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With gas prices rising and the economy seemingly at a crawl, one website is looking to promote tourism - and they're kicking it off with "What's BIG in Arkansas." The Big Page Network is the latest idea in Internet marketing concepts, with an aim of more than just making a dollar. The goal of the main sites within the Big Page Network is to give tourism a boost in three ways; first by allowing businesses to self promote their website in their home state, secondly by allowing visitors to see what interesting opportunities await them when they're looking to travel to that state, and lastly by giving 20% of the funds directly back to the state's tourism department.
The Network is set to kick off on April 15, 2008. All states will have their own "Big Page", or grid, for visitors to browse and businesses to advertise. The process is very simple for businesses and even easier for visitors! Businesses wanting to advertise their website simply go to www.thebigpagenetwork.com and click on their state. They click "Buy Pixels" and choose a block (or blocks) to purchase. A block costs just $25, and will give the option to list a title, description, website link, and a picture, too! When choosing a block to purchase, you might think that $25 is a lot to pay for a tiny square - but when a visitor places their mouse over a block, the big picture pops up to showcase that business. A simple click on a block takes the visitor directly to that business's website. It's a fun way to advertise, and it's cheap enough for everyone to own a block!
The process for visitors is even easier. Visitors simply go to the main website, choose a state, and move their mouse across the grid to view everything there is to see and do in that state. It's a convenient way for them to see what's available in each state, in a format that's fun and easy to navigate.
So how does this help boost tourism? In more ways than you might think. The obvious is by the businesses advertising on each page. Each state has 7225 blocks available for purchasing, and buying a block reserves that spot for one year. When a visitor clicks on a state, they have the potential to view 7225 exciting things to see and do in that state - right at their fingertips. They don't have to weed through links and text to get an idea of what the state has to offer; they simply click the blocks that look interesting and go directly to that business's website. Additionally, having so much to see and do in one "Big Page" makes the state look exciting and interesting to the tourist. Since the blocks are only $25 a year to purchase, this gives all businesses the opportunity to advertise; whereas, they might not be able to afford it on other tourism sites. This gives potential tourists a way to see some of the smaller businesses and local "hot spots" that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Just showing off the state wasn't enough for the creators of The Big Page Network, though. They wanted to do even more to boost tourism. So, they decided to give 20% of each state's block sales each year back to that state's tourism department. If all spots are sold each year, this will bring over $36,000 in extra funds to help boost tourism in that state. To get the site moving, they're making it a contest and giving 30% back to the first state that fills all 7225 spots in their grid.
You don't have to have a business to enjoy the Big Page Network. To make the Network even more exciting, there are the "Fun Pages." The Fun Pages will ask a question or seek opinions each month, and blocks may be purchased for only $1 each to make your comment. Buyers can list their comment, upload a picture, and even link back to their website if they choose! Each month, a block is chosen randomly and the owner of that block will receive $500 or more in cash and prizes!
The first contest is the "Mother's Day Contest" which features several prizes to be given to the winner's Mother including a free jewelry item of choice from Sparkles by Leslie and a complete weekend getaway in Eureka Springs, AR. The getaway package includes two nights lodging at the Holiday Inn Express, dinner for two at the Rowdy Beaver Restaurant, two free breakfasts for two at Pancake's Family Restaurant, dinner for two at Pine Hill Restaurant, two tickets to the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down, two tickets to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and two tickets to the Belle of the Ozarks. If all spots are filled by May 11, the winning buyer will even receive $500 cash, too! To enter, simply go to www.thebigpagenetwork.com and click "Mother's Day Page." Click "Purchase Squares" and then just follow the instructions to add your text and upload a picture, if you choose.
Want to get your own Big Page for your fundraiser or charity organization? You can get one FREE! Choose your price per block, and receive 50% of the total sales. It's easy to do, and a great fundraiser for any event.
Whether you're looking to advertise your business, look for your next vacation destination, or start a fundraiser, there's something for everyone at the Big Page Network. Get started by showing off what's BIG in Arkansas!
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