Over the past week a group of bloggers (see links below) joined together to post their thoughts on monetizing a blog. I eat this stuff up because I love making money from blogging, but there are certain things even I wouldn’t do for a buck.
This morning I received an email with an offer. A company asked if I would post a link to their website on my blog for a 6-month duration. In exchange for my driving 6 months worth of business to them, they would compensate me $5.00. Yes, you read that right… $5.00. And just to be perfectly clear…. that is $5.00 for the entire 6 months… not per month.
I was floored.
I am not a newbie blogger. I’ve been doing this for a while. If you actually look at my blog, you’ll notice that there is NO advertising on it. I’m not opposed to advertising for the right company, but it would need to be a great fit for them AND for me. I don’t do links for $5.00. I don’t even know anyone who does. I’m assuming that there are people who would jump at this chance, but you don’t need to be a math genius to figure out that $5.00 breaks down to about 80 cents a month. I’m sorry… can someone please tell me what the hell you can purchase for 80 cents these days?
I’m well aware that there are some (gasp) bloggers that have no integrity. I’m not one of them.
So companies/brands/PR people if you want to work with me, I am definitely open to talking. But know this… my time and my blog space is worth more than a few cents. A lot more.
If you want to read more about monetizing your blog, check out these posts.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I got that offer too, a couple of week ago. I mean, really???
Thanks for the shout out, Carolyn!!!
gigi recently posted..Ambushed
I’m sure they send it out to hundreds of bloggers hoping a few will bite. Ugh!
I’m not sure what’s worse: the PR pitch offering no money or offering a penny a day. I’ve gotten both and I’ve tried to kindly redirect them back to reality.
Thanks for linking to my teaching and blogging post too!
Alex@LateEnough recently posted..When YouTube Calls A Video Dirty, It Means It
Thanks for the comment and for letting the other ladies know. I’m so glad other bloggers are finally starting to open up about the money they make and how they do it. I think it’s so important for all of us to be on the same page.
thank you for linking my post on How much to charge for a sponsored post. $5 for 6 months is ridiculous. I would counter email and say thanks but no thanks. If it is a company that you would consider working with then counter offer. If not, just tell them no thanks and quote them a price so that they never bother you again unless they are prepared to pay your rate.
Debi (@TruthfulMommy) recently posted..Fat Tuesday~ The Indulgence before the Deprivation
It’s not a company I would have any interest in working with so I’m not stressing over it. I will write them back though and quote them my rates… just as soon as I figure out what my rate would be.
You are so right and we have to remember we work hard to build up a loyal community that trusts us. There is a lot of value in that and some brands {if they are smart} find value in that as well. Thanks for linking back to me!
You are so right! We work hard to build up a loyal community and there is a lot of value in that. Some brands {the smart ones}, see the value in this as well. Thanks for linking back to me!
I am still thinking of how I want to work my response. I do think it’s important to let them know that this is not an appropriate offer.
i can’t believe a PR company pitched that to you & you’re right — sadly there are bloggers out there who would take it.
Devan @ Accustomed Chaos recently posted..Monetizing Your Blog: Why’s & How’s of Making Money
I’ve gotten tons of pitches offering me nothing so maybe this is a step up for me? LOL
Dude. I have had some ridiculous pitches too. most I just kindly turn down and tell them that my blog really not where I do my money-making, but if they would like me to write a piece to be published elsewhere (at MY rates), I would be happy to talk.
I do not get much response. Shocking.
Thanks for linking to my piece!!!
Katie recently posted..more than a job
I haven’t responded yet but I definitely need to let them know that this is not okay.
Testing.
$5?!? That’s a total joke…and kind of insulting too!
Thanks for the shout out! Maybe this is a topic we should cover in more depth
natalie recently posted..Meaningful Beauty: The Four Week Test
Yea… I am just stunned that a company would have the nerve to offer pennies to promote their business using MY blog.
Yes, that still just floors me that they would even ask that. Though then there are the companies like I recently got approached by that said they love my blog and wanted to give me an editors pick award and would a button for me to put on my blog- i.e. put this award- read free advertising- on your blog for us. Crazy
Thanks for the shout-out! That offer is mind-boggling. I mean, truly mind-boggling. I can’t imagine who in their right mind would accept it - even a newbie to monetizing. And it doesn’t even really come down to integrity, IMO - just good, plain common sense to anyone who places any sort of value on their time and hard work.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..Don’t Let Google Make You Their Bitch
Apparently several people I know got the same email. Just crazy how a company would be okay making an offer like that.