hobo13

To your credit, I would say that you started your blog before it was obvious that you'd be able to monetize it and certainly to what degree. Same with Gary, Ben and some others.

I respect guys that take risks. Guys that create something out of nothing. Guys that create value.

The space has changed. There's probably a reason you got out.

ingy

I got out because there were just too many new faces repeating my old material as the new expert in town, I was in my 60's, burnt out, understaffed and advised to get out while the gettin' was good.

The onslaught of new BA bloggers that got CC links just because they belonged to BA was just a little much for me. When I got links you had to have a history of decent relevant content, decent design (I squeaked by there and a fairly decent sized following.

For a short time, and that's when they all jumped in, if you were breathing, had a pulse and belonged to BA, you got links. I remind the guy that got them all approved whenever I see him. I actually had people contact me and tell me those were the options as offered by the affiliate marketing company. He did no service to our hobby. That was in my opinion "Greed"

I'm not saying BA doesn't have some good bloggers, but the motives of many at that particular time were monetization only.

But surprisingly, the income number never really suffered much with all the new competition. In fact, this August and the SPG promo for an extra 5K sign up, was our best month ever.

Hobo, again nice to have a civilized conversation about a somewhat contentious topic.

Thanks for the opportunity

yerffej201

for a time. now? good luck. and also chase is dropping people like flies

Mary2e

Add me to that list. The last thing I would do is click on blog links for cc signups, etc. I barely glance at them.

I believe in freely sharing information. I guess that's because it was that way when I first found FT-people gave away information to the point where I felt like I wasn't contributing enough to the collective knowledge.

Now everyone is out to make a buck.

sbm12

Including Internet Brands, the company which owns FlyerTalk.

It has been a long, long, long time since any of these sites - FT, MP, blogs and more - were just about sharing info and hoping people show up and learn. Some are more aggressive about monetizing than others, but pretty much everyone is doing it.

dhammer53

Agreed.

Mary2e, You're leaving lots and lots of miles and points on the table by not signing up for the various sign up bonus' that are out there.

If I was new to the miles and points 'game' as my friend Rick likes to say, I'd gladly pay $99 bucks to learn what I needed to know. Don't forget, the cost includes food and drink. I think they should charge $150, with the excess going to the various charities that the organizers pick.

dh

sbm12

There's a difference between not signing up and not using affiliate links to do so. :-:

Mary2e

As much as I can avoid it. When Randy owned FT, I used to click on advertisers links just to give back a little, now I use ad blocker

I sign up sporadically either using links sent to me by the bank or go directly to the bank.

I'm not very much into the churning game. I simply don't have the time or patience. I'll sign up if the offer is really good, but that's only about once a year.

farbster

How does FT make money? I bought a couple of luggage tags, but that's about it? Membership is free...Are there many ads I'm missing due to .......?

sbm12

Yes. And they have plenty of CC links in their other content, such as blogs and newsletters.

farbster

One bad thing about ....... is that I think it takes out some promotions on either the marriott or spg homepage. oh well...small price to pay

sbm12

You can set up exceptions on a site-by-site basis if you want. :-:

oliver2002

By displaying ads. After a certain level of traffic, you get paid by display alone. Adblockers add-ons AFAIK are only reliably available on FF and Chrome and in their infancy for IE (only version >8.0) so their revenue is somewhat assured till 201x. Another source of revenue is targeted ad campaigns by certain entities in certain forums. Chase and NCL seem to do that.

farbster

IE? What is that? I seem to remember using that back in the day of dialup...Actually, I use IE on a very few sites that require it, but other than that it is Chrome all the way.

And Seth, you're correct as usual. I should put the exception in for Marriott or SPG etc...Thanks for reminding me.

sithlord

If a tour of the local adult venues were included now thats learning with a view.