project mojave blog - Latest Comments in Monetization is For Amateurs

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Susan Pomeroy — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:53:51 -0000

I like your point. Monetize is an ugly word, like "commoditize." Turning something into profit, that really shouldn't be. But I interpret "monetize" to also mean "how to make something pay that really doesn't seem like an obvious money-maker." Like a blog, for instance. The word suggests to me that new business models are being formulated for new media... and for those of us who aren't trailblazers, the word itself implies that there IS a business in it somewhere, even if we can't quite see what it is when we're starting out. I like that!

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

MoneyEnergy — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:52:44 -0000

Really thought-provoking distinction there, I love it. Especially the line: "That thing you care about. It doesn’t deserve monetization. It deserves better than that."

One point in favor of monetization, though, it might help people get on the "professional" business ladder, and so that's a good thing. It might still help to reawaken dreams.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

MoneyEnergy — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:52:44 -0000

Really thought-provoking distinction there, I love it. Especially the line: "That thing you care about. It doesnâ€™t deserve monetization. It deserves better than that."

One point in favor of monetization, though, it might help people get on the "professional" business ladder, and so that's a good thing. It might still help to reawaken dreams.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Dr. Wright — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:37:19 -0000

Its true, you need to just build it as a business. However the term monetize gets people's attention. Monetize sounds easy, building a business sounds like hard work.

Dr. Wright

The Wright Place TV Show

http://wrightplacetv.com

www.twitter.com/drwright1

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Srinivas Rao — Sun, 10 May 2009 09:43:10 -0000

I like your writing style. It's very in your face, but straight and to the point. I think you make a great distinction here. I've gone from seeing ways to monetize my blog, to looking at as my side business. I think what you've pointed out here is just that we have to look at differently. Great post.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Marc and Angel Hack Life — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:08:49 -0000

Clay,

I wish I could argue with you...

But you're so fucking right!

;-)

Marc

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

John_Will — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:32:40 -0000

Thanks for this post, Clay. A real slap in the face but that's often what I find myself needing. "That thing you care about" was the real "Ka-POW!" moment for me. Why do I pretend there's some other calling? Passion. When will I stop fighting the obvious and move forward?

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Duff McDuffee — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:01:06 -0000

I agree that if you want to have a business that makes money, monetization isn't typically an effective strategy.

However, if you started doing something without the intention to make money, and it took off far beyond your expectations, your surprising success can be utilized towards the creation of a business.

I also think that it's ok to do noncommercial things in life, to have a blog on Buddhism or digital photography or Medieval art that doesn't make any money and doesn't intend to.

On the internet, I think why many people want things to be free or even just offer things for free is because part of us deeply wants a commons again, a place where something (ANYTHING) is free again. Social media in my opinion is largely driven by the interest in creating a commons. Our live communities are devoid of places where we can just hang out, for free, with other live human beings, so we have tried to create online communities that are free and counter-cultural. Social media marketing represents the opposing force, the drive of late capitalism to seek new markets in order to sustain infinite exponential growth.

So yes, start an intelligent business, and also have your free blog for a hobby if you want, but it may be smart to keep them clearly differentiated...unless your free blog has tons of traffic and your business is suffering, and if only you could sell your products to your blog readers.... (sometimes it's complex, eh?)

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

elmas — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:50:00 -0000

why are you calling wal mart evil? because they sell actual products at prices that people (specially now) can afford?
(i think is a lot less evil than making money by just telling people "how they make money" for instance).

no one is forced to shop there.

the ONLY reason why wal mart keeps thriving is because people voluntarily shop there.

this why this country is going to crap.

bigness, success, productivity, and achievement are now seen as "evil".

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

MattWilsontv — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:46:27 -0000

Wow, quite the passionate post here. Definitely a way to get comments on your blog. If you are going to say something, don't sugar coat it. The most successful people you either love them or hate them!

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

ChristiaanH — Sat, 09 May 2009 12:02:46 -0000

Monetization is more of a hobby, something you do on the side to squeeze some cash out of what you;re already doing. I totally agree with you there.
However, I don't think monetization is a lesser form of business. They both have the same end result: Generate an income.

Building a proper business does have it's distinct advantages over monetization and it's these that increase your ROI.

I think that eventually anyone monetizing will discover how things -should- be done to get a better ROI and take it seriously. They end up reworking the whole lot and building a business around it.

It's the caring that's key here. Care about what generates income for you and you'll want to do that the best way you know how.

Either you keep the status quo and are happy about it, or you realize that there's much more you can do, you take it serious, investigate, generate ideas and put your heart and soul not only in what (in case of blogging) you write but also in how it will generate an income for you.

Care about both things equally and you have a business.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Sudeep — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:34:44 -0000

Hello ,
A very different aspect taken on Montization .Normally all blogger would write for writing an ebook and stuff .. your approach is very different . But thoughts are definitely in a gr8 direction .Made my grey cells working for a while for sure .

Regards

Sudeep

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

CarlNelson — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:24:41 -0000

19 comments, feels like I'm really late to the train.

I had a realization at 4am/5am this morning before I went to sleep that made me feel some of this.

Having a business is really what it's about. We can talk about getting paid to exist, money by doing what we love, but really we still need to know it's a business. Thanks Clay!

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Joshua Beidler — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:37:18 -0000

Unlike most people, Jim has figured out what he's truly passionate about.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Daniel Richard — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:40:33 -0000

And this is why I don't use the word "monetize" at all.

Clay, do continue cranking out good stuff man. :)

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

SatyaColombo — Fri, 08 May 2009 23:12:08 -0000

"The best things in life are free... but you can take the birds and the bees - i want money!"

thanks for helping keep the focus tight Clay - keep it coming..... looking fwd to hearing more about the project mojave re-launch......!

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

verticality — Fri, 08 May 2009 23:05:48 -0000

"Amateurs monetize. Professionals build businesses."

That's a line to be quoted, and for the ages. Well done, Clay.

-Sam

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Nate — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:58:14 -0000

Some of the lamest ideas I have ever encountered were attempts at "monetization."

Brilliant post here.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

David Jacoby — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:38:41 -0000

Dude - you're probably the only person in the "internet marketing space" who is either brave enough or astute enough or just not such a fucking rah-rah all-business-is-great Republican dickweed that he's willing to call Walmart by its rightful adjective: EVIL.

Thank you for that, and for all the rest. You rock.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

David Jacoby — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:34:41 -0000

You may be the only dude in the "internet marketing space" who is either brave enough or cool enough or just not so much of a fucking dipshit that he is willing to call Walmart by its rightful adjective: EVIL.

Thanks man. You continue to impress me.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Laurie — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:48:52 -0000

I have often thought that many bloggers are simply marketing to each other. I'm one of the few readers out there who reads blog for the fun of it and isn't trying to lure readers to my blog because I don't have one.

I started my own business last Nov. I did better than my goal for this school year was. I am also expanding for next year. It is a blast but I work my butt off. At the end of a day, I am so tired, but it is such a good tired. I'm already planning what I want my business to look like in five years. It is exciting!

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Brooklyn Hurst — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:29:20 -0000

Even stupid people can sniff out inauthenticity, which 'monetization' drips with. Great post.

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

52 Faces — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:07:28 -0000

Sigh. I recently went on an inbox clearing binge, where I unsubscribed from all the "personal development" lists I was on because they were sending me crap in a box every week (or day ack). I really wanted to hate this post so I could unsubscribe from you, Clay, but this is fantastic. And also explains why my hope for making money off my blog last year was dashed immediately.

Still subscribed!

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

Eric D. Greene (artist) — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:53:17 -0000

Awesome post. I really appreciate the insight. I'll wake up tomorrow and produce excellence. No, wait - better yet, I'll produce some excellence right now. (Closing browser and getting back to work)

Re: Monetization is For Amateurs

scottn23 — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:38:58 -0000

Excellent point, Clay. Perhaps even extraordinary!