When to disagree
Some bloggers online only see dollar signs when they think of blogging. Some, like me, think of the readership and the content as being the most important things when blogging. I haven’t made anywhere near $50.00 since I’ve been blogging on my own hosted domains, but I’m still doing it.
I’ve removed the nofollow from the commenting on this site, for the main purpose of rewarding commentators. I also reward regular commentators by having the top commentators listing for this blog.
I recently emailed Kumiko to see about putting $10 on a month of her ’super sites’ links. I figured ten bucks is pretty cheap for a month and I could use the advertising. So I was getting ready to transfer the money, then I just read this:
While I love every comment that I receive and enjoy replying to as many as I can, having the ?No Follow? tag removed does not help me make money online and I don?t believe that writing one comment justifies a backlink from this site.
I sell links. I don?t give them away unless it?s to something worthwhile!
I feel if someone takes the time out of their day to comment on my site, then they deserve the backlink. I feel that all of the comments that this blog receives are worthwhile. Having generated backlinks for my readers, I am helping them enjoy the community feeling that is slowly making this blog a little more popular.
When you’re the queen of the castle, you can pretty much do what you want. I’m still on the fence about whether or not to purchase advertising from someone who doesn’t value comments once they’ve gotten a regular readership.
That is just my two cents for the day. Over and out.
That’s just my opinion.
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I was disappointed to see that post. It basically sends the message that money is more important that people. Ick. I clicked over here because you disagreed. Nice blog!
Thanks Michelle, that’s pretty much my beef. Money does not outweigh the community involvement, because without the community, you won’t make the money. It’s a full circle, when missing one piece, it’s not good for anyone.
Under the “Do Follow” plugin, simply writing “I agree” gets a backlink. I don’t think that’s the way it should be. At the moment, it only takes about 3 comments to get on my Top Commentators list, and that’s not a lot of work for the backlink.
Community involvement is great, but if people are only there for a backlink, what type of community will it be?
I hope you realize that the $10 link became more valuable as removing the plugin means there are less links and more of my internal PR flows to you.
Have a great day!
By the way, I’ll be announcing a new type of free backlink love that you may be interested in within the next few days
Kumiko, What internal PR? Your page is zero, just like mine. I’d rather just link to my site from my PR4 site and let that be it. Thanks anyways, but I can’t advertise with someone that I don’t see eye to eye with.
Take care and best of luck!
Bloggers who don’t follow simply for financial gain PISS ME OFF! They don’t deserve to have a thriving community of bloggers reading their swill. Can you tell that set me off?
I moderate ALL of my comments, because this means I can choose to not approve simple and thoughtless comments like “Cool!” and “I agree” and “good post”. It’s my editorial right to filter out the comments that are quite obviously only looking for an easy backlink.
I’d gladly buy advertising on a site that gives back. But, I will not even comment on sites now that are so ruthlessly out for the cash. Well, sometimes I do, but then it is only because I want to make a bold statement.
Angie, I totally agree….that was my point exactly! You nailed it! If a blogger doesn’t want the “cool post” comments, moderate all of them. But her “site is not built on comments” blah blah blah. I’m not trying to trash anyone here, but even if you’re out to make some money online, if you have no readership, then you have no advertisers….
I’ve thought about doing this. But the question really becomes, when you are charging someone $25 a month for a text link. How would they feel if they can get the link for free by commenting?
Right now, my top commentator list is low and these people are getting the same linkage that my advertisers paying $25/mo are. I honestly think that most advertisers are paying for the PR4 link, not the visibility of the link.
kumiko:I think you are wrong
you can always moderate the comments and keep only the comments that add some value to your blog
Especially with a PR0 blog and not so many visitors
I agree.
Lol!
Actually, I don’t even have comments on my site (at the moment) because I am focusing on writing posts, rather than building community. I’d rather build a worthwhile blog to read, before encouraging readers and community and all that. (Comment moderation takes a chunk of my time — I have a contact form for those who really want to talk to me, and I usually reply within 32 hours).
Regarding the Nofollow/dofollow… well… I really am of two minds… but I don’t know if I’d ever accept money to remove the nofollow…
Hi Ruby, thanks for your comment. That is definitely a great way to promote your blog. Worry about the content, not the comments. People will read and keep coming back as long as the content is good.
I like having the no-follow removed from my site. It lets my commentators know that I care about the comments that they leave.
Hi Roberta, I admire your stand, it’s refreshing to find. I wish someone would write a guide on blogging conduct and good manners for newbies like myself , I just pick up what I can here and there and apply it if I think it feels right, the no-follow concept for instance has me stumped.
I guess we all blog for different reasons and making money isn’t a bad one but it can be done in a much more subtle way, it’ so disappointing to find blogs with over the top advertising I just don’t stay around to read anything they have to say regardless of how informative.
I agree wholehearted with your take on this situation, what’s the point of any of it if your site doesn’t primarily have a focus, the cash incentive should always be a secondary factor but a financially rewarding one in return for quality input.
Thanks for your great contribution, blogging is all he better for it. WFW
WFW, Thanks, I agree…..money making shouldn’t be the main priority of your blog. People will see right through bloggers like that and quickly will move on.
Hi,
I?m keeping an updated Do Follow List on my site and since yours is do-follow as well, I want to ask you if you want to join my list too.
There are over 220 websites featured here, so go on and start commenting on those appealing to you.
Let me know!
Thanks,
Nick