Interview with Thebookofads.

First of please introduce yourself and your site to our readers?

The Book of Ads is a site done by me, a 17 year old (Spanish) high-schooler living in Luxembourg. I spent about 4 months developing the concept and the site, and I can say I'm quite proud of the final result.

Most people have been inspired by the Million Dollar Homepage, where did you get your inspiration from?

Actually I won't say no; Alex Tew was my inspiration, but I didn't saw market for yet another ripoff, this is why I came with The Book of Ads; a totally different site which a different marketing strategy.

What software do you use to run your pixel page and why did you choose it?

None. I don't sell pixels; that's boring. I sell space, yes, but on a book, and big. Oh... and "the old-fashioned way..".

What makes your site different or special, what angle have you taken for your Pixel page?

The Book of Ads aims to collect a maximum of 10,000 ads inside a book. Book pages open up randomly, so each user gets equal exposure; and once and if it fills up completely, I will paper-publish the book, making anyone be able to access "part of Internet History" right from their living room's bookshelf!

The original pixel page generated traffic mainly through viral marketing mainly spawned by media interest, how do you generate traffic to your site?

The site started on Monday the 9th January 2006, and up to date I've only had 16 sales, which clearly reflects a low traffic, but I am determined to make the site succeed, so don't worry, your ad will be seen, and what do you risk at the current price of 1 US$? After all, it'll be minimum 7 years, and if successful you'll be featured on a book! ;)

What do you offer potential advertisers, how much do you charge and how much traffic do you envisage an advertiser could generate by advertising with you?

I have set myself a price schedule; I'll start right at the bottom: US$ 1 each Ad. Once I've filled up some spaces, I'll raise the price; then sell again, and raise again, and repeat the process until reaching the final price. What does a potential advertiser risk by investing US$ 1 on a Project which could become world famous? -nothing, right?- Because apart from getting on Thebookofads.com, if the concept ends up being successful, then they'll be featured on the paper based of The Book of Ads!

Currently the top 5 Alexa ranked pixel sites enjoy a lot of interest from the public. How long do you think this will last, is there a long term future for pixel pages?

Actually I think that it will follow Darwin's "..survival of the fittest" theory. Only the most known sites such as the original one, and a few others will be remembered. Other original concepts could easily become part of Internet History if well marketed, of course. And concerning my site, I honestly think that it could be as worldwide knows as Alex Tew's site has been, and the Book sales could be an injection of interest on Internet Advertising into our society.

Besides your own pixel page, which other pixel page do you secretly admire and why?

With no doubt, I admire Alex Tew's site, and foremost, I admire him. I think he deserves all he has earned and more. I think I'll always be in debt with him for having made me discover a new way of Internet advertising, and in a way encouraging me to start my own concept when saying there are millions of Ideas out there waiting to be developed.

Thanks for your time in answering these questions. Before you go are there any comments you want to impart to our pixel hungry readership?

Yes, actually I wanted to propose to anyone who feels would need a site redesign, or a hand with the layout and images of the site, to drop me a mail, as I will be honored to help you if you can help back by linking to my site. [As I told you, I'd do anything for traffic!] ;).