Faith in Action is open for business!
Customarily, at the end of every year I purpose to change things up on my blog. I believe that I have to keep things fresh to keep folks coming. It’s also a great way for me to learn more web design skills. (I’ve learned so much about web languages, servers, and such just by tinkering around with this blog over the years)
The newest change that is already up and running has to do with “blog monetization“. Vegan Momma really inspired me to start thinking about ways that I could make money via my blog. Considering the amount of time and energy that I give to this site, it made sense for me to explore ways that the blog could give back to me - besides, of course, providing engaging dialogue and the worldwide platform that I enjoy. Comparatively, I’m a little late on the blog monetization train. Many bloggers writing about various topics are making somewhere in the ball park of $200 - $2,000 dollars per month with the many ad programs out there.
So now, as you’ll notice, on the right sidebar I have ad space which is available for corporations, organizations, and entrepreneurs that provide a service or product that aligns with my ideals. Don’t worry faithful Faith-in-Actioners. You’ll never see ads for alcohol, sex enhancers, or other unsavory way out in left field products. I won’t sell out for the dollar. Hopefully, you will see a parade of Black-owned businesses like Urban Profile - a Detroit-based African American clothing company and other companies that provide valuable services like Lunar Pages - the web hosting company that I utilize and can vouch for.
I’m doing research into how much I should charge for the ad spaces and once my research is complete I’ll let you know the rates for advertising. I imagine that I’ll offer an introductory rate for a defined period of time in early ‘08.
The truth of the matter is that after 2 1/2 years, this blog is beginning to require a fairly significant financial investment. Hopefully, as I carefully “monetize” my blog, I can begin to amass some level of financial support.
Look forward to more new and exciting changes to the Faith in Action blog in 2008! I’m going to be putting my digital camera and brand new camcorder to work in the new year. As much as possible, I’ll bring you with me as I hit the streets and suites blowing the trumpet for justice.
Thank you for your support and as always, I welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below if you wish.
Justice!
Rev. Heber Brown, III
December 26th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Hey Hebe,
You don’t have to sell out to make a buck online I think that is what some people don’t know. For example on my homeschoolling website the information I have revolves around child protection, keeping our children safe online, education, crafts, etc.,
There are many programs out there that can be tailored to your audience. I won’t let anything on my website unless I’ve reviewed it thoroughly. That is one thing I do believe my readers do respect about me they know I won’t sell out and yeah I’ll talk about the company if I don’t like them. In fact I’ll talk about your company if I do. Respectfully of course. I find not too many talk about a company when things are going good. I want to see that changed.
Lunar Pages is an excellent hosting service, affordable prices, monthly payments if you want it and they give incentives at least twice a year without raising the prices. I’ve been a customer for over five years. The customer service is excellent. Anytime I’ve had issues whether I call or email they usually have my issue resolved within that same day.
Your website is a PR 4 you should get a price that can help you out with your webhosting cost.
I’ll send you an email in a few days.
December 27th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Have you considered Google? Google will compensate you for every sale that is consumated on your blog, if you utilize their ‘adserve’ service.
I don’t see a problem with your being compesnated for what you do. On the other hand, how much influence will your advertisers have over you?
For example, will you be still be able to talk about the Blank Panthers or dwell on religious or political content?
December 28th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Rev. C. Solomon,
I think you are referring to Google Adsense? It’s not based on sale but per click. A person only has to click on an advertisers adsense block for you to make money. You can make anything from a few pennies to several dollars per click. Websites with high page views can easily make over 1,000 daily. Currently I make about $100 weekly simply from people clicking on adsense blocks.
However for this website it wouldn’t be a good match because “adsense blocks” are generated by keywords. Depending on the word he uses an opposing political adsense block would appear on this website. I’ve seen that a occasionally on a few political websites they usually end up removing adsense.
Regarding advertisers if they are on your website, they abide by the terms you’ve laid out in your contract. It’s your virtual home you call the shots. I have only one advertiser on my website. It’s a ticket broker. They give my readers a discount if they use my name. That was one of the terms I laid out. I wanted to give something back to my readers. I laid out the guidelines within the simple contract the advertisers signed. They accepted my terms.
@Hebe,
I checked out the article that you linked the bloggers that do well making money online is small. I imagine it’s partly because they surrender to quickly. As with anything else it takes a lot of patience and you might make mistakes. That’s ok, get up and try again. Many bloggers that I’ve assisted think they can slap something on their website and they’ll make money it doesn’t work that way.
Also some of the information listed in the article is incorrect. Pay Per Post doesn’t have advertisers place ads on the bloggers website. Pay Per Post uses a marketplace advertisers list their product or company for review and if the blogger meets the qualifications they can review the product or service on their blog. The prices paid vary from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per review. The most I’ve made was a little under $200 for one review. I received a few of those but I picked them up on my own. Advertisers contacted me at my website. I checked them out. tried the service and they were a good fit for my audience. I turn down most advertisers because they don’t fit my audience. I won’t promote something I don’t like.
For small businesses that cannot afford the high cost of advertising having a blogger review your website is a great option especially with bloggers that receive a lot of traffic.
I’ve occasionally written reviews for Pay Per Post however I will only write them if I know about the company and believe it is good fit for my audience. I’ve always written reviews but those were personal reviews. I haven’t written a paid review in months because I just don’t have the time.
December 28th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Hey Opal - thanks for my being my “monetization inspiration” and for clarity on the google adsense program. I look forward to your email - in fact, I may send you one first. I have a couple of questions.
Rev. Solomon - thanks for your comment. The issue you raised is one that made me extremely hesitant about “monetizing” my blog, but once I found out that there were ways that I could do it without compromising the integrity of this site, I felt more comfortable with it. Rest assured, that I will continue to write whatever I feel like writing and that no advertising company will be allowed to influence me in any way. I have a tendency to reject dollars laden with strings.