"What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself." Abraham Lincoln
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Recently, I was contacted by a company who wanted to know if they could sponsor this website.
It is not the first time I have been offered cash for my soul.
Ouch. I know.
And it will not be the last time that I decline it.
When I first started blogging three and a half years ago, I did it for me. I saw it as a fun outlet for writing. It became a way to keep in touch with long distance friends and family. It is, at times, my own personal soapbox, a place to laugh at myself, cry with myself, showcase my family, and keep a record of the everyday stuff that I'm afraid I'll forget. I had no idea there existed perfect strangers in the world willing to read what I write here.
And it is not now, nor will it ever be, for sale.
Cluttering up these pretty pages with ads for diapers, jewelry, tampons, and books seems a bit like selling out to me. I wouldn't send my kids off to school with bumper stickers on their cheeks or backpacks, so why do it here? Isn't there enough branding and consumerism in the world without me contributing to it?
I am left now to wonder about those of you who do choose to accept advertising dollars for space on your websites and blogs.
Specifically, I am wondering this:
But I can't imagine they pay well enough to support the lifestyle I would like to become accustomed to.
Am I wrong?
Discuss.
It is not the first time I have been offered cash for my soul.
Ouch. I know.
And it will not be the last time that I decline it.
When I first started blogging three and a half years ago, I did it for me. I saw it as a fun outlet for writing. It became a way to keep in touch with long distance friends and family. It is, at times, my own personal soapbox, a place to laugh at myself, cry with myself, showcase my family, and keep a record of the everyday stuff that I'm afraid I'll forget. I had no idea there existed perfect strangers in the world willing to read what I write here.
And it is not now, nor will it ever be, for sale.
Cluttering up these pretty pages with ads for diapers, jewelry, tampons, and books seems a bit like selling out to me. I wouldn't send my kids off to school with bumper stickers on their cheeks or backpacks, so why do it here? Isn't there enough branding and consumerism in the world without me contributing to it?
I am left now to wonder about those of you who do choose to accept advertising dollars for space on your websites and blogs.
Specifically, I am wondering this:
- How much do you make?
- Do you feel it leaves your site cluttered and busy?
- Does it make you obsess more over your stats, knowing that revenue is dependent on that?
- Do you think less of those like me who opt out?
But I can't imagine they pay well enough to support the lifestyle I would like to become accustomed to.
Am I wrong?
Discuss.
