(BELMAR, NJ) -- New Jersey Stage closed out the summer with the website's best month to date. Over 50,000 unique visitors came to NewJerseyStage.com during the month of August. This followed three straight months of roughly 44,000 unique visitors per month.
"50,000 unique visitors is a milestone we've had our eyes on for a while," said Gary Wien, publisher. "We are getting the type of numbers we expected to hit last year before the pandemic hit. Now that venues are presenting shows and theatres are getting ready for their seasons, we have enough show previews and events to keep our audiences growing each month."
New Jersey Stage has recently begun listing the top 10 most read stories each week. The list comes out each Sunday with links and descriptions of each article. Looking at the coverage areas for each article has shown interest in articles from every part of the state. In fact, 13 different counties (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Union) have had stories appear in the top 10 through the three top 10 lists so far.
"We have always said that New Jersey Stage had a great statewide audience and the top 10 lists prove it," added Wien. "In addition, the stories so far have included art, comedy, community, food, kids show, music, theatre - showing diverse interests as well. I would like to thank the writers who contribute to NJ Stage on a regular basis. Columnists include Danny Coleman (Rock on Radio column) and Bob Makin (Makin Waves); writers include Spotlight Central, Sanford Josephson, Al Nigrin, Karen Nowosad, Eric Hillis, Adam F. Cohen, and an assortment from Jersey Arts (including Brent Johnson, Shen Shellenberger, Maddie Orton, Christopher Benincasa, Jesse North & Dave Tavani, and Ilene Dube). We also have photographers like John Posada and James DeSalvo who have provided editorial coverage for us. Everyone who contributes to NJ Stage is a volunteer and their work is greatly appreciated."
New Jersey Stage released new media kits in August with specialty kits for venues & performing arts centers, theatre companies, musicians, and film festivals. Even though New Jersey Stage has one of the largest audiences for an arts & entertainment site in the area, ad rates remain between $50-$100 per month. The specialty media kits offer packages designed to help the specific genres.
"We have always saw New Jersey Stage as a partner to the arts more than just a media outlet," continued Wien. "Our goal is to promote the arts and help arts organizations succeed. We know how difficult the pandemic was to the arts. These new advertising packages were designed to offer the best coverage we can."
Some of the data found in the media kits include a detailed look at the audience. Our 2021 numbers from January 1 to July 31 show:
* a nearly even split between males (51%) to females (49%)
* three age brackets (30.3% aged 18-34; 32.53% aged 35-54; and 37.05% aged 54 and above).
* above average household income for $100K - $150K
* high above average household income for $150K and above
* above average number of college graduates
* very high above average number with grad school degrees
* 62.74% visit our site via mobile; 33.62% via a desktop computer; and 3.64% via a tablet
New Jersey Stage offers four different banner ad sizes. Three are among the most popular standard internet sizes: 300x250, 300x600, and 970x250 (all in pixels) and one is unique to our site (600x776 - roughly equivalent to a sheet of regular paper). The first three ad sizes are available for $50 per month. The large ad is available for $75 per month.
"Our most popular ad package contains all four ad sizes for $100 per month," said Wien. "This provides excellent coverage throughout the entire website. Each ad goes into one specific ad rotation for its genre and into the general ad rotation as well. We have ad rotations for art, comedy, dance, film, community, music, and theatre. We can even narrow down our music category into classical and jazz sub-categories."
For information on advertising at New Jersey Stage, click here.
