Comments on: Brainstorming an Out-of-the-Box Approach to Blog Monetization http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/ Make Money Online Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:19:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: arshad http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-4502215 arshad Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:48:43 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-4502215 That was a great article.Thanks a lot :) It is high time bloggers understood that they themself find out which monetization works best for them rather than taking the advice of others. That was a great article.Thanks a lot :) It is high time bloggers understood that they themself find out which monetization works best for them rather than taking the advice of others.

]]> By: ecoshopper http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1392539 ecoshopper Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:30:34 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1392539 I don't know if you have to separate your website into 2 and have a content blog and a product blog. I think better use of categories and sub categories is better. For instance you can have a news section or a media section and the product category sections. In my blog I review eco friendly products, and I find that there is always a story about how these products came about . I guess its because they are new and innovative. I you are writing about a regular laptop there is nothing to say, but if its an eco friendly laptop which is with a bamboo casing then you can write something about it. There are always new trends in any product/field so you can write about that. I don't think blog software was made for just product pictures and a description. Bloggers who are doing this just do this because its too easy and they don't know a lot of HTML or PHP... There are a lot of web database scripts outher there if you just want to have product images... Boris I don’t know if you have to separate your website into 2 and have a content blog and a product blog. I think better use of categories and sub categories is better. For instance you can have a news section or a media section and the product category sections.

In my blog I review eco friendly products, and I find that there is always a story about how these products came about . I guess its because they are new and innovative. I you are writing about a regular laptop there is nothing to say, but if its an eco friendly laptop which is with a bamboo casing then you can write something about it.

There are always new trends in any product/field so you can write about that. I don’t think blog software was made for just product pictures and a description. Bloggers who are doing this just do this because its too easy and they don’t know a lot of HTML or PHP… There are a lot of web database scripts outher there if you just want to have product images…

Boris

]]> By: Jason http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1315436 Jason Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:15:10 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1315436 Thanks so much for your response, Wendy. Brand awareness especially clicks with me now. I heard some stat like, a consumer needs to see your ad 3 times before he remembers it. A single advertiser paying for impressions on a single site actually makes sense to me now. Also seems like you can get the perfectly targeted advertiser to fill that space and they will be happy with it. Thanks so much for your response, Wendy. Brand awareness especially clicks with me now. I heard some stat like, a consumer needs to see your ad 3 times before he remembers it. A single advertiser paying for impressions on a single site actually makes sense to me now. Also seems like you can get the perfectly targeted advertiser to fill that space and they will be happy with it.

]]> By: Wendy Piersall http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1315126 Wendy Piersall Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:09:32 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1315126 MedSpa - those are some healthy traffic numbers - you could be making some good money off of your traffic! Jason - impression advertising is slightly different than CPC advertising. For one, there's a definite trend towards AdSense blindness. Also, impression advertising does more than target clicks - it also raises brand awareness as well as builds off of established brands. Search Engine Guide wants my readers to click through to their site - AND they want my readers to associate the "eMoms" brand with their brand. Additionally, in mainstream media on high traffic sites, ads are only sold on an impression basis. The reason is that the media site can't be responsible for EACH of their thousands of advertisers clicks and conversions - Yahoo isn't going to create new ad placements for their advertisers - they have a pretty fixed layout. It's up to the advertiser to come up with a good enough ad to convert the traffic into customers. Yahoo provides volume and targeting. Hope that answers your question! :) MedSpa – those are some healthy traffic numbers – you could be making some good money off of your traffic!

Jason – impression advertising is slightly different than CPC advertising. For one, there’s a definite trend towards AdSense blindness. Also, impression advertising does more than target clicks – it also raises brand awareness as well as builds off of established brands. Search Engine Guide wants my readers to click through to their site – AND they want my readers to associate the “eMoms” brand with their brand.

Additionally, in mainstream media on high traffic sites, ads are only sold on an impression basis. The reason is that the media site can’t be responsible for EACH of their thousands of advertisers clicks and conversions – Yahoo isn’t going to create new ad placements for their advertisers – they have a pretty fixed layout. It’s up to the advertiser to come up with a good enough ad to convert the traffic into customers. Yahoo provides volume and targeting.

Hope that answers your question! :)

]]> By: Jason http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1305433 Jason Sat, 16 Jun 2007 18:40:44 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1305433 Wendy, thanks for your reply. The only problem I have with the idea is this. Why would a company pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to you to place their ad on your one website, and per impression... when they could use a pay-per-click program and have their ad all over the internet for less? Not trying to be rude, just trying to learn. =) Thanks, Jason Wendy, thanks for your reply. The only problem I have with the idea is this. Why would a company pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to you to place their ad on your one website, and per impression… when they could use a pay-per-click program and have their ad all over the internet for less?

Not trying to be rude, just trying to learn. =)

Thanks,

Jason

]]> By: Medical Spa MD http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1305307 Medical Spa MD Sat, 16 Jun 2007 18:01:06 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1305307 I'm most curious about when the numbers make sense to go from a 'grow my audience' phase, to monetization mode. I've got about 20,000 unique visitors a month on 100,000 page views. Is that the beef? I’m most curious about when the numbers make sense to go from a ‘grow my audience’ phase, to monetization mode. I’ve got about 20,000 unique visitors a month on 100,000 page views. Is that the beef?

]]> By: Ray Dotson http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1305290 Ray Dotson Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:55:22 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1305290 Hey Phil, I get your point. There is a deluge of information available to us these days and not a few bloggers who are wannabe blog evangelists. We definitely have to pick and choose the ones we pay attention to. With that said, Darren and Wendy are on my short list, along with Maki (Dosh Dosh) and Andy Beard and a few others. If you want the straight dope on blogging, these are the sources to go to. Good luck with your blogging, Ray Hey Phil, I get your point. There is a deluge of information available to us these days and not a few bloggers who are wannabe blog evangelists. We definitely have to pick and choose the ones we pay attention to. With that said, Darren and Wendy are on my short list, along with Maki (Dosh Dosh) and Andy Beard and a few others. If you want the straight dope on blogging, these are the sources to go to. Good luck with your blogging,
Ray

]]> By: Phil Voice http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1304377 Phil Voice Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:54:43 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1304377 Hi Ray I have read my post again and maybe I concede to being a bit naive with what I wrote. I guess, your analogy in the sporting context puts the baseball player in two camps. 1. He who plays sport to make money and one who plays sport and is rewarded with money. The danger in blogging, if danger is the right word, is there will be some bloggers (and this isn't directed at Pro Blogger) who will write what people might want to hear and those that write what they believe and is proven by trial. I do find the whole social science that blogging encompasses very interesting though. All the best Hi Ray

I have read my post again and maybe I concede to being a bit naive with what I wrote.

I guess, your analogy in the sporting context puts the baseball player in two camps. 1. He who plays sport to make money and one who plays sport and is rewarded with money.

The danger in blogging, if danger is the right word, is there will be some bloggers (and this isn’t directed at Pro Blogger) who will write what people might want to hear and those that write what they believe and is proven by trial.

I do find the whole social science that blogging encompasses very interesting though.

All the best

]]> By: Ray Dotson http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1304306 Ray Dotson Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:30:27 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1304306 Phil, this blog is called ProBlogger, as in "Professional Blogger." Professionals (like Darren and Wendy) most often get paid for their work. This blog is geared toward all bloggers, but it's focus is on how to blog as a money-making business. Yes, a <em>business</em>. There are many purists out there who think that blogging is some sort of art form that shouldn't be tarnished by the pursuit of filthy lucre. This is incredibly naive. Some people play baseball for fun and some lucky few also play it for millions of dollars in compensation. There is nothing at all wrong with making money from blogging and nothing at all wrong with starting a blog as a money-making business. Blogging doesn't have to be some elevated art form that must be held sacred and unavailable to the unwashed masses. Phil, this blog is called ProBlogger, as in “Professional Blogger.” Professionals (like Darren and Wendy) most often get paid for their work. This blog is geared toward all bloggers, but it’s focus is on how to blog as a money-making business. Yes, a business.

There are many purists out there who think that blogging is some sort of art form that shouldn’t be tarnished by the pursuit of filthy lucre. This is incredibly naive. Some people play baseball for fun and some lucky few also play it for millions of dollars in compensation.

There is nothing at all wrong with making money from blogging and nothing at all wrong with starting a blog as a money-making business. Blogging doesn’t have to be some elevated art form that must be held sacred and unavailable to the unwashed masses.

]]> By: Content Blogs, Product Blogs - How eMom Could Have Done It - | Jamdo Marketing Blog http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1304192 Content Blogs, Product Blogs - How eMom Could Have Done It - | Jamdo Marketing Blog Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:37:30 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1304192 [...] recent guest post by Wendy Pierall over at ProBlogger brought my attention to the fact that I had had a similar conundrum recently and tackled it in a [...] [...] recent guest post by Wendy Pierall over at ProBlogger brought my attention to the fact that I had had a similar conundrum recently and tackled it in a [...]

]]> By: Phil Voice http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1303558 Phil Voice Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:54:56 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1303558 Sometimes, a blog just seems to get too big and there is a danger that many people will start to believe everything that is written. This cult status could become a noose around Darren's neck. One of the most refreshing things about this post is the feedback comments from the readers. In the blogosphere one minute, we are being groomed to write write write good content to attract genuine readers and the next there is this 'out of the box' strategy to just make money at the cost of exploiting our readers for gain. The money is the reward in my opinion for being liked by your readers and I totally disagree with building a blog just to advertise. It kind says, hey I don't care if you read by content, just buy and make me rich! I would like a bigger audience but I can honestly say that I have a good interaction 'off screen' with a lot who regularly read my pages. I know from my stats that I have a hardy bunch of regular readers and I have researched their likes and dislikes in a passive way. What this has done for me is build a loyal base by genuinely interested people who tell like minded people about my site. It might take a little longer to build my readership this way but there are too many people just looking for a get rich quick scheme Stick to what you know if your good it will work and forget the bolt on advertising site imo. Phil Sometimes, a blog just seems to get too big and there is a danger that many people will start to believe everything that is written. This cult status could become a noose around Darren’s neck.

One of the most refreshing things about this post is the feedback comments from the readers. In the blogosphere one minute, we are being groomed to write write write good content to attract genuine readers and the next there is this ‘out of the box’ strategy to just make money at the cost of exploiting our readers for gain.

The money is the reward in my opinion for being liked by your readers and I totally disagree with building a blog just to advertise. It kind says, hey I don’t care if you read by content, just buy and make me rich!

I would like a bigger audience but I can honestly say that I have a good interaction ‘off screen’ with a lot who regularly read my pages. I know from my stats that I have a hardy bunch of regular readers and I have researched their likes and dislikes in a passive way.

What this has done for me is build a loyal base by genuinely interested people who tell like minded people about my site. It might take a little longer to build my readership this way but there are too many people just looking for a get rich quick scheme

Stick to what you know if your good it will work and forget the bolt on advertising site imo.

Phil

]]> By: This Week In SEO - 6/15/07 - TheVanBlog http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1302191 This Week In SEO - 6/15/07 - TheVanBlog Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:12:23 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1302191 [...] Brainstorming an Out-of-the-Box Approach to Blog Monetization [...] [...] Brainstorming an Out-of-the-Box Approach to Blog Monetization [...]

]]> By: Melanie http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1301627 Melanie Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:40:08 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1301627 I really need to start thinking about monetizing my site better. I'm focused on writing 'compelling content' and have been using AdSense and CPC, however it hasn't been making much money! Thanks for the great advice Wendy! I really need to start thinking about monetizing my site better. I’m focused on writing ‘compelling content’ and have been using AdSense and CPC, however it hasn’t been making much money! Thanks for the great advice Wendy!

]]> By: TheLocoMono http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1301428 TheLocoMono Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:30:18 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1301428 Congratulations on your "out of the box" thinking. I tend to think "off the wall" myself so am learning how to build my website to promote it and drive traffic as well as make money promoting the products and companies themselves without Google Ad-Sense cluttering the space. It makes for a more visual pleasure than anything else. Congratulations on your “out of the box” thinking. I tend to think “off the wall” myself so am learning how to build my website to promote it and drive traffic as well as make money promoting the products and companies themselves without Google Ad-Sense cluttering the space. It makes for a more visual pleasure than anything else.

]]> By: Wendy Piersall http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1301233 Wendy Piersall Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:22:55 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1301233 Thanks everyone - Jon - the site should be up and running normally now - I am in the process of moving to a semi-dedicated server this week and this post was just published here with some unfortunate timing. :) And Jason, I made more money in my first month of selling direct ads than I have in a year of using AdSense. But I will qualify that by stating that AdSense results vary widely in different niches. Home business ads don't have a very good CTR. I have a personal blog that gets a consistent CTR more than 1000% percent better than on eMoms - too bad it gets about 1000% less traffic. ;) Thanks everyone – Jon – the site should be up and running normally now – I am in the process of moving to a semi-dedicated server this week and this post was just published here with some unfortunate timing. :)

And Jason, I made more money in my first month of selling direct ads than I have in a year of using AdSense. But I will qualify that by stating that AdSense results vary widely in different niches. Home business ads don’t have a very good CTR. I have a personal blog that gets a consistent CTR more than 1000% percent better than on eMoms – too bad it gets about 1000% less traffic. ;)

]]> By: Jason http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1301190 Jason Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:05:05 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1301190 Thanks for the article. It's just hard to believe you can make more off selling ad space than with AdSense. Thanks for the article. It’s just hard to believe you can make more off selling ad space than with AdSense.

]]> By: terra http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1300933 terra Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:32:04 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1300933 Great article, with very useful information. I always love to hear stories of when bloggers have that epiphany of a moment. Great article, with very useful information. I always love to hear stories of when bloggers have that epiphany of a moment.

]]> By: Ray Dotson http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1300932 Ray Dotson Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:31:50 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1300932 Hi Wendy, I don't have any problem at all with your title. It actually drew me in to read your post. You bring up some very good points about the fact that adsense doesn't do well on content and branding focussed blogs as opposed to niche product blogs. The PPM idea is also very good. I'd be interested in hearing more about how to attract those type of advertisers. Also, Shoemoney's suggestion follows along with his philosophy of creating closely related sites/blogs around another one that is already successful and well established. If you already have a brand, this can be a great way to tap into that potential for even more success. Great post! Hi Wendy, I don’t have any problem at all with your title. It actually drew me in to read your post.

You bring up some very good points about the fact that adsense doesn’t do well on content and branding focussed blogs as opposed to niche product blogs. The PPM idea is also very good. I’d be interested in hearing more about how to attract those type of advertisers.

Also, Shoemoney’s suggestion follows along with his philosophy of creating closely related sites/blogs around another one that is already successful and well established. If you already have a brand, this can be a great way to tap into that potential for even more success. Great post!

]]> By: firstbloggerlady http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1300805 firstbloggerlady Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:42:41 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1300805 It was very clever of you to focus on a blog that helps people. That is the secret for your sucess - to provide a useful service to your readers. I did something similar, but i'm still waiting for the readers to come and take advantage of the info i publish. It was good to know you anyway! The best of luck... Rosinha It was very clever of you to focus on a blog that helps people. That is the secret for your sucess – to provide a useful service to your readers.

I did something similar, but i’m still waiting for the readers to come and take advantage of the info i publish.

It was good to know you anyway! The best of luck…

Rosinha

]]> By: Barbra Sundquist http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/comment-page-1/#comment-1300767 Barbra Sundquist Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:19:30 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/06/16/brainstorming-an-out-of-the-box-approach-to-blog-monetization/#comment-1300767 I enjoyed this article. I have been thinking about content blogs vs. product blogs and this post helped me. I enjoyed this article. I have been thinking about content blogs vs. product blogs and this post helped me.

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