Yesterday I was excited when I checked my inbox. A very good WAHM friend of mine that has been trying to turn me on to BlogHerAds sent me a link showing me that they were now accepting applications into their network. I was told this was a reputable organization and highly sought after and looked favorably upon in WAHM circles so I decided to go ahead and give it a whirl.
I carefully filled out my 3 applications to be submitted for consideration. It was 3 applications because you need 1 application for each blog that you plan to submit. You also need three separate e-mail addresses for each blog. The other thing that they have you do is to read over documentation, sign it, and fill out your tax forms. So for me it was 3 blogs and 12 pages that needed to be faxed over in order to be considered for this very prestigious network of blogs.
Let me tell you, my fax machine here at the house was not working too well so I hopped in my van and drove over to the UPS store where they charge $1.00 per page for faxing. Thank God for nice UPS people because the gal at the counter immediately offered me a half off coupon. So instead of having to pay $12.00 to fax everything over to BlogHerAds, I only had to pay $6.00 plus tax.
Let me tell you how excited I was when I found out that two of my blogs had been accepted into the network. I was doing the yippy skippy dance thinking that I was about to be a part of something special. I was even shocked because they had made it very clear not to be surprised if it was 30 days before I heard anything back from somebody. So here I was thinking that perhaps somebody in the blogosphere really liked what I had to say on my blogs and maybe that’s what got me in so quick.
Scratch that last paragragh.. k?
Today I come home to an e-mail that says pretty much that they changed their minds and that all three of my blogs were going to be declined after having already accepted me into the network. So they accept me one day and then turn around the next day to tell me that they made a mistake and that my blogs are really declined. Huh!?? So here I am feeling like I just came down from a happy high on top of the roller coaster ride only to get slammed right back into the dirt.
Want to know why they accepted me yesterday and then changed their minds today?
It was explained to me that I was a part of some sort of Pay Per Post situation where I would have to take down my posts and move them somewhere else. At first I didn’t really understand what they were trying to tell me and then it dawned on me that maybe they were talking about my “rates” pages that I had up my blogs.
You know what the interesting part is? I don’t even have any clients. I had put up a rates page as a way of trying to establish myself on the internet. I couldn’t believe that BlogHerAds was changing their minds about my blogs because of my rates pages. So, I removed them thinking that this might clear things up.
Then I really got to thinking about this BlogHerAds situation. Why do I even want to be a part of a “special” blog ad network where they don’t even try to work with you to establish any sort of understanding? Here they had accepted me yesterday and then they turn around in one full swoop the next day to say that they really changed their minds and that my blogs were accepted and today they are declined.
Is that the type of blog network I really want to be a part of I asked myself? Heck no, I don’t think so.
What’s the lesson here? Make sure that you stay true to who you are and if people are unwilling to get to know you before you fax over your mailing address and social security number then don’t bother. I was told if I wanted to I could re-apply in 90 days for another shot at being considered into this special network.
So let me get this straight.. I’m supposed to wait 90 days to try again.. and pay $12.00 dollars to re-fax everything that I already paid to have faxed — without any clue as to if I’m going to be accepted again or not because they accepted me yesterday and changed their minds today.. ??
No, I don’t think I will be having anything to do with BlogHerAds. I’m better off sticking with the programs where they actually work with you than the ones where they take it back on a whim.
Now you know what I think of the whole BlogHerAds deal… keep in mind every body’s experiences with blog networks is different. Just because this happened to me doesn’t mean it will happen to you. However, I felt it to be my responsibility to share my own personal experience with my WAHM friends because that is why you subscribe to my WAHM stuff in the first place. To find out what I think and I’m not about to disappoint you on that one.
You will always get an accurate version of what it is I experience as I am going through it.
This is nothing but a blessing in disguise that they changed their minds. I have just saved myself from a lot of bloggable heartache. Just another reason why things work out the way they do for reasons that we probably shouldn’t even question.
What a P.I.T.A.!!! Now I know not to try this network..geez!
That’s why I post my good and not-so-good experiences with you guys. To save you the trouble! Don’t spend your money to fax them your mailing address OR your social security number. It’s just not worth it.. at least not to me.
I had a lot of trouble downloading and facing the apps as well. Eventually emailed them and they emailed me a fresh copy of the app…telling me that my adobe was not up to date. Brand new computer and software????? hmmmmm
Pickel ~
That’s interesting because my adobe is up to date and I didn’t have any trouble opening up the documents and saving them to my computer. I don’t think it was your adobe that was out of date. What would have happened if that were the case is that adobe would have asked if you wanted to upgrade in which case you’d select “not at this time” or maybe “at another time” and then it should have allowed you to open the documents just the same. I’m thinking there must have been some sort of fluke as to why you couldn’t open them. Not really sure what to say on that.
I will say that one of the BlogHerAds folks wrote to me tonight to apologize for accepting me, then un-accepting me, and then having all the back and forth that went on through e-mail. I will say that I think maybe they are still trying to get their ducks in a row. You know how it is when you have a new company to run and such.. I guess everybody has a bad day every now and then.
My initial contact w/BlogHerAds did not go well. I don’t believe they took the time to get to know me as compared to all the hoops you have to jump through (signatures, faxes and such) in order to show interest in the BlogHerAds network.
All in all it’s just not my cup of tea any more. What can I say? I find it difficult to be excited about networks like this and prefer to stick w/the grass roots stuff like Gack Ink OR Checkup Today. I can only share what it is I believe is true for me based on my own personal experiences as of late w/BlogHerAds. I’m sure I won’t be the last to go through a situation like this one and on the flip side there will probably be plenty of people out there that LOVE BlogHerAds and have nothing but positive vibes all around.
I’m starting to think there was something more to that apology they sent me because this is how the subject lines went for me:
1. Thank you for applying to join BlogHerAds
2. BlogHerAds: Your Application is Complete
3. BlogHerAds: Your Application is Accepted
4. BlogHerAds: Your Application has been Declined
5. BlogHerAds: Your Membership is Terminated
Now does THAT sound like a network you want to be a part of?
It’s almost like somebody from BlogHerAds was telling me:
1. Thanks
2. You know how to follow directions
3. You’ve made it
4. We changed our minds, you’re out
5. We don’t even want you on our site
Wow! Even I have never got that from the girls in high school… :p No worries, its their loss not to have you in their network! :)
Thanks Calvin. I’m just glad I can save you guys the trouble that I couldn’t prevent for myself.
Yeah, I got the invitation a week or two ago and as soon as I saw that they wouldn’t accept anyone who had done paid posts I deleted the email. If they said- here is the base of what you’ll get paid for showing our ads but you have to not do anymore paid posts AND it was more than I make now then I wouldn’t have a problem with it but just to flat out say “If you have done paid posts we don’t want you and don’t care if you did it to help your family out”…..blech, bite me.
Good on ya for being able to Just Say NO!! LMAO
Ok, I have a question you guys… was it that they didn’t want us to be a part of PayPerPost (the site) OR was it that they don’t want us to have private clients that we blog for? Or did they just want us to blow off our real money makers for their ads that we don’t even know will generate any income? I just have this horrible vibe from them but I’ll try not to dwell too much…
Unfortunately, I did not see this articles before I joined Blogher. I placed their ad in my site a few days back. When I had accumulated few bucks in my account, they stopped serving ads. Neither they replied to my emails nor they paid me.
Just beware of those GIRLS!
I haven’t ever applied for them and I received an email yesterday asking for me to join their network. I’ve been with Blogads for a while now and they’ve been great. I’m not sure if the switch to BlogHerAds would be good, considering the feedback that I’ve seen here.
That’s too bad! I’ve been with BlogHerAds for a few months, and while I’m happy with them overall, some of their restrictions are a bit harsh.
mnblair ~
I wonder if there would be a way to complain to the better business bureau?
Kyle Dylan Conner ~
If it were me in your shoes I would most definitely stick with Blogads.
From what I understand Blogads is very picky about who gets in and they are a good circle to run with.
I wouldn’t waste any time on BlogHerAds. But that’s just my opinion. You have to do what’s best for you.
Margaret ~
I agree. They place WAY too many restrictions.
Thanks for your comments everybody. I really appreciate your feedback on this one!
I know this is an older post, but I wanted to say thank you for posting.
After trying 3 different times on 3 different days, I gave up trying to find out their rates and pay policies for their ads. I can’t figure out why one would cancel all other forms of income on your blog in HOPES of joining their network, before you even find out what they’ll pay you, or how it’s based (page impressions, or click through rates). Like saying “Sure I’ll quit my old job, because you’re gonna give me a new one (right?!), and everyone likes you, so this must be a good deal!”
Frustrating, to say the least.
That’s ok Leigh. I’m glad you chimed in. I’m glad I chimed in. I don’t understand why anybody would drop their current ad system to join Blog Her either. Furthermore, anybody that would take away somebody’s right to arrange their ads how they see fit on their own blogs is smoking crack.
These “exclusive” wahm – money making – mommyville type groups are really starting to turn me off. People are losing their love for blogging and handing it over to the love of money.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great when you can generate income and make a living from what you love but when it consumes your every waking moment and you get to where you can’t be real and all you can do is talk about “how to do this” and “how to do that” and “which programs earn” — it makes blogging not so fun any more.
Thank you for being brave enough to share your thoughts on this subject. I don’t mind people chiming in on old posts that they find.
Be glad, blogher is a scam. About 50% of your page impressions end up in a category called “remnant ads”, which is virtually a no-pay advertisement campaign.
While normally you’d receive roughly $11 per 1000 page impressions ($5,50 really, because blogher takes half of your revenue) you’re talking $3 for about 20.000 remnant page impressions. That’s A LOT of page impressions. No one knows if they’re duping their bloggers by telling them it’s all remnant ads while they collect all the money from their advertisers.
Their latest scam is giving bloggers only 90% of the gross advertisement fees rather than the previous 100% and blaming it on the economy. More easy money for blogher. They’re not doing anything, because there aren’t even enough advertisements to display.
You can’t have other advertisers on your blog, you have to place their ads above the fold and you’re also not allowed to do any reviews for other companies. On top of that you’re obligated to blog twice a week.
It’s way too much work and way too many restrictions while they are definitely not doing their part. Stay far, far away from the blogher scam and you’re much better off. It’s really not worth the advertisement space or starbucks money you make there.