Maybe I Will!

A while back, I wrote a post kicking around the idea of actually blogging, instead of just promoting other people’s giveaways. Since I felt led to say more than just “enter here to win a piece of pie from Mama’s Best Bakery”, I bought a domain and jumped in. I’m not the most prolific blogger alive, but I’m convinced I have enough to say to keep this blog going for a while. I’m sure I can keep up my leisurely pace of one to three posts per week. (Incidentally, can really prolific bloggers be considered “alive”? Don’t you have to leave your desk to really live? Don’t you need to go do something to have something to blog about? All very existential bloggy-type questions, which have nothing to do with the topic at hand.)

Since I’m enjoying myself so much, and since I have, to date, a whopping 150 subscribers according to Feedburner–more than I ever dreamed of, even if it isn’t much to a real blogger–I’ve decided to actually put some time and effort into this blog. I’m curious how many readers I could get if I put an effort into it, so I’m going to work at it for a while. You know, if I feel like it. (Still doing that underachiever thing. Can’t help it.)

So far, I’ve put a couple hundred dollars and many hours into this blog. I’ve paid for a theme. Despite the fact that there are many free options out there, I’ve paid for hosting and a URL. Furthermore, my time is worth something–just ask my kids.  Given the amount of money, time and energy I’ve put into it, I don’t think it would be expecting too much to try to get this site to pay for itself. I’ve decided to join an ad network or two, and also sell ad space independently. Even if I don’t make a profit (almost a certainty), I’d like my hobby to take less of my husband’s hard-earned money. I’m researching how and what to do right now, and I’m as slow as molasses, so don’t expect to see any changes for a few weeks.

I won’t, however, be doing a lot of the things that I’ve seen some other bloggers do for the sake of filthy lucre. Not that I’m above all that, but this blog is always going to be a personal blog, which means I don’t want my readers wondering if I really mean what I’m saying. I assure you, I always say exactly what I think. It’s a weakness of mine. Anyway, here are my advertising guidelines for now. I’ll let you know if they change:

• I am not going to do pay-per-post. I write for me. Sometimes I write for products or services I like. But I’m not going to write about products for money. If samples count as payment, then my review posts are exceptions to this rule. I like reviewing products. It’s fun for me, and I enjoy doing giveaways as a way of thanking my readers for showing up.
• I probably won’t post affiliate links, just because that amounts to an endorsement of a product. An endorsement is a commitment. I hate commitments. (I’ve changed my mind on this one. I said “probably”, and  I was wrong. I like some things. Why not try to sell them?)
• I am going to put a PayPal tip jar up, and you will be welcome to contribute a few pennies or dollars to the upkeep of this blog and its caretaker if you like.
• I’m going to post my Amazon wishlist, just in case someone has too much money and would like to buy me something. (A girl can dream, right?)
• I’m going to join at least one ad network. I’m still looking into that.
• I am not going to encourage my readers to click links. I’m not a salesperson.

Anyway, I’m letting you know so you can protest now, if you have objections. Not that I care what you people think, but speak now if you have thoughts on the subject. Also, bloggers, let me know what has worked for you, if you have time to leave a comment. Links to your own posts about monetization would be appreciated!