What if I sold ads here?

October 29, 2006 By

I see what Jason Calacanis was asking of Jimmy Wales (to sell ads on Wikipedia and donate the money to charity). Well, my traffic here is a lot smaller, but the folks involved in advertising tell me they could get quite a few thousand dollars per month by selling ads on my blog.

What do you think? Should I sell ads here? If it was your blog, would you hesitate? Why?

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  • http://www.logic2go.com/ Vinit

    Selling ads on your site would halve your current readership, but most probably not affect the rate of adding new readers. It’s a few of us who have been reading it for a while, who will move the scobelizer links from “people we know and should read” to “blog-zines”

    Same things I did with GigaOM … no offence to Om … but it was a change of designation from the dude blogging to the company blogging!

  • http://brentroos.com Brent

    Scoble, must you give your readers any more reason to not return to your blog?

    Just kidding. Do want you want. It’s your blog, so you can do whatever you want. Why does anybody else’s opinion matter, since it will mean several thousand dollars per month for charity?

  • http://www.logic2go.com Vinit

    Selling ads on your site would halve your current readership, but most probably not affect the rate of adding new readers. It’s a few of us who have been reading it for a while, who will move the scobelizer links from “people we know and should read” to “blog-zines”

    Same things I did with GigaOM … no offence to Om … but it was a change of designation from the dude blogging to the company blogging!

  • http://www.logic2go.com/ Vinit

    Oh, and I put ads on my blog because it is not considered a “must read” by the public. Yours, luckily, is.

  • http://www.logic2go.com/ Vinit

    Oh, and I put ads on my blog because it is not considered a “must read” by the public. Yours, luckily, is.

  • http://www.logic2go.com Vinit

    Oh, and I put ads on my blog because it is not considered a “must read” by the public. Yours, luckily, is.

  • http://www.dcinput.com/ Mark Smith

    Scanning through the comments here it looks like I’m in the minority thinking that running ads on your blog is a bad idea. Frankly I’m pretty suprised at this.

    I hadn’t noticed it until just now, but it seems that nearly all of the blogs that I read by actually going to the site have no adds. The rest are through rss.

    Nothing against rss. We all know how good it is at pulling mountains of info into one place, but for people who I really respect and maybe friends too, I spend that extra tome to go to the site because it gives me a sense of that person.

    All I’m saying is be very carefull. It’s not always obvious where the real value is. I find it quite incredible how you’ve managed to build up such a fantastic worldwide reputation (with people most of whom you’ve never even met) of integrity, honesty and independance, despite working for company which has often not been reguarded so highly.

    Would it all have worked out the same had you put ads in from the beguining?

    What is your gut telling you?

  • http://www.dcinput.com/ Mark Smith

    Scanning through the comments here it looks like I’m in the minority thinking that running ads on your blog is a bad idea. Frankly I’m pretty suprised at this.

    I hadn’t noticed it until just now, but it seems that nearly all of the blogs that I read by actually going to the site have no adds. The rest are through rss.

    Nothing against rss. We all know how good it is at pulling mountains of info into one place, but for people who I really respect and maybe friends too, I spend that extra tome to go to the site because it gives me a sense of that person.

    All I’m saying is be very carefull. It’s not always obvious where the real value is. I find it quite incredible how you’ve managed to build up such a fantastic worldwide reputation (with people most of whom you’ve never even met) of integrity, honesty and independance, despite working for company which has often not been reguarded so highly.

    Would it all have worked out the same had you put ads in from the beguining?

    What is your gut telling you?

  • http://www.dcinput.com Mark Smith

    Scanning through the comments here it looks like I’m in the minority thinking that running ads on your blog is a bad idea. Frankly I’m pretty suprised at this.

    I hadn’t noticed it until just now, but it seems that nearly all of the blogs that I read by actually going to the site have no adds. The rest are through rss.

    Nothing against rss. We all know how good it is at pulling mountains of info into one place, but for people who I really respect and maybe friends too, I spend that extra tome to go to the site because it gives me a sense of that person.

    All I’m saying is be very carefull. It’s not always obvious where the real value is. I find it quite incredible how you’ve managed to build up such a fantastic worldwide reputation (with people most of whom you’ve never even met) of integrity, honesty and independance, despite working for company which has often not been reguarded so highly.

    Would it all have worked out the same had you put ads in from the beguining?

    What is your gut telling you?

  • http://universalwords.wordpress.com/ universalword

    I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea of making money from your blog with ads. As someone mentioned above… keeping up a blog takes work.

  • http://universalwords.wordpress.com/ universalword

    I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea of making money from your blog with ads. As someone mentioned above… keeping up a blog takes work.

  • http://universalwords.wordpress.com/ universalword

    I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea of making money from your blog with ads. As someone mentioned above… keeping up a blog takes work.

  • http://www.crashutah.com/somethingfornothing sytycd

    Isn’t that a violation of the WordPress.com TOS? I believe it says no advertising on these blogs.

    Or is that a benefit (double standard) of VIP membership with WordPress.com?

  • http://www.crashutah.com/somethingfornothing sytycd

    Isn’t that a violation of the WordPress.com TOS? I believe it says no advertising on these blogs.

    Or is that a benefit (double standard) of VIP membership with WordPress.com?

  • http://www.crashutah.com/somethingfornothing sytycd

    Isn’t that a violation of the WordPress.com TOS? I believe it says no advertising on these blogs.

    Or is that a benefit (double standard) of VIP membership with WordPress.com?

  • http://www.andrewferguson.net/ Andrew Ferguson

    To quote from http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000700.html

    “I’m not opposed to advertising. I won’t pretend that I don’t like money, particularly here in the United States where money is synonymous with freedom.”
    …
    “Realize that advertising changes the nature of your blog. The first ads you take convert your blog from a non-profit to a commercial venture. It’s no longer a hobby; you’re being paid to blog. It’s work. And unless you’re only accepting only random ads, there are also new avenues for conflicts of interest.”

  • http://www.andrewferguson.net/ Andrew Ferguson

    To quote from http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000700.html

    “I’m not opposed to advertising. I won’t pretend that I don’t like money, particularly here in the United States where money is synonymous with freedom.”
    …
    “Realize that advertising changes the nature of your blog. The first ads you take convert your blog from a non-profit to a commercial venture. It’s no longer a hobby; you’re being paid to blog. It’s work. And unless you’re only accepting only random ads, there are also new avenues for conflicts of interest.”

  • http://www.andrewferguson.net Andrew Ferguson

    To quote from http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000700.html

    “I’m not opposed to advertising. I won’t pretend that I don’t like money, particularly here in the United States where money is synonymous with freedom.”
    …
    “Realize that advertising changes the nature of your blog. The first ads you take convert your blog from a non-profit to a commercial venture. It’s no longer a hobby; you’re being paid to blog. It’s work. And unless you’re only accepting only random ads, there are also new avenues for conflicts of interest.”

  • http://pourout.wordpress.com/ Chris

    You already do. For your book. It’s good BTW. Look, blogging is about getting real, right? So let’s get real. The “real” is that the vast majority of the people commenting on this post would kill to have enough traffic to their blogs to warrant significant ad revs. That’s the “real.” The “real” is that you’ve paid your dues. The “real” is that you’ve worked hard at this for a long time. I’m of the opinion that this post was not meant to be taken literally, but if it was, sell the freaking ads brother. If I’m right, and it wasn’t meant to be taken literally, then still sell the freaking ads brother. Just keep your content strong and everything will be cool.

  • http://pourout.wordpress.com/ Chris

    You already do. For your book. It’s good BTW. Look, blogging is about getting real, right? So let’s get real. The “real” is that the vast majority of the people commenting on this post would kill to have enough traffic to their blogs to warrant significant ad revs. That’s the “real.” The “real” is that you’ve paid your dues. The “real” is that you’ve worked hard at this for a long time. I’m of the opinion that this post was not meant to be taken literally, but if it was, sell the freaking ads brother. If I’m right, and it wasn’t meant to be taken literally, then still sell the freaking ads brother. Just keep your content strong and everything will be cool.

  • http://pourout.wordpress.com/ Chris

    You already do. For your book. It’s good BTW. Look, blogging is about getting real, right? So let’s get real. The “real” is that the vast majority of the people commenting on this post would kill to have enough traffic to their blogs to warrant significant ad revs. That’s the “real.” The “real” is that you’ve paid your dues. The “real” is that you’ve worked hard at this for a long time. I’m of the opinion that this post was not meant to be taken literally, but if it was, sell the freaking ads brother. If I’m right, and it wasn’t meant to be taken literally, then still sell the freaking ads brother. Just keep your content strong and everything will be cool.

  • http://www.intellibitz.com/ Muthu Ramadoss

    Robert,

    This is what i wanted to say by instinct after reading your caption.. GO FOR IT!

    BUT, After reading through all the comments (and the time it took) by brain regrouped and this is what i have to say now:

    DON’T DO IT!

    Why?

    Selling Ads – Short term benefit
    You become one among the masses who has a popular blog and selling out.

    Not Selling Ads – Long term benefit
    You become one among the few who has a popular blog and not selling out.

    So keep the way it is.. and earn more big bucks outside (because of the blogs, ofcourse) as you bring in more readers everyday.

    Offtopic, yes VOX is a good idea.

  • http://www.intellibitz.com/ Muthu Ramadoss

    Robert,

    This is what i wanted to say by instinct after reading your caption.. GO FOR IT!

    BUT, After reading through all the comments (and the time it took) by brain regrouped and this is what i have to say now:

    DON’T DO IT!

    Why?

    Selling Ads – Short term benefit
    You become one among the masses who has a popular blog and selling out.

    Not Selling Ads – Long term benefit
    You become one among the few who has a popular blog and not selling out.

    So keep the way it is.. and earn more big bucks outside (because of the blogs, ofcourse) as you bring in more readers everyday.

    Offtopic, yes VOX is a good idea.

  • http://www.intellibitz.com Muthu Ramadoss

    Robert,

    This is what i wanted to say by instinct after reading your caption.. GO FOR IT!

    BUT, After reading through all the comments (and the time it took) by brain regrouped and this is what i have to say now:

    DON’T DO IT!

    Why?

    Selling Ads – Short term benefit
    You become one among the masses who has a popular blog and selling out.

    Not Selling Ads – Long term benefit
    You become one among the few who has a popular blog and not selling out.

    So keep the way it is.. and earn more big bucks outside (because of the blogs, ofcourse) as you bring in more readers everyday.

    Offtopic, yes VOX is a good idea.

  • http://www.route66news.org/ Ron

    I spend a lot of time on my blog. I wouldn’t mind getting some cash back with ads, as long as I have control over what gets advertised.

  • http://www.route66news.org/ Ron

    I spend a lot of time on my blog. I wouldn’t mind getting some cash back with ads, as long as I have control over what gets advertised.

  • http://www.route66news.org Ron

    I spend a lot of time on my blog. I wouldn’t mind getting some cash back with ads, as long as I have control over what gets advertised.

  • http://raincoaster.com/ raincoaster

    sytycd — ads on WordPress.com blogs are not allowed except in the VIP program. There used to be a double standard (ie “not allowed except for the people we pick”) but in response to complaints WordPress has set up the VIP program. It does cost $200 per month, so that’s bound to strip out people looking to make ten bucks here or there from Adsense.

    If you want to use WordPress and you want advertising, download the software, install it in your own webspace, and you can run all the ads you want.

  • http://raincoaster.com/ raincoaster

    sytycd — ads on WordPress.com blogs are not allowed except in the VIP program. There used to be a double standard (ie “not allowed except for the people we pick”) but in response to complaints WordPress has set up the VIP program. It does cost $200 per month, so that’s bound to strip out people looking to make ten bucks here or there from Adsense.

    If you want to use WordPress and you want advertising, download the software, install it in your own webspace, and you can run all the ads you want.

  • http://raincoaster.com/ raincoaster

    sytycd — ads on WordPress.com blogs are not allowed except in the VIP program. There used to be a double standard (ie “not allowed except for the people we pick”) but in response to complaints WordPress has set up the VIP program. It does cost $200 per month, so that’s bound to strip out people looking to make ten bucks here or there from Adsense.

    If you want to use WordPress and you want advertising, download the software, install it in your own webspace, and you can run all the ads you want.

  • http://whatsnew4u.wordpress.com/ sfsilks63

    Personally if you go for adsense it would be a mistake in your case be cause you have no control over what is advertised. If you pick specific products such as your books or products you believe in such as wordpress or a hosting company etc that would be adding value.

    Something that I came across yesterday was at http://www.notesinspanish.com where they are promoting t-shirts now I wouldn’t mind a Scoblitzer t shirt.

    Anyway if you did it right it would ad value.

  • http://whatsnew4u.wordpress.com/ sfsilks63

    Personally if you go for adsense it would be a mistake in your case be cause you have no control over what is advertised. If you pick specific products such as your books or products you believe in such as wordpress or a hosting company etc that would be adding value.

    Something that I came across yesterday was at http://www.notesinspanish.com where they are promoting t-shirts now I wouldn’t mind a Scoblitzer t shirt.

    Anyway if you did it right it would ad value.

  • http://whatsnew4u.wordpress.com/ sfsilks63

    Personally if you go for adsense it would be a mistake in your case be cause you have no control over what is advertised. If you pick specific products such as your books or products you believe in such as wordpress or a hosting company etc that would be adding value.

    Something that I came across yesterday was at http://www.notesinspanish.com where they are promoting t-shirts now I wouldn’t mind a Scoblitzer t shirt.

    Anyway if you did it right it would ad value.

  • http://roostersrail.wordpress.com/ The Rooster

    I gotta say that I never click on ads on a website. I might see a service or something that catches my eye but I never click on it from the site I search then go there from the results – it’s weird I know, but that is what I do.

    I have even blocked the whole Google Adsense domain using Adblock – so I never even see them!

    The T-Shirt idea is an excellent one. You could even make it more attractive by randomly signing the odd one. That would make it more popular and you could still donate to charity. Cool idea sfsilks63

  • http://roostersrail.wordpress.com/ The Rooster

    I gotta say that I never click on ads on a website. I might see a service or something that catches my eye but I never click on it from the site I search then go there from the results – it’s weird I know, but that is what I do.

    I have even blocked the whole Google Adsense domain using Adblock – so I never even see them!

    The T-Shirt idea is an excellent one. You could even make it more attractive by randomly signing the odd one. That would make it more popular and you could still donate to charity. Cool idea sfsilks63

  • http://roostersrail.wordpress.com/ The Rooster

    I gotta say that I never click on ads on a website. I might see a service or something that catches my eye but I never click on it from the site I search then go there from the results – it’s weird I know, but that is what I do.

    I have even blocked the whole Google Adsense domain using Adblock – so I never even see them!

    The T-Shirt idea is an excellent one. You could even make it more attractive by randomly signing the odd one. That would make it more popular and you could still donate to charity. Cool idea sfsilks63

  • http://smokesignalhomes.wordpress.com/ smokesignalhomes

    Suttle ads aren’t that annoying; the whole purpose of ads is to try to get you to do/react to something. If you’re smart about what direction you want to go; i.e. have the ads be pertinent to the overall whole of your blog then I say go-for-it. Just try to stay on track with the things that are interesting to you and that keep your readers attention.

    Ciao…

  • http://smokesignalhomes.wordpress.com/ smokesignalhomes

    Suttle ads aren’t that annoying; the whole purpose of ads is to try to get you to do/react to something. If you’re smart about what direction you want to go; i.e. have the ads be pertinent to the overall whole of your blog then I say go-for-it. Just try to stay on track with the things that are interesting to you and that keep your readers attention.

    Ciao…

  • http://smokesignalhomes.wordpress.com/ smokesignalhomes

    Suttle ads aren’t that annoying; the whole purpose of ads is to try to get you to do/react to something. If you’re smart about what direction you want to go; i.e. have the ads be pertinent to the overall whole of your blog then I say go-for-it. Just try to stay on track with the things that are interesting to you and that keep your readers attention.

    Ciao…

  • Pingback: Never See Another Google Ad Again « Rooster’s Rail

  • http://knifegunpen.com/ Robert Bruce

    If you can back the company/content of the ads you’ll run, do it.

    Fame, celebrity, they don’t care about your family, none of us ever know when our fortunes might reverse. Earn everything you can, while you can.

  • http://knifegunpen.com/ Robert Bruce

    If you can back the company/content of the ads you’ll run, do it.

    Fame, celebrity, they don’t care about your family, none of us ever know when our fortunes might reverse. Earn everything you can, while you can.

  • http://knifegunpen.com Robert Bruce

    If you can back the company/content of the ads you’ll run, do it.

    Fame, celebrity, they don’t care about your family, none of us ever know when our fortunes might reverse. Earn everything you can, while you can.

  • http://www.calacanis.com/ Jason

    Given the feedback I just came up with a more modest, third version of my proposal… interested in hearing your thoughts on it.

    http://www.calacanis.com/2006/10/31/wikipeda-advertising-proposal-version-three-the-6m-a-year-sear/

  • http://www.calacanis.com/ Jason

    Given the feedback I just came up with a more modest, third version of my proposal… interested in hearing your thoughts on it.

    http://www.calacanis.com/2006/10/31/wikipeda-advertising-proposal-version-three-the-6m-a-year-sear/

  • http://www.calacanis.com Jason

    Given the feedback I just came up with a more modest, third version of my proposal… interested in hearing your thoughts on it.

    http://www.calacanis.com/2006/10/31/wikipeda-advertising-proposal-version-three-the-6m-a-year-sear/

  • http://www.can-the-coker.com/ Katherine

    hey hows it goin

  • http://www.can-the-coker.com/ Katherine

    hey hows it goin

  • http://www.can-the-coker.com Katherine

    hey hows it goin

  • http://www.farecast.com/ David Shim

    As long as the advertisements are clearly marked, I don’t see any issues with having advertising on the blog.

    Instead of affiliate programs, or cost per click placements (Google), I think your blog would be better off with selling time based sponsorships. TechCrunch has sponsorship ad units on the right side of their homepage.

    I’d stay away from accepting any advertisers that you may blog about in the future or have in the past. I think that simple rule could solve a lot of issues around perceived conflict of interests.

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