When positioning online media to advertisers it's helpful to first know what other media competitors they are looking at and how they stack up in comparison. aWhat is the site's local market position? Do competing sites have more referring links, and if so, from whom? What about the online audience that buys, say, Ford cars, versus the local TV station they are currently running on? This report gives five free sources to both an instant overview or in depth intersecting data such as women, who prefer the Ford brand, and don't watch television. Included are the limitations andkey uses of each source. more

What numbers are the most successful local media companies tracking - and achieving? The first is an audience dashboard that tracks all new audiences: Facebook, Email, Mobile, Text and Online. However these dashboards are almost too big to allow managers to focus in on what's important. Key metrics allow your teams to track both against short term targets and long range, transformative goals. This report gives you a start by showing a few that should be on the new dashboard, worksheets included. more

Audience extension means selling advertising on other properties not owned by the media site. Usually these buys add audiences targeted by behavioral interest, channel or location. Today, geo-fencing around merchant locations is in high demand, and requires adding audiences from additional media properties and apps to get to any kind of significant buy. This report gives ten best practices media with successful programs do right. more

Audience extension is rapidly becoming a core product for local media because it allows fulfillment of very targeted buys, especially in the mobile geo-targeted space. With thousands of options, here are key criteria to consider when selecting one or more networks. more

Most media executives use LinkedIn to create professional one-to-one networks or research advertising prospects. However LinkedIn can also provide inbound leads for workshops, contest sponsorships, and new product launches. This report shows how to set up a program using sponsored updates, how to create a content schedule, and converting likes and follows into leads, and other practical tips. more

There are four main categories of advertisers that see mobile audience as a huge opportunity. They like the type of person using smart phones, how it positions their brand and the extra functionality. Sell into these red hot categories by knowing what they need from mobile, with tips from Derrick DeCarlo, Director of Digital Strategy for LSN Mobile. more

Here are five best practices on using Buzzboard as a selling tool, provided by Richard Cowan, Digital Sales Manager, 435Digital, the interactive agency of the Chicago Tribune. Cowan has 19 sales reps using the tool for small and large accounts, with plans to hire ten more. more

What do top reps do prior to going on a call? Here's a list of information about the client that top reps find out before each appointment, and the sources they use. It only takes a couple of minutes to be prepared. Better is better. more

There are a few must-have technologies to grow digital sales that all local media companies should have in their arsenal to do what interactive media does best: targeting and conversion-tracking. more

Local media are deploying larger and more interactive ad units for premium customers. A variety of inexpensive platforms make these ads efficient to build and sell. This report gives a full break down of what's available, strengths and weakness of each and a to-do list to get started selling the new units. Included are the six IAB Rising Stars, social media ads,and how to get into the game. more