Blogging For Money is a Dirty Job
Disgusted by Truth
So I started dabbling in this money thing with my blog and I have decided that I don’t like it. It happened Saturday Around 3:30 am. I saw the ads sitting there, like infectious blisters erupting from the face of my blog. I was overtaken by sickening chill, I fell onto the floor, unable to stand.
I managed to crawl into the bathroom where I pulled myself up from the shame, and there, looking back from my reflection - a stranger. As I gazed into the mirror, I heard that voice say, “What have you become? Look at yourself…is this who you are? You disgust me!”
The True Nature of Money
If I write some sort of sponsored review from any of the popular programs available, I am not writing my opinion, I am being paid to say whatever it is they want. To make $100,000 per month is a pipedream for sure, especially by using most of these services.
It should be against the law to use the phrase ‘paid opinion’ in any form of advertising. It is a reworded script, dictated by the rules of the company. Therefore, you are being paid to lie!
Ad Blending versus Ad hiding
I am not a business type of person but mostly because it’s so easy to see through the lies of most advertising. Whenever I try writing business information, trying to earn money, it makes me feel so dirty.
It makes me feel like garbage. I used to sell cars at one point in my life, and that was my real introduction to sales. No matter how many different car dealerships I worked at, one thing was true of them all. The number one salesman at each one was always the most cut throat, back stabbing and best liar!
Many popular ads have resorted to methods of ad blending; where the ad is placed on a page so as to make it appear not an ad, but part of the site. The trick is to deceive you into clicking ads accidentally. Look in my sidebar and you’ll see a perfect example of an ad disguising itself as a normal tag cloud (ad has been removed).
Google wants people to blend Adsense into their blogs, placing them strategically to increase the probability of a hit. Placing ads closely to commonly clicked normal links is the best location; doubling the chances of a hit.
Kontera and other types of contextual ads are camouflaged within the posts themselves. So I wonder, what is the difference between something hidden and something blended? Blended simply means it is trying to hide but is actually visible - and so it is legal.
Conclusion
I will leave up some ads to pay my bill for keeping this site going. 
I don’t like doing that, but I cannot afford to spend a lot of extra money. I will be starting other blogs to earn real money but not with this one.
Though I still feel violated and encrusted in filth, I must carry on with my blogging. It’s such a shame that things work the way they do, but I cannot let that get me down. The truth is, money and friendship do not mix 
Stay tuned to watch me battle myself in many future articles. Will I become BloggerX? Will I throw blogger X off a building watching him splatter on concrete? Will I wake up from this terrifying nightmare?! 
Random Posts
Comments
41 Responses to “Blogging For Money is a Dirty Job”
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe!
-
Sponsors
Well said Bobby. I make money with the Aaron Cook Dot Com blog, but I make a conscious effort to make sure that any ads on my blog (the few that are there) are clearly visible and that my content is always informative and enjoyable…NOT money-driven. I’d much rather be myself and shoot form the hip.
Granted, I used to blog more about money stuff (back when my blog was the Home Business Today blog), but all that stopped back in April the very moment I acquired the aaroncook.com domain name and moved my blog over to it. And let me tell ya…it was the best move I could make. That’s the precise moment my traffic jumped and more people started coming back on a daily basis.
Bottom line, I think what you have going here is excellent. And you’ve had a very important epiphany that will no doubt bring more readers to this blog…which will in turn get more readers to the other blogs you start.
Bottom line, you can make money blogging without selling out. 
Shine on,
Aaron
Bloging Schizophrenia
I feel your pain
Ad Tracker’s last blog post..Giveaways and Other Things
Hey Bobby, sorry to hear you’re having/had so much conflict in regards to ads and sponsored reviews. For me, I honestly tend to gloss over whether or not I’m supposed to give a positive review or not and honestly just call them how I see them by doing the best review that I can.
I guess it’s my “blogging nature” to not overtly slam things I don’t like…I instead try to logically point out every point of interest (flaw or not) that I see and leave it to my intelligent readers to make up their own minds.
It seems to work out pretty well and a couple of companies have taken my *ahem* criticism to heart and actually changed their product based on my feedback. Those times, not only do I feel content about writing a good review but pretty happy that an advertiser saw value in my post. *nod*
Bush Mackel’s last blog post..November Means - Black Friday Deals and Specials!
You’ll never be a bad BloggerX Bobby. You’re heart is too pure for that!
Rolando’s last blog post..Vote For Joanne!
I haven’t really tried any of the pay to write what they tell you services, though I probably don’t yet have the PR and Alexa to qualify anyway. But I agree it would make me feel like a whore rather than like a writer. I think I will stick with ads that are obviously ads and take whatever pitiful cpm’s I can get. At least then the writing will still really be Mine.
Alan’s last blog post..Al-Jazeera and why we ignore the Arabic world at our peril
OMG, where did u get that pic from Bobby?! So, are u gonna turn into Blogger X or what? He he he…
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary!
Hey Bobby,
I have fought with this inner demon as well. Getting on the band wagon, posting posting…made some cash. And then that lightbulb goes off.
I still write some posts, but I am very selective. It has to be something I believe in, I will not lie, and I will not just pick a topic for the cash.
It works for me, at this point. I don’t have as many posts, but its okay.
If I see something at ppp or sponsored reviews that I can truly attest to, or have the ability to write what my true opinion is, I will take it. I find SR is more receptive to that kind of posting. I have even written some for large Corps, who contacted me to do so, with no links, no mention of who they were, they truly felt that confident of their services.
But on the whole, I agree with your post!
Peace
Jodi’s last blog post..Talking to Myself
I would really like to see a blog with no ads. But a big blog, about SEO, about promoting, about blogging. Ads are inevitable. Look at television. They couldn’t live without it. Even if it’s annoying and it interrupts your favourite movie.
So, I guess, if you blend the ads in a way that you don’t hurt your visitors’ eyes, you are one step ahead.
Chip’s last blog post..Blogging Fingers Sold For 6000$
Hi Bobby!
You do not sound like your usual chirpy self in this post. I do not fully agree that money -making and friendship do not mix. As far as blogging is concerned. With your capacity in writing and establishing friendship in the blogosphere, I am sure you would work out a balance somehow. I have faith in you, Bobby.
Blessings!
WaterLearner’s last blog post..Look Up!
Hi Bobby,
It’s not true that you have to lie. You just only choose the companies that you want to write about it. You’re only lying if you hate the website but give it a positive review. Advertisers ask for different types of reviews, sometimes they just want their website mentioned or a contest they’re running, sometimes they want a full critique, but there’s no rule that says you have to give them positive reviews.
I love doing reviews, they are like commercials, I find it fun. I like that I’m promoting someone’s website or business. If I had a business I know I’d want people to promote me. I don’t really see anything dirty about writing reviews. You choose the reviews and what you write, it’s not really that black and white. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer first and a blogger second that I feel the way I do.
Christy’s last blog post..A Review of LightingShowPlace.com
I just feel so weird writing something that I am being paid to write, especially if I really don’t know a lot about the site I’m promoting. Maybe I’ll get over it
I really wish you had told me how offensive you found my post before you published an article directed at me. My post was not about you, it was about how I felt. I feel so horrible, I don’t even want to blog anymore.
I have been so busy I haven’t had time to blog! I hope I find that balance Karen!
That would be cool Chip! Let’s hope it happens
Hi Jodi!!! It seems to me that the only valid review is a free review!!!! I’ll figure this all out
I think I’ll be ok Marzie!!! That bathroom? That’s mine of course…Just teasing
That’s true Alan!!! I’m thinking the same way
I think I had too many sales jobs that I despised. I think Blogger-X has been defeated
Hi Bush!!! I can’t help but overly slam things…it helps me stimulate new understanding!!! I’m sure I’ll find a happy medium
Hi Adtracker! Do you think those guys with the white suits will put me in a strait jacket?
I agree with Christy that writing reviews can be a pleasant experience if it’s a product or service you would actually consider using. I find myself needing to go the monetizing route with my blog
and I plan on only doing reviews for things I feel fine giving my stamp of approval on.
Dawn’s last blog post..Urge to Kill Rising?
Hi Aaron! I just have to feel good about what I’m doing, so that’s what I’m working on
Hi Dawn!!! If you write for PPP for example, chances are, you will have never heard of the site you are reviewing. That’s what I don’t like. I’ll find a happy medium
Here’s my 2 cents. If you feel you have to LIE about it, then DON’T take the opp! It’s that simple. You are not forced to accept anything that you don’t believe in or approve of. Unfortunately, there are some unethical bloggers out there but some of us have made it clear that we blog for money-not just for fun and have announced that on our blog. I have said from day one that I need the money to pay bills etc and for my readers to expect some paid links, reviews, and ads. If they don’t like it, they can leave.
I’m sick of hearing about all the paid to blog drama. People shouldn’t be judged because they are trying to make a living. If you can’t see the blogger for who they really are (assuming they are ethical) then it’s probably better that they don’t have you as a reader in the first place.
Lori’s last blog post..My 2 Cents 11/2/07
A virtual hug to you, Bobby. I can tell this is something you struggled with.
Ingrid’s last blog post..Saturday: Fun with daddy
Ads are not neccesarily evil in my eyes.
I just started doing some paid reviews and generally I only do them for the products that I don’t mind talking about or things that allow me to talk about other things in the post.
Often your review basically just points to their site and if you are conscious you don’t have to endorse things unless you truly like them.
I like you point of stucking up for what you believe in and will be reading on a regular basis to see what you end up believing.
For me being a small time blogger and wanting it to be my eventual income I need to take sponsored posts and need to make some money online.
Anybody working for any corporation could feel just as dirty. We should all feel dirty for using Microsoft products or bowing doen to Google if we really get that into it all.
Dear Bobby,
It sounds like you are having a blogger’s dark night of the soul. Is it possible for you to have a blog that is separate from your day blog job?
Princess Haiku’s last blog post..Day of the Dead in Photos
Yes, off topic a bit, but that looks like my recent hotel (motor lodge) bathroom. I just got home today and am happy to be back on my shined throne….
Speedcat H’s last blog post..Have Some Cake! Head cover to Mariuca’s
[...] comments including Christy’s on my last post, Blogging For Money is a Dirty Job shared the idea that if you pick what you really like and feel positive about, then you are giving [...]
I have never written for money, so it feels foreign to me. I have to learn more about the ins and outs of paid reviews and I will. This is the only time I have written anything like this. I am not judging people, I am just expressing how I felt.
I hope you don’t take it personally because I actually feel different about it now.
Thanks Ingrid. I certainly don’t have a reputation as being mean. The main objective of my blog is to spread love and promote the joining of humanity.
Thanks Forrest. I want to write paid posts and feel good about it. Hopefully I will get over it
Hi Princess Haiku, tomorrow will be better. Everyone makes mistakes and I just learned from mine
I need to clean mine Eric! It looks bad huh?
Hey Bobby,
Guess what? I felt bad when I started doing paid reviews and those were for companies I knew. That’s it. It was something new. I wrote about what I was feeling from my perspective on my blog and I received great feedback from my readers. It helped me tremendously. I asked questions people assisted.
I’ll only write for companies I know which is why I love Sponsored Reviews. I have seven days to review a product. I mainly write articles dealing with technology because that is what I know.
Take it as a lesson learned. With a lot of my sponsored posts there are many that I not only highlight what I like about their company I also point out what I think should be improved and like Bush Mackel some of the advertisers have made changes and quite a few have contacted me directly thanking me for the reviews I gave. I gained their respect and even when I did not like something about their company I pointed it out in a respectful manner.
I can see how people took what you wrote personally because you did not make that distinction.
You can win more people over simply by treating them with respect even when you don’t agree with them. I don’t slam companies that I dislike because when I think about it I would not appreciate having that done to me. I treat people how I want to be treated.
I’ll be having people review my company eventually I’m paying them for their honest opinion not to lie there are many advertisers that give you that freedom even on Pay Per Post although I rarely do their reviews.
There are people who depend on paid reviews to support their families. I’m not one of them but for them its a blessing they are able to provide without getting assistance from others. I can think of a few of my regular blog buddies who rely on paid reviews.
Opal Tribble’s last blog post..Being Busy Is Contagious
A reason why you might not have heard of a lot of these companies is because they are small they cannot afford to sink a lot of money into expensive advertising for a small business owner this type of advertising is an affordable option. I’ve done “regular” advertising with my company and it can be very expensive.
…just something to think about.
Opal Tribble’s last blog post..Being Busy Is Contagious
How are u my dear Bobby revell? Actually u are doing just fine all this time. For me, there are nothing to worry about how the appearance of the ads. Only what i dun like about ads is, many of ads provider take all kinds of ads, include gambling and porno sites.
I see Google is not really bad about this, but advertisers like Bidvertiser, Obeus and couples more are not filter the ads nicely. Obeus is worst for me, because so many porno sites been approved by them.
Neway, gud luck in whatever u do Bobby, have a nice days ahead, all da best, cheers!!
Gosh, my comment sounds harsh now that I’m reading it out loud. It’s not directed towards you personally, it’s for all those people who hate seeing sponsored posts. No hard feelings:)
Lori’s last blog post..My 2 Cents 11/2/07
I just started doing “paid blogging” and so far, mainly because being new there aren’t many opportunities available to me, but those that were offered, some I declined simply because I couldn’t in good conscience write anything on their behalf. But those I did opt to write about, one is a subject I feel very strongly about and in it, I wasn’t pushing people to purchase, but rather a site where they could get straight forward information and comparisons with other companies to see what was available and the affordable status of that product to their particular circumstances.
If I were to try to do a review, opinion, push, for a product I didn’t personally like or believe in, it would show through immediately in my writing and most likely would not be accepted by the advertiser then anyway so it would be a wasted effort then on my part.
Jeni Hill Ertmer’s last blog post..Thankfulness
[...] Bobby Revell discovered that blogging for money is a dirty job and he didn’t like what his site had become with ads and the idea of paid reviews. While [...]
I sell, place, and have ads on my blog. I have no problem with ads on my site, as long as they’re family friendly. As for paid posts, I review the site or product in question. If the review is to have a neutral tone, I’ll do it and write an honest review. If the review is to be positive, if I can’t be positive, I won’t do the review.
Desty’s last blog post..A Blog to Keep Your Eye On: Caroline Middlebrook
That is a very interesting theory you have there. You are right about most of it. I do think it is important to what’s best for you as the site owner.
Mike C’s last blog post..John Thain Merrill Lynch CEO?