneurs?
No, I would be happy to assist where I can.
In your opinion are entrepreneurs born or made?
Made, where there is a will there is a way – it depends how hungry you are.
What are your short and long-term business plans?
Relaunch our website with a monthly newsletter that is newsworthy and interesting. Increase our social and buzz marketing. Grow business to Australia. Continue to be focused on getting the best results for our advertisers online ad campaigns.
Is your business affected by the current economic climate?
If anything we are more busy as companies who perhaps had print publications are now focusing more on their online publications and asking us to sell their ad space.
Thank you for affording AlreadyInspired.com the rare opportunity of getting to know more about the driving force behind the successful www.internetadsales.co.za, do you have any advise for aspirant entrepreneurs?
Thanks for the opportunity! My advice, especially if you are in online is that no one can view themselves as an ‘expert’ as this is such a dynamic, evolving industry that we are all learning all the time.
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