When I first started blogging, I did it as an outlet, something fun to do away from the kids. As a stay at home mom, I found myself trapped in a world of baby talk, mommy talk, and no form of adult conversation during the day. I was burning up my cell phone talking to my mom and knew there had to be something else to do! Enter blogging!
As time went on, I entered not only the blogging world, but started hosting reviews and giveaways. I thought it would be a fun way to get some free products and also give me a chance to write my opinions. I knew little to nothing about advertising and hadn't even tried Google Ad Sense, though several had recommended it to me. I just wasn't sure about A.) How much money it would even bring, if any. B.) How it would look with the rest of my blog and my theme.
I've been blogging for almost 2 years now (really, has it been that long?) and things have definitely changed, not only on my blog, but on several others. I've noticed several blogs that once focused on writing go completely over to an ad-central and new blogs that begin immediately with $$ in mind. It starts out with writing a few paid posts, then others paying for ad space. Then, you start adding posts with your paid affiliate links. Seriously, when does it end? Or does it end?
There has to be some kind of in between. Do bloggers just get swept up in the glory of making money? Does the focus completely shift from being a hobby to being a career? It just seems that there really is only so much our readers can take before they hit those buttons to unfollow. I know I've hit those buttons recently for a few blogs that have just overdone it.
What do you think as a reader? As a blogger?
