I’ve had quite a few people asking me recently, why there’s no advertising on jimsmarketingblog.com. So, I thought I would let you know.
The short answer is that this blog is NOT here to sell advertising!
Some commercial blogs start off with the sole intention of selling advertising – which is great. However, the primary focus of this blog is very different!
I decided to simply build this blog as a way for me to connect / network with great people (like you); who share my interest in marketing, networking and business development. The community here is extremely important to me, which is why I work so hard to get readers ‘involved’ in the blog – with your comments, suggestions, ‘tweets’ and emails.
As you can see from the amazing number of comments this blog already attracts, (after just 11 weeks of marketing) – the community is both growing and very active!
So, what IS the “business model” then?
I want to show you the effectiveness of my work; through the marketing ideas I share with you and the obvious success of this blog itself. Then, if you decide you want to achieve massively better sales/profits or simply develop an amazingly successful blog, you might decide to give me a call or drop me an email.
That’s it!
Of course, as a result of the growing number of people now visiting and commenting here, companies have started asking me if I will advertise their products or services. This blog’s community is very targeted; primarily people who own a business, are self employed or are ‘decision makers’ in larger companies. Our community here is what advertisers dream about.
I will happily offer advertising on the blog, but only if it’s a product or service that I use or have researched and believe to be massively valuable to you. Nothing offered thus far fits into either category – hense no ads.
Thank, Jim …
Givers gain, and we appreciate your desire to serve, communicate, and help those whom get involved in the marketing ideas and discussions.
Lance Cooper, President
SalesManage Solutions
Great post Jim! Not selling out those who follow your posts is an admirable quality and will hopefully be one of many reasons for many more to stay connected with you. This will also make “your words” stand stronger regarding suggestions, etc. Hope you have an amazing day my friend!!
Thanks again for all the valuable feedback.
It’s great that people place so high a value on integrity.
Jim
Well, I certainly place a high value on integrity! I think all of us appreciate the provision of quality content as opposed to marketed product…and this is coming from a marketer!
I agree, that one should only endorse something on a blog like this whose purpose is to share knowledge and practical application, when it furthers that pursuit. Thanks for looking out for us Jim!
David,
You put that extremely well – thank you.
I really believe that my readers don’t need me selling them the same affiliate products, which they can already get from a million other blogs.
I agree 100% with that business model. I feel the same way about my blog. If you put out good content in whatever area you are in then people will respect that and regard you as an expert in that field.
You don’t always need to be selling something. That’s not the only business model.
Keep up the good work Jim.
Jim,
You are so right – in today’s market, your clients want to learn more about you, your expertise, and to understand how you think. As their respect and interest grows, they are also learning about your products and services. Providing valuable insights for your prospects is critical. I hope more corporations figure this out!
Your concept is a great idea, especially as a marketing expert. I wish I could do the same. I do try to promote only products/sites that I feel are best suited for the markets I try to reach–moms/parents/educators. However, I am still learning the tricks of the trade so to speak. While I’m not a designer, nor do I have the funds to hire one, my site are hosted on primarily free services, except for my main parenting site. I offer advertising opps on all of them , as well as on my podcast/talk show for moms…the trick is finding the people who want to advertise. Response is picking up slowly but surely, so hopefully I am doing something right and things will progress in the future. Thanks for following @littlebytesnews on twitter. I look forward to learning more from you and your tweets! I hope you enjoy mine ☺
Thanks for not advertising. One of the reasons I subscribe and enjoy reading your blog is for the information you share. Not for the advertisements. Appreciate the wealth of information you share. Thanks again…
Hi, Jim, thanks for opening up this discussion.
I designed my local-lifestyle blog (on Fort Worth Texas) so that I could put ads on it, but haven’t done so yet, as I’ve been waiting for the content to build up in quality and quantity to “justfy” putting on the ads. Besides, I’m a writer, more than a marketer, and I needed to see the hits coming in to think ads would be valuable. The blog is still in infancy, although I’m pleased with the stats I doubt it would bring much in today to put adsense ads on it. But now I read on another site that you should put the ads in right away. What do you think? Am I right putting off ads until I’m sure visitors will be really impressed?
thanks,
Sonja
@sonjacassella on twitter
Sonja,
Great question.
In my experience, it depends on what kind of advertising you are going to use.
Adsense ads can be added at any time, because you do not need to impress anyone with numbers to get started.
If you add them AFTER building a readership, you may lose a few people, who find them unattractive. If you put them on the blog from the start, at least you don’t have to worry about how many readers you will lose.
I would get them on right away and let people know up-front what your revenue model is.
You might also want to consider alternative kinds of adverts – which will add value to your blog?
Are there any great products or services that you LOVE, which your readers might benefit from?
If so, find out how / if you can promote that instead (or as well).
I’m sure my readers will have other ideas / feedback / suggestions??