Monday, September 24, 2012

Thinking About Adding Ads: A Look Back and A Look Ahead

Snazzy me in the 70's. No frills Kelly.
Chile Colorado Burrito--Thanks for the attention, Pinterest.
English Toffee. We all need to eat more of this.
Caramel Pecan Turtles
Cheesecake Factory White Chicken Chili. A new favorite.
Stabilized Whipped Cream Frosting. One of my most searched recipes.
Hi, there! Yes, this post has more than just random pictures of food from this blog and a random photo of me as a kid. For those of you who are subscribers and get my posts via email, this is a note to you. I need your opinions, feelings, and thoughts as I am seriously considering "monetizing" on my blog, which means including ad space so I can make some money at this hobby. I've never been one to aggressively pursue money, and as I've mentioned here on my "About" page, every time someone tells me I should "open a bakery" or "write a cookbook," or "sell that stuff," I really cringe, because that's not what I'm about. The reason I started this blog, and the reason I love doing it, is because I like to share food with people, and I like to be helpful. I feel like that's what I get to do here. I've always thought I'd be selling out or messing with the purity of my blog by trying to make money from it.

I do live in modern America, though, and I have bills to pay, and ingredients cost money. I buy a LOT of Dove chocolate. I mean, obscene amounts. You'll see a lot on this blog. At any rate, thanks to Pinterest, and the photo of my Chile Colorado Burrito (that Foodgawker rejected, by the way), my stats are looking pretty healthy. When I started this thing two years ago, I'd do a dance if I got 100 page views in one day. I distinctly remember telling my principal at the school where I teach that I had over 10,000 total page views on my food blog. Lately I've been averaging about 10,000 page views a day. That's a lot. I mean, I don't expect to make millions by putting ads on here, but after reading up on it, I think I can make almost $300 a month.

So, because you are the people who read my blog on a somewhat regular basis, I am asking you what you think. Will you think less of Food Pusher if I allow Google AdSense to put up ads? Will you let me know if it's totally obnoxious or even mildly irritating? Will you let me know if Google AdSense steps out of line and posts an inappropriate ad on my blog? I'd really appreciate your input.

Oh, and the reason I posted the random photos with the links in the captions is because I have to have a picture for each post. I've selected some of my favorite photos and/or favorite things to eat. I wanted you to be able to see something attractive in this post.

Thanks for your time and your opinions should you decide to share them. If I hear nothing, I'll assume it doesn't really matter if I put ads on here or not. So speak now, or forever hold your peace.

Email me or comment below. I look forward to hearing from you all.

Kelly


14 comments:

  1. I think you should allow ads on your blog. It is a great way to afford your hobby! That being said- a word of caution, because too many ads can drive readers away. Especially those that love reading the blog posts because of how relatable you are, and that you are not so commercial. But try out a few and see how it goes! I don't mind ads on blogs, especially if the ads are relevant to the blog! Like feature other food blogs space, or food ads, or ads for cookware. I get annoyed when I see car ads on the sides of food blogs. Hope this was helpful!

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    1. Thank you for your thoughtful opinions. I agree about wanting relevant ads if I'm going to have them. You've been very helpful. :)

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  2. Go for it! I have them. Who couldn't use a little more cash?

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  3. I don't think anyone would begrudge you for needing to make some money. Like Natalie said, as long as they are related to food somehow and there aren't a million of them, I don't think anyone will mind.

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  4. My sister and I just recently added ads to our blog. I think you should give it a try. I agree with @Natalie though - too many can be a little distracting. Start with 1 or 2 and see how things go. You can always cancel your ads if you feel they aren't working out for you. :) Good luck!

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  5. Do it!!! A couple ads on the side bar are perfectly acceptable. I, like the other posters, would not like it if there were too many, because it is annoying.

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  6. Go for the ads! Your food is amazing; thanks for sharing. As an Iowa native, it makes me proud! I especially enjoy your posts about the State Fair. I have fond, fond memories of the Old Mill ride and the giant slide.

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  7. I agree with your other readers, try a few adds and see how it works. Most of the blogs I follow have advertisements. Between your time and ingredients, I think your entitled to a little financial help to keep things going. I am really enjoying your post, especially on bread baking. One of these days I might get up the courage to try baking croissants. I know you are a fan of KAF. Last year, my husband took me there for a weekend visit. They were still under construction, but what a wonderful visit. The area is lovely. I'm hoping I will get back there sometime.

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  8. Like your other readers, I think you should try a few ads and see how it goes. Between your time and the money you spend on ingredients, I think you are entitled to some compensation. Most of the blogs I follow have advertisements. I am really enjoying your blog, especially your post on bread baking. Maybe, one of these days I will get up the courage to try baking croissants. I know you are a fan of KAF. Last summer, I convinced my husband to take me there for a long weekend. It was so much fun, at least for me. They were still under construction, so I would love to get back to see it complete, maybe take a class. The area is beautiful, Vermonters were very friendly and there was plenty to see and do in the area.

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  9. Okay, so, I've decided to go for it and give Google AdSense a try. There's a blank box at the top of my blog right now that they say will have ads in it as soon as I get approved. We'll see how it goes...

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  10. I think you should! You are good at what you do and if you can make a little money to help out then I say do it. I won't be leaving :)

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  11. I agree with the others, I love reading your posts and would not mind a few ads on the side bar in order to keep the blog going. We all know how expensive baking can be and if we can repay the joy and inspiration you give all of us by tolerating a few ads, I am sure we are all glad to do so. Thanks for asking for our input and thank you for your blog!

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    1. Well, thanks for appreciating my blog. It's so nice to hear from actual readers who look at this space on any kind of regular basis. I'm starting with one ad box, but I promise I won't get carried away. :)

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  12. Uh oh. Day one of ads and I already have two of the ads that bug me when I see them on other sites. This AdSense thing might just be temporary until I can figure something else out...

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Hello! If your comment is more of a question about something you are cooking RIGHT NOW, please email me the question in addition to posting it here. I check my email more frequently than I check my blog comments. :)
mckellysu@gmail.com

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