I was painfully shy as a child.� Meek.� Easily bullied and thin skinned.� One day during recess in first grade three older girls came up and started making fun of me.� I don’t remember the insults, but it upset me enough that my mom noticed when she picked me up from school hours later.� I caved and told her about the mean girls who laughed at me and called me names.� My mom comforted me for a second and then marched onto the playground, found the girls, and ripped them new ones.� I learned two things.
- A thirty-something year old woman can and will chew out third graders.
- I should never, ever tell my mom anything ever again.
I also decided I would never be that person, my mom.� I would never be so empathetic that I absorb the feelings of family and friends as if they were my own.� I would never barge into someone else’s battle and start defending people who don’t need defending.
I am totally that person.
I came home last night from the best Mother’s Day present ever.� I sat down to gather my thoughts before writing it all out for today and decided to first pop on over to Nicole’s blog and see how her AMEX post was going.� It’s a sponsored post and, because she has a large indie following, I suspected there might be some resistance to corporate involvement.� Nicole suspected it as well, and we actually discussed the possibility weeks ago when AMEX approached her.
I discuss the ins and outs of blogging with many of you, actually.� What can I say?� It’s becoming a passion.� (Brigitte, I owe you an email.)
I’ll cut to the chase.� After reading the comments I may or may not have cornered a 3rd grader and ripped them a new one.� Or, if not a 3rd grader, one who thinks like one.� Zing!� That’s right.� Scratch your dirty neck, @ 11:47pm.
Then Nicole wrote another post addressing some of the negative commentary and, again, I became that person when confronted with 3rd grade mentality.� Surely not my finest hour, and not behavior I would recommend to those over the age of 15 but, for the record, I totally moded @ 12:58pm.
Yeah, I’m totally that person.
Or, maybe I’m not.� Maybe the reason I had such a bee in my bonnet was because the subject of blogging and money is something I have struggled with from the beginning.� When Nicole designed my first blog, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted advertisers.� She advised that I join an ad network and put up the shop banners of my friends so that if I one day decide to have advertising, it won’t come as a shock to loyal readers.� I thought it was a great idea, so that’s what I did.
Two and a half years later, I still don’t know where I sit on the issue.
When it comes to blogs like Making it Lovely, Decor8, The Bright Side Project, et al, I feel advertising is a no-brainer.� These blogs are solution driven.� They provide answers to questions on design, decor, and lifestyle and advertising satisfies the needs of the triumvirate relationship.� Readers get their answers for free, bloggers are recompensed for their time, and advertisers promote their brand in a key demographic.� Win-win-win.
I don’t share the same conviction with personal blogs.� Sometimes I look at personal blogs with advertising (like mine) and think…ick. I said as much to Nicole this morning and she reminded me that Dooce pioneered the concept of monetization and blogging.� I read an article online a while back that suggested The Pioneer Woman, also a personal blogger, makes upwards of six figures a year on her blog.� I believe the figure reported was $1.9 million, but I can’t find the article.
That’s roughly 190 round-trips to Argentina.� Just saying.
So, I don’t know where I sit on the monetization of personal blogs.� I haven’t pursued advertisers.� In fact, I turned down three requests for advertising in the last month.� The banners I have up now are affiliates (I have never made a dime on them), friends, or banner exchanges.� I make anywhere from $40 to $150 with BlogHer every month.� The average is $60.� I’m not sure that is enough for me to continue the relationship, but it does pay for my hosting fees.
Nicole and I have been working on a redesign of the blog and the main hang-up has been whether or not I will have advertising.� In my ideal, dream-blogger world, I write my essays on suburban home life on a blog devoid of advertisers.� I don’t freelance, either.� It’s just you, me and my words, the money for me to avoid going back to work as an attorney somehow magically appearing in my back account every time I need to make a student loan payment.
That is the person I want to be.
And you?� What are your thoughts on advertising and blogging?� At least 72% of you must have at least thought about it.
I understand why some people feel icky about advertising on personal blogs, but I’ve never had a problem with it. I run BlogHer ads on my own site, and the revenue pays for my hosting fees plus a couple of lattes per month, so it’s not like I’m making money hand over fist. But you know, I’m totally okay with other people making money to write about their lives. I think Pioneer Woman and Dooce (and others, those are just the two you mentioned) put a LOT of work into their personal blogs, and I think it’s great they can make a living from them. I don’t really notice ads on blogs much anyway, and if I ever run across a personal blog so monetized that it detracts from the experience of reading it, I probably won’t be reading it for long. So I figure blog ads are sort of a self-regulating system. If the content is good, the ads won’t bug me. If the content isn’t engaging me, I’ll click away and the ads won’t enter my consciousness anyway.
Do you think the 1.9 million that TPW makes includes her book deal money? I’ve always wondered about that. I currently don’t have advertising on my little blog, because, I don’t spend that much time on it, and I don’t have enough traffic on it to really make any money. Starting a blog was on my bucket list, and so I started one. I briefly considered advertising with foodbuzz, but at the end decided that I wanted a nice clean, uncluttered look on my blog.
I have just come in contact with people who have an issue with advertising and I had never thought about it in that way before.
I didn’t ever do it because I didn’t have the readership to GET advertisers. Now that I do, my thought was “why the heck not?”
I just don’t see what the big deal is at all, really, but I have now had people mention that they never thought I was a “sell out” until I added ad’s (about a week ago).
I think that is just nutty, really.
People come to my blog anyway…what is wrong with sharing some links of cool, indie designers/photographers and sharing the wealth? I handpick who advertises and share artists that are unique and fun.
And I make a couple pennies.
I think it’s kinda cool.
When people address me about the advertising, I just tell them to calm down and not make a big deal out of it. Because it isn’t a big deal.
At least not to me.
I don’t have it, just cause no one really reads my blog. I blog for fun and for a writing outlet for myself. But I think it’s great if you can advertise and make money off of it. Go for it.
Damn Jules, I’m not getting on your bad side! Them be some fighting words hahahaha! With that being said, just like I tweeted to you, blogs, be it personal or not, all require a lot of work. On my silly little blog I easily dedicate at least 10 hours of my life each week to it. I think I recall you saying about the same, if not more. Monetizing is a way to help compensate for that effort, plain and simple. Like Rachel said, no big deal (although I am biased since I happen to advertise on her site :)!
The odd thing is that I don’t have a problem in the least with people who have advertisements on their blog. Never! I just get the ick feeling with myself, and I don’t know if that’s a reflection of how tough I am on myself or not. And, secretly, I have a deep respect for bloggers who could make a living from blogging but don’t. Anna Dorfman comes to mind as someone for whom I have enormous respect as a blogger.
Rachel–who called you a sell out?
I have zero problems with ads on personal blogs and have thought about it myself, but can’t bring myself to make that leap just yet. I’m not a real fan of sidebars filled with blinky ads and content taking up just a smidge of the page, but I’ll still read if I enjoy the writing.
What I take issue with is the ever loving giveaways & paid posts. I mean seriously, I can’t take it when yet another blog that I enjoyed reading is suddenly discovered by PR folks and suddenly we’re reading about stupid shit that we all know you would NEVER spend your hard earned cash on. I mean really, maybe it’s just me, but I have zero problem with deleting PR pitches that arrive in droves to my inbox. Is the allure of that free Snuggie or book {that you’re going to pay taxes on btw} really that strong or is it that you finally feel like you’ve made it when the pitches start rolling in?
I had to come over to say hello and see who was writing those brave comments. Glad I did, you have a fun blog and you have a way with words.
I don’t see what the big deal is either, the blogger mentions their sponser and gets on with it. I think its a great thing to be able to make a few bucks doing something you love. Nice to “meet” you Jules!
Hah! Thanks, 65th. :) Nice to “meet” you, too. I promise I’m much nicer when my friends aren’t being attacked.
I’m all for advertising on blogs, as long as the ads fit the feel of the blog and/or they are products/ services the blog writer believes in.
As far as the redonkulousness going on over at Making it Lovely, people are petty and jealous. And Nicole is lucky to have you on her team :)
I can relate to that ‘ick’ feeling – I don’t love ads on personal blogs. Does it stop me from reading a well-written blog? Absolutely not. But for myself, I always find myself balking at the thought.
A few reasons I’ve kept my blog ad-free: I like that there is no pressure to post (obviously, seeing as I haven’t blogged in a month), I like that it keeps my blog simple and uncluttered (weird, but this is important to me), and I like that it protects my writing process (when you get paid to do something, it will occasionally feel like, well, a job). I also like that I don’t have to play the numbers game and obsessively check my readership stats – because believe me, I would. :D
But, my number one reason for shying away from ads so far is because I am really concerned about the general amount of advertising that we are exposed to every day. The research on this is all over the place, but even the conservative estimates show that we process anywhere from 350-1000 ad messages in a single day, consciously or unconsciously. We’re a consumer culture, for better or for worse.
I don’t think there is anything objectively wrong with blog ads (I don’t view it as selling out, as some do); I think my feelings on it stem more from a place of not wanting to be an active part of what I already identify as a huge problem in our culture. I would feel… hypocritical, maybe?
Another thought… one of my favorite bloggers (who has a large readership) was eventually offered a book deal because of the content of her blog. She still doesn’t have ads on her blog, which is something I admire, because clearly she could be making quite a bit of income from it if she did.
Sorry for the disjointed thoughts. It’s late and I’ve got a congested, unhappy 16 month old on my hands tonight! Thanks for bringing up a great topic.
Do it. Blog ads as long as they don’t require clicking out, blocking out actual content, pop ups and viruses are not distracting and allow people to do what they do best. If not for you, crazyauntpurl, pioneer women, smittenkitchen and a few other blogs, I don’t know how I’d keep my sanity during law school exams.
Also, some ads can be helpful, if the product/service is something I want anyway. Then I’m saved from a search or from not having that useful thing/service.
I’m unna chime in with Michelle. Giveaways fill my pants with ants far more than ads. I hardly notice ads, especially when they’re side bars and not in the way of content or navigation. I can just ignore them. But give-aways? “Ooh, ooh! There’s a new post! Never mind. It’s just a giveaway.”
If the goal of all bloggers was just have a space to “be,” I’m going to take a stab that there wouldn’t be nearly as many of us. To “make it” in the blogosphere allows us to do what we love, and hopefully, weave it into a living. For me, the question becomes how to use ads/sponsors thoughtfully & responsibly (something Nicole sets a great example for).
I think it’s fine to accept ads for blogs. I can tell the people at Young House Love spend a ton of time on their blog, as well as their other DIY endeavors. Good for them for growing their passion into a business. My only caveat is that a blogger should feel that the companies they are working with are ethical and share their values. I personally wouldn’t work with a credit card company, but that’s a very personal decision. If we don’t like the sponsors a blogger takes on, they we don’t have to visit the blog. The choice is ours. Why berate the blogger?
I have a lot of thoughts on this.. let me try and nail them down in an elegant manner.
Education seems to be the root of it for me. You always have to educate your customers/readers. Because you and Nicole make writing, blogging, sharing, etc.,. Look easy doesn’t mean you don’t WORK HARD at it. Why does your time never count when adding up the accounting sheet?
Does advertising turn me off on blogs? Never.
Does bad writing and sappy, syrupy product reviews and tedious macro photos turn me off? Yes.
I think it is asinine to criticize anyone for “selling out”.
I was a volunteer, an accreted volunteer for an organization that I felt (and feel) very strongly about. We were run by volunteers, so we needed funds to simply get basic information together to give out for free.
I learned then and there to just be passionate about what I believed in and ask. The worst was a no. Money is such a sticking point and I’m not sure when the attitude of “I am pure and free from the earthly realm of thinking about funds” can be shaken free.
I will go after anyone who hurts my friends.
: )
Love how you tied in your 3rd grade experience into this. Great post. Great meaning. I have no clue why ANY weirdo would attack Nicole for partnering with a great company in order to provide more amazing design material for us all to enjoy. Nicole’s blog is like a beautiful FREE magazine, if you ask me. Read it every day.
As far as monetizing goes, ROCK IT OUT. I find no offense in seeing ads on a blog. Seriously, who does it hurt? Let’s just hope it scares away weirdos. Ha ha ha haaaaa.
A magazine cannot sustain itself without advertising. Writers, editors, designers are all compensated for their services. And a blog is an online magazine. And a blog is work and a job like any other. It’s your own business. I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Of course you should make money from your blog. Why not?
Jules, It is up to you…for me I never ever pay any attention to advertisements on any ones blog site, I like to go to read the fun things you are all up , read about the fun crafts, the great recipes, the places you all visit….etc, I get enough advertising adds in the mail, tv, magazines etc but I do understand about the possibility of you making some $$ for vacations, pocket cash etc. Good luck !
I had no idea the pioneerwomen made so much money. For those interested, here is a blog post explaining why she could make so much:
http://www.abdpbt.com/personalfinance/how-much-do-bloggers-make-case-study-ree-drummond-aka-the-pioneer-woman/
And it’s based off of the ENORMOUS traffic going to her site. In this case, the advertising benefits both her and her readers. The advertisers came b/c of the traffic, and the traffic was there b/c her writing is super engaging. With advertisers (and the income they provide) she was able to increase the quality of her site, offer more and better give-aways, etc. This seems like a win-win.
I think the problem comes when readers think that the advertising relationship perverts the content. So – while I think that the sponsorships on makingitlovely work great by letting nicole do more projects for us to benefit from, and by letting her readers know of great products. I have read blogs where when, for example, a clothing blogger takes on a sponsor, she goes from thrifting more than half of her clothes to getting more than half of her clothes from the sponsor. In this case, the sponsorship completely changed the content of the blog and turned some people off. BUT, if bloggers can take on sponsors and remain unchanged, then good for them AND good for us, their readers. Because there’s nothing like earning money from a project to make sure people continue to put effort into it.
So, because I’d like to continue seeing your blog in my google reader, I hope you find a way that you’re comfortable with to make it really pay!
I appreciate the third grader in you. Someone just told me that I have no respect for my readers, when here I thought the opposite all along!
Can’t please everyone, I tell myself.
Anyway. You? You are fantastic.
I think on some level it boils down to the value you assign your writing. You’ve written before that writing is one thing that you love, that you would like to be doing as the “work” part of your life (quotes there because of course everything you [we] do is work, even if it’s also enjoyable, whether or not we get paid for it [like taking care of kids and home]). Adding ads to your site is one way to get paid for the enormous amount of work you put into making this a place that we’re all so engaged by and eager to visit.
If other people are willing to pay you for your time and effort, I say you should let them.
I do agree, though, with the comment that suggested that you should be wary of what kind of ads you display. I think as long as you can pick and choose what’s going up on your site there’s no reason not to. Perhaps you could add a brief “ad policy” page that describes your ad philosophy?
This is a tricky question. It says a lot about your integrity that you’re thinking so much about it.
The first thought I had when reading your blog was that the people harping on Nicole for having advertising on HER blog needed to get a life. A blog is the sole possession of the person who writes it and therefore all decisions regarding said blog are left up to the creator. In other words “nana nana boo boo”. In this economy, hell any economy, who wouldn’t want to make a little extra money to make their life a little easier? You want to visit family that happens to live a very expensive plane trip away, I want a new purse…and maybe some shoes. If something as simple as putting advertising on your blog would make that wish come true then what is wrong? It’s not as if you are going to start advocating items and services that you are morally against! If I thought for one hot minute that people would pay for an insight into my disheveled mind, I wouldn’t be able to get to a computer fast enough. Most of the time when people create such an uproar about other peoples affairs it is because they are:
1. Sad individuals with little else to occupy their time and limited brain capacity.
2. Jealous that they are not in the same position.
3. Poopooheads.
I say do what makes you happy in your life because their are so many other things that we all have to do on a daily basis that makes us want to scream! If advertising on your blog and making a little money will make you have one less worry about money, one more excited moment because you finally are making that trip then do it!
Why not make money at it? I don’t expect David Sedaris to suddenly start giving me his life stories for free and you’re essentially doing the same thing. Sharing fun, interesting, introspective stories of your life that a lot of people can relate to.
Wow! It’s clearly been a few days since I checked Nicole’s blog. I tend not to care if there are ads. And some of the giveaways are for really cool stuff. The only sponsored posts that have left me with a less than positive impression recently is the Macy’s stuff going on over at PW. It just seems pointless. But… I still read PW every day and I still shop at Macy’s. So it’s not like I’ve had a super negative reaction.
I say run ads, if they are for places or things you think worthwhile. You’ve worked hard and written well to get the traffic you have. So benefit from it in one more way. A way that could help you to take your family to Argentina.
I heard a report somewhere about how ad blocker software could cause the disappearance of some blogs. So, I think people need to really think about whether or not they value the content they are reading. And if they want that content to continue to be available.
Jules,
You are a good friend. I appreciate the 3rd grader in you as well :). I held my tongue on this one, and I am glad. I could not have been nearly as eloquent or as measured as you were with your comments. Anyone can have a blog, heck, I do. But not everyone can create an engaging, inspiring, witty, well-written and aesthetically appealing blog that appeals to more than one’s immediate family :). Nicole is one of those people, as are you.
As a former PR and Marketing professional, (particularly involved in corporate sponsorship!!) I like to keep up with social media in relation to marketing and PR. It’s funny, I’ve followed some of the comments popular bloggers have made in the past on how one should have more respect for the craft of blogging and how bloggers should be paid a respectable fee for advertising or sponsorship, and not just get a free t-shirt or blender to sample or giveaway, then when it happens – BAM – some of the readers get in a tizzy!
It seems like tides are turning with many companies and they are giving true value to bloggers and other social media avenues. Some of these companies get it. They are willing to pay reasonable rates for great exposure to their primary target demographics. Believe me, the sponsorships paid on blogs are still way undervalued compared to impressions at “physical” events and such. As forward as the internet world is, companies are still forging their way through social media, figuring out how it works. Many seem to be looking to work with someone who “fits”, so he readers don’t feel the disonnect they would if it was unrelated.
To me it seems a win-win. When you have a blogger who has integrity and carefully chooses not only their content but who they choose to work with for the sake of their own ethics and out of respect for their readers – it makes sense. And YAY if that blogger is able to get some compensation for their (very time consuming) efforts.
As for you Jules, you have a beautiful writing style. If I were you, I would not hesitate to accept compensation for sharing it. You are ethical and considerate and will be judicious in your decisions. Seems to me the only real issue is figuring out what to pack for your trip :). Thanks again for whipping out the 3rd grader in you on Nicole’s behalf. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
I love that you’ve found your voice in support of your friend, Jules. That’s true integrity and courage.
I really need that little reply-button-feature-thingy Nicole has on her blog. It would make replying to comments so much easier!
I see what most of you are saying regarding ads being okay to have. When I look at blogs that have ads but participate in a network, I am always impressed by those who keep their advertisers on topic. I have to admit that, like YJ, it’s convenient to have a source for something I am looking for right at the click of a button. I would have never found Shabby Apple were it not for Nicole, for example. You can’t just google “cute dresses” and expect them to pop up in the first 1-2 pages.
A few bloggers I feel have done a great job at keeping their advertisers narrow and on topic are Amanda (Soule Mama), Nicole (Making it Lovely), Holly (Decor8), and Darby (Fly Through Our Window).
Maybe I am wrapping myself around the axle (as The Mister likes to say), but I don’t know if I could be so narrow. This is one of the reasons I balk at pursuing advertisers. My interests are diverse and, most likely as a consequence, so are my readers. Take Darby, for instance. Great blog with an engaging author who pretty much talks about her life as a mom. Her ads are all momcentric, which fits perfectly with her readership. I doubt she has many people reading who aren’t mothers or at the very least married.
I pretty much talk about my life as a mom, but for reasons I don’t completely understand, I have quite a few people who read my blog who are young and single. I have even more who are childless and a handful (5 that I know of) who are childless by choice. These are the things I think of when I imagine pursuing ads.
That shouldn’t matter, of course. I should put in the sidebar what I feel is relevant. Still, I treat this space like my living room and I wouldn’t have you all over for shrimp cocktail if I knew you didn’t like fish.
As long as they are off to the side, I don’t have a problem with it. Honestly, until you said something, I don’t know that I even ever noticed them over there. Super observant me. I just don’t like it when they are at the top of the blog and then at the end of EVERY blog post. So, I’d say you are the least annoying of the blog adverts.
Jules, go for it. I’ve never commented here, but I adore you. My best friend and I talk about you like we’ve all grown up together. You’re hilarious and real and ads on your blog won’t change a thing. We’re you’re readers because we like you so I don’t think you need to worry about ads that fit a “market.” personally, if you’re interested in tellinge me about it, I’m interested in hearing about it. As is I look up 9 out of the ten products you mention in your entries just because your down to earth and If you like it and I might need it, then I’ll at least look into it. Just keep being real and make sure the little ads are pretty. You are my entertainment and I’m perfectly happy to let advertisers pay you to entertain me!!!!
This is definately an interesting topic and it seems that most people have an opinion on it. After reading through some of the comments at MIL and perusing the ones here, the opinion that seems most popular is that if the content is good people will continue to visit the blog. Honestly, I rarely notice the ads unless I’m on a page that’s cluttered with them and almost always in my case, the blogs cluttered with ads usually don’t have good content (ie a page full of google ads and one teeny tiny paragraph that didn’t give me the info I was searching for).
Jules, I am one of your married without children readers and in my opinion, please don’t worry about having advertisors that would interest me. If you’re worried about having momcentric ads, just remember that even us without kids still know kids. I have nieces and nephews and friends with kids and hey, I want to give cute and unique gifts, too!
The only thing I wanna say is: “damn I wish you were my friend!”
Blog-surfing is one of my newest hobbies and I love it. And I for one like the advertising. I’ve clicked on alot of them and found some really great things and ideas that I might not have found or known about in my small little world. If I stumble across a blog that doesn’t interest me or the topic is uncomfortable or I don’t agree, I back out and go elsewhere. It’s their blog and they can do and say whatever they want. There’s no reason to be a hater.
Jules..
Hmm…well, I am not a huge blog reader.. In fact, I read three or four max a week, and only two daily. I have about 10 or so which I know the websites off-hand and can look at if I’m feeling bored. After just finding out who/what/where “The Pioneer Woman’ was, I went over and took a look. I have to tell you, from my reading (and I am an avid reader of all things on paper)..there are two types of really great authors (and this is in my humble opinion)…
The first….the person who has something great to say, whether funny or interesting…but doesn’t really have ‘talent’ in how to say it. I think many great authors are like this…but we love them because of their life’s story or their knowledge, but not necessarily of how they say it.
And then there are those like you… those who don’t have anything life-shattering to say, like all the rest of us…a normal life (albeit, in your case really funny at times), with normal children, no war, etc.,…but the way you write it, your way with words…well, that makes it literature.
Please, please don’t take me the wrong way. I think that you are full of knowledge and your stories are hilarious…and quite a few of your posts have spoken to me, especially regarding being a woman and a professional, but you can also write about the very mundane things of life, which all of us experience, and make it a wonderful read. I hope that you are understanding me… This is the reason why I read your blog. Your writing ability is profound, and no amounts of ads will change the fact that I check in your blog just like I check in on my email accounts (obsessively).
I would read a book that you wrote if you were talking about having a walk through the grocery store. This is how much I value your writing.
Again, I hope you understand what I am saying… you have a talent, and I hope that you can find a way to merge your talent and your checkbook together. If there’s anything that I can do to help, just let me know.
And for the record.. I am 32, live on the east coast, single (well, have a boy, but not a permanent one yet) and no children.
Brandi, that’s what I try to tell Jules all the time. She can turn something ordinary or mundane into something beautiful (and often something hysterically funny). I can’t wait for her to write the book that we all know is in her.
And in the meantime, before her inevitable book deal makes her incredibly rich and famous, she’s and able to fly the entire family back and forth to Argentina on a whim� she can sell a few ads and get paid. Maybe even enough to take that trip.
Jules – I don’t have anything to add to what you’ve already said, except for a bit of solidarity. I so get where you’re coming from, because I’ve been thinking about these issues too (even though I don’t have readers at the level that even makes this a “real” concern).
I have said to you in e-mail and to Nicole in a comment that I find that bloggers, by far, are more transparent about the effects of advertising on their content than magazines or newspapers. I also used to work in public affairs, and I can’t tell you how many seemingly grass-roots organizations are funded and run by corporations.
Because of that, I so easily identify with people who choose to maintain an ad-free space, and I respect that decision.
BUT I also know how much work goes into blogging. And, depending on the choices you make, there can be expenses, too.
You’ve written before about re-conceptualizing what it means to be a writer. Your chosen topic may be your life, but your writing is lively and engaging. Your blog is entertainment for those of us who read it. And, if accepting compensation in the form of advertising gives you the means to self-publish for the benefit of the rest of us, I say do it.
(apparently I did have quite a bit to say!)
I love that protective instinct you got from your mom :)
As far as ads go, I don’t see why all those folks are getting their panties in a wad. If you’re not interested in what’s being advertised, just do like you would when watching tv: ignore the commercials. My friends and I all read Darby’s blog and we’re not wives or mothers so the ads aren’t really of any help/interest to us but we certainly don’t get all worked up over it and leave nasty comments, we just skip her monthly sponsors post and wait to see what sort of cute pictures she’ll post a day or so later. On the other hand, when I want to find cool clothes, accessories or home decor stuff, I know I can check out the ads at Elements of Style and find some great sources. It’s all a matter of tailoring to your primary audience/the feel of your blog. It works the same way as TV/print ads. You see Geritol and Life Alert ads during Wheel of Fortune and in Guideposts magazine for a reason: they fit the audience. It makes perfect sense for Making it Lovely to have the advertisers and sponsors she has because they fit her audience and her blog. If if the haters don’t like it, they can sit on a tack.
All that to say, advertise away! Your writing is hilarious and brilliant and a few ads on the side bar certainly won’t deter me from enjoying it.
What about a donate button? For your Argentina fund? Ie. every time you make a reader laugh out loud or spit their coffee at the screen or call someone over to read what you wrote because it was so spot on they can donate say a $1 or whatever. Every penny counts, I know I would be happy to add to your fund and see you continue writing and never go back to something you despise. I would be deeply saddened if I couldn’t read about your latest fiasco be it glitter dino’s or ink on the sofa. I think Paypal has a ‘donate’ button and I bet Miss Nicole could make it look pretty:)
I say go for it. I’m not up on all the options, but I know that even Ad Sense you can change the color scheme and such to match your blog … so it blends a bit more. And rest assured, we do solemnly swear, should you get out of control with the whole advertising business … with ads popping up in our faces when trying to read one of your posts, we shall hold an intervention. Until that time, go forth and advertise (or, you know, add a donate button) and earn that money for Argentina!
I have no problem with ads on blogger’s sites. If it means they get a few bucks for their work? Fantastic! It’s the people that accept everything and anything offered to them. The ones that are ONLY blogging to try and make money. It’s all about intent for me. And the haters? They tend to be jealous. It’s so cliche, but it’s usually true. Because they don’t have people knocking down their doors to advertise on their blogs, they are hating anyone who does. Sad, but true.
And for the reply to comments, check for anything called “Threaded Comments”. Best thing ever.
After reading some of the comments Nicole received and your take on things, I want to chime in too. I really have to ask: If someone feels so offended by blog ads, why don’t they just go away. I really think that in this day of internet-focused living and social media, it’s naive to think that a blogger wouldn’t want to someday earn an income off what she/he does. If someone loves blogging that much and wants to devote that much time and energy into it, they deserve to be compensated for that. It’s the judgey people that really get me going — how would they feel if Nicole just charged a subscription fee for her work instead?
Exactly, Tiffany. I can’t believe, given the subject of Nicole’s blog, that it even became an issue. Okay, so she caters to an indie market. Still, indie or no, you have to realize that these projects around the home don’t just happen magically without time, effort, and money.
I’m encouraged that so many people support blog advertisements, as that only makes me feel better about pursuing them on my site. I hope there aren’t naysayers who are keeping quiet. I would love to hear your opinion if you feel strongly against advertising.
Hey Jules,
You mentioned in an earlier post about your demographic of readers. Even though I am a mother, I read your blog because I think of you more as a friend. A friend that I could sit down and listen to hours and hours worth of conversation. I think because you are whitty, loyal to your beliefs and live an amazing life and make anything you do seem glamourous, it wouldn’t matter if you had advertisers on your site or not. I feel if you want to do it go for it! Don’t let a bunch 3rd grade acting bullies turn you off from advertising!
Well, here’s my thought on this. I hope it’s not too far out there, but I think it’s worth sharing. Women’s professions are notoriously underpaid, and we well know that women working in the same jobs as men are underpaid as well. Blogging about things that are viewed as traditionally feminine is yet another activity carried out by capable and dedicated women that is undervalued. I was not surprised to see the negative reactions to Nicole’s post. Thinking that such superb, quality information should be free of advertisement… Getting paid does not diminish the quality of the blog, it just allows her to do a better job and it FAIRLY compensates her time and effort.
[standing ovation]
There is a bit of the patriarchal society b/s underneath it all, isn’t there?
I spoke to The Mister about this and, as a male, can’t believe this is even an issue for Nicole or any blogger who hopes to write professionally. (Me.) In his mind, time away from your family should be compensated and working for handshakes and smiles sounds great if you live in Utopia…and so far no one has had any luck making that work, either.
Why shouldn’t bloggers make money?
When we read magazines and newspapers, we expect advertising. Do we assume their editors are swayed by the advertisers who purchase space in their publications?
When we watch television we see advertising. Ads also run in theaters, in front of movies. Yes, these ads are carefully picked to appeal to certain target audiences. However I doubt the commercial in front of Iron Man 2 had any say in Iron Man script changes. Ya folla?
So the big discrepancy I see here is sponsored posts as opposed to advertising. Sponsored posts would be similar to watching an episode of Bones where the whole episode revolves around a Prius advertisement (yes, this happened). The difference here is Prius paid FOX to create a moment in the show about the car’s ability to sense when you’re leaving your lane and the writers and show producers – regardless of personal stance – were forced to insert the line and endorse the vehicle.
This doesn’t apply to bloggers in the same sense. The only people personal bloggers have to answer to is their audience- no networks, no bosses. Therefore, they should take on sponsored posts at their own discretion. Most blog readers will sniff out sponsorships that don’t ring true. In that case, the blogger will slowly lose readership, and similarly, sponsors. However, if a blogger truly endorses a product – and would recommend it regardless of pay – why not be paid to do so?
Most bloggers are not independently wealthy and thus unable to run a blog without some outside income. For instance, I run a lifestyle blog (mostly fashion). Expenses include clothes, food purchases, crafts, etc. that I use for posts. I have never pursued advertising…I have a completely separate job that finances my blogging. I put money into it because I enjoy it.
But in a dream world I would be paid to blog…to write, photograph and create. Bloggers who make enough money to count their blogging work as their sole income can dedicate more time into making their blog better for their readers. These bloggers also have to deal with the stress of running their own small business.
Because I either have to either continue my full time job (10+ hours a day, thank you very much) or live on the streets, I can’t put enough time into my blog as I would like. I’m not complaining…I’m just using myself as an example because I think my case is the norm.
Monetary income would give me the freedom and ability to help my blog realize its true potential. However, I’m more of a creative soul than a businessy type gal, and so personally I tend to shy away from dealing with anything business oriented like advertising.
I disagree that advertising and keeping one’s blog honest are mutually exclusive, and frankly I’m tired of these discussions. I generally don’t even comment on posts like these but I liked your presentation and I like your blog. I don’t mean for this to sound like a rant at you for posting the question – it seems everyone is trying to come up with an answer that (to me) seems very obvious.
So here’s the thing: If you nab some sponsors, I won’t stop reading your blog. If your sponsored posts are tiresome or don’t suit your blog or projected persona, I won’t read them. If they negatively affect the rest of your blog content, I’ll probably stop reading altogether. But if your sponsored posts allow you extra income to do even more cool things with your blog, then I will be one very happy reader.
I thought I’d add my two cents if its not too late.
First, in my opinion there’s a big difference between having advertising on a sidebar on your blog and having sponsored posts, and when people are questioning having corporate sponsorship affecting the content of blog posts, I don’t think they are automatically saying they are against all advertising or compensation, that just isn’t a fair comparison.
I don’t think sponsorship, giveaways, etc. are inherently bad, but when they turn a plucky blog from “look at this cake/goofy-awesome glittered dinosaur/curtain trim I just made” to more and more “look at this stuff I just bought/go buy more stuff” I’m probably going to slowly loose interest. It’s not a decision to avoid sponsored blogs, its just an inherent desire to read only what resonates with me. Blogs with a personal or unique point of view are an awesome resource for all of us, and I have no problem when bloggers find ways to be compensated for the time and effort put into them, but I don’t need to waste my time reading constant and pervasive advertising. We all get enough of that from everywhere else in our lives.
Never too late!
I agree that ads and sponsorships are two different beasts. I don’t think anyone was saying all advertising is bad, but I have read on Nicole’s blog (and many others) that bloggers who accept any form of advertisements are sell outs. Rachel (above) just experienced this herself. This is especially true for personal or narrative blogs. The idea of accepting payment for talking about your children doesn’t sit well with many people. Honestly, it doesn’t always sit well with me, either. It’s only after reading the comments here that I am finally seeing that any and all advertising doesn’t, per se, mar the integrity of a blog or blogger.
There seems to be almost a bright-line rule about advertising. Banners on the side, tolerable. Sponsored posts and giveaways, suspect. I admit I share this opinion. There was one popular mom blog that I used to read and after a month of sponsored posts on new refrigerators, laptops, and baby carriers, I had to stop. There is a way to do this sort of thing gracefully, and this blogger wasn’t able to do so. I believe Nicole did her post gracefully. It was misinterpreted, however, by individuals who are unfamiliar with the mechanics of professional blogging, which I will touch upon in a minute.
Perhaps I am reading the situation Nicole went through last week with biased eyes. I know of the offers she receives on a daily basis. We have discussed at length the ethics of blogging and, yes, we’ve talked horribly about other bloggers who seem to have sold themselves. I can’t speak for Nicole, but I believe this is why the response to her post hurt her as much as it did. To date, she has turned down tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise, and that includes top of the line appliances and machinery for her home. The thought her readers would think she would prostrate herself for a corporation (that she would become the bloggers for whom she holds disdain) disappointed her deeply. If she overreacted, as some people believe she did, it’s because she feels passionately about the issue of blogging and ethics. Also, I might add, that while many people said the questions were respectful, there was a definite accusatory undercurrent with some of the questions. Some were concerned and polite, yes, but others couched thinly veiled barbs with phrases like “Gee” “I guess” “It’s your blog…” You can put a pig in a tuxedo, but it’s still a pig.
The funny thing is, everyone complained that her voice changed and that AMEX told her what to write. Not so. After she clarified those questions directly, people continued to say that she was spouting “blatant ad copy.” Essentially, they called her a liar. The only thing Nicole did differently in that post was to link heavily to the archives. If you read any book on professional blogging, this is rule number one. It caters to your new readers and allows them to spend time on your site with some sort of direction. Give them what they need, and they will stay longer and learn more about you and your blog. It’s a technique commonly used to facilitate loyal readership and benefits only Nicole, not AMEX.
It’s unfortunate the conversation on Nicole’s blog devolved as it did and I don’t agree with the supporters who are turning around and insulting the detractors. I doubt Nicole does, either. Heated responses on either side lessen the power of an argument, in my opinion.
This discussion has been enlightening for me and has given me much to think about. Certainly I feel more confident seeking small advertisements for the side of my blog. It is my hope that the companies I choose to work with provide value to my readers and that my blog continues to be a source of inspiration for glittered dinosaur lovers everywhere.
I didn’t really comment specifically regarding Nicole’s blog, but I’ll say that she’s actually done sponsored project posts before – the BHG contest porch project – and has already proven she’s capable of doing it without losing her voice or integrity. A big part of that voice to me is her DIY attitude and in that porch project she made several diy-style elements to make the more generic big box store stuff look her own. More problematic to me would be if she were to have less and less DIY and more and more product driven posts which really amount to the “buy more stuff” tone that tends to turn me off personally. This is something I don’t really see happening in her case but I think a lot of us have read (or quit reading) blogs that have gone down that road.
The discussion has definitely been interesting!
I second all the people who are encouraging you to go for it. If you can make some extra money by blogging, you should. We, your loyal readers, will continue to stop by and “chat” with you even with ads on the blog. Ads are everywhere, right? I hardly even notice them anymore. I would feel happy to think you were funding a trip to Argentina because I came by to read your blog with my morning tea. Then it wouldn’t be so one-sided, we could give back to you in a way, if that makes any sense.
The blogger with the book deal that I was referring to earlier is Michelle at http://theunderweardrawer.blogspot.com
(I replied to the email you sent me, but for some reason I just noticed that it bounced back to me…maybe it thought I was spam?)
The blogger with the book deal that I was referring to earlier is Michelle at http://theunderweardrawer.blogspot.com
(I replied to your email but just noticed that for some reason it bounced back to me. Maybe your email host thought I was spam?)
Gosh, I really can’t understand the problem with advertising on personal blogs. They require time. If someone can make money off that, why not? I guess, however, I do draw the line at what looks like ‘obnoxious’ levels of ad space, flashing gif’s, etc. But, really, that isn’t a concern here, by any stretch of the imagination!
There is a blog I read that always says, “Proudly ad-free,” and I read that and think, “Why?” Why shouldn’t she make money off her ideas? It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, and honestly, I think she’s probably a little naive to be proud to make no money when she has many readers.
I think it’s all about balance. The time and energy going into a blog of the caliber of Nicole’s, TPW, this blog, and others, should be rewarded with a little change in the authors’ pockets.
If you don’t like advertising on blogs, don’t visit the one’s that have it. Do you turn off the TV when our favorite shows have product placements in them. Do you turn away from the ticket lines at theaters when your favorite movies have stategically placed shots of the latest Ford vehicle?
Regarding sponsored posts, as long as you denote them as such, what’s the problem? Regarding the latest tizzy over on Nicole’s site, I just don’t understand the big deal. I’m looking forward to her posts about her new bedroom. I’m actually in the process of redoing my masterbedroom. I could care less if she purchased the items with AMEX membership reward points. She still puts in the time and effort to find the products, write about them, design helpful inspiration boards including the products, etc.
I think a lot of bloggers have taken it upon themselves to be indie, anti-corporate activists which is great for them. But, blogging is SO mainstream now that they are being used as credible news sources, talk shows source them for new content, and other websites link to them daily. Why should you do all that work for free?
I was always taught that your ideas are worth something. Why shouldn’t you be compensated?
I bounced from Making It Lovely to this site and began reading. I don’t blog, really, and check out the sites for my own “entertainment” and the ideas I see, which delight me. I just don’t “get” why anyone would be offended by the owner of a site using advertising to sustain: 1) A passion; 2) a passion that one can actually be reimbursed for; 3) the advertising of products that the visitors might actually like and refer to. Personally, to me, the best job in the world is the one that makes us say, “I cannot believe I get paid to do this!” If someone doesn’t like the banners for advertisements, for crying out loud, they don’t need to use them. K….nuff said. By the way, thanks for the sites!
I work in online for a large company so I’ve just gotten used to figuring out how to monetize but in a way that works for folks visiting you. I think if the advertising is tailored to your specific audience it can be helpful. For example, your recent paint tests paired with a Home Depot banner.
That said, I think you have to do what feels right for you. With or without ads, I’m going to continue to visit and see what’s going on in your world. Thanks for sharing with us!
I think you are a fabulous writer. I, too, (book publishers take note) would read a book you wrote. No problems with ads on the side or even with Nicole’s AMEX make-over.
However, I couldn’t disagree with you more about Amanda’s (SouleMama) blog. I have stopped reading her blog from the overwhelming amount of advertising. It’s all I see now. I can’t even focus on her lovely pictures of her cute kids! For someone who raved about living simple and avoiding consumerism and how we should get back to what matters, she sold out quick. And every weekend more advertising? Ugh.
While I know not everyone can be AngryChicken, I wish they would take a queue from her. Do it because you enjoy it. Because you want to do it. Not to get paid or because you feel your readership numbers say you deserve it. Don’t talk about how many hours you have to put into blogging. If you don’t want to blog, don’t blog. If want to blog, if you are good it, and someone offers to pay you to do it…well, how lucky are you!
Take it, or don’t. If you feel guilty about subjecting your readers to advertising, pay ’em off. Offer a few out to dinner like HowAboutOrange or some recipe you love like 101cookbooks, or giveaway a book you enjoyed like AngryChicken. (Or someday give away the one you wrote!)
You are an awesome writer. We will keep reading. Nicole is a ‘lovely’ designer. We will keep reading. If you can get paid, awesome. Just make sure you still love it and would do it if you didn’t get paid.
Thanks for the wonderful escape in all your words.
Cassi–Interesting perspective! Do you mean the advertising is thick (2 columns versus 1) or do you mean the weekend sponsor posts? To be honest, I don’t read the weekend posts. I clear them out of my reader once I am sure they are just sponsor posts. I wonder if other people find Amanda’s ads as annoying but don’t feel comfortable to say so? I would love to know! As for the bloggers who say the put a lot of time into it, I think that’s a defensive statement in response to those who feel taking any sort of money is “selling out.” If someone told me I didn’t deserve to make money, I’d probably feel the need to justify myself, too. I think that’s just human nature.
I like AngryChicken, too. She doesn’t have any advertising (that I can see, other than her own books), so I think blogging is just something she loves doing. I admire that in a blogger.
One thing you don’t have to worry about is me doing something for the money and not because I love it. If I proved anything by leaving my last job, it’s that money doesn’t hold the appeal to me that it does others.
I don’t have a problem with anyone putting advertising on their blogs if that’s what they want to do. I don’t have a problem with sponsored posts either, though I may or may not read them depending upon how interested I already am in that product. The only problem(s) I have are when the pages are so laden with adverts that I can’t get the pages to scroll during my lifetime. Also, too many pop ups that interfere with my reading will put me off. Otherwise, why shouldn’t people make money for their time and effort?