Sponsored Ensight Posts?
In an effort to cover my hosting costs (and maybe, I dunno, pay for my Friday movie nights) I’ve obviously started introducing advertising again. I’ve been playing with advertising for the last year on Ensight. Generally it was just AdSense or something, which never really yielded much.
Last month I started selling ads (25$/month/ad if anyone’s interested in advertising… Details on traffic and so forth are available). They didn’t work well in the last design. So far they fit a lot better in this one (I’ll be changing the colours so they fit even more).
An idea was floated elsewhere in the blogosphere which made me wonder… Would my readers go for this? Would they find it crass? Would they choose to support me by understanding if I did it (with their consent)?
…
The idea? To write posts which are ‘paid for’. They would be obviously marked as sponsored or ‘advertised’ posts. They would be services I have bought or firmly believe in. And they would be written by me for you guys.
So, to quote the above:
Would my readers go for this? Would they find it crass? Would they choose to support me by understanding if I did it (with their consent)?
Doing this might just allow me to get rid of other ads altogether. I know people click more on post links anyways… And it would keep loading times down as well (no external code, no extra images, etc).
I don’t “want” to do this, but I do want to do right by the readers here. I do need to cover my hosting costs, and it’s either going to be through donations or through ads. I’m not looking to make a quick buck (I actually had an offer of 2500$ for someone to buy Ensight last week). And I’m not looking to compromise any trust.
Feedback?
POSTED IN: Ensight News
14 opinions for Sponsored Ensight Posts?
David Paull
Aug 6, 2004 at 10:39 am
Hey Jeremy,
This is a tricky one. Actually having sponsored posts could leave your readers wondering if you’re posting because you care about/think they will care about the post topic or if you are posting because you can make a few bucks with that post. Ads in blogs (like your left column “supported by” and top area charity piece) are obvious and, I believe, commonly accepted, but sponsored posts could be dicey.
On the other hand, you couldn’t have been more open about this and those who know you through your blog should know that your posts will be genuine either way. So, my opinion is to try one or two and see what happens. Maybe link back to this post at the end of your first couple of sponsored posts so people who miss this post can understand where you are coming from. If you don’t try it, you’ll never know for sure and pioneers always risk a backlash, but it’s better to try and possibly fail than not to try at all.
By the way, I think the top area (where the breast cancer ad is now) is very compelling because it graphically blends into your blog. It’s nicely done, not at all obtrusive and I think that is your prime real estate.
Good luck.
Dave
Andrew Tomaka
Aug 6, 2004 at 7:50 pm
David makes a valid point. The reason that blogs differ from other sorts of news media is that they aren’t tip toeing through the tulips. The opinions represented here, tough biased, are those from an individual. Once you start bringing on sponsorship posts, you’re stepping in the direction of those larger media companies that do have to watch their steps at every turn.
It’s really an interesting idea though and if I were in a place to make a decision like it, I’m not sure which way I’d go. If you think you can make it work, go for it!
Jeremy C. Wright
Aug 6, 2004 at 8:10 pm
One thing I’d like to make clear: the charity spot isn’t an ad. It isn’t paid for. It’s not for sale. It’s me supporting charities I feel are worthwhile. Charities are free to drop me an email if they want to be considered… But ultimately it’ll be the charity I feel is most ‘deserving’. I’ve already got the next one picked.
As far as this issue…
I’d really like to hear from more readers. It’s a new thing. I understand the dangers, but I also feel they can be avoided. It wouldn’t be “my opinion for sale” as I feel I’d only be doing it for companies I believed in who’s products or services I had tried or used.
The posts would be clearly marked and linked back to an informational “what is this” type of post.
I guess a good analogy is this. My new hosting company. I love them. I’ve already helped sell half a dozen accounts because I believe in them. If they approached me for one of these I’d say yes because they fit all the criteria.
But…
Even if they didn’t I’d probably write about them at some point.
I can’t say every advertiser will have that level of glea. Hell, some I might even outright criticize. But when you’re paying for a blogger to give his opinion on your product… You get his opinion.
I guess that’s what this idea boils down to. Not telling someone what to write, what angle to take or how to drive traffic… But paying a blogger to give his opinion (something I know I’m quite happy to do).
Not sure if that drivel made any more sense though ;-)
Again, thanks for your ideas guys, and keep them coming! I’m planning to keep posting light this weekend so this doesn’t get buried quickly.
Nathan
Aug 7, 2004 at 11:25 am
Someone offered $2500 for Ensight? Isn’t it a personal blog though? Sorry to off topic ;)
I think the ads are fine. Offer a paid service that removes the ads, if people want it - but don’t make some posts paid… I like reading your blog, I don’t mind ads, and I wouldn’t want to pay. Just my 2 cents.
Rich...!
Aug 8, 2004 at 6:22 am
Just look at the trouble it got farc.com into…!
Jeremy C. Wright
Aug 9, 2004 at 9:48 am
Except that Fark wasn’t telling people it was advertising. To me, that’s the key.
I’ve just solicited a test round of 2-3 advertisers, so we’ll see how it goes. Based on the feedback of users during and after this will decide if I continue to do it.
VodkaFish
Aug 9, 2004 at 11:18 am
This is no different then magazines and online magazines doing reviews. I think you should take on some of their mentality. For one thing, cash is needed, and when it’s not “needed” it sure as hell doesn’t make things harder. Another is - you don’t always have to do it for cash, you can do it for product. “Want me to review your product? Send it”. Think of video game reviews from all the major sites. They send them multiple copies of games, and some bonus toys. Games can still get canned, but hey - it got reviewed. It got some press, some people read about it, and they might be curious enough to try it now no matter what.
If I manufactured something tech-related I’d probably send out a whole bunch of products to many magazines and sites to let them review and get my product name out there. I’m not in the position, but I’d assume I’d possibly even pay a few places for it if they were large enough; or I’d just tell them to put it on Ebay later ;)
Good luck!
Peter Davis
Aug 9, 2004 at 12:36 pm
This reminds me of the infomercials on late at night. They pose as real TV shows, but they do admit at the beginning that they’re paid advertising. Perhaps you can call these paid blog posts “blogomercials” (now you have to cite me if you use that term, lol.
Heather's
Aug 9, 2004 at 5:18 pm
re:
Lord [at] PulseToday.com
Aug 9, 2004 at 8:14 pm
Jeremy! I already had voted yes for this thing… I have personally tried it and found it effective. Give it a try.
Kat
Aug 12, 2004 at 11:37 am
I agree with VodkaFish “This is no different then magazines and online magazines doing reviews.”
I think its a great idea (might even try it myself down the road).
I say go-for-it!
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