Though you likely blog for free, you're asking people to pay: pay attention.
Though you're usually blogging for mostly altruistic reasons - education, building your community, reinforcing your brand - it would be nice to get some sort of objective valuation of your writing. In the old days, this used to be called, "pay," and writers actually expected it.
One of the most amazing things about the CrossFit universe is not the way it's uncovered elite athletes, but also the way it's uncovered excellent writers. And directors. And artists of all kinds. Last fall, we spent a few weeks featuring different CrossFit writers on our blog (a few days each, starting with Lisbeth Darsh) and our readers loved it. If only there were a montly CrossFit magazine, featuring the best essays on the planet! We're forging elite readership while we do that other thing, too.
Until now, GoogleAds were a cheap way to generate a small amount of site revenue. If a reader clicked a link - over which you had no control - you were paid a few cents. Over time, this was to add up to a few bucks; unfortunately, you had little control over which ads were displayed. Another Ontario affiliate who tried the GoogleAds approach complained that, after hours of research for a technical post, he had a competitor's ad displayed right beside it!
Enter Flattr.com. Each month, a reader chooses a small amount to deposit into his account (the service recommends about 2 Pounds, or $2.50.) Bloggers add another button - the Flattr 'Like' - to their posts automatically. When a reader hits the Flattr "Like" button, they commit to giving you a small tip; at the end of the month, Flattr adds up a user's "Like"s and divides their account up evenly among them.
The system is currently in Beta, but it already has about 250,000 users. Obviously, until many bloggers begin using the system, increasing the expectation on readers to do the same, it won't bring in a lot of money. But considering these:
1) the new Facebook "Like" system means that you can now have readers post your material right to their facebook page with one click;
2) Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Wall Street Journal (largest newspaper in print today,) is going to a pay-per-read system. With so much free content available on the web, his critics don't think anyone will pay for quality content. They didn't think Fox News would work, either.
3) The CrossFit community isn't the average. They're acclimated to paying for good work. They're extremely loyal and quick to identify with other CrossFitters. They're also willing to spend money on CrossFit brands.
4) It just feels better than shoving GoogleAds into the faces of your readers, doesn't it?
I'll be trying Flattr.com soon. I'll post the results; I'd love to see Jon Gilson, or Keith Wittenstein, or Lisbeth Darsh try it!
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