Frequently asked questions

Here’s our FAQ for advertisers interesting in posting deals on North Seattle Guide. If you have any questions, please email Kate Bergman at kate@nextdoormedia.com.

What is a deal?

It’s an online coupon that’s shareable via email and social media. Our readers can print and redeem them for free.

How do I post a deal?

Businesses that sponsor at least one of Next Door Media’s 10 neighborhood news sites can post a deal for no additional charge. Sponsorships run from $75 to $150 per site per month, depending on each site’s popularity. (Drop us an email for details). The deal stays active until the end of the sponsorship period.

How is the deal promoted when it’s posted?

Three ways. First, we include the line “print this coupon” under your display ad on the neighborhood blog(s) which links the deal on North Seattle Guide. Second, we share it on Facebook and Twitter. Third, we email it out to our newsletter subscribers.

How does the social media promotion work?

Every deal is shared on our “North Seattle Deals” Facebook page and Twitter account. Then we also share the deal on the corresponding Facebook and Twitter accounts for each of the neighborhood(s) you sponsored.

For example, if you sponsor QueenAnneView.com and MagnoliaVoice.com, we’ll post the deal on three Facebook accounts: North Seattle Deals, Queen Anne View and Magnolia Voice. We’ll send it out on @nseattledeals on Twitter, and retweet it on @queenannview and @magnoliavoice. All of our sites, combined, have about 10,000 Facebook fans and 10,000 Twitter followers.

How about email?

We send out a weekly email newsletter listing all the ongoing deals.

What kinds of deals work the best?

Deals should motivate people to try something new, and we’ve found that discounts of 20% and up are particularly effective. People are much more likely to share them via email and social media, creating a multiplier effect.

How many people will redeem my deal?

We’re just getting started, and it varies from deal to deal — so it’s difficult to estimate. You can set an expiration date of your choosing, as well as restrictions on how the coupon can be redeemed.

What design materials do you need to create a deal?

We use the 180×180 pixel advertisement from the sponsorship, so no need to deliver any additional artwork. We only need the details of the deal itself — the discount, any restrictions and the expiration date.

How often can I update my deal or offer a new one?

Every month, presuming you’re running a multi-month sponsorship. In fact, we recommend offering a new deal every month that replaces the old one. Deals older than a month are not as effective as newer ones.

How often will you promote my deal?

Whenever you update or change it, so as frequently as once a month. When you change it, we’ll delete the old deal and post the new one at the top of the list on North Seattle Guide.

Can people redeem a deal via their mobile device?

Sure. They can either visit NorthSeattleGuide.com on their smart phone and click to the deals page, or they can email the coupon to their device by clicking the “share” button under each deal.

Do you offer any tracking?

Upon request, we can tell you how many people visited the deal page and printed it.

Didn’t answer all your questions, or ready to get started?

Please email Kate Bergman at kate@nextdoormedia.com.