Librarian by Day

Bobbi L. Newman

New_Paltz_TipI’ve toyed with the idea of ads on the blog for a while now.But I’ve been hesitant for a couple of reasons including I know some people have a strong opinion about them or block them with browser ad-ons.  I also have some concerns over lack of control and the appearance that I am endorsing the advertised item or service when I am not. When I considered other options the possibility of a tip jar occurred to me, heck they are everywhere now, it seems like I can’t get a sandwich or an oil change without seeing one.  I thought I’d give tips a try before ads so I’ve added a donate button to the right side of the blog.

If you only read the feed you’ll never see the button. As much as I hate the ads that show up in my reader along with blog posts I do see why it happens and I think that most people like me have just accepted them as the way things are and ignore them.  But for now, I’ll see how the tip jar works out and hold off on ads. So if you like what you read and find this blog useful feel free to tip as little or as much as you like. 🙂


Like what you read? Feel free to tip as little or as much as you like .
I’m trying this as an alternative to Ads

11 responses to “The Donate Button Versus Google Ads- Your Tips Are Appreciated”

  1. david lee king Avatar

    Speaking as one who has ads peppered around on his site … go for the ads/affiliate links. You’ll probably make more money, plus (at least for me) no one has ever complained to me about the amount or type of ads I have on my site.

    And it pays for hosting/pro account fees. Win/win.

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    1. Bobbi Newman Avatar

      Thanks David I’ll definitely keep it in mind. I’m not afraid to try ads, but I’ll give the tip jar some time to work first.

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  2. will manley Avatar
    will manley

    Bobbi…I love your blog. It is fresh, insightful, and caring. You have a sincerity about you that ads would conflict with. I, for one, am very tired of being bombarded by ads. Please don’t sell out.

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    1. Bobbi Newman Avatar

      Will it isn’t so much a matter of selling out as a matter of paying the bills which needs to be done. I’m willing to give the button a try for say six months, but if it doesn’t work out I’ll use ads.

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  3. Daniel Cornwall Avatar

    Hi Bobbi, I’ve just donated to the tip jar. I think you make a lot of good contributions to the community with your knowledge and passion.

    About the feeds – I’d suggest blogging a monthly or quarterly reminder about the tip jar. Nothing high pressure – just a “If what you read here makes you think, please donate (link) what you can afford or seems fair. I’d rather see that than ads, but then I’m advertising adverse.

    Thanks for all the experimentation that you do.

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    1. Bobbi Newman Avatar

      Good point Daniel! and thank you very much!

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  4. Holly Hibner Avatar

    Have you looked into LitSense? They provide literature-related ads, and you can opt out of any you don’t like (we never have). We find that we have a lot of control and the content is all relevant to our site. Take a peek! http://www.awfullibrarybooks.net LitSense can be found at http://www.litsense.com. Tell ’em Holly sent you if you do look into it!

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    1. Bobbi Newman Avatar

      Holly – I have not! Thank you for the suggestion if I decided to move to ads I’ll definitely give it a try thank you!

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  5. AndyW Avatar

    We’ve been talking about it, but I’ll toss it out on here. I’m thinking that people might be more willing to subscribe to something you have to offer over simply donating. Some sort of added value. But maybe I’m wrong; in fact, I hope I’m wrong. I’m hoping that people see this as a way to buyin and help someone who they like and think highly of make it.

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    1. Bobbi Newman Avatar

      Ah but I’m not interested in creating something additional, I already spend a great deal of my time working on this blog. But you know that since we talked about it 🙂

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  6. Josie Lowery Avatar

    Hi Bobbi, I’ve just donated to the tip jar. I think you make a lot of good contributions to the community with your knowledge and passion. About the feeds – I’d suggest blogging a monthly or quarterly reminder about the tip jar. Nothing high pressure – just a “If what you read here makes you think, please donate (link) what you can afford or seems fair. I’d rather see that than ads, but then I’m advertising adverse. Thanks for all the experimentation that you do.

    Like

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