I absolutely hate it when I stumble onto a website, only to have my eyes blinded by the most recent trend that’s taking over the internet. We’ve had huge orange RSS logos, reflective text, dropped shadow divs and even further back, blinkies.

The one trend that I really, really detest is those stupid Snapshot things. They interrupt me reading your blog! Every time my mouse moves over them I’m hit with a big, ugly popup window showing a website that I’m probably not interested in one iota.

As always, there’s always one or two sites that take it way too far

An example of over using Snap!

I’m really sorry if this is your site, but oh my goodness - do you really need so many little all over your site? If I see more than 5 silly little orange logos on a blog and I hit ALT+F4 and go on my merry way.

Please, for sanity’s sake, snap out of it!

I know that a lot of bloggers who use PayPerPost get slated. I’ve seen it referred to as ‘just like adverts on TV that I flick past’. The person was explaining why they do not read blogs which have sponsored posts; which is fair enough - each to their own. I for one actually quite enjoy reading sponsored posts as they show how great (usually) the blog writer’s imagination is. It’s a skill being able to write a review of a product / service and incorporate it into your blog, personal experience, writing style and making it keyword heavy all at the one time. It’s a challenge sometimes, but that’s why you’re getting paid for it!

As avid readers of my blog (go on, you know you all love me) you’ll probably have worked out that I use PayPerPost from time to time. I made a pact with myself when I signed up for the site way back in July 2007 that I would only take opportunities that were actually relevant to me personally or my blog. I have no interest in garage storage
cupboards or homeowner insurance, so why on earth would I want to blog about them and bore you all senseless with my opinion on something I’ve never used or had an experience with? Unfortunately not all Posties¹ do this, and all you get is page after page of sponsored posts about online gambling, poker websites and weight loss miracles². To date I’ve been paid for just 12 posts, and made a grand total of 80GBP. Nothing life changing but that money has been put towards paying my credit card debt which is getting smaller and smaller by the month. Thus helping reinstating my credit rating, making me a happy girl again. Today I’m amused to see myself on the day’s top earner list. 3rd as well. And only from posting one post, sweet.

Anyway, I digress. And I’m starting to think that this post sounds like a sponsored post. I can assure you that it isn’t, I’m not getting a single penny for biggin’ up PPP, as I’ve already done that and been paid for it.

What I am worried about is that these random, not-so-frequent paid posts are discouraging readership. Don’t get me wrong, my life doesn’t revolve around how many comments I receive or my Alexa rating but I don’t like the thought of pouring so much time and effort into my site, as I have done since 1998, only to be shooting myself in the foot and loosing out on readers (and more to the point, new friends and blogs to read etc) just because I make a few bucks writing about things that people don’t want to read about.

So my question is to you, dear reader, is this. What do you honestly think of PayPerPost blogs. Not just mine, although do feel free to make your feelings known, but any blog that sides on the money making side. Do you have a tolerance level? Do you just skip the posts you don’t want to read or do you delete the blog from your RSS reader the moment a “This posts was sponsored by…” tagline pops up? Or do you not really care and read every post anyway?

I’m actually really interested in knowing what you think, good or bad. Everybody has their opinions so please share yours.

EDIT:This post has had over 200 views and only one comment, so I’ve added a poll for quick opinion posting. I like opinions, please pick one!

[poll=3]

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¹ Posties are the affectionate name for bloggers who use PayPerPost.
²Weight loss miracles do not exist. All you need is portion control and some exercise and commitment!

I’ve always been lured towards playing in online casinos, probably because I don’t fancy getting all dressed up to win some money. As I’ve mentioned before, I like gambling on horses from time-to-time and I’m a mean poker player, so I guess that online casinos were the obvious next step.

There’s always one problem however - what online casino website to pick from? There are literally thousands online - there are over 66 million results when you search Google! So how on earth are you supposed to know which ones are good, who takes what as payment and which ones are out to scam you? The answer is the Online Casino Bluebook which reviews online casino’s for you to help you choose the right one to sign up with.

The site is really simple and easy to use, showing results ranked by bonus size, payout percentage, customer service, game features, # of games, software graphics, and ease of use. If you’re just starting out with playing online I highly recommend checking out this site first to help clear the fog a little when deciding. It’s makes one decision a little less of a gamble!

Only kidding! Its just an online quiz that I have done.

I am so Web 2.0, O’Reilly would be proud of me. Saying that there were only about 4 questions so it’s not really that hard! How Web 2.0 are you, eh?

PS anyone know any good quiz sites? I’m still bored.

I don’t think that I have had a more boring day in my whole entire life. All day I’ve tidied up my room, washed clothes (4 washes!!), dried said clothes outside and ironed for about 2 hours. I don’t know how many cups of tea,coffee and Green&Black’s hot chocolate I’ve drank either but i am now running on pure caffine.

And now I can’t sleep and theres nothing on my Virgin Teleport to watch. Somebody make me less bored please.

I don’t think that I have had a more boring day in my whole entire life. All day I’ve tidied up my room, washed clothes (4 washes!!), dried said clothes outside and ironed for about 2 hours. I don’t know how many cups of tea,coffee and Green&Black’s hot chocolate I’ve drank either but i am now running on pure caffine.

And now I can’t sleep and theres nothing on my Virgin Teleport to watch. Somebody make me less bored please.

I don’t think that I have had a more boring day in my whole entire life. All day I’ve tidied up my room, washed clothes (4 washes!!), dried said clothes outside and ironed for about 2 hours. I don’t know how many cups of tea,coffee and Green&Black’s hot chocolate I’ve drank either but i am now running on pure caffine.

And now I can’t sleep and theres nothing on my Virgin Teleport to watch. Somebody make me less bored please.

I don’t think that I have had a more boring day in my whole entire life. All day I’ve tidied up my room, washed clothes (4 washes!!), dried said clothes outside and ironed for about 2 hours. I don’t know how many cups of tea,coffee and Green&Black’s hot chocolate I’ve drank either but i am now running on pure caffine.

And now I can’t sleep and theres nothing on my Virgin Teleport to watch. Somebody make me less bored please.

So, my favourite sporting event ever is coming soon - the Grand National is at the start of April and I can’t wait for it, because every single year since I was 5 years old I’ve won money betting on it. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t personally walk into Ladbrokes and put a bet on when I was 5 - my grandad did it for me. I had the best way of picking out a winner and it still works for me now, even if it’s maybe not the best way to do it.

What did I do? I picked the jockey with the best jumper! Green with red stripes, black with orange dots…whatever jumper jumped out at me from the back of the paper I chose that horse and my grandad would go and place a bet on that horse for me. If I couldn’t find a jumper that I liked I just picked out the horse with the coolest name - who remembers “Earth Summit” and “Monty’s Pass”?

This year however, I think I might try a better way of choosing a winner.
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