Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Case of the Skeptical Editor

I recently had a telephone conversation with an aviation news editor. He never heard of HelicopterLinks.com but he liked the idea and he gave me some time over the phone.

I explained that Helicopter Links has been online for 10 years as a hobby site and is an online international directory of helicopter information. In 2011, Helicopter Links expanded to 70 categories, increased to include over 2,800 company links, added outbound tracking and became a small business in September.

I continued by sharing that outbound tracking reveals that Helicopter Links sent an estimated 29,000 referrals to all rotorcraft manufacturers (including gyrocopters) around the world. This is no small feat

We then exchanged several emails. In one of my emails, I suggested if helicopter manufacturers would advertise throughout more categories on Helicopter Links, they'd receive even more web traffic. Don't helicopter manufacturers want more web traffic?

In his next email, the Skeptical Editor responded to me by saying this: "Yes, of course helicopter companies want increased traffic from their customers. But do they know that they are getting views from potential customers or are they just curious people who never will spend money in the helicopter industry? That's certainly a challenge."

My response to his question was to ask what site would have more qualified buyers for the helicopter industry than a helicopter directory site? Although every web site has a certain amount of traffic that arrives by accident or has lookie-loos, Helicopter Links is a reference site for anyone seeking goods, services and information in the helicopter industry.

If I took the Skeptical Editor's statement seriously, it would be similar to someone trying to make the case that all helicopter manufacturer's web sites have no value because what buyer goes online to purchase a turbine OEM helicopter with a 10%-off coupon and a credit card?


Helicopter Links' job is not to make the sale but to publish helicopter manufacturers, companies, suppliers and services. Advertising on Helicopter Links is not only part of a successful marketing mix, branding campaign and sales program but it also is a part of search engine optimization. It's a link (or links) from a helicopter-related web site to a helicopter business-related site.

How many new people enter the helicopter industry every year? An easy-to-use helicopter reference site is a big help in this situation. How many people are dissatisfied with online searches? For many, Helicopter Links is a useful time-saving business tool.

Ads do many things. Ads say, "Hey, look at me!" Ads spark interest. Ads help buyers find their trusted brands or highlight products with a future need for the buyer. Helicopter Links is sort of a helicopter dating service, if you will.

For more information, please contact Michael Hampson, Owner, Helicopter Links at +1 (858) 413-7074 or staff@helicopterlinks.com or see: www.helicopterlinks.com/advertise.

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About Helicopter Links
Based in San Diego, California, USA, Helicopter Links is an online worldwide directory of helicopter manufacturers, commercial operators, suppliers, services, trade shows, air shows, magazines, organizations and museums providing over 2,800 helicopter related companies in 70 categories, listed by category and then by continent. Helicopter Links does not require a membership or login to use or to purchase advertising.

Helicopter Links Free Listing Offer
Helicopter Links continues to offer our one-free-listing in one category for any helicopter related business, company or organization. All helicopter trade shows, helicopter air shows and all helicopter conferences are the only organizations which receive multiple free listings on Helicopter Links. Give us a call or send us an email and let's get your company or organization listed!

Home page: www.helicopterlinks.com
Site Map: www.helicopterlinks.com/sitemap
Advertising Information: www.helicopterlinks.com/advertise

Monday, January 23, 2012


Hi. I wanted to update everyone. Helicopter Links, an online worldwide directory of helicopter information, has been online for 10 years. In 2011, Helicopter Links expanded to 70 categories, now has 2,800 links, added outbound tracking and became a small business in September 2011.

In 2011 alone, Helicopter Links sent an estimated 29,000 referrals to all rotorcraft manufacturers (including gyrocopters) around the world.

To kick-off 2012, we are offering a "Buy One Year, Get Second Year Free" advertising promotion. With this offer, we will provide two 12 month tracking reports and a third 2 year trend analysis report. Offer ends February 29, 2012.

If this sounds like something your company might be interested in discussing, please let me know.

Mike Hampson/Owner
Helicopter Links
1286 University Ave, #209
San Diego, California, 92103 USA

+1 (858) 413-7074
staff@helicopterlinks.com
www.helicopterlinks.com

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Thank You To All Our Facebook Fans and Users of Helicopter Links

Did I thank everyone for being a Facebook Fan? Did I think all of you who use Helicopter Links? Thank you, I really appreciate it. Did I mention that even though Helicopter Links has been a hobby site for over ten years, we became a small business in September 2011?
HelicopterLinks.com

For years, Helicopter Links used to be (about) a 10 page web site with several hundred links but in 2011, I greatly expanded our helicopter site to 70 helicopter categories with over 2,800 links. The plan is to move forward and continue to represent the entire international helicopter community on our free-to-use, easy-to-use, no-login-required web site.

We have a one-free-listing policy for any helicopter related business. We also accept paid advertising as well, for banner ads and for multiple listings.

If you have a suggestion for a helicopter company as a free listing or you would like to explore your advertising options:

Please call +1 (858) 413-7074

or email me: staff@helicopterlinks.com

Thanks,

Mike Hampson/Owner
Helicopter Links
San Diego, California, USA
To visit Helicopter Links: www.helicopterlinks.com

Monday, January 16, 2012

Updates to Site Map and to the Site Itself

In the last several days, I added several new search terms for the Site Map. In addition, I made some internal coding changes to improve the aesthetics of the Site Map. These important changes are beneficial to anyone searching for the company they need.

There will be several new sections added to the site in the next several months. The new sections will be Helicopter Rescue Training, Helicopter Ditch/Escape Training, Pilot Supplies and EMS Operators.

Friday, January 6, 2012

New Press/News Release for Helicopter Links

We just issued a new press release www.helicopterlinks.com/media offering "free multiple listings" for any helicopter trade show, helicopter air show or helicopter conference on Helicopter Links, for 2012. This news release also details some of Helicopter Links incoming and outbound web statistics and other information about Helicopter Links.

Our Helicopter Trade Show / Air Show / Conference page can be found here: www.helicopterlinks.com/shows

Helicopter Links main web site: www.helicopterlinks.com

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Updating Our Trade Show Air Show Web Page

Helicopter Links currently lists over 25 helicopter specific trade shows, air shows and conferences around the world. We'd like to have our Trade Show web page as complete as possible.

From January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 we are showing that we had over 7,400 visitors to our Trade Show web page. In addition, we had over 2,100 people click-through on the various links on our Trade Show web page to find more information. People use Helicopter Links to find information.

As far as we know, Helicopter Links is the only web site where helicopter trade shows, air shows and conferences are listed on one web page, by continent, making it easy for anyone to view these world wide with one click and a scroll of the mouse.

In addition, our Trade Show/Air Show page is the only web page where we offer multiple free listings. If you are part of an organization which produces helicopter trade shows, helicopter air shows or helicopter conferences, please send us an email and we'll list all your helicopter events on our Trade Show/Air Show page at no charge.

Would you like your organization to be part of our growing web site? staff@helicopterlinks.com

Our main page: www.helicopterlinks.com

HelicopterLinks.com Update

I'm pleased to announce that the entire site has been updated for continuity, spell checks and coding for Search Engine Optimization. The continuity standards help make all categories on Helicopter Links to have the same look and feel.

Optimum Search Engine Optimization is something all web designers strive to achieve. For those who don't know, Search Engine Optimization is actually a continual process. Our recent updates will help improve the search engine optimization of the entire site.

The other important update on our site is that the coding has been updated on every page. This will allow the translation of text to be seen as intended.

We've also updated Helicopter Link's Site Map to make it easier to find information. Updating our Site Map will be one of our ongoing goals of having an up-to-date and relevant site map.

To visit: www.helicopterlinks.com

Monday, January 2, 2012

2012 - 2013 Introductory Pricing

To Business Owners and Marketing Staff:

Helicopter Links is offering Introductory Pricing for 2012 - 2013. Purchase advertising for 2012 from our Introductory Price list (PDF available) and receive 2013 advertising at no charge.

Contact + 1 (858) 413-7074 or email staff@helicopterlinks.com

Web site: http://www.helicopterlinks.com

Affiliate Marketing Advertisers

All advertisers with affiliate marketing programs are welcome to contact Helicopter Links. Contact + 1 (858) 413-7074 or email staff@helicopterlinks.com

Web site: http://www.helicopterlinks.com