Ok, dear readers, I need your input as I decide whether or not to put ads on my blog.
On the one hand, the idea of ads is distasteful to me. I don't like the idea of having my pseudonymous name associated with products and services that I haven't personally vetted. Won't it destroy the integrity and honesty you all have come to associate with Mary P Jones? And what about the question of word choice? I have a piece of marketing material here from my cell phone company that claims to have "what u need." Nothing irks me more than marketing people who abandon spelling and grammar as part of their deep-seated need to appear cool to the text messaging kids of today. Marketing people, you are not cool, and the kids know it! Now learn to write properly! (Yes, I'm an old grammar fogey from the school of Eats, Shoots and Leaves.) I don't know if I can tolerate ads like that on my blog, even if I wasn't the one silly enough to write them.
However, I can tolerate (as you will note in the paragraph above) linking to the Amazon associates program that has so far earned me 16 cents. (Thanks, Long Vowels for buying that Shangri-La Diet book!) Of course, in that case, I am recommending products I own and believe in, products I would stand by and not mind having my pseudonymous name associated with, products that would be purchased from an online store where I have spent (ahem!) a considerable amount over the years.
Finally, for some reason, I don't like profiting from what I am doing for the art and the pleasure of it; it's as if the money somehow calls into question (or even taints) my motives for writing.
But getting back to that long neglected other hand... On the other hand, I need money. We're in a big deep hole of debt, because we can't really afford to have me be with the kids as much, and work for pay as little, as I've felt has been necessary, for their good and mine, in the past 6 years. And after all, I am pouring a lot of time and effort into this writing, and it would be nice to be compensated for that time, even if the writing is an act of love.
So, would any of you love to see ads here? Would any of you be offended by seeing ads here and never return to read my newly commercial writing again?
My husband tells me that since I am not going to make much money off of the ads, it's not worth it to sell my soul, but I'm thinking every little bit may help.
On a separate note, the Junky's Wife, her home was burglarized and her computer stolen. Go visit her blog and offer her some comfort.
Take it from me,
I am a Pentecostal and a Bishops wife! You are not going to be "Selling Your Soul" for pennies LOL!!!
I have considered doing the same thing, but I do not think it is worth it unless you are getting at least 50 readers a day or more. Otherwise it is just clutter.
I hope to, one day, be a big enough blogger to be able to do that. Right now, I am just not that interesting to enough people and am sure not in the "Pro" catagory.
Let us know how it works, if you decide to do it.
Everyone is in sales regardless of what we do. Go for it.
Go for it. I'm kinda regretting WordPress's purist attitude to ads. I'm very curious to know what my words are worth in hard cash. And money's money when you need it.
You can always put in a disclaimer. It would be fun wording it too.
Aphra.
My 2 cents worth...
Go for it. What have you got to lose? Every penny helps...
LBC
I'll email you my reply
I had this same problem when I was deciding. I was thinking that it is just so tacky and seems to just be begging the readers to click on it, instead of reading. Seems selfish!! But I did it anyways, hah, because like everyone has been saying, every little bit helps.
I say: have ads. I put ads on my blog and am glad I did.
I think that you shouldn't do it - for the simple reason that you have to ask. If you truly felt comfortable with the idea, then you would do it without a second thought.
I have a similar problem about whether or not I should have a website, or at least pictures, to promote my fantastic "career" as an erotic masseuse. At the moment, I rely solely on reviews of me and my services on an escort review board to promote myself, and this means that I am not making as much money as I could. I must be the only fucking sex worker in the world without a website or pictures right now! Despite the fact that it would make my life so much easier if I had a website, something about it just doesn't feel right. It feels too much like I would be selling myself (and, as you know, I'm doing enough of that already).
So, my advice is: just listen to your heart.
I say go for it. Go with the disclaimer.
I used to be in marketing and we knew we weren't cool but people kept buying our crap anyway. That's why I quit. It made me feel like a dealer.
lil nasty
yup, listen to your heart. i'll read either way.
I say do it if you know what you are doing ... otherwise, work on building visitors first. I put Google Adsense on and Amazon, but I can't keep up with any of it to help it build momentum. I haven't made a penny, I don't think. I never check. In the end, I'd like to have someone help me find local businesses to advertise to be more productive for people who would read my blog.
Otherwise, go for it.