Saturday, October 30, 2021

Should I Stop Posting On TMP?

 This morning I was visiting another blog, one that I follow frequently, and the topic of monetizing one's blog came up. I don't mind if other bloggers want to monetize their blogs with Blogger, but I choose not to for various reasons.

Say What?

However, there was a comment by another fellow in the Comments section, in which he indicated that he stopped following a certain American blogger (no name given) because he posted too many TMP topics of the "here's what I'm doing on my blog today" entries. He thought that this was a scheme to direct traffic to my blog in order to get paid by Blogger.

This could not be any further from the truth.

I do not know if this comment was directed towards me, but I do post on TMP to bring attention to something that I have posted on my blog that day. I don't do this for every TMP posting, but I do this from time to time. Usually I post one picture from my blog and a link to that particular blog post so that people can see what I am doing. In most cases, I am highlighting a post that has lots and lots of pictures and I feel that TMP is not the place for me to post ten pictures, etc. TMP has a viewing tracker for each topic posted. For example, one of my posts might generate 400 hits on TMP by TMP viewers. That would seem to indicate that people are interested in what I am posting so I keep doing it.

Who's Paying Who?

Let me start by saying that the only money changing hands comes from ME to both TMP and to the owner of the Fife and Drum Miniatures forum - Proboards. I do not get a penny from Blogger because I haven't monetized this blog. "Monitizing" means that the blog owner allows Blogger to post advertising on his blog.

1. I am a regular advertiser on TMP. I pay TMP every month for the daily banner ads for Fife and Drum Miniatures.

2. I pay Proboards a monthly fee for the amount of storage capacity on my forum. This payment currently exceeds $100 per month and it all gets paid for out of MY POCKET.

3. Do I sometimes promote Fife and Drum and Minden figures on TMP? You betcha! Let's review, I pay TMP not the other way around.

Why Do I Post New Threads on TMP?

For starters, I operate a business that sells wargame miniatures that people apparently want and need. I am a business. If I don't promote my products then sales decrease and if sales decrease over time, then I go out of business.

Secondly, I created my Der Alte Fritz Journal because I wanted to have a place where I can post pictures about my gaming activities, be it painting figures, making terrain, or playing in various war games with my friends.

I take a great deal of pride in the content that is posted on this blog and in other forums. I spend a lot of time setting up a picture, creating little vignettes and hopefully providing some inspiration for other war gamers. And yes, I do like to have people look at what I do and I do like to show off a bit. Does that make me a bad person?

I post threads on TMP because they are targeted to a specific audience and TMP delivers tangible and measurable results for my business. Again, let's review. On October 5, 2021 I posted a topic about me new Punic Wars Project using 54mm plastic figures. I am really geeked up by this project and I wanted to share my enthusiasm with other war gamers. That post has generated (as of today) 607 views and 17 comments. My related blog entry that day was running at about 25% of the number of viewers on TMP. As of today, my blog viewer count for that post is comparable to that of TMP.

And finally, the proof is in the pudding, as they say. Looking at viewer counter for my blog in the upper right corner of this page. Over 1.8 million viewers would seem to indicate that there is some kind of interest in what I do.

Am I doing something wrong here? Please give me your opinion in the comments section below. I would appreciate your feedback.

Respectfully Yours,


Fritz

20 comments:

  1. Jim your post here and on TMP are interesting and informative, if it was not for your blog I would not have got back into 18th century wargaming or discovered Fife and Drum Miniature / Crann Tara miniatures. From perspective your are doing everything correctly, keep up the good work.
    Stop tempting me with those 54mm Romans.
    Happy gaming,
    Willz.

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  2. I love your posts and it is lovely to see your lovely figures.
    Please stay with us on TMP, its the only wargames site I visit regularly and I would hate to lose you!!!

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  3. I was the one who posted, but it was certainly not directed at you. Yes, from this anyone can work out who I am. I object to the style of click-bait that the blogger in question uses. Most forum's insist on at least one pictures together with any link, so such obvious tricks can easily be seen.

    Will

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  4. Jim,

    Thank you for the Fife & Drum Forum and for the high quality of your blog, the only hobby sites I visit on a daily basis. You have made significant and valuable contributions to our hobby, and your lines of exquisite miniatures have brought hours of pleasure to gamers around the globe.

    Thank you for all you do for our hobby. I wish there were more like you.

    Bill

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  5. In my view, you are doing everything right here and elsewhere. The pleasure and inspiration you bring to fellow hobbyists, without it should be noted ANY toxicity, is to be envied and admired. Please keep it up.

    Kind Regards,

    Stokes

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  6. In my view, you are doing everything right here and elsewhere. The pleasure and inspiration you bring to fellow hobbyists, without it should be noted ANY toxicity, is to be envied and admired. Please keep it up.

    Kind Regards,

    Stokes

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  7. Jim,
    Don't change a thing. I'll echo Bill above.
    "Thank you for all you do for our hobby."!

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  8. No issues from me. I think that it is useful to post on TMP a link to what you do on your blog. Not everyone follows all blogs and a short post on TMP often leads me to a new interesting blog.
    Thank you for all the effort you put into your blog. I have my own blog and I know how much work it is even for my small efforts so understand and appreciate all the work you do.

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  9. No. Continue to advertise your content.

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  10. Jim you keep doing one of the best blogs around. I remain impressed by both your painting skill and enthusiasm for gaming. You have been doing it right for years, so keep doing it.

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  11. Jim you keep doing one of the best blogs around. I remain impressed by both your painting skill and enthusiasm for gaming. You have been doing it right for years, so keep doing it.

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  12. Hi Jim,
    I've followed your blog a long time but I only visit TMP for the Hobby News so don't see your posts there.
    I appreciate that you are effectively paying money for my entertainment as my only contribution is an occasional post. I shall continue to visit your site as long as you're prepared to go on posting it.
    As for your TMP postings - people have a simple choice a] about reading it, b] about coming here to see more. If people see being given that choice an imposition that's their issue not yours.
    all the best as always,

    Stephen

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  13. There are far more annoying posters on TMP than people who post occasional links to their blogs. Post away.

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  14. I also use TMP to alert people when I add to my blog posts. Like you I haven’t and will not host adverts on my blog. Although with the low follower count I have it wouldn’t make either me or the advertiser rich! I link from TMP because I hope the readers will find my posts useful and/or interesting.

    If TMP required an image on initial posts I’d be in trouble as I struggle to post pictures on my posts there.

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  15. I also use TMP to alert people when I add to my blog posts. Like you I haven’t and will not host adverts on my blog. Although with the low follower count I have it wouldn’t make either me or the advertiser rich! I link from TMP because I hope the readers will find my posts useful and/or interesting.

    If TMP required an image on initial posts I’d be in trouble as I struggle to post pictures on my posts there.

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  16. Well done and well said, Sir! Keep up unperturbed with this wonderful blog!

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  17. Jim, I agree with all said above.

    I enjoy reading your blog very much, and love seeing all your projects. No matter the subject, they are interesting and inspiring in some way, and a great way to feel "in touch" with the hobby.

    Your posts on Minden/F&D figures are an essential part of my 18th century "habit:!! :-D

    I very rarely visit TMP but that is just a time issue really, and if that posting helps your business thrive, all the better for all of us. Please keep up your great work...it helps me and I am glad it helps you too.

    Cheers, Rohan.

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  18. Jim, I agree with all said above.

    I enjoy reading your blog very much, and love seeing all your projects. No matter the subject, they are interesting and inspiring in some way, and a great way to feel "in touch" with the hobby.

    Your posts on Minden/F&D figures are an essential part of my 18th century "habit:!! :-D

    I very rarely visit TMP but that is just a time issue really, and if that posting helps your business thrive, all the better for all of us. Please keep up your great work...it helps me and I am glad it helps you too.

    Cheers, Rohan.

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  19. I stopped worrying about what moaners say a while ago. As Helen Mirren the actress said recently "My one regret is not telling more people to f**k off more often!" Love your content - keep going!

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  20. Jim, sorry to be late but I must support you and say you are one of the exemplars of what is so good about this hobby, and everyone I meet who knows you acknowledges your generosity in time and money to hobby enthusiasts. Please keep it up. I've found TMP a bit strange but maybe that is because I'm an English blogger. I tried advertising on my blog when I started but I seemed to have transgressed the rules and Blogger banned me from it forever with no explanation and no right of appeal! Good luck with all you do and for funding the splendid Fife and Drum Forum too. Chris (shameful clickbait posting URL http://notjustoldschool.blogspot.com/

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