December 21, 2013

Advertising: How Do You Feel?

Today I just wanna ask you guys a question: How do you feel about advertising? We see it everywhere - TV (if you have it), Movies, Billboards, Websites, Blogs... but how do you feel about it? Do you think there's a tasteful way to advertise anything, or do you consider it "gaudy" and "selling out" whenever you see it?

Personally, I really don't mind blogs that advertise. I click on the ads at Goodreads - I'm just super careful and only click on ads that I know won't hit me with a virus. I'm wary of some of them, and others I just have to roll my eyes at. (Do people really click on Viagra ads? I mean, seriously.)

But I'm not opposed to them. I see all kinds of blogs where it's just nothing but ads, or the ads are completely hidden (in the footer, hard to find, etc). And I wonder if those do any good. Do people read the blogs that are all adspace? (I mean, I assume that folks do, otherwise they wouldn't be advertising...right?)

I'm asking you guys this question to kind of feel you out a bit - I'm kind of thinking about advertising, but I don't really know if it's the right move for me. So be as detailed as possible with all of your thoughts - I don't care if Disqus truncates your comment! Just let me know what you think of it. :)

Do you think there's a tasteful way to advertise? Do bloggers lose all credibility for you when they advertise?

19 comments:

  1. I hate the adds on the blogs were its hidden within things. That's really annoying! But I typically don't mind them. What I do hate though, is the advertisement on youtube! lol It's so annoying and are completely irrelevant to the video I'm watching. Great post!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  2. To me, it depends on the situation. As far as television or anything like that, I get aggravated with them because they interrupt my shows, lol. As for blogs and other websites, I really don't mind them if it's relevant to the type of website or something that I'm interested in.

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  3. This is something I am struggling with as well. On one hand, I am for it because hey, I have this space and hosting isn't exactly cheap. I used to think no way, because I did consider it selling out but now I have realized there is kind of a line. If you are blogging FOR the money, then I would say that's bad. If advertising is a way to keep the site up or get some cash for a new book and doesn't clutter up everything, I think it's fine. Interesting topic!

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  4. Hmm... I don't really care about advertising. As long I can still read your blog posts, it's perfectly fine. Now on the other hand, if it's all messy then... no.

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  5. I don't really care either - I'm like you, LOL.

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  6. I agree! If you started blogging for only the money, and do all kinds of paid promo and such... I think it's wrong. But if you need it for upkeep (and for all the time you put into your blog), I don't think it's such a bad thing. Thanks!

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  7. LOL, I could understand that. :P Alright, I agree with that. I don't like it when there are ads that are completely irrelevant just everywhere. It's all jumbly and annoying. :P Thanks for commenting, Ashley! :)

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  8. That's just crappy, I agree. I don't like clicking on things just to get sent to an ad - it's unnecessary. At least be honest about it, right? On the other hand, youtube ads are very upfront - and they still suck. LOL. Thanks, Janina! :)

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  9. Personally, I don't like or dislike advertising. I don't really know how to feel about it but if you're thinking about it, go for it ;) :)

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  10. I'm okay with it as long as there's not TOO much. I tried advertising and made diddly squat so I just took them down. I have done advertising where I received this an item in exchange for keeping a button up for awhile and that worked out. But when you depend on clicks it's just not really worth it. I have done sponsored posts, or had an advertisement in the bottom of one post for a flat payment and that also worked well. I think it takes some experimenting to find what works.

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  11. So long as your blog isn't covered with ads ;)

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  12. I think advertising is okay, but you shouldn't overdo it. My policy is Advertise sites you really believe in or are important to you (and preferably, that has something to do with the blog in one way or another). Personally, I won't put on my blog Viagra ads (lol), but book buying sites? I do that. Though, I don't do it for the money - I earn basically nothing from it, so maybe you should do it differently to earn xD

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  13. I guess I'll just have to experiment, then. I tried the Book Depository at one time, but it's illegal for me to use Google Ads or Amazon or even Barnes and Noble affiliate links, for various reasons. Amazon because there's a law in Arkansas (or some jazz like that), and Barnes and Noble + Google Ads want you to be 18. I guess we'll see what I decide to do, right? :) Thanks for commenting, Candace!

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  14. I definitely agree with that. I wouldn't want to advertise for something that I don't have a clue about, or even that has nothing to do with books. That's a big no-no for me. (LOL, me either!) I've seen your sites - I'm going to have to remember that your affiliate links are there. I'll try to remember to use them! :)

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  15. Oh, thank you girly! <3 You don't have to though :3

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  16. You're welcome! And why would I not?! It's not costing me any more, and this way I get to support my favorite blogger, just a little. <3

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