Ads for a Cause

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Since I originally wrote the below post, the following amounts have been received and donated:

July, 2009 - $25.06 raised and given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital
January, 2010 - $28.27 raised and given to Compassion International


Originally posted November, 2008
For several months now I have been running Google ads on my blog. I only did so because I was curious about how much (or how little) could really be made by doing this. I’m sure you’ve all heard the stories about how much bloggers can make by placing ads on their site. After hearing this for so long I was curious if all the hype was true or not. I never started my blog to make money for myself and just thought I’d do it for a short period of time and see what happened.

Well, first off, I will tell you that you must have thousands of visitors to make any money doing this. In 4-5 months I’ve made a whopping $4.63. So, I think I answered the question of how much can be made… at least for my blog.

I decided I would take down the ads. I had answered my question and that was that. There weren’t a lot of financial benefits and, after all, I didn’t start my blog as a way to make money. But, each time I would start to remove the ads something would stop me. I didn’t feel I should leave them there as they were, but it didn’t seem right to take them down either.

Over the last few weeks I’ve found what I believe to be the reason why it didn’t feel right to remove the ads. I’ve spent time in prayer and in thought about this and feel that it is right and it is okay. So, here’s the plan…. I’m going to leave the ads up and each time I reach a certain dollar amount (I’m thinking every $50 to $100) I’m going to send it to a charitable organization. It will take a bit of time to add up to those dollar amounts. However, I don’t think the Lord has limits on how long it takes to reach the goal. I think His concern is that we choose the right goal and that we reach it.

And, there’s more…. since I couldn’t do this without each one of you that visit me I’m going to let you pick which organization the money goes to each time. You’ll see that I’ve added a poll beneath the ads. There are several very worthy organizations listed and by voting you get to take part in making the choice of where the money goes. Next week I will post some information about the 4 organizations that you now see in the poll. If you have a favorite charitable organization that you would like included in the list, please let me know in the comments and I'll add it to the list either now or in the future.

Thanks so much to all of you that visit. You encourage me, you uplift me, you are my friends. We all share so much with each other in our posts and comments and prayers. Now let’s share with others that are in need of help outside of “bloggy land”.



15 Thoughts Shared:

Amy said...

That is a fantastic idea!

Anonymous said...

great idea!

Jen&Carter said...

What an awesome idea.

Freddae' said...

Fabulous idea! You'll have to let us know who you decide to send the money too. What a wonderful spirit of giving you have!

Paula V said...

That is a great idea. Who cares if it takes a year to get $50...there's no work in it and you can provide help and hope to an organization. It's kind of like I have a bag of cans in my garage. I drink about one soda can a month but when the bag is full, I'll sell them and donate the money.

Great idea.
Paula

bp said...

That is such a wonderful idea. I love it! I don't really pay attention to the ads much and have wondered how much people really make with them there. Do you get more money for each time a person clicks the ad?

Cheryl said...

Aren't you smart! Go Girl! I have wondered many times about the ads. I am so glad you answered that question. I think what you are doing is so good. A wonderful way to give to charity. May God Bless You~~

LAURIE said...

Wonderful idea. I voted in your poll.

Alicia The Snowflake said...

That's a great idea, Melanie! I hope you can raise money quickly!

Beth Cotell said...

What a wonderful thing to do!

Sai Hijara - Ferraris said...

God is smiling big! Good decision...I am doing my own outreach program right now and I am thinking maybe I can try putting up ads as well... :)

Tricia said...

I think that is a wonderful idea, and I have voted in your poll!

Blessings!

Laurie Ann said...

Excellent idea!

Peggy said...

Blessings Melanie...and BRAVO!!!!!!! That is such an awesome idea & designation of making your blog count in making a difference! Making a Difference is an organization (I think too).
All 4 that you have chosen are indeed good ones! This is so thoughful! I know that there are many charities but I would like you to consider one like PROJECT RESCUE! I can think of oodles and if I ever do like you, I will follow your idea. Makes it so worthwhile & beneficial. Do you only get paid if someone clicks or goes to the site from here? I figured that since I'm out of the country that I would not be allowed to do this. It's like can money...I taught my kids to save that for missions..collect cans & give.

Mary said...

Melanie, I think it will be interesting to watch that as you commit any financial gain from the ads to an organization that is on God's heart, could it be that God may increase what you earn?? Hmmmm...I'm curious. Blessings, Mary