my thoughts on blog advertising
July 29th, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
It’s been a little bit of a hot topic lately…my boss, Pete, recently asked me why I don’t advertise on my blog…and then someone else asked me if I feel like my blog has turned into an advertisement for Compassion International. Today, my friend Ben posted on a plethora of blogging stuff, including advertising. (He also noted my incessant changing of profile pictures on my blog. Busted!)
So, I thought I’d clarify what I put up on my real estate here and why.
1. Nobody pays me to put up anything “ad worthy” on my blog. I get asked but always say no. Anything you see in my sidebars or read on my blogs I put there because I see value in it. People send me books all the time to review and I never promise anything…if it’s worth talking about, I’ll talk about it, but if this blog is not the right place, then I won’t. I don’t get paid when people sponsor kids and all the Catalyst talk and links have been at my own free will.
2. I do get paid when you buy a book from my sidebar. I use Amazon Associates to do that. However, all they money from that goes right back into the G.O. Ministry pastor’s library. I keep nothing.
3. No, I will never sell advertising on my blog. Ever.
Why not? It costs me a whopping $5/month to host this site. Your comments, emails, and support and love for each other (and for the ministries and people I’ve highlighted) is invaluable. And it keeps things pure…if it’s something worthwhile, we’ll talk about it.
What are your thoughts on blog advertising?
Disclaimer: If you or someone you love has ads on their blog, good for them. More power to you. This ain’t about trash talking. I love you all.
Blogging
joshua said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:27 pm
i think you hit the nail on the head.
the only other thing i would add, about why i do not enjoy advertising on blogs… is that i hate it when people try and sell me things on the phone — and while advertising on blogs (especially) on sidebars isn’t as obtrusive as that, i really dislike embedded ad’s in posts. i don’t see a whole lot of difference there between calling me and trying to sell me health insurance or whatever google decided is a relevant ad with your post delivered straight to my google reader.
Crystal Renaud said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:34 pm
i don’t like advertising for the sake of making money. i’m not a paid writer, why would i charge someone for ad space? the things in my sidebars (which gets a bit cluttered sometimes) are simply things i have a passion for. and i am pretty passionate.
the only time i have ever used ads for making money, is to help me raise support for a mission trip. and really, its never worked. i think i’ve earned $1.38 from it. lol.
Chris Marlow said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I don’t mind if people advertise. But what bugs me is when folks use Mr. Linky to build community yet at the same time I sometimes feel it’s only about stats.
At the same time I understand that bloggers spend a lot of time blogging and if they can keep it authentic & make some cash then more power to them.
Kenyon said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:37 pm
If someone wants to NOT advertise for a purpose then that is great. If someone wants TO advertise for a purpose then that is great. I think the whole issue is pretty minor and should be left up to one who owns the blog. A blog itself is an advertisement in a way. We are advertising opinions and ideas and news in a way that hopefully attracts attention (business).
Reese said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I recently added adsense and amazon associates to my blog, just to see what it was like (not trying to profit, my readership is too low for that anyway). Adsense will probably go next month, I kind of hate it. Amazon I’ll probably keep, I had a list of books I read in the sidebar anyway and if doing it this way can get me one free book in a year, why not?
As long as the content of a site is still worthwhile, and the ads are unobtrusive they don’t usually bother me. I don’t usually (read:ever) click them either.
Tim Stevens said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Amen and amen. It was my #3 suggestion for new bloggers: http://www.leadingsmart.com/leadingsmart/2008/06/blogging-advice.html
Chilly... said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I, too, have taken a ‘No Pimpin’ stance with my blog.
Thanks Anne.
Rhett Smith said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I guess it might be different if someone was actually offering me significant money…but no one really is.
I’ve had advertisers approach me…enough that would cover costs of my blog hosting, work done on it, and then some…but it doesn’t seem worth it to me.
I got into blogging cause I enjoy it, and anything else seems too much pressure, or too businessy.
rhett
Rob said,
July 29, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I would agree with most of the other commenters. If I had enough readers that someone wanted to advertise on my blog, it would swell my ego to horrific proportions…and that’s not good.
Also, if I advertised, I think I’d feel like I needed to post more often than I feel like, or about things that make me money when clicked on. I would also worry about ads that don’t reflect what I stand for.
Bottom line: My blog wasn’t started to make money. It’s a creative outlet for me, and kind of my own little daily editorial page. I’m afraid if it ever got that big, I’d lose the reasons I love doing it…just like you said at the end of your post.
Thanks for sharing…your posts often leave me thinking…and that’s a good thing!
Patrick Sievert said,
July 29, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Advertising on blogs is ultra-lame.
kristiapplesauce said,
July 29, 2008 at 4:12 pm
$5 really? Do you know somebody who can help me figure out mine? I need to revamp and set up my own site and can’t figure the dealeo out…bla bla - help.
Okay…I agree with ALL the stuff you said and as a side note as a gift somebody gave me a moleskine journal so yay you for having it on your sidebar…that thing so totally rocks.
Brian said,
July 29, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I’m of the same fiber. I’m glad someone else out there feels the same. I won’t do it on my church tech blog either. God bless you. :)
Sarah Markley said,
July 29, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I agree with everything you all have said. Again, my readership is also miniscule so it would never be an issue.
I think that readers come to a blog for a reason (whatever it is: curiosity, warmth, challenge, encouragment etc.) and the reason is probably never to be told to buy something. In an effort to preserve the purity/consistency of my blog, I don’t think I’d ever advertise.
Good discussion.
Phil Thompson said,
July 29, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Nobody’s ever offered me money. I would have to pay people to put ads on my blog, it’s way too lame!
Kevin Davis said,
July 29, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I wouldn’t blame you if you did make money off the site - but I respect for not. Everyone wants influence to equal money - I like that you are usine influence to help others, reminds me of this guy named Jesus.
And I already got on the blog roll - awesome!
boomama said,
July 29, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Um, where are you hosting for $5 a month? And will you send me a link to said host? :-)
bob robbins said,
July 29, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I don’t know what it says about me but I never even noticed. I’m only interested in the content anyways.
Los said,
July 29, 2008 at 5:42 pm
1. Never say never ;) My daddy taught me that.
2. I advertise and pay for Seanna’s entire preschool bill with my blog ads.
3. If I had a book that was going to cha ching me outside my current blog, I might not advertise either.
But my blog is my book.
Not that Anne is cha chinging with Mad Church. Trust me. She did not write it for that. But it definitely helps to get paid to do something you love as well as have a full time job doing something else you love at the same time.
And for me, that is blogging.
PS.
I have 3 slots opening at the end of the month if you want to advertise.
:)
Los
Heidi Reed said,
July 29, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I hate blog ads. Yep, strong word, but I do. UNLESSSSS the blog is a commercial/business type blog. But personal ones… uh, no. I usually won’t visit them either. UNLESSSSS the blog is smokin’. And it must remain smokin’ or I will quit it like that. Snap!
JudiFree said,
July 29, 2008 at 6:12 pm
No thoughts on blog ads…i have found some useful and some annoying.
The new profile pic is the best one yet though!!!
M. Steve Heartsill said,
July 29, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I would be honored if someone thought my blog worthy to advertise on…but, then it would all go to my head, and I’d get real mental about it…and then, I’d lose the real focus on my simple blog!
Andy McMahon said,
July 29, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I see both sides of the coin but, I admire your passion. I don’t know I could say the same thing if I were in the position to advertise.
What about link love? Do you give link love? ;) cause… I know this guy…. and girl…. hehe.
Anne Jackson said,
July 29, 2008 at 8:37 pm
@andy - http://www.flowerdust.net/2008/03/03/im-caving-in-and-making-a-blogroll/
Dave Anderson (moviepastor) said,
July 29, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Don’t sell out. Keep changing the photo. Love your blog!
jason_73 said,
July 29, 2008 at 10:25 pm
God Bless you Anne Jackson, God bless you.
Brewha! said,
July 29, 2008 at 10:53 pm
If I can’t speak trash about other’s sites then I’m not going to say anything.
:-)
Billy Chia said,
July 30, 2008 at 2:07 am
ok, this post makes more sense - earlier today you tweeted “My thoughts on blog advertising” and linked your homepage instead of the post page.
I thought you were talking about actually advertising your blog. Like “advertise your blog on Twitter and Facebook and everywhere else to gain exposure.”
My thoughts on blog advertising:
Yes, you should advertise your blog every chance you get.
I blog at http://billychia.com
tam said,
July 30, 2008 at 3:15 am
love the new pic!
i’ve been getting asked recently to put ads on my blog. not so sure i want to. i joke about wanting to get paid to blog - but really, im just not comfy with the distraction of it i guess.
Pete Wilson said,
July 30, 2008 at 6:48 am
Good answer!
tony said,
July 30, 2008 at 6:56 am
it’s your blog and you time and your $5 - you can do whatever the heck you want to with it. if you want to sell- you sell, if you want to keep it ‘pure’ then hey, do it kiddo
your mission is your mission and no one else’s - you’ll be happy doing it so who cares what anyone thinks?
have fun and be a blessing today!
Mack Ksmoot said,
July 30, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I heard Ben Arment was changing his blog to “Stuff Christians like to advertise.com”… Sell out.
Spiky Sandy said,
July 30, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I began my blog with advertising, but then when I couldn’t control what was advertised and I didn’t support what I saw, it had to go! Now I don’t have it and I’m probably not going to click on ads on anyone else’s blogs. No one had clicked on mine, so I didn’t see that it wasn’t a benefit for anyone. No ads, thanks Anne!
Kristin Zuvich said,
July 30, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I don’t think there’s anything in the world wrong with it. It’s not like you’re even forcing people to pay you money in order to read your blogs.
You just happened to get paid by someone else, if they do read it. It’s your blog. I don’t know why anyone else should have a problem with it.
Unless it’s like a porn advertisement. I’d have a problem with that.
Scott Williams said,
July 30, 2008 at 5:56 pm
If you have a blog that someone wants to pay to drive traffic/business to their organizations and it’s not some lame advertisement that you don’t feel comfortable with… then go ahead pimp your blog.
Heady said,
August 8, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I’m with you Anne. Whatever floats your boat.