Advertising On Your Body and Soul
Blogging scares news corporations and the entertainment industry, and it keeps getting better. Now, with the Internet, people like to entertain themselves, and become their own stars. YouTube and social networking sites are having a powerful effect on how money is made - it’s becoming more about the people and less about the huge corporations. We live in a world of shallow, self-serving people festering in lustful greed - isn’t that just wonderful?
Why should I watch only TV when I can watch free stuff? Wouldn’t it be cool, if the big corporations paid us, rather than the other way around? Corporations are paying people to have their logo tattooed on their bodies! That is insane. I will only wear generic clothes and shoes from now on. It’s funny how we pay for name brands. All we’re really doing is paying some corporation so we have the privilege to advertise for them! What? They should pay us for that. I’m going to start wearing blank t-shirts like this:
The T-shirts are $25.00 each, use the contact form above and drop me an e-mail to order.
I think of my blog as my home. What about you? Many blogs are businesses, others are personal and so forth. When you put your Technorati authority, Alexa ranking and Google page rank on the face of your blog, what exactly are you trying to say? Would you put such information on your clothes, car or even your home? I see a page rank widget on a blog and I’m thinking, this person probably wears clothes with price tags hanging off of them. It’s a little tacky when you think about it.
Would you hang an offensively tasteless sign like this in front of your house?:
Think about how easy it is to pump up your Technorati authority with meme’s and link chains. This would be like a person wearing a fake Rolex watch. Look…I’m wearing a Rolex! Why not have a fake price sticker of $27,000.00 on it too? That way people know how valuable you are. It’s all pretty silly when you think about it. I don’t display any of these rankings on my blog. I uninstalled my pagerank toolbar too because I don’t like the idea of immediately judging every site I see. Do you do that? Do you immediately check ranking when you go to a new site? If not, than why bother with even looking or having stats pasted all over your blog? It’s just something to think about. The truth is, I could care less how much money you make or how popular your blog is; it has nothing to do with me reading or coming back. I actually look for people who are friendly, that can write cool stuff, are fun or having something other to offer than just making money or gaining something for themselves. Here’s a cool way to make money after you die:
Blogging is changing the web and the way things work in nearly every part of society - or I should say the Internet itself is changing everything. So I ask you, would you have a Pepsi tattoo inked on your forehead for the right price? I would. The price is 10 million in gold bullion.
The gold pic is from Business Week
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you know, I’m guilty of looking at the alexa rank to judge someones site now and then
I do agree with what you’re saying though, I have a friend who spent 2 years saving up for a rolex watch. He catches a bus to work coz he can’t afford a car. that says it all really.
Andy Bailey’s last blog post..Go with the flow joe! New CommentLuv version started
Hi Andy! Well, I lied…I have the Alexa toolbar installed for firefox, but don’t list my ranking on my blog. The toolbar is very beneficial for everyone’s blog I visit - the main reason I use it. Your friend should have bought a fake Rolex and then he could buy himself a car…lol
Mmmmmmm thought I had left a comment, but nothing has appeared?
Let’s have another go, and hope I don’t end up commenting twice!
Terrific blog Bobby, you are indeed a ‘proper’ blogger.
Respect!
Rich
Rich’s last blog post..La la la Latvia!
Hi Rich, yes they both went through. I moderate them, so they don’t appear until I approve them. Thanks so much for the compliment. Overall, it’s becoming much more difficult for a blogger to gain any success if they have a “nice guys finish last” attitude and are looking for instant gratification
To be honest, I don’t understand all those ranking things and to me, since what I’ve heard makes it sound as though some rankings can almost be “bought” or faked somehow, I don’t have much faith in them. If I were to advertise something on my person or attire, I certainly wouldn’t do it on the cheap. And I would have to actually like the product or service. I have to live with myself and I just couldn’t do it if I didn’t like it/believe in it. To me, that makes my space more valuable, in my not-so-humble opinion.
teeni’s last blog post..Live Poets Society Completed Assignment
Ah, loved that post, Bobby.
I stopped wearing brand name stuff years ago when I realized that I was little more than a walking billboard for the corporations, merely offering free advertising for them. These days, you’ll never catch me in a shirt that has a visible company logo. I came to the conclusion that if they weren’t willing to pay me for the advertising, then I wasn’t willing to buy the product and advertise it.
The truth is, corporations and marketing firms have worked very hard over the past decades to brainwash people into taking so much “pride” in a product or brand name that they’re eager to wear it and show it off like it’s some sort of status symbol, etc. Commercials aren’t made to “sell” products. No, no. They’re made to sell a feeling and a belief that, “I’m cool and hip if I have that, and people will like me for it.” They spend much of their time brainwashing people into thinking that if they don’t have or wear a particular product that they don’t fit in with society…that they’re not beautiful, sexy, hip, successful, etc.
That’s why commercials for cars, beer, clothing, and practically everything else focus on the sexiness and coolness of having a product, rather than on its basic utility. Bottom line, they’re not selling products, they’re selling an image…an image of what you’ll be IF you buy that product. And frankly, I take no part in it.
That’s why I use sites that pay me for my time and my creations, like Yuwie and Revver, for example. Sure, there are countless social networking sites and countless video-sharing sites to choose from, but I prefer to use the ones that are nice enough to “share” the revenue and reward me for my time and effort. I don’t see the point in adding content and traffic to a site unless it’s willing to share some of the massive spoils.
I mean, look at MySpace. It generates in excess of $30 million a month (last I checked), yet it’s not willing to give any of that back to the very people who launched the site into worldwide fame by talking about it and adding content like blogs, music, videos, etc. Without the users, MySpace is nothing. Yet, the users don’t see even a penny for what they essentially created. Two years ago MySpace signed a $900 million deal with Google to provide Google search and advertising on the site, yet the users got none of that. The users will never get a penny from MySpace - at least not while it’s owned by the greedy Rupert Murdoch/New Corporation outfit.
Bottom line, I’d like to see many more companies adopt the revenue-sharing model. IMHO, it’s the right thing to do. Unfortunately, most companies are too blinded by greed to even fathom taking such a step. In the meantime, the brainwashed sheeple of the world will continue to be walking billboards that blindly advertise for free, thus, justifying the corporate monster and its ravenous existence.
Anyway, I had a couple more points to make here, but I see that I’ve babbled on quite extensively.
So I’ll just end by saying…Great post, buddy! 
Shine on,
Aaron
Aaron Cook’s last blog post..Earth Hour - Lights Out Everywhere!
haha, those are good ones. Reminds of the people on ebay would would pay people to advertise on their bodies
Rolando’s last blog post..New Toys
Hi Bobby,
lol, I love the t-shirt. The ironic thing is through, most people out there in “real” life wouldn’t get it at all … which would kind of defeat the purpose. Your point is well taken though, especially when comparing our blogging experiences to the offline world …
But really, if we’re going to be honest, even the widgets that we like (mybloglog, blogcatalog, etc) are kind of silly. Imagine what people would say if I put up one of those collage type picture frames outside my front door, then asked everybody to leave a time/date stamped 4×6 headshot in the top left slot before I let them in my house.
Keep havin FuN!
Todd
Todd Morris’s last blog post..I Started Blogging Just Over A Year Ago
Yes, it is possible to fake stats, people do it all the time. Personally, I have as much popularity as I want; if I had twice as much, I wouldn’t be able to give much personal attention to my readers. Once a blog gets to a colossal stature and they tell you merry Christmas, it’s like getting a Christmas card from a chain department store. People constantly try to brand themselves and their blogs, making them separate from others, trying to stand above the crowd. That’s what’s wrong with America right now.
Corporate branding has spread from real world business into blogging and of course our entire lives. I believe that if someone wants to make a lot of money in blogging, they must be extremely aggressive and be in it for the cash, not the friends. If you’re nice and make lots of friends, you will never make any sizable income. That’s why I blog for personal reasons. If I make enough to pay for my hosting, then I’m satisfied.
I’m a person, not a brand or a product. I believe that capitalism in general pushes the greedy and callous to the top - that is an absolute fact. Yeah, I wear nice clothes but don’t pay for some name brand. I spent $17.00 for a pair of leather tennis shoes yesterday. I could have bought a pair of Nike’s for $135.00, but that is so ridiculous.
America as a whole could work on a profit sharing principle, but we are talking about an extremely radical idea and I’m sure the “experts” would laugh at the idea. I believe the American economy is about to completely collapse, rendering all paper money…worthless. Hahaha…sorry for the doomsday report. The people should have voted for Ron Paul…that’s all I have to say
Rolando, it sure is great to see you! Are you saying you may get a Mountain Dew tattoo on your forehead? Haha…it would take a sizable sum of gold or platinum for me to do that
Haha! That’s would be a strange front door Todd. As they backed out of the driveway, they would see their picture appear on a giant billboard TV monitor as a recent visitor. Blogging is it’s own unique animal, and it can be quite a spectacle at times. I think I might place a large coffee table style guest book inside my front door and ask all my relative to sign in…lol
What a freakin’ amazing post Bobby. In my small town we should wear t-shirts that say my house is bigger than your house and my kids have more than yours. I swear there are people here that would wear them. I live in a town where many people don’t have a lot of money and spend there days proving to everyone how rich they are. Very weird.
Have a great Monday buddy, hugs:)
Christy’s last blog post..Young Star Of Zoey 101 Engaged
Thanks Christy! That sounds like my neighborhood…where do you live? Haha! As I read your comment, I overheard from my TV a discussion about how Jennifer Lopez gave 1 million to charity, but also spent 12 million on a pair of diamond studded jeans. Her wedding ring cost 8 million. It’s the equivalent of me giving $5.00 to the united way if I compare incomes to her. How strange is that? Have a great week Christy!!!
Hi Bobby, happy Tuesday! Hope u had a good weekend!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Back from War!
Can I have the gold bar?
Haney’s last blog post..Upgraded To Wordpress 2.5
Hey Bobby, a great post as always.
I don’t give two hoots about ranks and stuff when I visit people’s blogs. What really matters is that I enjoy reading what’s written there. And I know a lot of really great blogs with Page Ranks of zero, etc, etc, yet I’m always there cos of the quality of the content and not because of some number!
Nick Phillips’s last blog post..400 Hundred Words Max!
Hahahaha… interesting point of view Bobby.. hahahaha.. let me check if I advertise some of them for free in my blog… LOL heeey… I notice that your blog has been changed! Sorry for not coming here quite long to notice the change!
I have an award for you in my blog… sadly, I have to say good bye to you..
Thanks Marzie! It was ok, nothing exciting. Where have you been?
Yes Haney, take all my gold…I’m so rich, I no longer need it
Hi Nick! I truly believe that by using a page rank tool bar, it alters our perception of people in a negative way. It’s much like sizing people up by looking at what brand of car they drive and so forth. Honestly, It is insulting to new bloggers to shove your ranks in their faces, but that is just my opinion.
Trinity!
My blog has changed? I don’t know what you mean. Saying goodbye? I must come see what is going on.
I think you’re missing out on an opportunity with the gravestone advertising. If you buy a plot before you die, certainly you can place a headstone there with an ad that will be in place until you die.
Charge a flat fee rather than a monthly or annual fee.
Then, try to sell your doctor the ad. That gives him an incentive to keep you alive, because the longer you live, the longer the ad stays. Once you die, the ad is replaced with your own gravestone.
And, the more you charge upfront for the ad, the more the added incentive to keep you alive.
dcr’s last blog post..U.S. Congress to Ban Affiliate Marketing
Hahaha…you are chock full of great money making ideas DCR! I must call my doctor immediately, I know he’ll go for it
[...] post was sponsored by Body and Soul Advertising created by Revellian Advertising located in the headquarters of Google’s Pork Rations on [...]
I really like all your posts Bobby. They always have a new perspective on everything . Keep up the good work
Madhur Kapoor’s last blog post..Free disk space by deleting System Restore Points
As unpleasant as I think it is to see advertising everywhere, I’m sure that being able to put ads on a shirt or in one’s yard would probably help some people out…until it was saturated and drove down property values, of course.
Very good point about companies owing US for wearing their logos, though. My 16-year-old cousin recently started blogging and I’ve talked with her about adspace and stuff and she’s applying the “Why should I let these people put their names on my site/outfit/purse/etc” logic to everything now. It’s a little heartwarming to see her dust off her crazy little cheerleader brain to think once in a while.
Thank you Madhur! That means a lot to me
Hilarious sign. I have figured out about ten ways to artificially inflate technorati scores and once called someone on it who was flaunting it and boy did that person hit the roof. I had a very high score without cheating, but deleted that blog because I felt I needed to downsize. Fewer expectations. And I’d never wear clothes with a logo. But alas, my car! Also, have you visited Square 1’s blog lately? My blog has been “visited” so don’t leave a comment there. Thanks.
gloria, writer reading’s last blog post..Why Grammar Is Important
With a side order of Google Pork Rations and a $10 million Pepsi tattoo, Bobby Billboard will be the new Pepsi Pioneer on the Blogging Frontier
Hi Stefanie!
This corporate branding fever that’s occurring, especially in blogging is both offensive and laughable. I truly believe the premise of my post is going to become a real trend coming in the next several years; however, the American economy will probably collapse before then.
Hi Gloria! It’s nice to see you here
Come to think of it, I would love to drive a generic car - where can I get one? I’m not really sure what you mean by your last statement about being visited.
That’s true Debbie, except for the pork. According to cannibals, pork tastes exactly like human meat so I don’t eat it. Pork tenderloin tastes like human baby (according to some tribes)…yeeeech. I’ll go with pepsi and cheeseburgers instead
Hi Bobby! I’m okay, and just to prove to u that I’m not as addicted to FB games as you probably think I am, I’m here to give u some comment love today he he he!!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Our Love Story
this is too hilarious.
This is exactly what I think about these stupid greedy corporation. A guy at my school got a tattoo of the brand volcom on his back. lol. I don’t he was advertising for them for like stupidity. 
Yasmine’s last blog post..“Save” yourself first!
Silly girl…I need much more proof…hahaha! Thanks for the love
I guess he did it for free huh? I want a McDonald’s tattoo on my face…hehe
The tombstone is my favorite one! Good comment on a life and its “value.” Thanks!
You seriously need to CafePress the shirt man!
Bush Mackel’s last blog post..Videogame Round Up 4-2-08
Wow,I really don’t have any grammar skills
I write too fast and don’t read it over. 
Well I am glad you were able to comprehend what my motive was in the comment. YOu are awesome Mr. Bobby 
p.s. I hope there is no grammar mistake now…
yasmine’s last blog post..“Save” yourself first!
Heh, pictures are really good(as is the post for that matter)… made me laugh a bit but can say it’s also sad at the same time somehow. Anyway wearing or wanting anything just because of brand name is silly… but then again so is refusing something you like or you can use only because it’s branded(I’m not saying I’d save to buy rolex for 2 years, I’d go for car first
)
Wiz’s last blog post..Promote Your Business by Working Smart with Your Web Design Company
I just meant regarding those involved in Square’s dilemma.
gloria, writer reading’s last blog post..MFA Degrees as Medieval Artist Guilds
Good one! I have a Technorati bumper sticker on my blog, more as a check point for myself. Funny thing about ranks and links etc …. they are not important to me, but they are somewhat like a fun game of chess in my case. It’s a side bit, or an extra thing in blogging that holds my interest. Do they matter in any real way? Nope.
No tattoos on my forhead, but I would consider a “Kwik Trip” corn dog banner on my chest - I LOVE DEM THINGS!!!!!!!!!! Ha haaaaa
You gotta try one!
Eric “Speedcat Hollydale”’s last blog post..Longing for Home
Ultimately I like promoting things that I like or find novel or interesting. There is much debate about blog advertising, but writers in print media (newspapers and magazines) are paid via advertisers and have more corporate pressure. Example, if you write for Rupert Murdoch’s publications and offend one of his uber advertisers you can have your piece cut or edited to the point where there is no point. There is advertising out there that doesn’t pressure bloggers on a moral level, and at the same time there is nothing bad about being paid for providing content. It is only when a person’s morals are easily changed that it becomes a concern.
I think Technorati is a waste of time as it doesn’t really provide any great traffic, and the quality control isn’t that fantastic. I have the technorati widget on my page only because it enables me to check who has linked to something, and I have had some weird linkbacks, so it enables me to check for plagiarism (and to deal with that), but apart from that, I don’t even care about the rank. I think that Technorati will be obsolete in a few years because of all the junk on that site. It is tiresome to go through content in Technorati. It is much easier to search google for blog posts and references if one wants to read something. Alexa is another thing I don’t get either, and there (amazingly so) people who place a high value on it when really, Alexa gathers its data based on the Alexa Toolbar, and not everyone in the world has installed it, so a blog can receive countless visitors, but two thirds may not have the Alexa toolbar on their computers for that traffic to be counted, which is why I think it incredulous that such a high value is placed on Alexa rank.
Anastasia’s last blog post..Cell