Comments on: Blog ’til you drop?

By: astrothknot

astrothknot — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:46:34 +0000

I prefer not to have adds on blogs – it’s not like keeping a website running costs that much, especially one that’s mostly text.

By: spyscribbler

spyscribbler — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:14:57 +0000

I have no problem with a blogger having ads. If they have good enough content that incites me to visit every week or every day, then I feel they have good enough content to warrant making money from their work.

I don’t mind ads as long as they are tasteful. If they’re disruptive, I probably won’t visit the site much. But if the content is good, cool.

They deserve to get paid for their time and effort just as much as the next guy.

By: Chrystal - Pen4Me

Chrystal - Pen4Me — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:38:50 +0000

I thank you for maintaining an Ad-free site as I find the Ads quite annoying. Keep up the good work for as long as you can.

By: Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:31:16 +0000

We don’t do this for the money either, and if Anthony’s experience is any indication of how much people make through ads, it doesn’t seem worth it.

As writers know, it’s important to take breaks away from the computer, get outside, see other humans like family members every so often. It’s a sad day when blogging becomes sweatshop labor.

ETA: Welcome back, Eric.

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:23:52 +0000

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for your ad-free blog!

By: Melissa Marsh

Melissa Marsh — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:51:12 +0000

I blog for purely selfish reasons – because I want to. I don’t want to get paid for it (although it would be nice, but really, it’s just sort of a hobby) and I have made numerous friends through blogging. I don’t know that I’d like the pressure of having more than 200k readers. I’m satisfied with my small little corner of the world.

For the record, I like that you don’t have any ads now, though I understand if there might be a need in the future. :)

By: Cath

Cath — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:28:53 +0000

I maintain my blog because I like sharing writing tips; I write for me, not advertisers. I have to be honest and say that I just don’t like the look of those cluttered-with-advertising blogs/websites.

On the topic of blog-for-pay writers, I think it’s fine as long as one is paid a reasonable amount. What steams me is the ridiculously low pay I’m seeing for bloggers. And the excessive content they’re expected to produce for what, twenty bucks? Newbie freelance writers are getting sucked into this blogging vortex/scam thinking they’re building credentials when all they’re getting is burned out.

And maybe ruining their health…sitting all day, blogging, may have contributed to those writers untimely deaths!

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:53:46 +0000

I’ve never made any money from ads, the few times I tried them. The people I know who do make money from ads have over 200K readers, and their site is designed in a clever (read: devious) way so that accidentally clicking is par for the course.

As for feeling obligated to blog… I’ve felt the pressure lately because I went quiet for a whole month while I was busy writing. Sometimes when I’m working, I don’t have a lot to say.

I’m back though. :)

By: Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:44:18 +0000

I wondered about the usefulness of blogads, Anthony. 41 cents is literally pennies. I never click through an ad either, and I suspect I’m not alone. Some are downright annoying to look at, and bloggers don’t have a say in what the ad is once the contract is signed.

By: Richard Mabry

Richard Mabry — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:09:35 +0000

The only pressure I feel to blog is a nagging sense of guilt when I don’t meet my self-imposed two posts per week goal. If I don’t have anything to say–and there may be folks who think that’s most of the time–I don’t blog. If there’s something worthwhile, I do.

The only “ad” on my blog is a link for people who want to learn about my book and possibly purchase a copy. Other than that, I keep it “free and clear.” Thanks to you all for doing the same.

By: Anthony S. Policastro

Anthony S. Policastro — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:51:36 +0000

Hi Therese,
I have ads on my blog and I have placed them tastefully so as not to bombard the reader. I’ve read that I should put banner ads on the top and ads inside the copy, but I refuse.
Do I feel pressure to blog? No, I post only when I have something with substance and meaning. Do I make money on the ads? No. After a year, I made 41 cents on the ads so now I’m thinking I may take them off. Google is also rethinking its business model regarding pay per click and may now pay only if the reader clicks through and buys the product advertised.

By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:41:58 +0000

Hear, hear.

I’d like to know if bloggers who have ads on their sites feel any pressure because of them.

Thanks for the post, Kath.