tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post566252657205795269..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Can British Bloggers Make Money Out of Blogging?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-12225533175708590202008-11-30T17:21:00.000+00:002008-11-30T17:21:00.000+00:00It's all about attitude and perception. Here we te...It's all about attitude and perception. Here we tend to view blogs as something geeky people do or those who couldn't get a "real job" as a journalist or writer. In the USA, with their from-birth notion of free speech it's a chance to say what you really want - and make money from it.<BR/><BR/>Here too, the mainstream media are still in the mindset of "being in control". They haven't yet worked out that those days are numbered - indeed the mainstream media here is still floundering around with the Internet with a few exceptions, such as the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian. But ITV? Even the BBC is beginning to lose the online plot with its decision on local online TV news recently.<BR/><BR/>The result is that online activities like blogging are viewed more negatively here in the UK. Hence making money from them is happening less here than in the USA or Australia. Also, here people tend to think the way to make money is through advertising. Few people have cottoned on to the fact that you make most money by showing your expertise. That's why Iain you are able to charge money for speaking, get the extra media work you mention, because your blog shows your knowledge and expertise. You don't make money directly from blogging - but as a side effect.Graham Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18408549484947076806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-753769293567530182008-11-30T13:43:00.000+00:002008-11-30T13:43:00.000+00:00The Paypal 'donate' button is quite a handy thing ...The Paypal 'donate' button is quite a handy thing to have. And I also get over 50,000 uniques.Theo Sparkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04377625689882223233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1927746050381388272008-11-29T20:25:00.000+00:002008-11-29T20:25:00.000+00:00" I have little doubt that if I decided to go down..." I have little doubt that if I decided to go down this road I would be able to raise a substantial one-off sum to keep me going, but could I do that every year? "<BR/><BR/>But how much would you need to STOP blogging? I mean, could you be bought off?<BR/><BR/>In all seriousness, though, I admire what you're doing with a new technological medium and the way you are using it to effect on older forms, be they media - such as newspapers where you have won a column without coming through the right university or social clique - or political - where your blog is acknowledged to have influence. <BR/><BR/>That you won't sell out for a few quid simply impressed me as to your integrity!Shaunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02611541853278115075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-49556484809802963042008-11-29T19:34:00.000+00:002008-11-29T19:34:00.000+00:00Well the writers would blog more often if they had...Well the writers would blog more often if they had some financial support. For example Pendle Blogger www.pendletruth.blogspot.com would blog more often if they was a little financial support involved. It gets bloggers involved more. <BR/><BR/>I dont charge anyone and blog for free so I wouldnt ask for any support but some bloggers might!<BR/><BR/>Do you think financial awards yearly will be a better idea?Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15201045837141810889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-7067877117558363732008-11-29T19:28:00.000+00:002008-11-29T19:28:00.000+00:00Irfan, no I most certainly would not! Why on earth...Irfan, no I most certainly would not! Why on earth do bloggers need financial support? Blogs cost nothing to set up and nothing to run.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-87475823336904582112008-11-29T19:25:00.000+00:002008-11-29T19:25:00.000+00:00Iain,Do you agree that we need a "bloggers den" in...Iain,<BR/><BR/>Do you agree that we need a "bloggers den" in which bloggers can apply to rich political animal for sponsorships! Like I have said in my post, that’s if you read it.Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15201045837141810889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-87424818310002702472008-11-29T18:14:00.000+00:002008-11-29T18:14:00.000+00:00Announced Today by the BBCAlan Milburn to set up "...Announced Today by the BBC<BR/><BR/>Alan Milburn to set up "Civilian Security Force" using military trainers, civil servants, police officers, judges and other logistical staff.<BR/><BR/>Beware, The State is now arming itself against it's own citizens <BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://bastardoldholborn.blogspot.com/2008/11/psst-commander-milburn-is-recruiting.html" REL="nofollow"> LINK </A>Old Holbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10164491045068093627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30187418251886739932008-11-29T17:12:00.000+00:002008-11-29T17:12:00.000+00:00Mr Dale,No insult taken, or aspersions cast.His Gr...Mr Dale,<BR/><BR/>No insult taken, or aspersions cast.<BR/><BR/>His Grace simply wanted a pulpit from which he could proclaim his having reached 40,000 unique visitors.<BR/><BR/>Bless you.Archbishop Cranmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16817505540390495385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23319064666750729862008-11-29T17:08:00.000+00:002008-11-29T17:08:00.000+00:00Cranmer, no insult intended. Couldn't include ever...Cranmer, no insult intended. Couldn't include everyone!Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1525901569887306122008-11-29T17:02:00.000+00:002008-11-29T17:02:00.000+00:00Hmmm...Mr Dale,You once said of His Grace: 'His bl...Hmmm...<BR/><BR/>Mr Dale,<BR/><BR/>You once said of His Grace: 'His blog is a role model for niche blogs of all descriptions.'<BR/><BR/>And he is about to top 40,000 unique visitors this month - a personal record. <BR/><BR/>Is it the 'religion' dimension which causes you to hesitate to mention him in this piece? Not that he is remotely insecure, no, not at all. Just curious.Archbishop Cranmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16817505540390495385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84687805700746012592008-11-29T16:43:00.000+00:002008-11-29T16:43:00.000+00:00If you ever stop being an independent blogger I sh...If you ever stop being an independent blogger I shall come round and give you a fisting with a rusty gauntlet.Wrinkled Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291551539649118631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45674275286233428762008-11-29T16:37:00.000+00:002008-11-29T16:37:00.000+00:00Irfan, I link to other blogs every day in the Dale...Irfan, I link to other blogs every day in the Daley Dozen, and I also do a list of Ten New Blogs once or twice a week. I link to other blogs fare more than virtually any other major blog.<BR/><BR/>If I find something of interest on your blog I will link to it. So far I haven't. Sorry, I'm being blunt, but I might as well be honest.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2897952905790286322008-11-29T16:26:00.000+00:002008-11-29T16:26:00.000+00:00Iain, if you started to link to blogs like mine th...Iain, if you started to link to blogs like mine then we might get more readers. More readers will help us quualify for Messagespace and then we can move onto as a Blogosphere one day following the USA example of making money.<BR/><BR/>But the problem is that bloggers like yourself once a big fish dont think about new starts, which you were at one time and just look after your fellow top bloggers!Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15201045837141810889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83008934087358767882008-11-29T15:47:00.000+00:002008-11-29T15:47:00.000+00:00"Many in the MSM believe bloggers to be wannabe jo..."Many in the MSM believe bloggers to be wannabe journalists, or even failed journalists"<BR/><BR/>This way of thinking always amuses me. There are some excellent journalists and I applaud them but,in my view, the majority are robots doing the bidding of their paymasters. I think that the sour journalists are clinging on to the idea that "journalist" means superior intellect.geewizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10430779969921162955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57966811144392393602008-11-29T15:40:00.000+00:002008-11-29T15:40:00.000+00:00Duykfen, I tried what you suggest a while back, an...Duykfen, I tried what you suggest a while back, and it proved very unpopular!Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-17948773808388136962008-11-29T15:32:00.000+00:002008-11-29T15:32:00.000+00:00Far be it from me to try telling you how to run yo...Far be it from me to try telling you how to run your business, ahem, but would it not be useful to include other bloggers on your site (a la Coffee House), such as Shane Greer. That could take away some of the strain in keeping a constant flow of posts. I think that is where your blogging excels - in immediacy and being first amongst them all to bring us the news, and your slant on the news.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21192406029231274642008-11-29T15:11:00.000+00:002008-11-29T15:11:00.000+00:0025,000 a month?PaltryOld Holborns Stats and NO a...25,000 a month?<BR/><BR/>Paltry<BR/><BR/>Old Holborns <A HREF="http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=s49friday&r=33" REL="nofollow"> Stats </A> and NO advertisingOld Holbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10164491045068093627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-17827150599935420402008-11-29T15:04:00.000+00:002008-11-29T15:04:00.000+00:00Incidentally, if I were you Iain I'd look carefull...Incidentally, if I were you Iain I'd look carefully at what American bloggers like <A HREF="http://daringfireball.net" REL="nofollow">John Gruber</A> do. He's able to blog professionally and makes his money by having his RSS Feed sponsored - once a week he'll post a sponsored message, normally for a product he would have been endorsing anyway. He also sells Tee Shirts, and (shock, horror) has a system to allow his readers to buy memberships if they like what he writes.<BR/><BR/>All of these are interesting ways to start monetising blogs. I think the British blogosphere is too timid of outright asking for money for its own good. We, your readers, do realise that this blog costs you time and effort which could be put to more profitable use - it's only fair that you get paid for it at some point.Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07315721343398529214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-75980161470714396782008-11-29T13:31:00.000+00:002008-11-29T13:31:00.000+00:00I wonder what Devil's Kitchen would think about be...I wonder what Devil's Kitchen would think about being called a 'swear bog'?<BR/><BR/>I think there's a lot more yet to come from the British Political Blogosphere. We're not there yet, but the question of whether we will be is a bit like asking, in 1960, whether television really has a place in political debate.Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07315721343398529214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-52954279795511986972008-11-29T13:10:00.000+00:002008-11-29T13:10:00.000+00:00Iain, You are so right to say the blog is you. I c...Iain, <BR/><BR/>You are so right to say the blog is you. I crave political news, and through you now have many daily reads bookmarked. <BR/><BR/>The advantage of your blog is that I get what I want, and then, somethings I may not want, but am delighted to have, such as your wedding, Godmother, Gio, etc etc, which help to keep you and your readers grounded in reality.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes I also get things I don't want, such as comments on Shane or about shaking the hand of some Northerner you know, but overall the balance is excellent. You act as a sane and knowledgable guide to a rather insane world.<BR/><BR/>All the idiosyncratic stuff helps us judge how to read your political offerings, thus we can judge their value.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/><BR/>Alan DouglasAlan Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16071898364060640779noreply@blogger.com