New to blogging? Want to improve your blogging skills? Naah, digest this — 120 Essential Blogging Resources and 120 RSS Resources.
OK. Confession time 
I am suddenly reminded of my roommate who was very afraid of confession. My other roommate and I had to practically drag her to church for it.
Now, I used to be a traffic hound because I was influenced by “influential bloggers” when they blogged about how simple it was generating income through their blogs, though I forgot the utmost important point that they were popular and hence had a lot of unique visitors on a daily basis, so that would inevitably mean that the probability of somebody clicking on those ads were higher than I could ever imagine. But that was during a time when everybody was talking (or rather, blogging) about getting paid while blogging and surfing and making money from their blogs, you get my drift..
So I went with the flow. I registered for a couple of paid-to-blog companies and I plastered a number of Google Adsense and Amazon ads on my blog, naively thinking that I could also earn a decent income if those ads were placed strategically.
Boy, was I horribly wrong!
Blogging opportunities from some paid-to-blog companies were either horrible (with due respect to those who write for them) or had nothing to do with me. It need not take a genius to realize that people would eventually stop visiting my blog if I wrote about gold coins or Belisi fashion (whatever was that?!) or some other form of loans I had never heard of. And I realized, the hard way, that incorporating sponsored content on my blog significantly reduced the conversation on my blog in the form of comments. It also need not take an Einstein to realize that people (generally) do not read sponsored content, however personal you made it sound.
Similarly, months passed and my Google Adsense revenue was pretty much stagnant at USD 12.51. Despite the fluctuation in the number of visitors who visited my blog per day, my Adsense revenue did not increase significantly at all.
So that was when I took a turn to how I looked at my blog
I deleted my accounts with most of the paid-to-blog companies, especially those who provide nothing more than paid assignments on “gold coins” and “bust-size increment”. I stopped writing sponsored content for about three weeks, and I removed all affiliates ads but retained the Adsense ads because I thought they weren’t obtrusive (or are they?), and unsurprisingly, people resumed commenting. I realized that people started paying more attention to what I was saying. And a beautiful relationship between my readers (and visitors) and I was born.
So, am I happy now?
Definitely! I have finally gotten back to my blogging feet though I’m still writing paid content and I ensure that whatever I write about benefits my readers in one way or another. And this “little detour” doesn’t mean that it is not worthwhile trying to generate your own income from your blog. It only means that I am not a good businesswoman, and I’m better off writing about charities instead of how to make money 
So, in case you’ve just stepped into the beautiful world of blogging (and then stumbled upon my humble blog), there’s this little advice I’d like to put into your pocket:
If you place an advertisement on your blog, it is considered a business, and like all businesses, it should be treated professionally.
- Lorelle vanFossen, in her book Blogging Tips: What bloggers won’t tell you about blogging
This is written in response to Lorelle’s question: Are you a traffic hound or a blog authority? Does it show? How?
If you think this post might benefit other bloggers:
one thing that i hate the most = sponsored blogs with big ads. nowadays it seems that pps is filled with more and more money making posts/blogs.
i had my ad filter filtering out “nuffnang” and “adsense” =)
You got it in one! It isn’t about how many visit your blog, it’s about the people who visit your blog. What they get out of it, what you help them learn, what they do learn, and how they experience you and your blog. The numbers could be 10 or 1,000, as long as they are about the relationship and not the numbers themselves.
Well done!
Hey Pelf.
Just wanted to say thanks for the linkout to my 120 Blogging Resources post!
Much appreciated!
pelf: No problem! Your post was great
Here’s another tip: the less the ads stick out, the more people click them. So, skip the flashing banners and go for the text link ads.
Or rather, in a strict business sense, if you’re going to sell something. Make sure it’s worth selling. If you are the authority on what you write, then people will come, but not at the expense of selling yourself for something you don’t believe in.
I like this post. You know your readers well, and I am not surprised because I like the way you write. Good job and keep it up!
water_junk: I’m OK with ads, basically, as long as they they don’t get in the way, or placed intentionally in the middle of the post..
Lorelle: Thanks heaps, I must say that I’ve learned a lot from you!
benju: Yeah, I’ve realized that too, thanks
Edrei: Exactly! I’ve made it a point to “sell only products that I truly believe in”. I wouldn’t want to visit a blog who sells me stuff that the blogger has never used before..
Giddy Tiger: Thank you for the kind words, I’m flattered
Words of wisdom from you. =)
That is exactly what had happened to me last 5 months, getting lost in blogosphere. I feel comfortable and warm reading this post. All memories simply flash back in mind. =p
Right now I’m attempting to show people stuff through my eye. I still have lots of stuff to learn from you. Will be your fan for quite a long long time. =)
no, i’m a traffic whore!
ColourfulWorld: Aww.. Thank you so so much.. But I guess we all learn together and it’s really a two-way relationship
Happy blogging, my dear 
wuching: Same thing la, kkekeke
Well, there’s always a price to pay for everything one does and I too realize this which is why I too have cut down a lot. A lot of the opps are totally not what I like to write about and of course, my readers are dwindling. *no wonder you’re missing in action*
In any case, you’ve certainly got a good point.
Yvy: Yeah, there’s always a price to pay, no doubt about it..