Came across your blog doing a fast search - it's a long story - only to find you listed on the front page of Google for this post. I wanted to take a moment and say thank you (and to everyone else who posted likewise) for coming by and grabbing the widget. I don't even ask for names, just take one! I've also got new ones, if you want to keep things fresh :) I really do believe there is plenty of money in this world, it's just that we're so used to supporting (and throwing our money at) corporations that we forget the little guy. When it doesn't cost you any more to buy through someone's link, why not share the wealth?!? Funny enough this idea is sort of slow to get off the ground. It's almost as if we're conditioned not to help ourselves. But with time I hope every blog everywhere has the banner :) Again a big thanks!

I love this idea. I have put the banner on both of my sites.
http://my2gs.blogspot.com
http://pbandpickles.blogspot.com

~ Lacie

It's been useful reading your post as well as the comments here. Now I can understand why my Google adsense ads aren't getting clicked - people don't seem to like them. I do wonder about other ads though. Will they slow my site down?

I'm relatively new to this, so I'm still in the mode of finding ads that people will actually find useful. If someone displays something useful on a blog, I have no trouble clicking it and maybe even making a purchase.

However, a lot of bloggers are like me -- still showing those Google ads that are often only marginally interesting.

I primarily support bloggers I like by clicking an ad and tossing them a few cents. I suspect most of the clicks I get are for the same reason (too bad they couldn't go and click that "Digg" button while they're at it, but oh well).

I'll keep an eye out for more blogger ads and try to implement your suggestion...

I have made many purchases via blogs I read. I have always liked to support fellow home business pro's, so I would much rather purchase from an affiliate link and someone get paid for it.

Hello
I am with you in regards to supporting each other.
I started with all of this blogging because I love to write and empower women with my support.
The entire pyramid of advertising is way over my head.
I do however put a lot of time and effort into commenting on bloggers thoughts as they put as much time and effort into their work as I do.
I look at life through a pay it forward lens!
Thank You for this post.
~D~

I think this is bright idea not only for on line merchandisers, but also to all bloggers as social people.

I think you have improved your theme a lot since I last visited.

Thanks for visiting my new WP blog.

Thanks Ethan for your response. I agree. We do all the work to get visitors but no-one wants to click. I think PepperJam has been the best for me so far.

I also think when it comes to private ads like pepperjam, you have to promote. You have to write a post that promotes the ad - but only if you have a belief in it.

good luck with content hunting.

les

Your post has inspired me. Honestly, the whole concept of advertising -- as it exists now -- baffles me when it comes to my own blog. Why? I'm not real in love with the stuff that gets fed to my site from major companies such as Google. So, I wind up asking, "Who wants to click that?"

Judging from my impressions-to-click ratio, not many.

So, off hunting better content I go...

This is an interesting idea which makes perfect sense. It would definitely be nice to support each other. :)

This is EXACTLY the reason I spend so much time blogging: so people who read my blog will remember me the next time they want to shop. I'm hoping that by the time the Christmas season comes around anyone who's ever been impressed by anything they've seen on my blog will come to my site to buy Christmas gifts.

I checked the site, however, and I'm put off by what I view as harsh language in the widgets. I left a comment there suggesting some more neutral widgetry.

I love this idea and i'm going now to check it out. Ty for sharing the information.