Comments on: Blogging for Fun and Profit?

By: Kelloggsville

Kelloggsville — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:03:25 +0000

wow Dan, just popped in to see how this was all going and hot diggerty daug what a hornets nest you stirred up!!!

What a fantastic post attracting that much interest – now imagine if you had put a click here advert right in the middle of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*kelloggsville ducks the shoe flying in her direction and runs away*

;0)
Kelloggsville´s last blog ..This time I’ll get it right

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:36:43 +0000

Don’t regret posting it Dan, I think you have unleashed a great debate, I know I am guilty of feeling things too sharply or overthinking things on many occasions (not saying you are doing that of course!) People can call me anything they like – I’ve written stuff online for a paper that was called the biggest load of crap ever or something in the comments – water off a duck’s back but I have had 20 years as a journalist to develop said thick skin. It’s interesting for me to see a debate about blogs/money/commercialism etc and compare this to how journalism is viewed. For me, it’s important to point out that any blogger doing a review has the trust of their readers so honesty is key – I stressed so much over reporting that actually I had a nice time on a freebie trip! But it did make it clear that it was one of them – something that doesn’t always happen in newspapers. I have so much work to do, I don’t know when I am going to get chance to blog about this but I would like to at some point. Please don’t worry about other people choosing to take any discussion the way they have chosen, your blog is wonderful and your integrity shines out from every word. xx
Linda´s last blog ..Twin Tuesday: Jedward are just the latest twins to rock the X Factor!

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:24:57 +0000

@Linda, thinking about it I don’t think you have anything to worry about with people being sensitive (not that you were worried in the first place). It’s if you stray the other side of the line that people start to get upset with you and read far far more into what you are saying than was intended. To be honest I wish I’d never posted this really.

I’ve pretty much made up my own mind for my own blog. I’m going to stop doing reviews/accepting freebies unless they have an impact on the Hadrian’s walk thing. Reviews and the like irritate me on other peoples blogs (and yes I know I don’t have to read them. In fact I’ve stopped reading a few blogs all together due to the density of reviews and sponsored posts) so it is hypocritical of me to have them on mine, so i really should stop. Plus, as I say I don’t feel comfortable with it. I’m not a journalist or pro writer, nor do I want to be. I certainly don’t want to be a corporate spokesman or ambassador.

But, for people who do, then that’s cool. It’s your blog, it’s a free country, you can express yourself how you like, live and let live, and all that stuff. I think it’s a shame that there can’t be a debate about it without calling people stuck up and snobby, but a blog is a very personal thing and I suppose any perceived criticism can often be interpreted as a personal attack. I suppose I’m as guilty of that as anyone too.

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:07:39 +0000

People can be as ’sensitive’ as they like – I set my handsfull blog up three years ago to help people and touch wood, I have been delighted that it has been able to do that – but my job is to be a writer, and make money from it, if opportunities for me and my family come through my blog, then I am going to take them….People can be sensitive about all the fields I work in – journalism, PR, etc, I have a thick skin! :) Our blog about family holidays is bringing with it all sorts of opportunities (which I am sharing out) and I have tried to harness PR interest into raising money for a children’s cancer charity and giving bloggers across the country a chance to see a panto with their family for free, I do hope some people may agree that could be seen as a good idea….ho hum! Just thinking aloud, cheers. x
Linda´s last blog ..Twin Tuesday: Jedward are just the latest twins to rock the X Factor!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:33:19 +0000

@Linda, Looking forward to reading it. Although be careful as some people are rather sensitive about the subject at the moment.

As for going even more part time, I’m hoping it can happen but it all depends on my manager really.
Dan´s last blog ..Pop pop pop pop pop

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:28:42 +0000

Helloooo.
I need to blog about this I think.
Wanted to add my 2p about the working 2 days a week thing – that I hope you can do it if you come down on the side of it being what’s best for you and yours, money being worse is not the be all and end all. I cut back from 3 days to 2 and then 1 when yours and Maggie’s kids were younger. :)
Good day.
x

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:12:14 +0000

I was always a Emiliomyself. Only becase I liked his shirts in St Elmos Fire.
Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1

By: MrsW

MrsW — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:46:16 +0000

I blog for two reasons. My OH has been a blogging teacher for years and i thought it was time HE looked at the back of MY head for a while, and it replaces the skanky notebook I carried around throughout my pretentious teens. Maybe I secretly aspired to Molly Ringwaldom but I actually revelled in Ally Sheedydom… all in black hugging to my chest my skanky notebook full of wisdom and pain that everyone wanted to read.. they did too… they DID.

I’m happier at the bottom of this particular pyramid…. I like to merge into a crowd. If I don’t make money there’s no pressure to offer quality, I can be as crap as I like… that’s my comfort zone.
MrsW´s last blog ..Fix it Friday #34

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:01:14 +0000

@Wife of bold, I’ve been a bit thrown by the number of replies to be honest.

Freebies are incredibly tempting aren’t they. I think that if they are relevant and fit with what you want the blog to be about then it’s fine to accept them. I however sort of regret getting involved in the whole thing (although I’m not sure what I’d do if I were asked to send them back)
Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:59:00 +0000

@Barbara, I did flirt with getting a blogher ad here once, but decided against it. Mainly because it just felt that I’d be exploiting my family some how. If I had a woodworking blog or something else equally as neutral I’d have no problems with sticking a few ads up.

However, I certainly don’t think any less of anyone who accepts ads.
Dan´s last blog ..Reasons to love blogging, part 1