As you’ve no doubt noticed, I’m experimenting with monetizing the blog (for good suggestions, see here). Not that I’m thinking of quitting my day-job to become a full-time blogger, but it would be interesting to see whether I could at least get this blog paying for itself.
Besides, to quote “Idiocracy,” I like money.
Google ads will be functional in about two weeks — just waiting for them to mail me a PIN.
I’d also like to set up a tip jar, but I’ve had trouble with Paypal. If anyone could suggest a good Paypal alternative that might work for a tip jar, I’d appreciate it.
One more thing — I’d be more than happy to sell advertising space. If you’d like to advertise here, shoot me an email using the contact form above (or just send it to marmotshole@gmail.com) to discuss details.



51 Comments
I think your best bet is to directly sell advertising space. You should just go ahead and put a spot in the layout and say ‘your add here’ with a link to the email. Not everyone that may want to advertise on your blog will read this post, so it’s best to put it somewhere they can see it.
Good point.
Long overdue, I always wanted to buy you a meal w/out the hassle of actually meeting.
Did you ever crunch your address here through the homepage that tells you how much your blog is worth? I think I tried for you and got no response …
I tried it once for the Marmot’s Hole and got a valuation of US$146,000. Not bad.
My old blog (which only got about 300 hits on a good day) was worth about $23,000 when I ran in on one of those things. I don’t trust it.
Idiocracy… hahaha… best movie ever.
How about I give you 8 billion dollars in 2500 money?
번창하세요!
Google Ads screwed me over and claimed that I was faking hits on ads–coincidentally when I started reaching the payout level in my earnings.
TextLink Ads has been better for me. Their advertisers pay upfront based on your web site ranking.
And, of course–T-SHIRTS!!
Actually, I signed up for them. Installed the plugin, too. I take it you need to wait a couple of days for advertisers to buy ads for the site.
not a bad idea, if the uri party wins in december you may not have your other job.
The key to monetizing Google Adsense is placement. I’ve experimented with a few different areas on my blog but now I have it right. Check out http://www.johnchow.com/book/make-money-online.pdf
for more info on monetizing your blog!
Using the same link to dollar ratio as the AOL-Weblogs Inc deal, Technorati values your website at $174,442.86 ! (http://www.business-opportunities.biz/projects/how-much-is-your-blog-worth/)
Never too late to start monetizing your blog!
You sellout! I can’t believe you’d do this!
About time.
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Just kidding.
> but I’ve had trouble with Paypal
You mean the trouble of not being able to transfer the money to a Korean bank account? Me, too. Or another kind of trouble…? I’d appreciate details…
Level-Up Marmot™ with…racing girls! Racing girl videos, racing girl online chats, racing girl love hotel meetups, er, fan meetings….
Ka-ching!
Since the monetization of this site depends in large part on the number of site visitors, I can foresee a return to the Lee Sabi-inspired “Tits = Hits” formula. As a potential advertiser, I hope this doesn’t happen.
Now would I do something like that, Brendon?
Deleted by Robert.
Deleted by Robert.
Deleted by Robert.
Looking at comments/flags 18,19, and 20: that’s some jet!
This blog can still maintain its informative integrity with with the odd racing girl special!
With kidnappings, nuclear capibitilities over the DMZ, not to mention all the domestic political posturing..the odd racing girl is a good change of pace!
Why not give out a bank number for doing a local bank transfer here? That would take care of that, locally.
If I was in Korea, I would be wary of Google because of the hit point fraud that has been perpetrated by more than a few locals here. Google is pretty skeptical about crediting such, thus have created some sophisticated means of detecting such, though it is probably buggy.
“Why not give out a bank number for doing a local bank transfer here? That would take care of that, locally.”
Great idea.
국민은행 323-8551-445-344
Give from the heart to support Robert’s efforts.
This will work from overseas as well.
I look forward to hearing the details of your profit-sharing plan with your most loyal and colorful commenters.
Paypal’s not gonna work for us guys anymore…at least not on this lifetime, I think. I was able to withdraw some cash last year (February to be exact), but Paypal implemented the faulty Korean ID verification thing since (this I personally confirmed from Paypal). The only other option they gave is to register a US bank account.
On another note, that racing-girl ad suggestion is not that bad either. As always, post moderately.
“You sellout! I can’t believe you’d do this!”
He’s not selling out; he’s buying in!
That is a telling demand upon their part since it is like declaring Korea to be “Weaselvania”.
I have a paypal account but have had no real problems making payment with it and I use only Korean banks.
Is “dlatn”s information on the level? I have not dealt with him/her before now.
Do it. You probably have the readership to support doing this full-time. Having lots of ads littering the space is a small price to pay.
#25 - FFS, don’t go giving YoungRocco false hope of remuneration for his “contributions” to this forum.
I can assure you, meeting the Marmot is no hassle at all — but I understand you’re a bit far away.
Perhaps not, but Pawikirogi’s aunt would have an opportunity to better target prospective customers.
dlatn
Posted August 3, 2007 at 4:26 pm | Permalink
Oops, typo.
I meant to say Pawikirogi’s aunt is a lady of reputation.
Posted August 3, 2007 at 4:29 pm | Permalink
Jet lag + fat fingers = another typo
I meant to typ Pawikirogi’s aunt is a very nice lady
Sorry for the confusion.
now, you’re allowing people to call my family members prostitutes? i’d like you to delete those comments. i know you wont because it’s me. have you gotten rid of the censor? are we back to the old ways again?
Dlatn,
really, for once I have to side with Pawi. Please be so kind as to show a little bit more restraint.
And, Robert, I second Pawi’s claim that the offensive comments should be struck out.
I agree with Fantasy and Pawikirogi, if my fingers had done what I hoped to instruct them to do, I would not have mis-typed as such that could have been misconstrued as saying that Pawikirogi’s aunt was a cheap, slapping, white-cock sucking whore.
Very few, if any, of the regular commenters contribute to broadening the scope of discussion on this blog, and for this reason Pawikirogi’s request I hope is respected.
Can I please say again, in all sincerity, I did not intent to insult his Aunt, or family, in any way, and i fully appreciate his continued contribution as a commenter to this blog in the midst of so many Korean whore-slapping ex-military now-seconded to-english teaching status or stuck in america with the aging, slabby-thighed gook take-out Korean wife from duty days, or english-teaching pretentious wanna-be korean expert, that are so many that comment on this blog.
As a register of my poor typing skills, I suggest retention of my typo filled comments, and this sincere apology to Pawikirogi, without whom, this blog would be less.
Again, on the day I sent the comments, I had to endure a flight from the US to Germany, where I do Fantasy’s mother up the ass as a part time job. I was tired, jet-lagged, and wanting for sleep, except she would not let me. And my typing skills suffered as a result.
So again, I apologize.
Truly to Pawikirogi, for the offense I mistakenly gave.
And to Fantasy, for being a soft-cock, as always.
damn typo, I meant nice guy, not soft-cock
Oh, the bank account number I pulled out of my head, it may be someones, number, it may not be,
try your luck, maybe you’ll make a stranger happy
Ooh, I always wanted to visit France.
Does anyone know any nice places to visit, its my first time here.
Or is it Poland?
Can’t really tell by the flag anymore.
Russia?
No, I’m pretty sure its France.
DDA, you awake?
How do I get from the airport to downtown where all the vous le vous cush avec moir se swa is ?
Damn dlatn, that is some mighty strong French roast your brewing this morning.
Oops, “you’re”. I just might need some.
I’m with Pawi here — miracles do happen — and suggest deleting should be the minimum penalty here.
It’s easy enough to scroll down past the childish trolling of proxyboy. Nevertheless, it would be nice to see the blog use moderation features to screen commenters since the sheriff seems to have hung up his badge.
Even if the intent here is humor, Pawi and Fantasy don’t deserve to have those things said about female members of their families. If anybody other than a good friend of mine said something similar to me, I’d bounce a bottle off his inbred head.
Perhaps a ban until the mistyping fingers learn to behave?
Hello Marmot and other folks:
I’d say this to your Marmot, that it would be really wonderful if you could get this site to pay for itself, and even provide you a bit of income. There’s no question about that. But, consider these situations:
1) is that what you really want to do for a profession, be tied down as a website content developer?
2) The commercial ad companies, have screwed me and many others over with the same claim they had made to ZenKimchi, that I was “manufacturing hits”.
3) I don’t mean to offend anyone, I love this website, but clearly, since you’ve taken a step back and allowed others to contribute news stories/become editors, the quality of content has decreased. In other words, it was the same quality as a “Marmot” posting, if anyone else posted IMO.
4) You love playing around with various layouts on this site. I love the original format of the site, and miss it dearly. I hate change, particularly to websites I frequent. I do understand some aesthetic changes are necessary due to the web management software changes, etc. But, I think a lot of your readers would agree they liked the original format of the site. Speaking of which, please bring up a test port of the site instead of playing around with the live port. Ugh, that was so unsettling to see the site all screwed up in terms of layout, graphics, and fonts, UGH!
5) What about adding “Korean chicks”, and “modernity” sections, besides all the cultural and historical observations that have dominated the majority of the postings?
6) Really commercialize it, while keeping a warm feeling to your readers, similarly to what has happened with the Gaijinpot.com site with various categories that address housing, job seekers, employers, and an UNMODERATED (the way it use to be) forums section?? In other words, one up ESLcafe.com with a broader array of jobs and issues entirely focused on Korea or any of the other pretty crappy websites.
7) Stay on at least part-time at Seoul Selection for a variety of reasons, not because we want a discount or just to hang out with you or anything.
I hope things work out for you the way you intend. Good luck!
–Remort
Holy Shit! Typo’s only a mother could love! Fair play?
Nobody deserves the sort of attack that dlatn made on pawikirogi. Even if we were to accept that pawikirogi has made some crude personal attacks on others in the past, he certainly didn’t do that here. For some time now, pawi’s comments have shown more of a focus on communication than combativeness, and he ought to be recognized for that regardless of whether or not one agrees with his views.
dlatn, by contrast - well, the difference is easy enough to read, isn’t it?
R.Elgin,
I have a paypal account but have had no real problems making payment with it and I use only Korean banks.
It’s not the sending part that’s the problem, it’s when you start withdrawing from your Paypal funds to your local bank that no longer works.
Correcto, my Filipino friend. I withdrew my Paypal income to my Korean bank account just fine in 2006, but no longer can. PP sez it’s the bank’s fault, bank sez it’s PP’s problem… typical.
I don’t think Paypal’s the one at fault here. I’m sure you guys are very much aware of how faulted Korea’s ID verification system is, even for purchasing local stuff online. I got news somewhere that Paypal was pressured to use that system.
Mr. Koehler,
Back on track, perhaps a small gratuity for getting off topic, say… W500. You sir, are worth every penny of it! I would pay just hear what all the fine people on your site have to say in the written word. I have learned from you all even Pawi, dlatn, especially the deep thinkers like Slim, Someguy…, Sonagi(especially you).
Not erudite or well said. I hope you get the gist. Your readers are your bread and butter. I appreciate my lack of education, therefore I learn from those around me. I am unable for lack of education to clarify my appreciation. Please bear with me.
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