The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

What do you think about ads?

We've received at least four offers for advertising here in the last couple of weeks. Five maybe.

Our popularity is growing and the internet shares this popularity with whoever wants to know via websites such as Alexa.com. So as we become more popular, advertisers start to notice.

But we are tempted to remain ad-free. We write this blog and share travel information for you, and we don't want to lose readers because the website has become cluttered with ads, even if the income makes it worthwhile.

We have occasionally done sponsored blog posts, and they don't seem to bother anybody, but maybe you'd rather not have them either. However, we like doing these giveaways because we like giving back to you the readers...many of you have given to us in more ways than one! So, some of the income that we receive from these sponsored posts goes towards these giveaways. Like that $100 we gave away last month...it came from blog revenue so it's not really like it was coming out of our pockets or anything.

By the same token, some of these advertisers think that $25 or so is okay, and obviously we turn them down right away. Sorry, it's just not worth the effort for that kind of money.

But then money does talk and the more money, the more likely we are to accept an offer even if the ad is somewhat intrusive.

So we want your opinion. Please use the poll provided and leave any comments below the way you normally would. Thanks for your feedback!

Should we put advertising on Travel with Kevin and Ruth
 
 
 
 
 
pollcode.com free polls 


37 comments:

  1. I have an ad filter so I never see ads. Tioga George had them but discovered that he had no control over the content. They were placing John McCain ads (whom he did not support) on his site during the election five years ago and the only way he could stop them was to cancel out of the program.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, however we would certainly not put ads of which we had no control over content.

      Also, despite the fact that you use a filter, you would still be exposed to sponsored posts that we write.

      Delete
    2. It is interesting that I had to completely disable my 8000-site ad block filter to even read your full blog post this morning. I hope that was just a strange coincidence!

      Delete
    3. I expect that your filter picked up that the discussion was about advertising and so it blocked it. Those filters are not foolproof!

      Delete
  2. I've been contacted by ad companies too, wanting to have their product or website listed on my blog.

    I don't see any harm in it, but I chose not to have them on my blog, just a personal preference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We would definitely be choosy in the companies that we would deal with and would not clutter our page.

      Delete
  3. I rarely even notice ads unless their flashing or doing something obnoxious so whatever you do is fine with me. You give us so much, I don't have a problem with you earning something in return. Grace (in Tucson)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adds on blogs get on my nerves. I don't like them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ad offers obviously are confirming for you that your increasing traffic is a result of your blog providing value to people; so I say go for it, within reason — you deserve the additional income. ;-)

    Reasonably unobtrusive ads do not bother me and, if on-topic, can even provide useful information, but here's a few types that I absolutely detest:

    • auto-play videos
    • flashing
    • windows that immediately overlay and interrupt as one is reading, forcing one to close them in order to continue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good comment John, and we totally agree with you.

      Delete
  6. I too use an Ad Blocker and never see them. I got tired of seeing all the ads on George's blog and others so started using the blocker nearly two years ago. Do what is best for you and if someone doesn't like Ads they can download a blocker/filter.

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the input and you are correct, anyone can get an ad blocker/filter added.

      Delete
  7. Let the ads display. Good for the blog, its popularity and hopefully some income out of it. Sometimes I read them, sometimes I ignore them. Doesn't bother me a bit. Go for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trust us, if we do put any ads on it will not be intrusive or overwhelming.

      Delete
  8. Go for it make some money nothing wrong with that we would do the same..GOOD LUCK!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. If the ad income allows you to continue travelling and they are not obnoxious then go for it. I started reading your blog this winter and have finally caught up, would it be corny to say it changed my life?? Maybe, but I have moved up my retirement date by several years and can't wait to sell all my stuff and hit the road!! Thanks. Leah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your comment and input Leah. We are happy to hear that we have had some bearing on your decision to move up your retirement date. Please keep us posted with updates on your goal to hitting the road.

      Delete
  10. You need a way to help fund all this blogging! Advertising only makes sense. I would stick with travel advertising. I do have to say I tend to hate sponsored posts though. Just regular ads would be great but whatever you decide to do, I will still read!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the input Cheapchick. Any ads will be either travel related or content related to our type of lifestyle.

      As for sponsored posts there will probably still be the odd one but the nice thing about that is you can just skip over them and not read it.

      Delete
  11. I have nothing against ads on your blog. Specially if it brings some money that you can use for your travels. Go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm with John 97205, honestly cannot stand when I have to close a pop-up.
    Thanks, Brian

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bearing in mind part of the reason for starting your blog was to earn money then why not go for it, unless it takes over the page then I can't see what difference it would make to your readers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Originally we started the blog to let family and friends know what we were up to and where we were. At that time we were using My Trip Journal. It was 2 1/2 years later that we decided to switch over to blogger for our blogging needs and then added Adsense for some added income. We will be the ones making the decision as to what ad a company can display on our site and we will not let it become overwhelming or obtrusive.

      Delete
  14. I do not like ads on blogs, never click on them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any ad that we would allow will not be like adsense where we would make money per click so we would not be expecting people to click an ad unless it was relevent to them.

      Delete
  15. I have been getting requests lately ( 3 -5 ) to put ads on my blog. I have just deleted them. I am not in this for money but to share my life and travels with those who chose to read about it.

    You are in the midst of a blog change what with adding world travel. I can see adding travel ads related to your lifestyle. There are many places out there that offer accommodation and more for a well written article and goods photos. If you could start promoting these magazine articles you will see even more change in your future. You are flexible which is key and have tons of energy. Start sending your blog link to hundreds of travel editors in magazines, newspapers and online.

    Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been getting requests lately ( 3 -5 ) to put ads on my blog.

      Interesting. Your Alexa rank is over 32 million, and from what I've read most advertisers won't even give you a second look unless your website ranks under 1 million.

      Delete
  16. I totally support anyone earning money for their labors. You put a tremendous amount of time and effort and care into your online offerings; you should be compensated - and the more the better. Seeing ads will reassure me that you are successful in your endeavors. That will make me feel good for you, as I am grateful for the ideas and inspiration I receive from what you do. I can't imagine why anyone would begrudge you being paid for the service you are providing, and which we as readers are benefiting from without cost - especially if the only justification for that position is that it bothers them. Best of luck with it if you decide to go that route...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Pete for your thoughts and opinions on this. We will have some sponsored posts at times and possibly an ad or two on the side bar but they certain won't be obtrusive to our readers. As for any sponsored post if people don't like it then they can just exit out of the post, no need to read it and for any ads that might appear will be related in some way to our blog and will have been approved by us.

      Delete
  17. Go for it, put the ads on, make a bunch of money and show us how you spend it. You just may be due for a budget increase. We feel very confident with you approving the ads. - Bonnie and Bill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bonnie and Bill and some of those earnings will be returned back to our readers in forms of gifts or contests. Just for being such great fans!

      Delete
  18. I say ads are fine,you work hard on your blog and deserve the perks, but certain ads that move or vibrate or expand or insert sound i find offensive and i will close the page. All the best and keep on blogging.
    Barry and Jeannie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Barry and Jeannie, and no worries about those kinds of ads because we don't like them either.

      Delete

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