Connect Online Community





Create an Ad in Your Online Community Platform:

Ads can be shown in content areas through the community and in email digests.

Step 1: Create Your Ad

Navigate to: Admin > Marketing Automation > Personalization > Create New.

  • Rule Name: Give your ad a clear, identifiable name, preferably by location or template.
  • Delete: Set to "Yes" and save to delete the ad.
  • Symbols: Select symbols to use as placeholders for personalization options.
  • Body: This serves as a preview of your ad. You can add text, HTML templates, or insert a video/picture. Use the file manager to add assets from Custom Content > File Manager.
  • Track Link Clicks: Set to "Yes" if you want to track ad clicks.*
  • View Report: Click on "View Report" to download a CSV file with link tracking activity, including member names and emails.
  • Personalization Criteria: Leave blank if showing to everyone. Specify groups, specifics, and people if necessary.
  • Starting: Add a start date to the ad.
  • Ending: Add an end date to your ad.
  • Currently X Targets: Indicates the number of people the ad will reach. Download the list of names and emails if needed.
  • Save: Save your configurations.
  • Test: Use if no specifics are entered to receive an email preview of your ad.

*Note: This is the only way for your ad to be tracked. If tracking is not desired, proceed to the next step and set up your ad in a Custom Template.

Note that this is the only way for your ad to be tracked. If you do not wish for your ad to be tracked you can skip to the next step and set up your ad in a Custom Template.

Step 2: Insert the Ad in a Content Template

In the Admin Area, go to the left menu and select: Custom Content > Content Areas.

  • Select Template: Choose from existing/live templates or create a new one.
  • Personalization Rules: Insert your ad in the template body and Save.

In this example we insert the “Banner Ad personalization rule” in the Homepage Top template.

Now your ad will be visible in the Homepage Top on your community homepage. Remember to regularly update and track the performance of your ads for optimal engagement.

In Turning your community software from an expense to a profit center, we learn that an online community is not only an expense but could well be another source of revenue. These helpful ideas can get you started to compose an advertising package tailored to your industry and membership.