Many years ago, my father got me a clerical position in his working place. The company dealt in gold and jewelery. It was open knowledge the place belonged to Mr. Foong, one of the wealthiest man in my hometown. But, every once in a month, a shabbily dressed old man in slippers will come to my workplace and look through the monthly accounts. I was initially quite amused to find everyone in the office showed such reverence to this old gentleman. People always called him Mr X. Now, my father is an impatient man. It’s amusing seeing my old man going over the reports patiently with Mr X. Patience has never been my father’s virtue. I’m the first to know.

Finally, I asked my old man who is Mr X. My father told me he is the biggest share holder of the company. I almost dropped dead. That is not possible. Could an old man driving a beat-up Toyota and dressed in an old shirt which probably faded at least 3 shades its original colour owned this company?

It took me many years to realize, the richest people around might not be the ones constantly in the news, drives a Benz or BMW, wears the latest branded clothes and carry the newest handphones. They don’t live in Mansions or travel to Paris for a vacation. They may live next door to you and you may never even know their name. Many times, their kind of wealth is invisible.

The money test is simply how much wealth can one keep. Just because someone makes alot of money doesn’t mean they are wealthy. If their expenses equal or exceeds their income, they don’t qualify as wealthy. Company owners who owes the bank lots of money and lease everything they have is not wealthy.

Of course not everyone will get rich, but then the first step one has to take is to get rid of certain misconceptions :-

• If I had just a little more money, I’d be happy;
• If I were wealthy I could buy anything I wanted;
• I wish I were wealthy so I don’t have to worry about money anymore;
• I’m young, there’s still plenty of time. I’ll save later;
• I’m too old to start saving;
• I wish I’d saved more when I was younger;
• The only way to get rich is by inheritance, winning the lottery and owning commercial real estate;
• If I were wealthy, I wouldn’t care how much I paid in taxes.

There is no denying insurance coverage for cars and everything else is part and parcel of life. You might not like them, but you sure cannot live without them. Alot of fear about purchasing auto insurance plan is the concern about high premiums. Unless you are in the insurance line, ordinary folks do find searching for better car insurance rates among the hundreds of insurance companies a tedious task. Well, not to mention the different types of policies out there are adding to the confusion.

Advantageautoquotes.com is a website that offers insurance buyers the convenience and hassle free way to choose the right insurance plan for them. The beauty is, you don’t need to be an auto insurance expert to pick the right plan. Advantageautoquotes.com does it for you. The site will guide you through and put you to the insurance company that best suits your needs with the best competitive rates. Wait, the site does not stop there. Student and business insurance quotes are readily available as well. Since inquiries are done online, that could only mean one thing - no pesky insurance agents to bother you.

People who are writing for PayPerPost will be no stranger to this new thing called Argus. It’s not really unveiled yet, though obviously judging by the comments in those forum, there are some posties who know more than others. Basically from what I gather from their announcement board, it is some kind of real live stats tracking device you insert into your HTML page. Not unlike those stats counter we insert in our blogs, but perhaps a tad more sophisticated.

Now, I’m not going to go into the technicality aspect, I’m merely putting down my thoughts. Firstly, becareful what you wish for, it might come true. People had been bitching about Google PR ranking. Of course Alexa is worse. While PR ranking indicates page relevance as a guideline in determining the importance of a page to the search engine, it does not really reflect real traffic. With the implementation of Argus, PayPerPost now can bypass Google and put their very own stats analyser in place. PPP no longer needs to rely on Google PR as an indicator.

Now, how does it affect posties in general? Having real live stats of your site meant it is not just good enough you have a blog/site. You now had to have real traffic to show. Real visitors coming in. On the other hand, it will definitely be good news to those newbies who had just started a blog with decent traffic/visitors. No longer these newcomers are at the mercy of Google pagerank. Guess the next Google PR update will not bring as much excitement. And jitters.

From an advertiser’s perspective, this is good news. I do not know if PPP will be charging advertisers who chose to utilize their Argus more, but definitely advertisers will have more control than ever over who does their ads. If advertisers like this so much, it will ultimately give PPP a competitive edge over their competitors.

My thought is, will PPP competitors resort to similar means to give advertisers real live stats and information to level their playing field? PPP changed the landscape of paid post a little more than a year ago. Dang, are they going to do it again with Argus? Only time will tell.

I’m not exactly rolling out the red carpet though…

A little more than a year ago, paid posts/sponsored reviews whatever you like to call them, were viewed with skeptism and a little contempt if I might add in the blogosphere. Come today, though I would not say there is a 360 degree change in perception, it is an undeniable fact people are accepting the fact sponsored reviews are here to stay.

Personally, I am doing paid posts in my main blog. I am not going to apologize about feeling good getting compensated to blog about the things I like. Things I believe in. Of course it is a personal choice whether a blogger decides to embark on a paid post journey or otherwise. There is no right or wrong. Having said that, I do need to dispel some myths that all sponsored posts are in a way ‘compromised.’ It is not true you can’t write your honest opinion if you’re getting paid. Not convince?

Blogsvertise is one of the very few, and I mean very few, paid post companies that do not dictate what tone your reviews should be. Bloggers blogging for blogsvertise are not asked to compromise their views in any way. Personally, nothing makes more sense than a company that favors their bloggers to be honest. If someone were to read a blog, I would want honesty in a post. Nobody wants to listen to a used-car salesman pitching a sale. Credibility on a product can only be achieved with credible and unbiased opinion from a trusted source.

There are quite a few paid post companies out there today. I cannot say which is the best because each probably caters to different advertisers who have different expectations. As a blogger, I can only say, any paid post company that does not ask their bloggers to compromise is a good choice to work for.

Reading this recent post from a blogging buddy, I’m compelled to add my thoughts.

A few months back, one of my friend who is doing his MBA course was asked to offer a local ice-cream company ideas on rebranding the company name. This confectionary company has been around Ipoh 20+ years. Wait, is it possible a company which is around more than 2 decades command amnesia from locals? I can tell you even local bred Ipohnites have no recollection of this brand name. The only reason I knew this company existed was because it was previously located on my route home. Can’t really ignore something I see everyday.

This company has no identity. Let alone brandname. Most soft-serve ice-cream in local malls are using their products. Not their name though. I wouldn’t know my favorite green tea ice cream from the mall comes from this company had my friend not told me. I’m of course not to be blamed. A green tea vendor is selling the ice-cream under the green tea vendor name. This company does sell their ice-cream under their own name in supermarket throughout Malaysia. But then, it’s not really doing well. Recently this company had even extended their business to China. They have factories over there but it’s the same old story.

My friend suggested to the company board, how about internet advertising?

Lo and behold, my friend related to me it was the most humiliating reaction ever in his life. The board was looking at him as if he’s an imbecile. “Who on earth would read an ad in the internet? How many people actually surf the net in this country? How is this going to increase our sales? Forget it. Let’s concentrate on the usual buy 1 free 1 promotion…”

Well, who’s the imbecile?

You might say this is just ONE local company. True. The fact is, this is the shared conception of MOST local companies. Many still think the internet is meant for social activities and online gaming. No way the internet will help sell their products.

Now, I do agree the internet may or may not help companies sell their stuffs, which is of course dependent on what they’re selling in the first place. Not everything can be purchased online. I concede. But then aren’t all of them missing out on the big picture? Internet advertising is not just about selling products. It is there to promote your greatest company commodity….. your brand name.

I guess the East and West have different approach when it comes to marketing. The West think brand name. They are willing to fork out money and effort to promote their name. The East? The East, I meant Malaysians here, are more interested in the sales and products. Now wait, I’m not saying the sales are not important. Sales meant profit. Profit is always good. But, products come and go. You need to diversify with trend. But, the brand name is there on the long run. Any diversification in products are much easier accepted by the public if there is a known trusted name behind it.

I’m not discounting the importance of a good product behind a name. But then, unless your product is so unique there is no competition, there are just as many companies out there selling the same product which is just as good. Where is the deciding factor?

Local companies in Malaysia who successful created a name for themselves from zero are few. The only ones I can think of had to be Ogawa and Secret Recipe. The Ipoh Kopitiam chain is doing not too bad either. You know, the local scene is still one generation behind. Let’s hope some young blood will help change the current perception regarding internet/blog advertising.

No.

Whoa, I know people will be unhappy. So, let’s put it another way. Is blogging a profitable business? Yes, it can be. Now, see the difference? A good business should be rightly profitable, but, a profitable business may not be good business in a business sense. Am I confusing you? Hang on.

Can somebody running a number of blogs call their blogs their business? Yes, if they are making money out of it. No doubt. Bloggers who make money out of their blogs are running a business. They are self-employed. They dictate their own working schedule and are the masters of their own earnings. The principal is easy. Self-employed folks get what they worked for. Put in the hardwork and hours, they will earn more. Slack, they know they will get penalized. Their earnings are in direct proportion to their hours and effort. But then there are of course bloggers who do it because they relish the sense of independence and the respect from peers they commanded in the blogosphere which is reward in itself. Monetary profit may or may not be the only motivating factor for all. Either way, successful self-employed people, bloggers included, prided themselves on the fact they are in-control of their earnings. Of course by my definition of self-employed person, I’m not limiting it to bloggers alone. Doctors, plumbers, mechanics, insurance agents and other well-educated professionals are bundled in.

With me so far?

Back to good business. What is defined as good business? Yeah, profit is a must. But then good profit does not necessarily meant it is good business. Why? Realistically, a good business does not stand alone on the strength of an individual. It should rightly be consisted of a set of system. A group of people which enable the business to run smoothly at all time. Now, say Mr.X is a successful surgeon. Mr X is constantly upgrading his skills and kept up-to-date with the latest surgical tactics. Naturally, Mr. X can command a better price compared to his peers. But what happens to Mr X if his hands are not as steady with age and has to retire? Can Mr X’s practice continue to generate income should he retire?

The fact is, self-employed people owns a job. A good business should own a set of system. A system that will continue to generate income without relying on the volatility of any one individual.

Hey, wise guy, I can always buildup my blogs and sell it to the highest bidder!

Can you? Blogs are personal. The value of a blog is not in the blog itself (not the design or even if it’s tuned for SEO by big guns), but the interaction between a blogger and his/her readers. There is a certain ‘personal’ element there. Any change of hands, the connection is lost. But then I won’t disregard there are indeed suckers out there who think they can buy over a blog and call it their own.

Why should I care? I’m making money….

Yeah right. If it doesn’t bother you, why should anyone care. While some may disregard the distinction between a profitable business and good business, that doesn’t mean it’s not there. You might not care, that is fair enough. But let’s not get upset when someone calls an orange an orange and an apple an apple. There is no malice in distinction.

Last week, nobody heard of this thing called Blogrush. One week later, the name is sprouting up all over the net. Yeah, everyone knows the name, but how many know how it works? Honestly, I don’t… well not until I read from here. At least one guy can explain to me in plain English. Wait, I assume he’s a guy….

The big guys are saying it’s harmless to try it out. There’s no money involved. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Come to think of it, not much. Just don’t get your hopes too high though.

To my understanding, unless people put the widget on a good spot, nobody’s going to see your headlines. Let alone click. Wait, do people actually bother looking at your sidebar? Money making blogs have better chances grabbing attention. The ‘money‘ word never fails. Honestly, people who do extreme blog hopping searching for the elusive money making tip WILL notice the ‘money’ related headlines. For the rest of us with personal blogs, I doubt people would care enough to click to hear our rants and babies.

Geez, that’s plenty of pessimism…

I know, I know. There are sane good folks out there who do read personal blogs. I mean blog readers not from those niche personal blog network who comes to your blog because you always politely leaves a comment at theirs. They do exist, but fast facing extinction.

So, is Blogrush going to benefit personal blogs? Damn, do I look like Lilian Too? I could guess….. only if you resort to sleazy tabloid-like headlines to lure unsuspecting folks to your blog. Scheming is not worthy of the death penalty in the blogosphere but unless your content matches your headline ’steam factor’, people won’t be back.

Anyone signed up? I’m not signing up though. I’m not saying it won’t work for everyone with personal blogs , I’m only saying I doubt it’ll bring much benefit to me. Who knows? It might work for you.

I’ve not been updating as often probably because the initial ‘paidposts’ novelty is wearing off. I am guilty of having a short concentration spam. In fact, those PPP big bucks Tuesdays and Wednesdays are starting to tick me off. Yeah, it was fun initially. But then, there was one night I napped every hour and had the alarm clock set every hour to get me to refresh my browser to tempt my luck.

Logically speaking, with my slow WIFI connection, I doubt I stood a chance. But then it’s human nature to persist in face of those big bucks.

Read The Full Story…

Look around the blogosphere and you’ll probably hear alot of discontentment from posties writing for a big paid post company which boasts more than 50k posties. You know whom I’m talking about right?

Their recent Term of Services dictates there should be an interim post placed between ALL sponsored posts. Not only their sponsored posts, all sponsored post from their competition as well. Nevermind the competition allows back-to-back paid posts.

I was initially saddened by their decision. Frankly, it does not affect me in anyway. I’m only writing for them and occasionally for Bloggerwave which does not present plenty of opportunities in the first place. The rationale behind their new TOS is because they want quality blogs. Quality blogs that constitute at least 50% paid and non-paid posts to balance the credibility of the blog itself.

From a neutral standpoint, I can understand what they’re driving at. I’m going to be dead honest, I’ve seen plenty of blogs which is totally made up of paid posts with no original content. Ok, maybe a few lines or two to break the ice, but definitely a blog you would not bookmark and come back for read. I do ask myself, “gee, do people actually read these blogs?” Obviously the blogger cannot care less. Readers do not pay… the paid posts do.

Now, I am not to judge what a blogger can or cannot do to their blogs. It’s their life, it’s their choice. From my own standpoint as a blog reader, I can say I won’t read such blogs. This is my choice and this is my thought. I am not saying everyone should prescribe to my view, but then I’m merely presenting my view. According to that big paid post company, these are the blogs they are trying to weed out. I’m with them.

Honestly, I can understand from an advertiser’s standpoint, it is just no good paying these blogs to write about my products when these blog owners care zit about readership.

Having said that, I’ve seen quality good blogs which can carry a good balance. But then when it comes to good blogs, this is always subjective. Paid post companies cannot afford to view each individual blog for assessment and therefore the only way to weed out non-quality blogs is to assume a conservative 50-50 ratio between paid and non-paid posts for a reasonably ‘quality’ blog. I know, there are grey areas in this assumption. I do not dispute that.

A lot of bloggers who solely keep their blogs for monetary purposes without regards to quality or contents, should understand there is a world of difference between what works for you and what works for the advertisers. An understanding should be reached. You can of course disregard what the advertisers want and dwell on ‘what works for me, period’ but at the end of the day, it is the advertisers that pay. At least the advertisers at PPP.

Am I happy PPP is finally taking some quality control? Definitely.

Am I happy they’re changing their TOS? No, I am not. I know it does not affect me, but then I do feel the blog is mine and I should have my say on what I want to post.

Am I leaving them because of this? No. It is just sad innocent bystanders are caught in the cross-fire as casualties of war.

A war PPP should have fought earlier on with a simple more stringent acceptance policy to only allow quality blogs.

I’ve not updated my blog this week because, I’ve been busy reading other people’s blog. I don’t know, can one blogs and not care about what other people has to say? I think you can but the results cannot be half as rewarding.

This week I’ve been jumping all over blogs and most of which are not my usual blog haunts. Now, I always say I get to learn a thing or two about paid posts writing. I still believe in good quality paid posts regardless I’m getting paid 5 bucks or 50. OK, I never had a 50 offer…. I’m just trying to make a point. Another plus regarding good writing, I can learn NOT to sound like a used car salesman the next time I write my sponsored post.

It’s always too easy to get greedy when USD is staring back at your face. You get tempted to write about things you DO not believe in. The thing that struck me when I read my favorite paid post blogger is, the feeling of honesty reflected in his post. Damn, he’s really good. I cannot speak for others who monetize their blogs, I can definitely speak up for myself and not turn into a fake in the name of making a few bucks.