Note: This is a blog post for my IST 600 Blogging for Information Professionals class; I have not received a Request For Proposal (RFP) from Apple wanting to advertise on my site although I would be happy to receive one.  In this assignment we are to respond with suggested advertising opportunities on our site.

With a target audience of recreational runners, we are large consumers of music and potentially iBooks.  Although some more “serious” runners may eschew listening to music while running, the recreational runners who are our target audience commonly use smart phones and iPods while running.  A recent survey by RockMyRun, found that of those who run while listening to music, 40% used smart phones and 59% used iPods; consequently, our readers are frequent customers of Apple products.

1. Sponsored technology & running  posts – twice a month

We would like to offer the opportunity for Apple to sponsor content on our sites.  We run a  semi-monthly feature on our site showcasing new technologies that runners may be interested in.  We feel this would be a good fit with Apple products, where we could review a new device or app and point out features of interest to the running community.  We would make it clear to our readers that these specific posts were sponsored by Apple.

2. iBooks tie-in

We are currently working on several iBook titles related to running and technology that we would like to sell through iTunes and your iBooks App.  We believe that these iBooks will be hit with our readers and become “best sellers” for Apple in iTunes as well.  In addition, each month we review a book on running.  We would like to to link to the book in iTunes and have it featured prominently in the iBooks App for our readers.

3. Coupon code for discounts on Nike+ sensor shoes and iPod/iPhones used as personal training devices

We feel that Apple’s partnership with Nike, which sells iPods and iPhones as personal training devices in conjunction with Nike+ running shoes with built in sensors, is a product that our blog’s audience would love to purchase.  On our blogsite, we would like to offer  coupon codes and a link to Apple and Nike’s website stores that would allow our readers to receive $20 off a pair of Nike+ running shoes (with sensors that communicate with Apple devices) or $50 off a purchase of a new Apple device (i.e. iPod, iTouch, or iPhone) when made at the same time as a Nike+ shoe purchase.

4. Banner Advertisements

We would like to offer Apple the opportunity to purchase impression-based advertisements (a.k.a. banner ads) on our blogsite.  We will accept ads for all Apple products.  We offer standard industry sizes from 300 x 100 up to 300 x 600 on the sides of our blog, or for an additional fee, a 728 x 90 banner at the top of our blogsite.

5. iTunes Affiliate Program

We would like to become a member of Apple’s iTunes Affiliate program.  Because our readers are avid music and audio book listeners, we believe we can drive a decent amount of volume to the iTunes store.  Each week we will feature the “running tune” of the week and link our customers to the Apple iTunes site to purchase it.