I don't see why he can't make money from advertising. I make money from my blog. Why doesn't he use google adwords and marketbanker?

Since I was named, I'll jump in: I don't like the idea because it will limit site growth.

Sure, some will contribute.

But a likely scenario is that a blogger who has not contributed but is aware of the "voluntary contribution" is going to get a twinge of guilt for not having "voluntarily" contributed.

Some will be driven to reach into their pockets, albeit reluctantly.

Others will simply be driven away.

Besides, this isn't like PBS. There, viewers contribute to get the content. Here, the bloggers create the content, giving their time and thinking. Without them, there's no site.

Are you sure "this is something that is on his mind?"

Nyx, no way you are using Google Adwords, they turned US down for having "profanity" on the site. We do make money from advertising, but it certainly isn't enough to use for anything but operating expenses. What RJ is talking about is creating a fund specifically for the purpose of advertising/marketing the site, for the express purpose of increasing traffic and visibility.

Hal, Lots of things are "on my mind" - how would this idea limit site growth? Why would anyone be driven away? I don't really understand that. If we made the contributions anonymous no one would know who had or had not contributed anyway.

The Internet, including the blogosphere, has become a professional environment and marketing can make a huge difference in terms of exposure and getting the word out. I try to work on it as often as I can, but there are only so many hours in the day and I can only do so much.

If we were able to hire a publicist/PR company, we would be featured a lot more often in the mainstream media.

And "voluntary" would mean voluntary.

"how would this idea limit site growth? Why would anyone be driven away? I don't really understand that. If we made the contributions anonymous no one would know who had or had not contributed anyway."

As I described, human psychology, Eric. Anonymity isn't the issue - it's the guilt trip, for both new and old bloggers.

I would know and I'd likely quit posting after a while, knowing me and figuring I don't need any more guilt than I have already. For newbies, it's another obstacle, small and psychological though it may be (size will vary with individual).

1) I'm broke.

2) Like other authors, I contribute plenty in blood, sweat, tears, and words.

3) Did I mention I'm broke?

4) RJ, while I admire BC, Eric, and think they're a vital contribution to the universe -- as to your "...One day, we may be able to cite our experience on BlogCritics on a resume..." -- I am under no illusion that what I do here has any more shelf-life than warm buttermilk in a parked car on an August day in the Texas sun.

Nor should you.

Well said, Shark.

Well, I would have to consider this pledge drive a miserable failure. I guess no one here is interested in increasing both the readership and authorship on BlogCritics.

"Thank you for your support." :-/

And Shark: You claim to be broke. If you're so damn poor you can't afford a single one-time ten dollar donation, you must be in really rough straights. I'm guessing you do you posting from the public library?

A lot of people are broke, RJ Elliott. The economy isn't going great guns for everyone, you know. And to some of us, ten bucks is a lot of money, esp. when we are footing the bill for our own sites. Truth is, time is money. Many people put a great deal of time into their writings; that is their contribution. If cash contributions are prized over writing, Eric should tell less-heeled authors to take a hike.

And what's wrong with posting from the library? And how is that any of your business? What are you, Internet police? An elitist judge? You only consider people with money worthy? How about you? 56K dialup, cable modem, or DSL? AOL or a real ISP? Hmmm... how else can we see others as being beneath you?

RJ, thanks for your compassionate concern. FYI, I work out of my house, I do have a computer that works by hand crank, and a phone line that consists of two tin cans and a VERY long string.

$10 is 3/4 a tank of gas, which lasts me about two weeks (since I rarely leave the domicile because of the new 'concealed handgun' law here in Texas).

But enough about me.

Did I mention I'm busy working on my next entry, "The Shark Blogcritics Pledge-Drive"?

I'll be featuring animated gifs of me demonstrating the 'one-stroke' digital painting technique for those who just love cute little flowers on EVERYTHING. I'll also upload a "Folk Era's Greatest Hits" compilation for those who are nostalgic for the days of great leftist singer/songwriters, "duck and cover" educational films, bomb shelters, and race riots.

Coming soon!

PS: Will Work for Food or $40k a Year. email me.

Natalie, I doubt there are many people here who are more broke than I am. But ten bucks is chickenfeed. However, ten dollars from each BlogCritic would be enough to get this site more name-recognition.

Think of it this way:

$10 = not much

$10 X 450 = quite a bit

As for my library comment, I guess you didn't get it. If Mr. Shark can afford monthly internet service (I am assuming he doesn't post from the library), then I guess he isn't all that broke. I mean, he ain't exactly starving in the streets if he's got AOL, you know?

Natalie, I realize you don't like me because you view me as another one of those "homo-haters." And that's fine. It's your call. But are you seriously suggesting that ten bucks is gonna make or break a single BlogCritic? Because, if you are, then I suggest these impoverished BlogCritics use their spare time working a second job rather than posting to a site whose future success they apparently do not care about.

"$10 is 3/4 a tank of gas, which lasts me about two weeks (since I rarely leave the domicile because of the new 'concealed handgun' law here in Texas)."

What do you drive? A moped?

RJ Elliott:

And Shark: You claim to be broke. If you're so damn poor you can't afford a single one-time ten dollar donation, you must be in really rough straights. I'm guessing you do you posting from the public library?

Because, if you are, then I suggest these impoverished BlogCritics use their spare time working a second job rather than posting to a site whose future success they apparently do not care about.

And this is the problem with the pledge drive. It's exactly what Hal Pawluk predicted. If you opt out privately, you might feel some guilt. But jeezus, if you opt out publicly, you get bullied, ridiculed about the your financial status, and told to just get another job [aka, you're lazy *and* a liar, because $10 is just absolutely, positively NOT a lot of money to ANYONE ON THIS EARTH, and how dare you dare to have a web site of your own if you're so damn poor? Did I mention that you're lazy?].

You have ZERO right to question the way ANYONE spends his or her money or to question what is and isn't a lot of money to someone.

Jerk.

Ten bucks isn't chickenfeed to me. It's almost enough to cover a week's worth of lunches for my son. If that makes me unworthy of writing for Blogcritics -- my one job takes about 80-90 hours per week, and the rest is spent on my second and more important job, being with my children -- so be it. I reiterate -- my time and energy is money, as is true for all BCers. That's all the contribution I can afford, and these days, I can't afford much of that. I can't even afford to advertise my own site and you expect me to shell out money I can't afford for someone else's? How stupid is that?

I haven't any opinion on you and homos, RJ Elliott -- haven't given the matter any thought, frankly. What little I have thought about you has to do with your apparent classism, which I first learned of today. You will be in my prayers.

What do you drive? A moped?

I drive a socially responsible vehicle, dickhead.

Whatta you drive, an M-1 tank?

BTW: re your knee-jerk, browbeating attempt to induce guilt about money (which Hal et al warned against initially), we have a local phrase that seems appropriate:

"Looks like you just shit in your hat, cowboy."

Have a nice day.

People, you are living in fantasy-land if you think ten dollars is a lot of money. What the hell do you think Eric spends each month to give us all a place to go and argue with each other (amongst other things)?

If you don't wanna donate, then don't. Just don't bitch about how "poor" you are and play the class-warfare card with me. I'm as broke as anyone else.

That being said, ten dollars is virtually nothing! Really. It's less than two hours worth of work for someone making the minimum wage. And it's a one-time shot, not a monthly fee.

And it's voluntary! You are not required to donate. It's just a suggestion.

The fact that this is even an issue shows the parsimony of some people. I'm not asking for a fucking kidney.

Pray for me all you want. You might wanna pray for yourself first.

"Whatta you drive, an M-1 tank?"

I drive a Neon. It gets about 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. It's pretty fuel-efficient. And it costs about 20 bucks to fill up my tank.

Or 15 bucks to fill it 3/4ths full.

Like I said: What are you driving, a moped?

You drive a Neon? You're effing Donald Trump, IMO.

And "just a suggestion"? That's a bold-faced lie: You insult anyone who doesn't or can't donate: "I suggest these impoverished BlogCritics use their spare time working a second job rather than posting to a site whose future success they apparently do not care about."

I don't applaud namecalling, but bhw accurately defines your behavior.

RJ, do you know anything about economics? Because the value of a dollar is *relative*. RJ Elliott does not decide the value of a dollar for all blogcritics.

Nobody "bitched" about being poor. You listed the names of a handful of bloggers and called them out publicly to contribute. Then you specifically asked if they would or wouldn't.

[Has anyone on this site ever heard of handling internal affairs INTERNALLY? Christ.]

I'm sorry you don't like the few answers you've gotten. But your attitude certainly won't help get more dontations, I can tell you that.

I hope you're not in the fundraising business, because you have no clue how to do it. Here's a hint. Rule #1: Don't belittle or ridicule the people you're asking to donate money.

I don't applaud namecalling either, Natalie, and I don't usually do it.

This time, the words flew from my fingers and I didn't care.

RJ, you should write a blog about the relative value of money!

Assume everyone makes or has what you do, and then lecture people on the virtual nothingness of $10 -- or almost a week's worth of school lunches.

While you're at it, throw in 'parsimony', guilt, and mock others' financial situations and means of transportation.

Then you can play the class-warfare card and complain that someone else did.

Natalie, bhw, re. Namecalling;

Hey, don't feel bad; when I read:

If you're so damn poor you can't afford a single one-time ten dollar donation, you must be in really rough straights. I'm guessing you do you posting from the public library?

my first impulse was to type

~FUCK YOU~

Boy, am I glad I didn't.

Ok, this could make a great post:

What if ten dollars really was a lot of money? I mean, not to starving Africans or anything, but to presumably educated Americans with internet access?

A world like that...wow...it's hard to imagine! It would be so unlike our own!

But, your point is taken. My 10 year old Neon makes me rich, and my request for ten dollars makes me a shake-down artist. And there clearly will be no advertising fund for BlogCritics.

Congrats!

Those of us who do use the public library computers during the months when they can't afford dialing up from home thank you for your restraint.

How about this:

A food drive for those BlogCritics who live in a cardboard box and have scurvy, yet manage to sneak into a public library in the middle of the night to post bile to BlogCritics?

Shark, I'll pledge ten dollars to feed you for a month. Ramen noodles, anyone?

Can I have a recent photograph to frame and let everyone know that you are my third-world sponsor child?

A world like that...wow...it's hard to imagine! It would be so unlike our own!

Correction:

"...so unlike MY own."

There's a lesson in there somewhere, dude.

Aw, Natalie, you are an example of my tax dollars at work!

Quoting bhw:

"I hope you're not in the fundraising business, because you have no clue how to do it. Here's a hint. Rule #1: Don't belittle or ridicule the people you're asking to donate money."

Shark, you sound really pathetic making the case that ten bucks is make-or-break. Really.

I guess from a previous post you are looking for work? A nice cozy 40 grand a year job?

Good luck. Maybe you should show up for interviews wearing something other than a wife-beater and a five o'clock shadow.

But, hey, razors are EXPENSIVE!

RJ:"Can I have a recent photograph to frame and let everyone know that you are my third-world sponsor child?"

Your wife would take one glance and abandon you for my cardboard box.

Me? I'm retired. So what's a few bucks to a fixed income earner? Heck, I would give you a hundred bucks Eric. But if I did that MD would accuse me of buying back your good graces and then I'd have to spank her (again). Shucks ya just can't win.

Good talking to you folks. Almost like the good ole days. Carry on.

At church tomorrow, I will sacrifice a quarter to light a candle to accompany a special intention asking the Creator to grant RJ Elliott a heart.

Reality check:

I know people, no, I WORK with people, who make little more than minimum wage, yet somehow manage to find four bucks EVERY DAY to spend on the lottery. They, by all appearances, are well fed. They even managed to scrape together enough cash to go to Disney a little while ago! Wow!

Money management just doesn't sound like your game...

Nat:

I have a heart. I feel for animals about to be put to sleep at the pound because no one wanted to adopt them. I feel for people in Zimbabwe who are being starved by the ruling despot there because of political reasons. I feel for the sick, and the lame.

I DO NOT have any empathy for those who whine about how "poor" they are while living in a climate-controlled environment, with lots of food and "free" ambulatory medical care, and claiming that ten dollars is simply too much to part with, while Eric is shilling out untold expenses to give them the very soapbox they choose to whine from!

If that is what makes me heartless, then fewer people should be born with a heart. And more people should be born with a brain.

Look, this has gotten out of control. There is strong opposition on BCs to an advertising campaign. My idea has gone down in flames, You win.

Shark, I don't care if you drive a tricycle; you're still a funny guy.

Nat, I'm sorry the public library comment got you upset. There is nothing wrong with using a library for your internet access.

bhw, I forgive you for calling me a jerk. I probably am. A jerk who is RIGHT, but a jerk nonetheless.

To all, fuggetaboutit. BlogCritics will prosper through your hard work and copious writings. Ads would help, but they are not required.

To me, please remember that not everyone is going to jump on the bandwagon every time you have a bright idea. Go back to posting and try to be a kinder, gentler RJ.

Heck RJ, I appreciate ya. At least you were kind enough to wish me well.

Thanks and take care.

Anytime, BB. One of the best workers at my place of employment recently had a stroke. It's a terrible thing. Half his body is paralyzed. That means part of his brain is dead. When you think about it, a stroke is a truly horrific thing.

I'm glad you are better, and I encourage you to focus more on your health from now on. And many more posts in the future!

Eric, I don't use google adwords, because of the profanity. I would have thought that this site could use the program. Google is weird. I can't figure them out.

But, I make enough from marketbanker, which is much like adwords, to pay my bandwidth and then some. I also make enough from porn ads to make a very tidy profit.

I also use adult friend finder and so far it's been ok. I think it would work better for your site than mine.

I get about 500 hits a day and gross about 100 a month from the site.

You should be doing much better than that. The problem is your wasting your time with amazon. They suck for making money. I've tried them and never been able to make shit.

I feel that my contribution to the site is the writing.

RJ, I still love you too!

And when I get really hungry, that'll be me you see storming the gated communities -- not with a pitchfork, but with a FORK!

mmmm...

~Overweight white people ~ tasty...

What I take away from all this is that deep down inside, when it comes to the crunch, RJ Elliott is not really a Republican.

Natalie, I doubt there are many people here who are more broke than I am


WTF?!!

You drive a Neon?

I don't have a car. I had to sell my jeep and my motorcycle when it went on a year without a real job. After that, I had to move into my parents house.

I don't have a job. I freelance from time to time. I work odd jobs when I can get them. This means I have no steady income.

The money I make off my site goes RIGHT BACK INTO IT so I can keep it. My site is one of the few things that cheers me up these days.

I just got accepted to go back for my masters but I cannot afford to go. If I cannot afford that, then $10 is a lot of money.

$10 is 5 transfers on the CTA= 5 rides to and from wherever I am going.

This has nothing to do with money management. You tell someone about money management who hasn't made any real money in two years and expect to have your head ripped off. You don't know what financial situations are. You don't know what people's backgrounds are. 2 year ago, $10 was chump change. Now, its a lot of money. I don't even go out to hang out with my friends in the club anymore because I consider beer a waisted expense.

So please, spare us the "I doubt there are many people here who are more broke than I am". Esp when in the next comment, you are talking about your car.

See, now this is why, if we wanted a donations program it should go like this. Eric sets up a paypal button. Some contributors decide it would be a nice idea, some readers find it to be a nice idea, Eric gets a bit of money, nobody knows who and what everyone did or did not give. Sure there is a chance that some contributors might feel guilty seeing that button on the page, but not knowing if anyone else gave anything won't really pour it on. You can't do it like this unless you want to turn it into a membership program or something.

I kind of understand what you are saying about the 10 bucks RJ, but we all have our priorities. If 10 bucks isn't a big deal to you, maybe you should feel lucky. I feel lucky that I can spend ten bucks (probably more) a week on coffee, or movies, or any other kind of luxury item like a CD or a book or whatever, but these things are all choices. Plus, I am an unmarried man, with a job and with no kids. I am at the pinnacle of my disposable income. Anyone with kids, for example is in such a different scenario, that it is unfair to judge.

So, I recommend that if Eric wants to, he put up a button. Keep it all confidential. We can maybe raise a little extra cash and that is the end of it. If you have 10 bucks to contribute, or 1 buck to contribute, thanks, if not, everyone understands and/or doesn't have any clue. Bottom line, all contributions to the site are appreciated, financial and written.

Hal:

What I take away from all this is that deep down inside, when it comes to the crunch, RJ Elliott is not really a Republican.

RJ:

bhw, I forgive you for calling me a jerk. I probably am. A jerk who is RIGHT, but a jerk nonetheless.

What is the definition of a Republican if not a jerk who thinks he is RIGHT.

8-)

sniff sniff, my name wasn't even mentioned in this piece (ok, it was as an "etc") and I have nearly ten times the comments as you, RJ Elliot, and almost half the number of posts (that's not saying much for either of us when you compare to others on your list besides the non-blogcritic). Whatever, I would like to think this classifies me as a "regular contributor."

Screw you, RJ, you bastard!

hehe ;) [I am joking, dude]

Seriously, I already contribute the one thing that is worth a lot more than $10 (to me, anyway) to this site: my time.

However, if this ever gets going officially I would be happy to pledge 10 bones to a Blogcritics advertising/donation fund because I like this site and want it to continue, so if this thing does ever officially get put together then someone point me to when and where to Paypal the $$$ :)

In addition to that, I would do business with the advertisers if there was something of interest to me that fit a need, so I can contribute to the site's well being that way.

Also, I've already publically stated that I'd be a paying member if there were more customizable features to this site (ignore function, custom RSS feeds, etc) and I've talked to Eric about this concept privately. The problem with this model is that it takes manpower and $$$ to make these kinds of changes and capital is needed to invest in such a venture.

With all that said, I do not like the idea of putting people on the spot and/or guilting those who cannot afford to contribute or simply do not want to contribute. Without people coming to this site and contributing there would be no blogcritics site, so money vs. occupancy cannot be entirely discounted.

To go along with what has already been stated, $10 is can be a lot of money. When I don't have $10 cash, and there is no ATM in site, and need to pay with something in cash it's a ton of money, for example :)

With that said, maybe this "idea" would have been -- or heretofore should be -- better circulated privately among blogcritics than out here in the open?

Speaking of things that interest me being advertised here at Blogcritics, I'm thinking about snagging that e-book: Blogs To Riches. Has anybody else here bought and reviewed it?

Seems like something bookofjoe might check out too.

"in 'sight'" that should be, doh! And there is an italicized "is" that doesn't belong either lol

A few thoughts: RJ is only trying to help - thanks RJ.

No, we do not want to apply ANY pressure or guilt ANYONE - yes time is money and the contribution of writing is invaluable. The level and volume of writing contributed to the site is extraordinary and NEVER something I take for granted.

I assume we can now see why I have not pursued something like this. Within the first month of starting with Amazon I had people expressing resentment about all the fat cash that had to be rolling in. Thankfully, those people are no longer around.

With that as a lesson I have been extremely hesitant to mention money in any way, other than to assure people that we do not operate at a profit. We make some from Amazon and advertising - it all goes to operating expenses. My best hope to make money from the site is to be bought out and hired to run it. This is reality.

Again regarding Amazon, that's where we get our artwork. There is no comparable retailer on the Internet that would offer us the same ease and flexibility regarding getting pictures onto the site. People DO buy from Amazon through us, they just tend to buy relatively low ticket items and at 5% referral fee, you have to sell a ton of CD and books for it to add up to much.

We will keep thinking about other options for revenue streams and I welcome all of those.

I would love to make more money on my site but I really hate the idea of running ads because its still nice to go to a place where "BUY THIS" isn't blinking in your face.

I went so far as to open a cafepress shop, and I do the paypal thing. No one has ever bought anything off CafePress (then again, I never REALLY worked that hard on the art I offer on the thongs and sweatshirts).

I do what I can. I also do it because I just plain love my site. I find it relaxing and soothing to have a place to vent. I guess because my site is 100% for me, I feel lucky that anyone comes back to read it at all.

"What I take away from all this is that deep down inside, when it comes to the crunch, RJ Elliott is not really a Republican."

How insightful! I actually am not a Republican. Good call! :-]