We average about 65 to 70 stories every single day, so there’s literally something being published round the clock. And our writers come from all over the world – I think we’re up to something like 40 countries now.
It’s a place to the advantage of both the writers and the readers – they can interact – because we have open comments. You as the reader can participate in the ongoing discussion: you can agree, you can disagree, you can bring in new facts, you can reference materials that you think are important. I think that’s something that sets us apart from the traditional media.
Political discussion can be especially heated on the Internet. Do you think it’s possible for people of opposing views to have meaningful political debates on BlogCritics and on the Internet in general?
Well sure. It’s possible and I think it happens on the Internet all the time. The issue with politics is that the more partisan the participants – and the people who do participate are going to tend to be partisan – you’re going to see less actual movement. People are pretty well set in their ways.
That does not reflect, though, the 95% plus of people who aren’t writing the stories or aren’t even commenting. We get on average 500 comments a day, but that’s still in the neighborhood of a couple percent of the readers. So we never hear from the vast majority of the people who are reading. Therefore, the people who do comment tend to be the most partisan.
So I do think there is a lot of movement, a lot of changing of minds, among the 95% or so of people who don’t comment.
What’s the future looking like for BlogCritics? What’s the business model, and where are things headed?
The business model is two things – advertising and the affiliate model. We are an Amazon affiliate, so on every post we try and link to at least one Amazon product. The other thing that does, which really keeps our costs down, is to provide artwork, which is terrific. We’re getting our artwork, in essence, for free. The way the affiliate model works is that we encourage our readers to purchase from Amazon through us, to “click through” to Amazon by clicking on pictures of album covers or book covers or whatever, and then we get a percentage of that sale.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
thanks EB, I am deeply flatulent, er flattened, er flattered - the last one!
2 - The Theory
Good idea EB... unless this was really EO's idea, in which case he's an arrogant jerk. ;-)
3 - Aaman
Good show EB, my pod software pulled it down recently, but I haven't listened to it yet - will know.
At least you know I'm a subscriber now:)
4 - Eric Berlin
In this case I can happily take credit.
So I'm the flatulent jerk...
5 - Aaman
Arrogance, jerks - what's wrong with either? Take a look at Howard Hughes, for ex.:)
6 - Eric Olsen
It was EB's inspired idea, but it is still possible I am an arrogant jerk.
7 - Bennett
Good job Eric and Eric. It's hard to value (dollar-wise) the amount of information and communication that goes on here, let alone the sharing of viewpoints, but I think you really have something of great worth here.
I learn so much from reading both the posts and the comments. Great stuff!
8 - Eric Berlin
Aaman -- the latest podcast (which includes the first part of the EO interview) published about half an hour ago -- just want to make sure you're talking about the right one: Dumpster Bust Radio: Podcast #9.
And thanks for subscribing!
Now, I have to go wash my hands about 700 times and demarcate Clean Zones in my cavernous domicile.
9 - Eric Berlin
Bennett -- Thanks very much. I think I can speak for EO in saying that it's people like you who make the site what it is.
10 - Aaman
Now, I have to go wash my hands about 700 times and demarcate Clean Zones in my cavernous domicile
Why, what were you doing with them - did I get my pod-porn.com subscription mixed with yours?;)
11 - Eric Berlin
Just a little H Hughes humor.
But it wouldn't hurt to listen to the podcast to find out for sure...
12 - parker
Thanks for posting this, can't wait for part 2!
13 - Temple Stark
so where's part II?
14 - Eric Berlin
Patience... all in good time.
15 - Temple Stark
OK
- grasshopper