 |
| Source: Loyalty Redefined |
You might notice on the right sidebar that there's now an ad box. That's right, I'm testing out ads on Mithril Wisdom. That's because I've decided to sign up with Project Wonderful, an ad network that caters for blogs like mine as well as video games, webcomics and geek finery in general. Some of my favourite webcomics and blogs have Project Wonderful ads on their sites, so I thought I'd give it a go.
Why am I doing this?
Well, it has to do with giveaways. I really want to do more giveaways and competitions for you guys; I really enjoy doing it. The trouble is, postage can be a nightmare of a cost (especially since about half of the people who read this blog are on the other side of the Atlantic).
My thinking is that whatever revenue I get from these ads (and it's not a lot at the moment, trust me. At this rate it'll take me about 3 years to get less than $10) I can put towards getting really good prizes for competitions and being able to afford international postage for all of my giveaways. It'll also mean I can keep buying the www.mithrilwisdom.com URL every year.
My pledge to you
I've been debating hosting ads on the site for a while, and as long as they're on here I give you the following promise:
Every single penny that I get from these ads I will put back into making this blog better. That means more giveaways, more competitions, and more awesomeness for you. Every. Single. Penny.
I also plan to add this pledge to a disclaimer/disclosure page up on top so it'll be there permanently.
With that in mind, I want to host another giveaway once I hit 350 subscribers on here. I'm still unsure of what to give though (it's a toss up between zombies and steampunk at the moment) so let me know your thoughts in the comments.
How were your July4th celebrations? What kind of stuff would you like to see in the next giveaway? Have I sacrificed my dignity and self respect in the name of making a quick buck?
What's the rates on these guys? Is it CPM or RPM?
ReplyDeleteI don't think getting advertising on your blog is selling out at all. Good for you, and even better that you're putting the proceeds towards giveaways. Admirable, man.
ReplyDeleteNever mind, I think I've got it worked out. :) The rates are, hmm questionable...
ReplyDeleteI won't pretend to know about either of those :P Project Wonderful do it on a per day basis, but you set the minimum amount per ad per day. So you don't get as much as you would with other ad networks, but I think you have better control over what ads are shown :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare :) I just hope I'll get enough to be able to host a really good giveaway soon!
ReplyDeleteHa, I know, but as an early foray into this ad stuff I figured it's a decent place to start (not a fan of Google AdSense).
ReplyDeleteYou're doing it for a good reason. Appreciate you wanting to put it back into your blog. And at least the ad matches your site.
ReplyDeleteOh don't even get me started with Adsense. There is so many things wrong with it.
ReplyDeletePick and choose ads...Tells you can't remove ads.
Pays you per click... A penny at most.
Man, I really, really hate adsense!
YouTube has acquired reputation for the reason that it's
ReplyDeleteabsolutely free, can be shared with all over the world. A fantastic video on
YouTube can get loads of hits simply because persons share them with their pals
and family or on social networks.
Fingers crossed it'll be worth it. I don't want to sell my soul if you guys won't get any decent swag out of the deal. I'll trial it for a little while and see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you've decided to put in these ads must mean you're getting some decent traffic. So I guess congratulations are in order. :D
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know how your ads go. I hope they work out for you.
ReplyDeleteYou'll know if they work when my giveaway is a ton of cool stuff and I'm not worried about the postage :)
ReplyDeleteI've been using Google Adds for some time now, and having in mind that my site has thousands of daily visits and the earnings are still extremely low, I think those add things are a kind of scheme... only the biggest sites with millions of daily readers can earn something.
ReplyDeleteI will try this Ad things of yours in the future, maybe it brings more than Google.
PS I was a nice boy and clicked on the add :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dezzie, though these ads don't work on a 'per click' basis like Google. It works on a 'per day hosted' basis, which is still extremely low (less than a penny in some cases on average) but it's worth a shot :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen Project Wonderful on many other sites, and it seems like a good ad decision. Frankly, ads don't really bother me, and as ads go I actually like seeing the Project Wonderful one, which many of my favorite webcomics use.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it :) I wanted to sacrifice a little integrity when using ads, so I think this is the lesser of all evils :) It was their use on webcomics that got me interested in the way they work.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I said I wouldn't do ads...but those are good ads. Now I might do the same...hmm...
ReplyDeleteI say zombies. No, steampunk. No, zombies. No, steampunk. No, zombies. No, steampunk. No, zombies.
What about steampunk zombies?! The greatest mash-up.
Actually, this sounds like a great idea. Which reminds me, I'd better plug my own contest a little more...
ReplyDeleteHmm, steampunk zombies. Cherie Priest, perhalps? Josh, you're a genius! Do you think I could get the publisher to pony up some books for you guys? Hehe.
ReplyDeleteGreat and decent idea
ReplyDeleteI'm notoriously bad at plugging contests once I've started them. That might be party why only about 3 people ever enter them, heh.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how it works out for you!
ReplyDeleteI have amazon affiliate links on mine..which I'm not hugely keen on...but it's nice to just link up and have all the blurb and cover art there...makes it quick and easy for me to post...and so far it's brought in the grand total of £1.67, lol. I figure if I can make a tenner a year it covers hosting....but I doubt I'll get there!
I don't think you've lost any dignity. Actually, the ad in your sidebar for a kickstarter project is rather interesting; and it's farther down the page, so it isn't distracting above the fold.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being close to 350!
Well played, Jaime. I think we all can agree that you're beyond reproach. Although I'm not sure how you're going to make the blog better as it's already quite great. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, it's your blog - you can do whatever you like with it! :) I've nothing against adverts on blogs.
ReplyDeleteWe're with project wonderful too, as you know - we're hoping to eventually earn enough from ads to cover the cost of hosting and server fees. One days we would like to be able to pay ourselves a wage and pay our contributers.
ReplyDeleteYour dignity is fine. July 4th was a stay at home cookout for us.
ReplyDeleteI get what you mean, I wanted to make money from Amazon coz you can choose to get paid in vouchers, then I would give those vouchers away, but haven't made anything yet hehe. The add you have seriously cool though, so defo not a sell out :P
ReplyDeleteHa, the same with me for Amazon Affiliates, I wasn't really able to use the pennies that I was getting. It'll be the same for this, but it's worth a try :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, i'm itching to start giving away more stuff (you should see me on my birthday, I'm worse than a Hobbit).
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryce, much appreciated :) I'm always open to suggestions if you think of any improvements though.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that you guys are so supportive of it. I know a lot of people see putting ads on a blog as 'the beginning of the end' sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteThat would be awesome, but at this rate I might be able to pay my URL fee in about 3 years :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good day :) We've not got any events until Hallowe'en in the UK, it kinda sucks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, it's good to know that you guys are good with me having these ads here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say 'one day' I mean 'one day next century'.
ReplyDelete