SoT Sells Out?

Some of you may have noticed the new ad at the bottom of the left column.  I point it out as a matter of full disclosure, and perhaps as a way to quell my sense of guilt for what a more idealistic part of my self defines as selling out.  A few weeks ago, the advertiser contacted me asking if I would be interested in running this small ad.  They quoted me a price and told me that I would have complete control of the content.  At first, I wanted to decline.  After all, this is a labor of love, not something I do for a paycheck or with the idea that I'll get any financial reward for what I do, all despite the fact that I spend enough time working on this blog that it could qualify as a part-time job.  However, I can't deny the looming financial burdens of a cross-country move and the baby that we will be bringing into the world in August.  That's why I hesitated on saying no long enough to turn this over and over in my head.  I asked a few people for advice and received a range of opinions.  Ultimately, I had to make the call.  No, the money isn't going to bump me into a new tax bracket or help me hire a full time administrative assistant.  I will be able to put it away in savings and possibly use it as part of a deposit on a new place in Raleigh.  So it goes toward the greater good, me and my family.  I'll see how it goes and after the three-month contract I will reconsider.  Of course, they may wise up and realize that I'm probably not going to drive a ton of traffic their way. Who knows?

Comments

[Cynthia Closkey]

It's good that you mentioned the ad. Otherwise I never would have seen it.

Heavens, man! You deserve compensation for this work, and you're totally allowed to put up advertising. I know how you feel, I wrestled with myself about it too, but if you're able to maintain control over the ad then you should feel OK that you're keeping your standards.

I say you should move the ad higher -- where it is now, no one will even see it, much less click it. And if no one clicks it, then your sponsor won't get any return and eventually will have to end the relationship. Help them out, and they'll help you. Put it just under search, above the categories.

[Lauren Cerand]

I say, as long as you're doing a 3 month trial period to gauge your comfort level with (or without, as the case may be) advertising on your site, why not really experiment with a whole right-hand column of ads? You can add Google ads, too, and I think there's a mechanism through Typepad where you can allow advertisers to opt in via text ads (with your approval). I would be curious to learn whether it's something you feel changes the tone of the site, how you feel about it overall after the trial period, what your readers think, and whether you make any money!

[uncle scott]

nothing wrong with a little extra dough for little scott's diaper money.

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That's why I hesitated on saying no long enough to turn this over and over in my head.