One of the great advantages of the web is that it is a highly targeted media form. When you are looking to sell space and you have a site that appeals to a sought-after niche, you have an excellent advantage.

Many people who would otherwise never have dreamed of being in business for themselves have found that the web has helped them do just that. For every one of these cases, there is someone who has started a blog and wants to generate a little side cash by selling advertising on it. 

If you are in either of these camps, there is some good basic advice to follow about how to get started. Selling advertising on the web is not a cakewalk, but it is also achievable. One of the key benefits of the web is that it is a highly targeted media form. So, when you are looking to sell space and have a site that appeals to a niche audience, you have a significant advantage. 

Advertisers will pay a premium for sites that offer access to these specific niches. This does not mean that overall traffic levels are not important; they are. However, it's encouraging to know that having a smaller, dedicated following amongst a prized group of potential buyers is also attractive to ad buyers. 

Selling ad space requires planning, and success is easier to achieve by following some simple steps. For those just starting out, consider joining a banner ad network. Banner ad networks handle the work of attracting advertisers. 

After brokering the ads, banner ad networks monitor the success of the ads and help you find the right placement of ads on your site. You can also consider selling the space on your own, and many people who have sites with sufficient traffic levels do just that.

Advertisers are in the driver’s seat because there are fewer of them than there are websites. You'll need to present your traffic numbers, as well as any information on marketing or other steps you are taking to keep traffic to your site robust. You can use your size to your advantage if you are flexible on price. 

Brand name advertisers might be enticed to your site if they can get a better rate. Even if you have to reduce rates a little, getting bigger advertisers will help to convince others of the value of your site.