I read a Sphinn today titled “Seth Godin Wants to Cheat Advertisers With Fake Clicks” and thought – yikes! Suggesting people click on adsense as a reward is stupid for lots of reasons but especially stupid on a link building level.
Clicking adsense might get the blogger a little money (or no money if he gets banned) but he/she will never know it’s coming from YOU.
But hitting a tip jar ensures the blogger knows exactly who the donation is coming from. If you’re interested in guest blogging or having the blogger review your products, donating to his/her tip jar is a great way to get attention to your cause.
Forget clicking the adsense, drop a tip. It might get you a link.
a great idea. does seem like you could get someone’s attention with this, without having to spend all that much.
Hi Debra:
Good idea! What kind of tip jar do you think works best? I’ve seen Paypal buttons but wonder if there’s other options.
-Anne
No reason to feel bad even if you DID put out the cookie jar. Directories charge for what? Link juice based on their own importance. Why shouldn’t an effective writer gain from their talents and well established site. In the end, that is all it is though, bribery. How can you blog about me if you don’t know me or my product? It’s just part of the game, I suppose.
Being opportunistic also has a negative connotation. I never really understood that… Probably something to do with taking advantage when others can’t or won’t see the opening.
Debra,
Do you know how much you would make if you put a “Tip Me” with a paypal icon. You got too many fans. Heck I would tip you for just being you, no links necessary.
I almost felt bad after reading your comment David, I mean – bribery tends to have a negative connotation but you know what? I’m NOT the one putting out the tip jars in the first place!
And that is why I drop by to read your comments…
I am naive. I had no idea that I could bribe my way into links from bloggers. Makes perfect sense that they want to monetize their writing efforts. I just had no clue.
Saw your comments on SEOmoz and got a chuckle from some of them. Nice work.