Thread: Can You Answer Two Important Questions?

I'm trying to figure out the answers to these questions. Any help would be great!

1) Should I monetize my blog (YouthBusinessBlog.com) with AdSense or banner ads? Is it too new? When should I do this?

2) What's so great about the Thesis theme? Is it worth it?

1 - I do not think you will get any private ad sales for the first 3-6 months so you can go in for AdSense. But you will not earn too much - saying it from past experience - best is you use affiliate links.

2 - Yes it rocks. I just bought a developer copy as I have some plans and so far I am loving it. Definitely worth the money.

Wait t

You need traffic or a competitive niche to make money with adsense.

A few years ago, I read some great advice, and I pretty much stick to it today. Don't advertise, until you start getting requests to sell ad space on your site. You will find different types of sites have different demands.

Originally Posted by camp185

You need traffic or a competitive niche to make money with adsense.

A few years ago, I read some great advice, and I pretty much stick to it today. Don't advertise, until you start getting requests to sell ad space on your site. You will find different types of sites have different demands.

You have a valid point but if you actually go to think of private ads that will take time till he gets them, like around 2 years.

So what I advised him on MSN is to use WidgetBucks as he has a lot of US and Canada traffic + they pay well per thousand impressions.

All of the above replies are good advise. Monetizing so early will have a negative effect on your blog, as people will start seeing you as a person more interested in money rather than focusing on providing quality contents.

I think Logan, go in for affiliate marketing. You can earn quite a bit from it.

I started with affiliate ads also, and actually made a sale in the first three months, which I consider as pretty good.

Originally Posted by Logan

I'm trying to figure out the answers to these questions. Any help would be great!

1) Should I monetize my blog (YouthBusinessBlog.com) with AdSense or banner ads? Is it too new? When should I do this?

I think you should try banner ads, and contact some of your local businesses for advertising, or online businesses. Uprinting.com or other businesses associated with your niche. Approach them and offer them a nice deal on advertising, and present your stats in the best light possible.

If you go for affiliate marketing, then remember, banners don't really convert unless your reputation and your traffic is amazing. Instead, focus on doing reviews (honest ones!) and showcases. You have to put work into affiliate marketing, just as if you were selling your own product. They don't really sell themselves.

2) What's so great about the Thesis theme? Is it worth it?

Nothing. I really don't like Thesis. Every blog I've seen using it is simply using it for SEO benefits, and they don't even bother customizing it, and you can find SEO free themes that you can just redesign for a better impression.

Also, I don't like how it takes over the way the blog is run with its hooks. I prefer the flexibility of using WP's own tag structure.

I have to completely disagree with Corey. Thesis is AMAZING. I am not saying it for the SEO but for the hooks part and easy editing. You can customize it like crazy and even a complete code noob like me can do it.

I strongly advise you not to monetize. Look at our very own Farrhad's Let's Sermo. He did not use ads for the first 6 months. Then he was selling ads at very high prices. (Don't know why he has taken them doen right now though)

Btw Logan, hope you recognize me