Why You’ll Never See Ads on DannyBrown.me
In the last month, I’ve received no fewer than fifteen emails asking me if I’d be interested in running ads on my blog.
These range from normal ad boxes in the sidebar, to comment and contact form box ads (where you’d see a pop-up after you’ve hit the Enter button, with “relevant” ads displayed for your pleasure).
Some of the companies emailing me are fairly big companies, too, which is kind of flattering. It means that my blog is getting noticed in the right circles, and for that I’m extremely grateful to you, the readers.
Because without you coming here, reading, commenting and sharing with your networks, the blog wouldn’t be anywhere near as visible with these ad companies.
And it’s for that very reason that you’ll never see any ads on the blog – because I didn’t start the blog to monetize it via you.
If I wanted to monetize my blog and make money from its readers, then I’d be a professional blogger like Darren Rowse or John Chow. But I don’t, and I’m not.
Instead, I’m just a marketer who likes to blog with his virtual pen, and hopefully the things I write will encourage discussion, either here or elsewhere. I also hope the blog will feel intimate enough to have you come back regularly as it’s somewhere you feel welcome and comfortable.
Placing ads all over the place would take away that intimacy and lose the feel of the “home away from home” I’m trying to have here, and would change the blog into something it’s (hopefully) not.
So that’s why there won’t be ads here, ever.
The only “ads” you will see are endorsements for something I feel strongly enough about, hence the Headway theme and BlogOnCloud9 badges that you see in my sidebar. I think Headway’s the best WordPress framework around, and the BlogOnCloud9 guys have a great product with awesome personal service and support.
If I find things I think are cool, and feel you would too, then I’ll share that with you – for free.
That’s the extent of any “advertising” you’ll find here. Everything else will be reserved just for us.
Sound okay?
photo credit: kathryn in stereo
Note: This blog no longer runs on the Headway framework. Instead, it’s a custom WordPress design by Lisa Kalandjian of SceneStealer Graphics.
34 Responses to “Why You’ll Never See Ads on DannyBrown.me”
Thanks Genevieve.
John Chow’s blog is the perfect example. Guy has great content, but I never actually visit the blog because of all the ads
It’s sad that sticking to your guns is so rare that we think it’s fantastic…
John Haydon recently posted…. YouTube’s new features include custom embed sizing and sweet looking badges!
Been a reader of Danny’s for a while, but felt compelled to return to this comment and leave my first comment/reply.
I second your sentiment, John. In the race for cash and online economic success, more blogs are opting for advertorial, sponsored posts, insufficient disclosure and various bits of blurred lines between their belief and their revenue stream.
The bar is low, and it seems to be getting lower.
When we look back (if we even give ourselves a moment to look back), I wonder what we’ll think of all of this. An evolution to someplace better…or to a place where the bar is held even lower?
Daniel Noll recently posted…. Audio Slideshow- Northwest Argentina- Road Trip StyleWe can but keep our fingers crossed…
And thanks for jumping into the comments, Daniel – great to see you, and thanks for being part of the community here.
Bravo!
I can dig it.
TheJillianSays recently posted…. Yes- it matters if you add the “coma”Noticed your blog post doesn’t refer to the disclosure link elsewhere on your site; might be something worthy to include — especially if you syndicate it around.
Ari Herzog recently posted…. Sincerity is Not a Cut and Paste JobNot quite sure what you’re meaning here, Ari? The post is about ads – disclosure is a different beast altogether.
You write, “The only “ads” you will see are endorsements for something I feel strongly enough about…” which I am suggesting be linked to your disclosure so people who’ve never been to your blog and are reading this elsewhere understand what you mean.
Ari Herzog recently posted…. Be Impressed by Brobdingnagians and Not GypsGotcha. Fair enough, I’ll add that in (though the explanation itself would cover it).
I agree with Ari. Your statement stands on it’s own, but for folks that want more info, a link would be helpful.
John Haydon recently posted…. YouTube’s new features include custom embed sizing and sweet looking badges!
Appreciate the philosophy – and the transparency, Danny.
The distinction that you brought out is also relevant. For someone like Darren, being able to monetize blog content directly is paramount.
For someone like you, I am guessing this blog is more of a feeder into the other elements that lead to monetization.
The different is subtle – but this is one battle every blogger needs to fight himself and come up with an answer that fits in with personal credos.
As long as there is clarity of thoughts – and purity of intentions, there isn’t a right or wrong way of doing it.
It’s all shades of green, and each looks brilliantly different – and wonderful!
Kapil Apshankar recently posted…. Social Media Success- Experiences – Ecosystems – UbiquitoidsRight, Kapil.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with ads, and your blog will define if they’re right for your audience or not.
I always admire people willing to stick to their guns/morals. I think the setup you use is perfect. Offer a personal space that allows you to connect with people on a real basis, occasionally let people know about your business and every so often, endorse products that you believe in via a real post, not an impersonal ad block.
Danny, I come here because I like your style. Keep doing what you’re doing because I think it is great mate.
JayTurn recently posted…. When Link Strategy Meets Trust StrategyCheers Jay, glad to hear it’s working so far – I’ll be trying to keep it that way, for sure
Danny,
As always well said. I agree with concept of only having adds that you strongly endorse. One of the technical podcasts I listen to is by Leo Laporte. He has adds on his podcasts but they are ALL products that he used before they became advertisers. He is a lot like you that way.
Well done and well said. You are a person of strong integrity and it shows every day.
Rob Cairns recently posted…. Update On Blog ChangesIt’s one of the things I like about Leo. I used to watch his Lab show on TV, and you can tell he’s passionate about the topics he spoke about. That kind of passion is the best ad anyone can ever want, and it’s the type of “ad” I aim to have here.
Danny – I get requests for ads every week, but uphold the same policy you have (I only use and love what I promote).
I look at it this way: If I advertise a product on my site that turns out to be shit, no amount of money could make up for the impact on my reputation with my readers.
John Haydon recently posted…. YouTube’s new features include custom embed sizing and sweet looking badges!Exactly, John. Is $50 a day for a 125×125 box worth losing any trust, relationships and equity you’ve built up? I think not.
Nada.
John Haydon recently posted…. YouTube’s new features include custom embed sizing and sweet looking badges!
As I assess my options in this virtual world, I love having pointers from people I respect. At least 6 months ago, someone was pushing using ads on my blog and another site I was working with. In the end, I did nothing.
I personally work on minimizing clutter all the time — in my office, home, etc. so to clutter up my blog would be annoying to me. Blogs that do have all that clutter are usually the ones I avoid.
Thanks for the reinforcement, Danny!
Julie Walraven | Resume Services recently posted…. Is your resume remarkable so you are MARKETABLEClutter’s great if you’re in the crazy putting design school, Julie. Otherwise, like you say, no thanks
Have to thanks @JulieWalraven for directing me to this post. It just enforces what I have believed all along, that if you have a product or service you believe in, people will recognize it an follow it even without the splashy ads. Like Julie, I don’t like a lot of clutter on my site, either. Am pretty happy knowing people like Julie and the other wonderful folks who have been following my tweets and posts know where I am and how they can find me.
Karen, The Resume Chick (on Google or Twitter for questions, comments or violent reactions)
Exactly Karen.
Besides, people aren’t stupid – do we really believe Tiger Woods uses every product he advertises? Or Paris Hilton created her own perfume? (Sorry, couldn’t resist that one!)
Same with blogs. You get to know the blogger and what they like, stand for, represent, etc. You know which products and companies they like, and that they’ll call out ones that aren’t so good.
So why mess that up with ads that have nothing to do with your blog, except beef up your bank account?
Thanks for stopping by – hope to see you around here more
I have taken the same position so far, despite the siren call of advertisers, However, I may have to re-consider at some point. It gets down to quality. Providing thorough, thought-provoking and entertaining content takes time. As I look at the balance between blogging, business and my family, sometimes something has to give. In the long-term, if the blog were contributing direct revenue, it could “pay its way” in regard to the time needed to provide a quality product even when time is tight. In my mind, a revenue stream would equal more time on writing … which would equal better, consistent quality.
As I said, I have not taken the leap but I’m not independently wealthy so see that from my business perspective, it has to pay its way directly or indirectly.
My guess is you’ve done the same calculation and have determined the indirect benefits are enough to eschew the ads?
Mark W Schaefer recently posted…. Ten social media and technology mega-trends to watchIt’s a question that every blogger asks, I think. Like you say, blogging does take time, and if you’re running a business and feeding a family, is it time that you could use elsewhere from a financial point of view?
As both Jay and Kapil mention in their comments, this blog does monetize indirectly. It leads to opportunities; it puts me (and Bonsai Interactive) in the minds of folks that might need project work on topics I talk about. So from an indirect point of view, it’s already paying for the time commitment.
It’s another reason I set up the Headway Theme Made Easy blog, where every single post has an affiliate banner for Headway Themes under it. It ties onto the theme of the blog, without being too in your face and non-relevant; something which couldn’t happen here. I could quite happily post here every other day about how great Headway is (as I do firmly believe that), but it wouldn’t fit this blog’s style.
But I made the decision right at the start that I would never offers ads and, right or wrong, I’ll be sticking to that mindset here.
Thank you.
Some people seem so busy “monetizing” that they’re not thinking about their communities. (Don’t worry, never thought you were in that category to start with.)
Daria Steigman recently posted…. Do You Stash the CashThanks Daria, and happy to know that I’m not in “that category”
Kudos to you!
Han Tuttel recently posted…. 11 tips voor woningfotografieDanny,
Just want to say You ROCK! I was tuning into a video on YouTube the other day that really was quite awesome, but I couldn’t stand all the ads that kept popping up — it really took away from the content.
Keep up the good work!
Hey there Liz,
Thank you miss – YouTube does seem to have gotten pretty bad with the ads lately, huh? Like you say, all it does is take you way from the content – kinda ironic when the while essence of YouTube is that you’re meant to be watching something…
pro bono. with most respects.
I think it’s fantastic that you’re able to stick to your values and not jump on the money train! I totally agree with you that ads would be distracting and I personally don’t like to see them at all. Thanks