A Tale of Modern Blog Blagging
I got an out-of-the-blue email a couple of weeks ago asking how much I’d charge for a text link from my blog. I thought about it, then realised that I had no idea. I know a bit about CPM and CPA numbers and I know how much traffic I get, so I figured that it wouldn’t be worth that much. And besides I don’t really fancy having ads on my site. So I ignored the email for a bit.
Then last week I was thinking about how much I’d like to have a wireless data card thingy for my laptop (so I can do stuff on the train, in a coffee shop, etc.). Anyway I found that T-Mobile have this really good ‘unlimited’ data package with a USB modem that works on a Mac. And it’s £29 a month, which isn’t all that bad considering how much use I’d get out of it given my commute and things.
So my devious mind got thinking…
I wonder if that advertiser would pay for my data subscription?
In my mind it worked as an idea because:
- It’s not just a text ad anymore.
- It makes them a contributor, of sorts, to the running of the blog which feels nicer.
- I can write this blog post about it, which gives them some extra value out of the deal.
So I cheekily emailed them back to ask if they’d be up for sponsoring my wireless data subscription. And to my surprise they said yes.
Before I entered into the deal I tested out their service to make sure they weren’t con-people. And it all worked, product arrived, all good. So I’ve got no qualms about being associated with them.
So ladies and gentlemen, I bring you cartridgesave.co.uk
The new wireless update sponsors of Crackunit.com. Whatever kind of inkjet cartridge or toner you’re looking for give cartridgesave.co.uk a try (you get the idea). You’ll see a permanent link to them in the right hand column of the site from now on.
Their willingness to deal individually with me and my specific request puts them in a position of being a progressive online advertiser in my book.
I hope people don’t think this is ’selling out’ in some way. I prefer to think of it as a sort of ‘bartering 2.0‘. I feel much more comfortable doing this for swaps rather than cash, I don’t think I’d like my blog to feel like business and this keeps it a safe distance away.
Here’s my new T-Mobile USB 3G widget - so far it’s all good.
Incidentally I do like those new iMacs. Anyone? Anyone? 
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7 Responses to “A Tale of Modern Blog Blagging”
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How do you know their discount ink cartridges are excellent?
Fair point. They’re kind of ’standard’ ink cartridges really (I’ve changed the copy).
It’s an excellent idea and one that I totally endorse. I don’t want to do adsense on my blog but for example there’s a perky site that sells headphones I like very much. They do a referral system which pays for sales. Sort of niche endorsement.
If a few more Crack Unit posts a month are squeezed out through Cartridge Save keeping you online then that’s a good thing.
what a nice story and what a nice ink re-seller!
I think I’d like to get a local sponsor for my blog, like those American used car lot ads, but English.
how fast is the t-mobile thing?
brilliant.
Isn’t it just called sponsorship?
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