Need Some Advice

[RedAdept]

My blog is on the Wordpress site and the address is http://redadept.wordpress.com/

Because the content is kept at Wordpress and it is technically their site, there are two downsides:  I could lose my content at their whim, and I'm not allowed to post ads on the site.

I am thinking of moving it to a site to get a better (shorter) address, be more assured that my content is safe, and have the ability to post ads on the online version.

I do not want ads in my posts at all. Subscribers already pay to read the posts; I don't feel they should have to get ads with their posts on their Kindles.

But, I was thinking that there might be plenty of small Publishers who would want to post an ad on my site as I get a LOT of readers visiting. Some Indie Authors might even want an ad posted for either their site or their book(s).

What do you think of that? 

(Keep in mind that I am talking about small, tasteful ads. Also, I would not allow things like "Adult Friend Finder" to have an ad.    )

[Leslie]

My friend Erastes has a review site at Speak Its Name http://speakitsname.com/ which is a Wordpress site. Up until a few months ago, it had wordpress in the url, same as yours. Somehow or another, she was able to pay to get the new URL, but the underlying blogging software is still wordpress (I know that because I post reviews on the site). She's had ads since forever on the site, even when it had its old name.

If you want to get in touch with her to discuss the background goings-on, send me a PM.

L

[Thumper]

For the sake pf professionalism--and your blog has reached that--it would be better to have your own domain name. You can  still keep the Wordpress engine behind it, but have your domain...you just have to buy the name and host it, then upload the Wordpress software to your host.

Please don't ask me how, though...I'd have done it years ago if I could figure out the whole SQL database thing.

[Guido Henkel]

I agree with Thumper. I would get my own domain name and transfer your wordpress over. It is fairly easy to export and import the Wordpress database and transfer the installation to a new server. Not only do you have full control over your server at that point, you also have a cool new domain name.

As for ads, yes, I think you should sell advertising space on your site. You have built a reputation  -and supposedly the kind of traffic - that should make it possible for you to monetize on it, at least to some degree - if only to buy a new Kindle some time, or a nice dinner once in a while. :-)

[911jason]

Just playing devil's advocate here, but as a very prolific reviewer, do you see any perceived ethical issues with posting ads selling the same books you review? Or would you not review books that are shown as ads?

[Edward C. Patterson]

RedAdept:

The Indie Spotlight http://www.theindiespotlight.com is a wordpress site. Now, Greg would know more about those things than I. I'm an old fashioned webmaster from the ancient days of the WWW, before Al Gore invented the Internet   - but there's not wordpress in the URL of our Blog site. I'm sure if you drop Greg a note at his contact email, he'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

Ed Patterson

[RedAdept]

Just playing devil's advocate here, but as a very prolific reviewer, do you see any perceived ethical issues with posting ads selling the same books you review? Or would you not review books that are shown as ads?

I would have a general statement somewhere on the home page that I do not endorse advertised products. That's true for most websites, I am sure.

Well, and let's face it, do you really think someone that I gave a "poor" review is going to pay to advertise on my site?  Nope, the ones that would be interested, that I have already reviewed, would be ones I would recommmend, anyway.

To be honest, I don't see an Indie Author paying to put an ad on my site. I mean, if I have reviewed their book, they already have links to it on my site. If they participate in the articles I do, they get yet another link to their book posted, etc. etc.

I would think the only time an Indie author might want an ad is to introduce a brand new book being published. That kind of ad would probably generate a LOT of sales, to be able to announce a new book in such a way would proably generate a lot of sales, especially since I would not have had the chance to review it, yet.

But, there are other advertising avenues to aexplore, mainly small publishers.

[RedAdept]

RedAdept:

The Indie Spotlight http://www.theindiespotlight.com is a wordpress site. Now, Greg would know more about those things than I. I'm an old fashioned webmaster from the ancient days of the WWW, before Al Gore invented the Internet   - but there's not wordpress in the URL of our Blog site. I'm sure if you drop Greg a note at his contact email, he'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

Ed Patterson

Yes, he purchased the domain. I think you can pay Wordpress to do that.

I have found a site to move my blog to, it's just a matter of getting it set up.

[Adele]

RedAdept:

I use WordPress for my blog and HostMonster for the domain and hosting - I can back up all my files through HostMoster.

[RedAdept]

Okay..One more question, please...

I am renaming my blog. I think the name is just too long and not catchy enough. Also, I want to be able to expand to other e-readers.

So.....Here are the choices:

Red Adept's Reviews
Red Adept Reviews

I know they are almost exact. I like the second the best, but I want to make sure that it makes sense and that people 'get' that 'reviews' is kind of a play with it being either a verb or a noun.  Plus, it gets rid of that pesky apostrophe that I can't seem to fix. 

Of course, I will consider other name suggestions. They just need "Red Adept" in the title.  (The blog on Amazon will keep it's name...probably.)

[scottnicholson]

yes, the second one is best, take out the s, easier to say (I used to work in radio...)

I think there is a perceived conflict if you take advertising from books, because there are plenty of formerly legit outlets and publications that now basically sell reviews (and the independent, unbiased reviews were at book blogs, but even those are getting infiltrated as newspapers quit reviewing books). However, I don't begrudge anyone trying to make money, because that's what most of us are trying to do. If you want to be the most respected and influential reviewer for Kindle, it might be an issue. Otherwise, I think people understand. It's a lot of work. You could also start receiving books for free and save money that way. Either way, good luck--I know Blogspot lets you have Google ads but you don't get to control the content. Writer blogs tend to get the "We'll Publishe Your Books!!!" semi-scams.

For some weird reason, last year three different Halloween costume companies wanted to advertise on my site. I'd never taken ads. I made up a number and they took it, and another joined this year. It's paying for my site now.

Scott Nicholson
Coming March 1: The Red Church

[RedAdept]

You have a point about ads for specific books.

I was really thinking more about Small Publishers. What do you think about that?

Especially if they are publishers of books that are not really 'my thing', like say a Romance Novel Publisher. LOL

[Edward C. Patterson]

Since "Reviews" is a transitive verb, it doesn't work for me. I think you should convert the entire title to the nominative:

The Red Adept Review

This gives it "branding," and take it from this old marketing director, you want something solid, not possessive (Red Adept's Reviews) or meandering (Red Adept Reviews . . . something . . . what does Red Adept Review?), but a proper "Proper Noun" that won't slide off the shelf.

"Hey, Martha, have you read THE RED ADEPT REVIEW today. Nice bit there."

It elevates it. You wouldn't take notice of Good Housekeeping Approves or Good Housekeeping's Approvals, but we do respect The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. It's solid. It's something.

My 2 cents worth.

Edward C. Patterson

[LuvMyKindle]

Ohhh....yes, I agree with Ed's suggestion and the reasoning behind it. The Red Adept Review. I really like it!
I also think Scott's post contains some good advice. You should be careful of the ads you accept/post on your blog.

Good luck with the change/transition. It's sure to turn out terrific, like your blog has been since it's inception.

Meanwhile, thanks for all the continued reviews, interesting finds, and recommendations! 

[Eric C]

No marketing background here (unlike Ed, if I recall correctly), but shouldn't the word "Book" appear in the title given there are many things reviewed on the web other than books? And is there any interest in specializing in eBooks? In which case I'd consider putting "eBooks" in the title, e.g., The Red Adept eBook Review.

[David Derrico]

I'm no marketing expert, but to my untrained ears, I kinda agree with Eric and like "The Red Adept Book Review" (or eBook Review). While it IS longer, it also has more juicy keywords, and we all like keywords. Or at least I like keywords, and I think you probably like keywords, because I understand that Google likes keywords, and we like Google to like us.

Is "The Red Adept Review of Books" too much? I think so. I should probably get some sleep, I feel a little silly.

[Carolyn Kephart]

"The Red Adept Review of Books" sounds...classy.

Still, "Red Adept's Reviews" comes more quickly to mind. Decisions, decisions.

[GwenNoles]

I like "The Red Adept Ebook Review." It's concise and flows well.

[RedAdept]

The reasoning behind not adding "eBook" or any form of that to the title is because of my reviewing blogs, short stories, etc. Also, I have articles, entire shosrt stories posted within my blog, and other things.

So, I feel as though "eBook" might limit interest.

I do like Ed's Idea and his reasoning.   

[Edward C. Patterson]

Don't forget the "THE" which is actually the active ingredient.

Ed Patterson
 

[Guido Henkel]

The Red Adept Review is a great title, I think.

[Thumper]

Now Red just needs a vanity plate.

I REVU U

Classy, eh?

(Well, I would do it... I love vanity plates.)

((Lots of cold medication on board here, so you also might want to ignore me))

[CS]

www.redadept.com (The Red Adept Review) sounds like a great idea.

As for ads, I am honestly not the one to ask. I personally use Adblock Plus and NoScript for Firefox, but if ads can make you money and give extra exposure to indie authors, then go for it.