Why Offer Ads on a Blog

Hurray! It's Hump Day. 

Have you grabbed a new book to read yet?

Me? I have a book to read and some loquat trees to plant. Sounds like a busy weekend, doesn't it? But it's the kind of weekend that's fun and energizing.

To me, just as satisfying as writing a book is  working to beautify my front and back yards.

I once read that one's front yard is your gift to the world, but the back yard is your gift to yourself.

Think about that the next time you drive past a beautiful landscape. It will make you wonder what the private space in back looks like.

But I didn't intend to talk about the joys of gardening. Since I just updated my Advertising Policy and I know several other authors who have begun accepting ads, I thought I'd give some insight into...

WHY BLOGS ACCEPT ADVERTISING

I've always offered advertising on SlingWords and have had the sidebar graphic that says that. I've never actively worked to obtain paid advertising though. 

Through the years, I've often been offered quite a bit of money to advertise products that I would never use so I decline.

I'm always open to authors who need to build an audience for a book or blog or for someone offering a service to authors. 

Other than something specifically aimed at readers and writers, other advertising has appeared because someone contacts me and asks if I will publish a guest post about a specific service, product, or area of interest that may be of general interest rather than specific to readers and writers.

If it interests me, I accept because I blog about subjects of general interest. Every ad or guest post is subject to review by me before I accept it. Sometimes I'm offered a fee, but not always.

BARGAIN ADVERTISING

I offer advertising for those who are looking for an inexpensive way to draw attention to what they have to offer. 

Since SlingWords averages 20K to 30K views each month, it's a good opportunity for advertisers.

I offer it at a low price because I know authors are having a difficult time in today's world. The competition is fierce for reading dollars.

Discoverability is difficult without a lot of marketing and high-priced ads. I see offering ads as a win-win for an advertiser and for me. They get eyeballs on their product. I get a few bucks into my PayPal account.

PET PEEVES ABOUT ADS

I hate blog posts with umpteen hot links that glow or, worse, pop up as you move your mouse to read the post. I hate pop-ups in general and will never use them because I think they take away from the reading experience.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

That's my 2¢ worth about blog advertising. What do you think? Got any pet peeves?

 

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