Comments on ShysterBall: In Search of Feedback

Do whatever you want, Craig...don't forget, the ma...

2008-09-08T08:23:19.699-04:00

Do whatever you want, Craig...

don't forget, the main reason people hated web adverts was because they increased the page download time so much, in like 1996. Not so much of a factor now.

To be honest, I don't like ads and would certainly...

2008-09-06T19:04:38.372-04:00

To be honest, I don't like ads and would certainly prefer they stayed away if it were up to me. That said, it wouldn't stop me from coming to your page, because I enjoy your work. But I have to admit, the trend of sticking advertising in every free inch of space, cyber- and otherwise, gets frustrating after a while. It's one important reason why Wrigley Field is one of the best parks in baseball-- barely any ads to clutter things up. Just the beautiful simplicity of a classic ballpark that's almost 100 years old.

Go for it. You deserve it. We won't care.

2008-09-04T12:48:12.447-04:00

Go for it. You deserve it. We won't care.

Trav,I agree with the oddsmakers stuff. They had ...

2008-09-04T09:33:55.314-04:00

Trav,

I agree with the oddsmakers stuff. They had paid me to bury links and stuff. Not enough to really make a difference, but it was nice to actually see ANY income.

Fair point.

I'm inclined to disagree with Jason @ IIATMS's com...

2008-09-04T09:14:25.381-04:00

I'm inclined to disagree with Jason @ IIATMS's comment that the ads won't be worth much unless your readers actually click on them. While that may be true with AdSense or Amazon ads, it's not with text links like you get from ticket brokers and oddsmakers. Those guys (many of them, anyway) pay a fee for a certain number of links over a certain time, , and for a site like yours that actually has a significant readership and a solid PageRank, you should be able to get a good price for those.

I have made some money at this, but not enough to quit my day job. David Pinto, on the other hand, has done exactly that, and when I asked him about "affiliate" sites, where you get paid based on click-thru rates, he said he doesn't make much of anything off of them.

The moral of the story is: get them to pay you up front.

If you're interested, drop me a line. I can tell you how to put a second column in next to your blogroll for the ads (we have the same template) and I'll give you some email addresses for advertisers.

Ads: fine.Affilliation: fine The only turn-off: Yo...

2008-09-04T09:11:02.352-04:00

Ads: fine.

Affilliation: fine

The only turn-off: You being edited or muzzled.

By the way, you're a good enough writer that you should consider looking into - gasp - print! Print may be dying but if you can get paid for actual freelance writing in an actual publication, preferably one published by a major media chain, you can earn a little extra coin.

I visit every day to see what you have to say and,...

2008-09-04T04:21:35.137-04:00

I visit every day to see what you have to say and, quiteobviously, I like the site very much just the way it is. That said, I come for the content and pretty much ignore all the windowdressing anyway, so I would continue to visit regardless of ads or different url

I say go for it. Independence from your full time...

2008-09-04T02:46:33.691-04:00

I say go for it. Independence from your full time commitment (at some point in the future) allowing you to focus on writing full time benefits all of us that enjoy reading this blog. Best of luck.

No issues with ads as long as they aren't pop up, ...

2008-09-04T00:02:34.295-04:00

No issues with ads as long as they aren't pop up, but I'd rather you not move to another site.

CC,I missed the rush due to some work committments...

2008-09-03T21:21:56.688-04:00

CC,

I missed the rush due to some work committments so sorry I am late to the party.

We've shared a few emails on this subject (for myself, actually).

I'm all for doing what it takes to either/or:
1) Increase your 'net exposure
2) Increase your wallet

The ads won't bring much revenue unless we, the readers, click like mad.

The "less is more" approach here clearly has attracted many people. Content will win the day but bad format/experience will frustrate those you are trying to win as loyal. (I borrowed from this approach but couldn't help adding "things" to give readers more stuff to check out). Just ask Tim at MLBTR about the feedback/chaos that his format change caused.

Once upon a time the Uniwatch blog offered some sort of "subscription" thing to get folks to "contribute" money. If you are looking to boost the wallet a bit, which I don't have a problem with by the way, you should see if there's a widget to install from paypal to take *donations*.

We do this blogging thing for the enjoyment of writing and doing something different than our day jobs. It's labor but a love, too. And I know how appreciative I am to anyone who not only reads but comments....I know you're the same way, to say the least.

If you want to take this to a larger distribution channel that might get you some sort of gig at a bigger shop, go for it. We'll come along for the ride.

Craig, your blog is one of the best out there. Ob...

2008-09-03T18:39:14.712-04:00

Craig, your blog is one of the best out there. Obviously, a lot goes into that. I understand that change is inevitable, but I find it refreshing that you blog on google/blogger. I like the layout, I like the lack of ads, but I also like the writing. And to be honest, it's unlikely that I would stop reading because you included ads or moved to another site. With all of that said, if it makes no difference to you, you have to ask yourself why change.

I say go for it. Good writing is good writing. A...

2008-09-03T18:12:35.521-04:00

I say go for it. Good writing is good writing. As long as the content doesn't suffer, I'll keep coming back. And the exposure does help, I think. You get good exposure from guys like Neyer and Law.

I don't even think MLBTR's ads are too intrusive. I just skip over them, they don't bother me a bit. As long as it's not pop-up city, it doesn't bother me.

Since you asked...Ads are no problem, either adsen...

2008-09-03T17:21:39.776-04:00

Since you asked...

Ads are no problem, either adsense or tasteful banners (by that I don't mean content but rather size and obtrusiveness). Please avoid both flashiness and Flash-iness.

I usually read the feed and click through for the posts I wish to spend time contemplating. Full feeds are essential, but feed ads are fine.

Joining a network like MVN? I think that you're a stronger blogger as an independent. I tend to click though on independents more than networks FWIW.

Keep up the great work.

I have no idea of the capital to be gained from a ...

2008-09-03T16:58:19.292-04:00

I have no idea of the capital to be gained from a couple of ads on your page but if you can find the slightest use from the revenue from a couple of small to moderate ads on your blog I say go for it. I believe your readers wouldn't mind a couple ads. So long as they don't eat up too much of the content we read, go for it. And of course no popups or evil ad-ware BS. Use the extra income to put gas in your tank, er, maybe half a tank...

As I am using google reader, it doesn't matter as ...

2008-09-03T16:16:15.705-04:00

As I am using google reader, it doesn't matter as long as I get the full post in the feed. I wouldn't recommend going to one of the blog clearing houses though; I find it easy to loose track of those for some reason. I think there is something distinctively appealing about having your own space.

Haven't seen this brought up by anybody yet, but I...

2008-09-03T16:13:28.383-04:00

Haven't seen this brought up by anybody yet, but I'm guessing it's also easier to sell the wife on the time you spend blogging if you're getting a not-insignificant income from it.

I'd prefer to just pay $20 or $30 a year to read S...

2008-09-03T16:11:45.206-04:00

I'd prefer to just pay $20 or $30 a year to read ShysterBall than to deal with ads.

But I just hate ads. Mostly because usually the site owner/blogger/etc. doesn't really have direct control over what kinds of ads appear. So inevitably, it starts off looking OK, and then after a couple months the extremely obnoxious Flash-driven bright, flashing, moving and/or noise-generating ads start appearing.

That said, of course if I'm in your shoes, Craig, I take the money. If ads get bad enough that I give up on the place, the quality's still plenty strong enough to bring in a hundred more fans to replace me.

My only hesitation about joining a blogging ring i...

2008-09-03T14:24:30.021-04:00

My only hesitation about joining a blogging ring is that some of them don't allow RSS subscriptions to the author. If you were to end up somewhere where, in order to read you, I'd also have to read 2 dozen other guys, frankly, I'd probably stop reading Shysterball altogether.

Baseball Musings website is very ads/links heavy. Distractingly so, sometimes. Still, the content is excellent. If you think getting ads brings you a step closer to the TrueHoop dream, then go for it, I say.

Ads are the web's "tip jar." Go for it.

2008-09-03T14:23:52.235-04:00

Ads are the web's "tip jar." Go for it.

as long as you pick a site that Google Reader pick...

2008-09-03T14:17:06.786-04:00

as long as you pick a site that Google Reader picks up, I'm cool with any changes

Hey Craig, This is your blog and I think you shoul...

2008-09-03T13:34:32.306-04:00

Hey Craig, This is your blog and I think you should get to do what you want with it. As long as you keep providing excellent content, I'll keep reading.

Craig, Go with the ads. Besides baseball blogs, I...

2008-09-03T13:34:26.924-04:00

Craig,

Go with the ads. Besides baseball blogs, I'm an avid reader of political blogs. I've watched them change over the years, mainly by adding many more ads. I take that as a sign of progress. It's the content that keeps people going back.

I think we'll put up with just about anything as long as the content remains top notch. Besides, if those ads increase the chances that you'll one day be doing this full time, then we'll just have more great content to read everyday.

Moose -- while my vacation was fun from a family a...

2008-09-03T13:30:16.468-04:00

Moose -- while my vacation was fun from a family and personal perspecitve, it was an absolute nightmare to the blogger in me. I get the shakes if I don't post at usual intervals, and there was nowhere to get a fix. The horror . . . the horror . . .

Seriously though, thank you everyone for the thoughtful feedback, both here in the comments and in the private emails you've sent. I expected nothing less from you all, and everything everyone has said has been really useful.

As for what's going to happen around here: immediately speaking, nothing. Too much to do in the very short term. But rest assured, I will give everyone advance notice of any changes that happen.

Hi Craig and other Shysterball Fans, I think what...

2008-09-03T13:27:32.938-04:00

Hi Craig and other Shysterball Fans,
I think what attracted me to the blog originally is the fact that you're not some kind of sports writer wannabe, but just a regular guy (ok, well, a lawyer, but we'll excuse that for now) who wants to write. The blog is kind of simple, uncomplicated, and stands by itself.

Where it's hosted... I could care less. But the simplicity is what draws me. The CONTENT is the value. I'd rather not wade through ads, portals, or anythying else, just get my ShysterFix for the day and move on with what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing.

Call me Luddite... I resist change.

There are several items to be considered and most ...

2008-09-03T13:24:00.096-04:00

There are several items to be considered and most of them have nothing to do with us your readers as long as the site does not fundamentally change (e.g., annoying in your face ads v. subtle in the margin ads, new format to meet the requirements of site you link to or advertisers demands). So while I appreciate your seeking our input the issues you need to truly consider are more of a personal nature and relate to why you do this.

Travis makes some really salient points about issues you may face if you either accept ads or link to another site and such issues are directly related to why you do what you do. Is autonomy and complete editorial freedom a core feature you can never be without? If so maybe not the right choice as those you are link with may place demands on you, the content, and the features/design of the blog that you cannot live with. Is there a deeper desire to truly make writing about baseball a fulltime career? If yes, then maybe developing revenue streams allows you to begin transitioning from lawyer as vocation to writer as vocation with minimal, hopefully no, impact on the finances and being the provider you currently are. Is writing this blog enough for you as a baseball fan or do you desire more (e.g. to be considered a voice of the people or you believe your perspective/take on baseball brings people together in a new way)? If so, is this the right avenue to achieve that goal or maybe it a distraction disguised as an opportunity. Those answer lie within you and while we can provide some support to whatever decision you make understand that our thoughts are only the evidence you will use to corroborate what lies within your heart to do.

Maybe you need to take a little vacation to figure things out.