Why I Accept Paid Entrecard Ads
Alright, a lot of Entrecarders are angry about the paid ads system and refuse to allow them on their Entrecard widget. I’ve considered removing paid ads from my widget as well but have decided to let them stay. Here’s why:
I want to make sure Entrecard stays free. Okay, it probably will not matter what, but then again if they aren’t breaking even, eventually they will have to shut down. I definitely don’t want to see that happen. A (very) small portion of the revenue from paid ads goes to paying for Entrecard upkeep.
I want Entrecard to improve. The only way Entrecard is going to get better is if they have the funds to make it happen. I’m tired of Entrecard loading slow and the Entrecard widgets taking forever, aren’t you? Wouldn’t you like these to speed up? I’m sure if Entrecard had some more funds to put into their server, we would see faster loading times. Plus, I want Entrecard to improve with more features. The marketplace could definitely use some tidying up.
I want to sell my Entrecard credits. I’m not going to use all of my ECs, and I want to make money online, so I will eventually sell some ECs back to Entrecard. However, Entrecard buys their credits back depending on how much revenue comes in from paid advertising. I’ve got thousands of credits to sell, and I want to be able to sell them whenever.
Entrecard has provided us all something that has helped us. Now, our blogs are noticed. It’s easier for us to get our blogs out there to others. It’s only fair to help out and give back to the site that’s given our blogs new readers. It’s really not that big of a deal to accept paid ads.
If accepting paid ads results in less Entrecarders placing ads on my widget, then so be it. I’m not going to remove paid ads and try and horde all the ECs I can from Entrecard ads. If you’re so concerned with getting the maximum amount of exposure, then buy an ad directly on EntreBlast and you won’t have to worry about sharing your spot with other ads.
Hopefully, this has given you a new light on paid ads, and maybe it’ll change your mind about them.
Posted in FAQs
I agree with paid ads and everything you’ve said (I do accept them) except don’t think the slow loading and widgets taking forever is necessarily a hardware problem because its been there since the beginning and with each upgrade has never really gone away. But you’re right that funds would help because what EC most likely needs is someone who knows how to balance the load on the H/W side and get an additional programmer … since Phirate is the only one right now.
Hey there. I too accept paid ads on Entrecard for the exact same reason. I like that the option is there for the members to sell credits and we I would love for the service to be free. Great post and keep up the good work. Later.
I just joined Entrecard about 10 days ago, and I like the extra traffic of 80-100 visitors daily that it brings to my blog. When I visit other blogs to read and to drop, I always noticed some blogs with the statement that says something like “only EC credits here” or “No paid EC ads” below their widgets.
But I agree with your arguments that Entrecrad must accept paid ads, for economic and financial reasons. Entrecard cannot survive by credit alone, as it has to pay web hosting, office maintenance and administrative expenses.
Of course, I fully respect members who take the position of the “No paid ads” on their blogs. On the other hand, I believe member-bloggers must also accept the new realities in the marketplace — that Entrecard needs some revenue to survive. It is a win-win situation for both Entrecard and its members.
For by accepting paid ads, members are helping Entrecard stay financially afloat, while at the same time continuing to help the members by providing the same and/or much improved services, aside from helping generate traffic.
I hope members who don’t like paid ads will have a paradigm shift. After all, it is for the mutual interests of both members and the Entrecard, a kind of a symbiotic relationship.
Eli
http://businessphereconsulting.com
I feel much the same way as you.
Unfortunately, I’m beginning to wonder if their cashout option was well enough thought out. I’ve had about 25000 waiting for about three weeks now. Other cashouts (which were only 5 or 10k) where done very promptly.
Their new ‘EC only’ paid ads change of course was probably a mistake as well. People were just about getting used to it. Now they’ve cut off a potentially quite lucrative source of revenue.
Of course, the whole thing, whilst I believe an acceptable idea, was terribly implemented.
I agree with everything you have written and that’s why I also accept paid ads. I’ve noticed that when using credits to advertise the price has dropped and I don’t mind sharing widget space with a paid ad. I enjoy Entrecard and want to see them successful.
That is why I have to accept Paid EC Ads too. At all, these are a good and logic reason.
Thanks for sharing!
I accept them as well. Why not? EC needs to make money so that we can be seen too. It’s a win/win for all of us.