And so the day has arrived.
If you've been here for awhile you'll know how much I've procrastinated over advertising on the blog. Why? I guess initially it all felt a bit icky. Companies I'd never heard of, wanting to slip their links into my html (!) For the longest time I've been running ideas through my head, how could I write in this space and make a living without selling out? How could I make sure I didn't end up writing sponsored posts for toilet paper? Although, we do use a LOT of toilet paper.
While I procrastinated, advertising enquires slowly sprinkled into my inbox. My very grown up and business like reaction to this was to move them to a folder marked "later" and move on with the day. Recently, after one of those family meetings titled "budget discussions" with G, I decided it was time to take another look, it was then that I discovered something really cool.
When you've written a blog consistently, and I mean shown up day after day, year after year, like minded people come your way. People who are interested in the same ideas. I think if I was a marketer I'd call it an authentic audience, if I was a blogger I'd call it engaged, and if I was an English Lit major I think I would have just thrown up a little bit in my mouth. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when I finally went back to see who'd sent me requests I learnt that the advertising part was going to be easy. I just needed to follow two simple rules when thinking about advertisers.
Would I want to use the product or service?
Do I genuinely think my readers could benefit from knowing about it?
Back in October 2011, I wrote a post about the second little traveller having to take a ME to school, the requirement for her ME was that it needed to be covered in pictures of her being her. The post was all about realizing how much WE there seemed to be in my ME. I could barely find one shot of myself, there were plenty of photos of the children, but more often than not I'd forgotten to put myself in the frame.
The following day I received an email from the lovely Janet, an expat based in Bangalore, she'd been following the blog for awhile and said all sort of things to make a girl blush (compliments, not rude things). When Janet explained that she and her sister ran an online photography business teaching parents how to take better shots of their families, I immediately thought they were on to something. I would have loved to have done something like this when the little travellers were babies. And even now I sigh out loud at my inability to get everyone in front of the camera.
When you have a minute take a look at Janet's blog particularly the tips and tricks section, it has some great hints. If you're a Facebook person they have a page that they update regularly with ideas. I'm signed up to both because their photos are beautiful and their ideas are always useful.
So here's the thing. If you interested in taking an online course to learn how to capture better photos of your family, head on over and take a look. But even if you're just looking for tips and ideas on how to put yourself back in the frame, Janet and her sister in law Liana are the real deal - they'd love to hear from you.
Would I use the service? Absolutely. Do I think you guys could benefit from knowing about them? Definitely.
It was that simple.
Disgusting
ReplyDeleteWe've never been back in since the fire. Can't bring ourselves to and there's no need when there are so many other malls. It's a small way of showing respect. I also find the flames on the Aspire Torch tasteless and insensitive considering.
ReplyDeleteI can never ever go back there. I was outside the mall, watching babies being brought out in bags. And I judge those who go there week after week, judge them very badly.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you 100%. Makes me feel sick to my stomach every time I think about it.
ReplyDeleteMe too, it's still very raw, which is why these banners are so insulting.
ReplyDeleteHow dare they do an ad campaign like that around the building? The poor parents who lost their children in the fire must be hurt beyond belief. I wish there was a way to bring justice for those innocent little souls who died for no reason at all.
ReplyDeleteKirsty, I am absolutely disgusted by this, but unfortunately not surprised. I live in KL and have done for 3 years, recently there was a fire at the KLCC mall, the alarms were activated it was a real fire and quickly bought under control, how ever every body went along as if nothing was happening, eventually they began to evacuate, as my friend left a school was making there way in to the mall, shimmying under the shutters in to the building to get to the science centre on the top floor ! Nobody stopped them and the teachers did not see a problem with allowing/instructing them to go ahead. Is this a cultural phenomenon ?
ReplyDeleteWhat a poor ad placement choice on behalf of Qmedia.
ReplyDeleteLike many others I relive this day over and over and over again. The pain is still very raw and will never go away.
These posters should be removed before this whole thing goes viral. Watch out Coke, this is going to be your problem very soon. You put 'em up, now take 'em down.
I can't say that I have much time to read the news these days, but I have seen absolutely nothing about it since the fire itself. When you write about them not turning up to court and so on, I wonder why I haven't read anything about that in the news? There was so much coverage of the fire. Have you considered sharing that photo with an news outlet like the ABC or BBC? Even if it only runs as a small or on-line story, any international bad press might out some increased motivation for progress in the court proceeding.
ReplyDeleteI have just been to Villaggion. Apparently they have listened and removed the ad.
ReplyDeleteThat's very good news. Thanks for letting me know.
ReplyDeleteNo one has to go to Villagio! I dont go any more since the fire, i also find and check evac routes when i go out with my kids, every where in qatar.
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