More Geekery

I am using BlogIt, a new Typepad application for Facebook, to post this blog entry. So essentially, instead of using Typepad, I'm doing this in Facebook.

Not sure yet, but this might change the way I blog. I've been spending a lot of time on Facebook recently, after months of inactivity there. It's helped me get back in touch with a whole bunch of people. I don't much like all the silly applications, but I've added a few (like Scrabulous!).

One other unrelated thing: lately I've been getting e-mails requesting me to mention causes or services on my blog. I haven't responded or done anything, because a) my readership ain't that great anymore and b) I do maintain that I will keep the blog ad-free, unless I'm sure I can make more than 50 cents a month in ad revenues.

Have any of you bloggers received similar requests? And do you have ads on your blog or not? If so, do you make any money? Does it cover the cost of hosting, or more?

Comments

[winter]

I've not received any requests to put ads or do product mentions on my blog. Not sure what I'd do if I did.

[Margaret]

No ad requests here, but I wouldn't be a blogger who would attract them. Oh, well... Facebook apps bother me a lot, so I'm rarely on it.

[Michael C]

I got one the other day for water fountains after I made fun of the $2 used and regifted water fountain someone at work gave me.

I didn't know you could blog from Facebook. It scares me thinking about combining my 2 internet addictions...

[uǝʞoʇ]

Now that would be cool. Getting enough revenue from ads to pay for hosting!

[The CEO]

I have ads on my site. I don't think anyone has ever clicked on one. I once asked you, but you have ads blocked so you never saw them. I also asked you about Facebook, and at the time, you weren't joining. Makes me think I have B.O.

[Carrie]

Nobody asks me, but then, I don't advertise that I blog either. My family knows and a few friends but that's it in terms of real life. I do blog about services and products though. Mostly when they irritate me. But occasionally I get smart and blog about cool new stuff :) lol

[Nicole]

I just recently got an ad request and I'm actually going to do it - 30 euros a month and the person who contacted me was nice. I'm a sucker that way. Hey Ali, would you email me? I've got a personal question for you, if you don't mind. Thanks -

[Daphne]

my week would not be complete without reading your blog...God Bless you

[anica]

I agree with Daphne. Your blog is very entertaining and honest.

[misschris]

I don´t like them but if someone has them I don´t hold it against them. It just seems like you´re blog has always been about being indie and ads are kind of the opposite.

On the other hand if you need to offset the costs I totally understand because I don´t want you to give up blogging here.

I must be missing something with Facebook. I signed up but it doesn´t seem all that interesting to me. What´s the fun that everyone keeps raving about?

[loulou]

I've had two requests in the last couple of weeks. Both from PR companies asking me to put press releases for their companies on my site.
I responded that I would consider it, with some more information about the company they were representing and for some money (I try to scrape a few $ from my blog - helps with the terrible $/€ exchange rate that is killing us at the moment)
One responded and said they wouldn't pay and the other never responded.
I wrote back to the one that responded and told her that she shouldn't solicit free publicity from bloggers for a multi-million dollar company without expecting to pay a bit. Was I wrong?

[Kathryn]

I've not had any requests and doubt I will. Don't know what I'd do. It would probably depend on how reputable they were. I've had google ads and amazon stuff on my blog at different times but I just don't get the type or number in traffic to make me any dough.

About blogging via Facebook, I hope this doesn't mean those of us who choose not to Facebook (is it a verb yet?) won't miss out on your blogging here.

[Another Aligator]

Hi, there! Been a while since I've commented! Neat to see someone actually put the Facebook blogging apps into practice. I'll have to investigate for myself.

As a writer, I don't usually take up pitches, unless it's content that's in the normal spectrum of what I usually cover. (And then, I try to mention that I did receive a review copy. Flip-side: Even when I receive review copies, I don't cover it unless I like it, and I tell the companies about that upfront.)

As a marketing nerd, who pitches to bloggers, news writers and the like, I don't pay for editorial coverage. (If I'm paying, I'm buying a straight-up ad where I get to control the message.)

That said, for reviews, I just ask they give the product a fair shot and whatever their published opinions eventually are, they hear no moaning/groaning from me. As "compensation," they get to keep the reviewed items, and several of them use the items as a giveaways for their site's readers.

It comes down to being clear about everyone's expectations (advertising vs. PR) and maintaining a degree of honesty with everyone, including your readers. :)

Sorry for the long comment. A lot of "fellow" PR people just don't get bloggers... and give all the rest of us a bad rep. (That bothers me. ^_^)