Getting the Lowdown on Google Adsense - (poll)

I used to have another blog and used AdSense on that one, but it didn't make me much money, so I dropped it after a while.

Affiliate programs, on the other hand, worked well for me -- especially since I trained everyone I know to make online purchases only after clicking through from my site.

I don't have adsense on my blog. I don't click on those links on anyone else's blog so I don't expect them to click on mine

I have an affiliate program with Amazon and I get a bit of income off that. I usually just convert the money to vouchers and buy myself some more books but hey it's free money LOL. I've taken most of those links off my site at the moment as I am redesigning it but I'll get back to adding them in. Lots of people purchase off Amazon. It's reputable, whereas some of the other affiliate income programs look a bit tacky to me

Kelly maybe you could ask Jenna? She has lots of advertising links on the website here, and in her newsletters. She may have some ideas for you...

Were you thinking of it only for your blog Kelly? I personally get a bit put off by blogs and websites with too much advertising on them. If I see those adsense thingees I often don't bother reading the site. Of course that's just me. Maybe you could start a new poll and see what other people think?

Me again LOL

I just took another look at your website. I do love that blog. It's really nicely put together and the "kelly" sig isa nice touch too

I see you already have amazon but i don't use it the same way. i put specific links to specific books e.g. I might review a book and add a link to that particular book or I might mention books when I write about topics. That works for me. people read about that book, get interested and pop over to purchase.

I haven't had any success with those general banners like the one on your website. I think they look greedy and desperate and are a me me me thing, whereas some information about a book and/or an author is providing helpful information to your readers. That way it's about providing a service for your readers and then the money is made as a by-product of going out of your way to offer some free info to your readers. JMTCW

I decided not to put anything like that on my blog other than links to my own books. I signed up and put the code in a while back, but it just didn't feel right, so I took it right off. I guess I'm too much of a hippie.

Still, I think it's a good idea for you guys who have targeted blogs like Raz, Kelly, and Mad Scientist Matt. For the rest of us who use our blogs as glorified journals, I would think it would be more difficult to get click throughs.

KellyC said:

This is great information - thank you for chiming in. Are you talking about Amazon? What other affiliates do you use?

Click to expand...

Yes, mostly amazon -- but I also used LinkShare for other vendors as well.

your website does have a nice clean look about it. the adverts aren't overpowering but they don't catch your eye and say "pick me" either LOL so I don't know if you'd get a lot of clickthroughs

you can add amazon links into individual blog entries. i used to do that when i sent out monthly newsletters and i got a reasonable income from a relatively small number of subscribers (ranged from 500-2000 subscribers monthly). i also had archives of the newsletters on my website

i like blogs where they have lots of clickable links. so if you mention something e.g. your dog has elbow dysplasia then there will be a link that tells you what that is, or a book about it that you might want to buy. it keeps me interested

i also like lots of comments and frequent posts. i have to say miss snark's is the best around and i don't think she has any advertising on her site. she probably should! she often recommends books and puts links but i don't think she is an affiliate. i have suggested it to her though