What do you think about getting paid for blogging? I mean, most bloggers I know would jump at the chance (me included, of course). It’s the holy grail of blogging, a paid gig.
But at what price? I’ve been wondering about blog ads like AdSense. Have you ever thought about signing up? With more than 100 hits a day, I’m sure I’d make at least a dime, maybe even a quarter, each month. Actually, I have no idea what the rates are, but it can’t be too much because even my favourite bloggers don’t seem to be all that much closer to the retirement chalet in Provence.
What do you think of those ads? I have to admit, when I see a blog has ads it immediately knocks my opinion of the blog down an infinitessimal amount – nothing that interesting stories well written wouldn’t overcome. But, I am a bit of a snob that way.
And yet, I’m also not independently wealthy, and a part of me wonders why I wouldn’t want to have a few extra pennies each month. Anybody have any experience, pro or con, with blog ad programs? I really don’t know much about them at all.
And what do you think of blogging for profit? Do those ads change your opinion of a blog?
Speak, for I have nothing worth saying today.
Hmmm…I agree it’s tempting. Aesthetically, I like the clean look of blogs without ads. I like how fast they load too, because shaving seconds off my reading is really helpful these days. As far as my opinion of the blogger, I can’t help but tsk a little. Every time. Really, it’s not just the first time I see the ads – it’s every time. Keri Smith of Wish Jar Journal had something interesting to say about it – Ann D’s blog links to hers. I won’t go so far as to put an Ad Free Blog button on mine, but I personally feel that I don’t want to see whatever product Google feels should be used for stinky belly buttons come up every time I should mention mine.
Yes, me too. I hate ads in general–I don’t visit blogs with ads as often as I vist blogs without. I’m all for getting paid for work, but I think ads aren’t so much getting paid for the work as getting paid for reeling in readers to see ads. It funds the work, but that’s different, because it has nothing to do with the work being done and everything to do with how many people visit you every month.
I don’t think less of people who put ads on their blogs, I just don’t enjoy the experience of visiting them as much, so I don’t.
i’m an anti-ads kind of gal myself. but i figure blogging is something i do for me, first. if people read and comment, wahoo. that’s a plus too. but my primary reason for blogging is just to get my thoughts out there.
although, i must admit there is a part of me that is soooo jealous of dooce and her ability to support her family just by her blog. making your living by slapping a few pictures and ramblings about your life on a web page a few times a week would rock.
I personally live for the day that I can live off my ads…bahahahahaha
I don’t have a moral problem with ads on blogs. I agree with Suze that if you can make a living blogging, more power to you. And I guess I’ve never noticed if the blogs I read have ads on them. I’m so used to ignoring extra stuff in my visual field when on-line that it’s just not an issue for me.
For the record, Keri’s take is here: http://www.kerismith.com/blog/archives/2005_11.html
I’m not a big fan of ads…on any site. I understand the need for them though as there are costs associated with maintaining most websites. For those sites that do have ads, I prefer the type that aren’t popping up in your face. I detest the ones that require you to close them. C’est juste mon avis.
What Suze said. 🙂
I agree that ads cheapen the look of a site, but I say ‘go for it’. Any way to make some extra money is good to me. I just never thought it would be worth it. I was thinking, my site might make a buck or two a month!
I don’t mind the fairly low-key ads from Google (or similar) that some people have on their sites. Honestly, I really don’t notice them much, and I’ve never found a blogger that uses them to be obnoxious about hawking the products they feature (THAT would turn me off — whether or not the hawking was related to ads).
I don’t have a problem with people making money off of their blogs, although I would prefer that there is full disclosure when the content is “paid for” and written with a marketing slant. But even though I don’t have an issue with it, I think it’s a little bit of an oxymoron — to me a blog is a personal site, and when someone is paying you for what you write, it seems it would be hard to keep it personal.
I have AdSence on my blog and the ads are totally lame. They are rarely relevent and no one ever clicks on them (I don’t blame them). And I think that I’ve accumulated about $1.75 in the year -plus that I’ve been blogging and they don’t cut you a check until you’ve made $50 or something like that. So then you may ask, why do I have it there… that is a good quesion.
I think Suze hit the nail on the head, too. I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you for doing it, but it’s a bit of a turn-off. I get bombarded with enough of that crap, even on public radio and PBS–you know?
I’m toying with the idea. I actually don’t mind ads. It’s that sneaky PR/we’re pretending we’re your friends but really we’re selling you crap that bugs me. Like that nitwit from the packaged good company that wanted me to casually blog about using a cleaning product. As if!
Don’t really have a strong opinion either way…don’t you only get any cash if someone clicks-thru the ad?
The only thing that bothers me is that some blogs take way too long to load up so I give up and don’t read them. There are a couple I used to read all the time but no more simply for that reason – like Marla, every second of blog-reading time is precious.
See? No opinion. (rolling eyes)
I would rather be wealthy and apologize for the inconvenience of an ad. It is not all about the money but it sure makes taking the moral high road easier when you have a bit of it. Add the ads! And make them smarmy!