Comments on: I’ve Learned That Blogging For Money Isn’t My Cup Of Tea http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/ Helping you learn more and do more with WordPress Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:20:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: pelf-ism is contagious » Things I learned in 2007 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-863289 pelf-ism is contagious » Things I learned in 2007 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:04:24 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-863289 [...] Blogging for money isn’t my cup of tea. I have gone a full circle from thinking about “blogging for money” to actually doing it, to doubting myself for writing those sponsored posts because I sometimes tried too hard to blend it into my blog, to empathizing with my readers, to thinking about the directions I wanted my blog to head to, to not writing those sponsored posts anymore. [...] [...] Blogging for money isn’t my cup of tea. I have gone a full circle from thinking about “blogging for money” to actually doing it, to doubting myself for writing those sponsored posts because I sometimes tried too hard to blend it into my blog, to empathizing with my readers, to thinking about the directions I wanted my blog to head to, to not writing those sponsored posts anymore. [...]

]]> By: pelf http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-540465 pelf Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:00:15 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-540465 <strong>The Old Vic:</strong> Yes, I agree with you completely that people should do what they like. We can all blog about our lives and the socks that we put on today, but I don't foresee a lot of readers coming back tomorrow to read what socks you're going to put on tomorrow. Unless you know of other ways to make your readers return, or unless you don't care about whether anybody reads you, truth is, "what you like" may actually be dictated by "what your readers like". <strong>Alvin:</strong> I'm glad you find this post enlightening :) It may look like a difficult decision for you to make and my only suggestion to you is to "take things slowly". But of course, if you'd like to hear my opinion, you'd have to email me (as I've learned not to impose my opinions on other people without being asked, LOL). <strong>Opal Tribble:</strong> I'm truly glad that you have been successful by writing sponsored reviews because a lot of bloggers (whom I used to follow closely) have succumbed to writing sponsored posts "because they pay". If only everybody writes sponsored reviews as honestly and attentively as you do, I'm sure nobody would complain about the amount of sponsored posts in the blogosphere! The Old Vic: Yes, I agree with you completely that people should do what they like. We can all blog about our lives and the socks that we put on today, but I don’t foresee a lot of readers coming back tomorrow to read what socks you’re going to put on tomorrow.

Unless you know of other ways to make your readers return, or unless you don’t care about whether anybody reads you, truth is, “what you like” may actually be dictated by “what your readers like”.

Alvin: I’m glad you find this post enlightening :) It may look like a difficult decision for you to make and my only suggestion to you is to “take things slowly”. But of course, if you’d like to hear my opinion, you’d have to email me (as I’ve learned not to impose my opinions on other people without being asked, LOL).

Opal Tribble: I’m truly glad that you have been successful by writing sponsored reviews because a lot of bloggers (whom I used to follow closely) have succumbed to writing sponsored posts “because they pay”. If only everybody writes sponsored reviews as honestly and attentively as you do, I’m sure nobody would complain about the amount of sponsored posts in the blogosphere!

]]> By: Opal Tribble http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-540397 Opal Tribble Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:57:40 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-540397 I agree with The Old Vic. I started monetizing my blog a few months ago. Sure, it changed my blog but so have a lot of other things I've done over the course of my blogging. It will be three years in February. The majority of my sponsored reviews do receive feedback from my readers and advertisers. I think it's how you present the review. I think about my readers when I create them and only choose the ones I believe they would appreciate. The amount of readers I have has increased since I did sponsored reviews. Of course it's not because of that. I do a lot of interaction with my readers and I've always been upfront with them. They knew about the sponsored reviews before I even did them. I put sponsored review at the top of every single review. I'm receiving new readers every week. Whether a person is doing it for pocket change or doing it to help pay many of their bills, it does not bother me. It did in the beginning and I had to question myself, why? I don't turn off the radio or television when a commercial comes on and I'm sure those who've accepted the advertisements for the company that promotes the advertisement has not tried every single product or service. Why should it bother me if a person reviews a product on their personal website? I've always reviewed products, the only difference is that in the past three months I started accepting paid reviews. The average amount I make using a paid post company is $45, but when I get them on my own, it's over $100. The lowest amount I've accepted is $4. I didn't care about the money. I really liked the product. A few of the advertisements I've done follow up reviews. They are free and I've linked back to the original review. I like the products, or services they offer. The paid reviews has opened the door for other opportunities. A few of the CEOs from different companies I've reviewed have contacted me because of the reviews I've done. I put the same amount of attention and detail in my paid reviews as I do my "regular posts" and many products I've reviewed I've used or I am still using. I think my readers realize and appreciate this. What I believe has made the difference I always kept them in the loop before I made changes. I do that with any major change that happens on the blog before it occurs. I want to get their opinions and I've made several changes based on what they have said. I agree with The Old Vic. I started monetizing my blog a few months ago.

Sure, it changed my blog but so have a lot of other things I’ve done over the course of my blogging. It will be three years in February.

The majority of my sponsored reviews do receive feedback from my readers and advertisers. I think it’s how you present the review. I think about my readers when I create them and only choose the ones I believe they would appreciate.

The amount of readers I have has increased since I did sponsored reviews. Of course it’s not because of that. I do a lot of interaction with my readers and I’ve always been upfront with them. They knew about the sponsored reviews before I even did them. I put sponsored review at the top of every single review. I’m receiving new readers every week.

Whether a person is doing it for pocket change or doing it to help pay many of their bills, it does not bother me. It did in the beginning and I had to question myself, why?

I don’t turn off the radio or television when a commercial comes on and I’m sure those who’ve accepted the advertisements for the company that promotes the advertisement has not tried every single product or service. Why should it bother me if a person reviews a product on their personal website?

I’ve always reviewed products, the only difference is that in the past three months I started accepting paid reviews. The average amount I make using a paid post company is $45, but when I get them on my own, it’s over $100.

The lowest amount I’ve accepted is $4. I didn’t care about the money. I really liked the product. A few of the advertisements I’ve done follow up reviews. They are free and I’ve linked back to the original review. I like the products, or services they offer.

The paid reviews has opened the door for other opportunities. A few of the CEOs from different companies I’ve reviewed have contacted me because of the reviews I’ve done.

I put the same amount of attention and detail in my paid reviews as I do my “regular posts” and many products I’ve reviewed I’ve used or I am still using. I think my readers realize and appreciate this.

What I believe has made the difference I always kept them in the loop before I made changes. I do that with any major change that happens on the blog before it occurs. I want to get their opinions and I’ve made several changes based on what they have said.

]]> By: Alvin http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-540276 Alvin Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:31:02 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-540276 your post actually enlightens me a little...since i'm trying to decide whether to blog for money. it doesn't really align with the objectives of my blog actually.......but some side income will actually help me to pay off things like the domain/hosting etc.*sighs* dilemma! your post actually enlightens me a little…since i’m trying to decide whether to blog for money. it doesn’t really align with the objectives of my blog actually…….but some side income will actually help me to pay off things like the domain/hosting etc.*sighs* dilemma!

]]> By: The Old Vic http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-538919 The Old Vic Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:51:50 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-538919 For what it's worth I think people should do what they like. Why lecture people about what they should and shouldn't do. We each have our own circumstances. If you want to blog about your life and which socks you put on today then that's fine, if you decide you want to be the next John Chow then that's fine too. There are crooks everywhere, people who will bend the rules everywhere, all sorts of scumbags and saints and righteous and unrighteous. None of it adds up to much and it will all be gone one day. For what it’s worth I think people should do what they like. Why lecture people about what they should and shouldn’t do. We each have our own circumstances. If you want to blog about your life and which socks you put on today then that’s fine, if you decide you want to be the next John Chow then that’s fine too. There are crooks everywhere, people who will bend the rules everywhere, all sorts of scumbags and saints and righteous and unrighteous. None of it adds up to much and it will all be gone one day.

]]> By: What niche is HOT for PPP? - Page 2 - Bloggeries Blog Forum http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-520339 What niche is HOT for PPP? - Page 2 - Bloggeries Blog Forum Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:52:46 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-520339 [...] You guys obviously didn't read my latest guest post on Lorelle's (I posted the link above). [...] [...] You guys obviously didn’t read my latest guest post on Lorelle’s (I posted the link above). [...]

]]> By: pelf http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-520337 pelf Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:47:27 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-520337 <strong>J.T Dabbagian:</strong> I can't tell you how much I agree with you that's it's more important to build our online portfolio than just blogging for money. Especially for those who take blogging very seriously, and not just as a means of earning the extra income. And then there's our reputation. By writing <em>"fishy sponsored posts that undermine the readers' common sense"</em>, one destroy one's hard-earned reputation too :) J.T Dabbagian: I can’t tell you how much I agree with you that’s it’s more important to build our online portfolio than just blogging for money. Especially for those who take blogging very seriously, and not just as a means of earning the extra income. And then there’s our reputation. By writing “fishy sponsored posts that undermine the readers’ common sense”, one destroy one’s hard-earned reputation too :)

]]> By: J.T Dabbagian http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-520161 J.T Dabbagian Mon, 20 Aug 2007 01:32:18 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-520161 I don't blog for just money. It's my portfolio. Believe me, there's a lot I want to do that doesn't involve teaching. Besides, there's plenty of other things to do besides blogging: Editing, proofreading, writing for other blogs (not paid reviews), basically getting your name out there in the famezone. I don’t blog for just money. It’s my portfolio. Believe me, there’s a lot I want to do that doesn’t involve teaching. Besides, there’s plenty of other things to do besides blogging: Editing, proofreading, writing for other blogs (not paid reviews), basically getting your name out there in the famezone.

]]> By: pelf http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-518534 pelf Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:04:08 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-518534 <strong>Kian Ann:</strong> You were right that it is pretty easy for a blogger to notice "fishy sponsored posts". Actually, that's akin to saying that blog readers aren't foolish. They know it when the post was written just because it was paid for.. <strong>helen:</strong> Yeah, <em>"lying through their teeth"</em> is the perfect metaphor :) I had a similar experience as well.. I forgot what that offer was about, I reserved it, did a lot of research and was constantly thinking about how I should write that particular post, even in the shower! And then I realized that it was taking too much of my brain-power, and I wasn't exactly enjoying the process (because it was forced), so I gave it up. And I felt to much lighter after releasing it, LOL.. The intention of my post was NOT to discourage bloggers to give up writing sponsored posts. I just wanted to share my personal experience, and how I have a come a full circle :) Kian Ann: You were right that it is pretty easy for a blogger to notice “fishy sponsored posts”. Actually, that’s akin to saying that blog readers aren’t foolish. They know it when the post was written just because it was paid for..

helen: Yeah, “lying through their teeth” is the perfect metaphor :) I had a similar experience as well.. I forgot what that offer was about, I reserved it, did a lot of research and was constantly thinking about how I should write that particular post, even in the shower! And then I realized that it was taking too much of my brain-power, and I wasn’t exactly enjoying the process (because it was forced), so I gave it up. And I felt to much lighter after releasing it, LOL..

The intention of my post was NOT to discourage bloggers to give up writing sponsored posts. I just wanted to share my personal experience, and how I have a come a full circle :)

]]> By: helen http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-518477 helen Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:28:48 +0000 http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/ive-learned-that-blogging-for-money-isnt-my-cup-of-tea/#comment-518477 Well said :-) Yes, I like to blog hop and read other people's sponsored posts. I know what you're talking about when you mentioned some bloggers are lying through their teeth. I once caught a good paying opp... I was ecstatic. When I looked through the details, I realized it was not for my market. I doubt anyone could afford to spend MYR 8000 (approximately USD 2275) a night in an upmarket Icelandic spa. Yeah, the spa is good.. but I know it was not my market. I released the opp. The next day, I saw other bloggers blogging about it... How their friend/relative just went to this spa and how great it was. Now, I'm not looking down on anyone but I do sincerely doubt ordinary Malaysians could afford such extravagant spas with our conversion rate :-) I understand your disdain, but nope, I'm not giving up on sponsored posts. The money is good and believe it or not, I do love to write relevant sponsored posts. LOL. Well said :-) Yes, I like to blog hop and read other people’s sponsored posts. I know what you’re talking about when you mentioned some bloggers are lying through their teeth. I once caught a good paying opp… I was ecstatic. When I looked through the details, I realized it was not for my market. I doubt anyone could afford to spend MYR 8000 (approximately USD 2275) a night in an upmarket Icelandic spa. Yeah, the spa is good.. but I know it was not my market.

I released the opp. The next day, I saw other bloggers blogging about it… How their friend/relative just went to this spa and how great it was. Now, I’m not looking down on anyone but I do sincerely doubt ordinary Malaysians could afford such extravagant spas with our conversion rate :-)

I understand your disdain, but nope, I’m not giving up on sponsored posts. The money is good and believe it or not, I do love to write relevant sponsored posts. LOL.

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