Jenn.nu » Paid Blogging

Paid blogging companies I trust

Jenn — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:54:49 +0000

While at Type-A Mom this weekend, one big subject that came up time and again was blog monetization. Plenty of attention was given to the subject, and while advertising and marketing gigs were discussed, paid blogging never seemed to come up, except in passing — and even then, it was only touched on in terms of temporary gigs with companies and PR reps. I talked about paid blogging as an actual long-term money making opportunity to several bloggers, but I also wanted to blog about it, in order to go into more detail and include actual links.

As a “disclaimer”, allow me to state that I have been doing paid blogging for almost four years. Paid blogging has filled my gas tank, bought groceries, covered a U-Haul rental, paid for my dog (Leah, my two year old Pug who is most likely sulking at home since I am not there with her), bought presents for Christmases and birthdays, paid a few bills, and covered the fun things that we do from time to time. Also, while I’ve filed this post under Paid Blogging, it is not a paid-for/sponsored post. I am recommending these companies based on my own experience with them. Finally, unless stated otherwise, payout is done via PayPal.

* Denotes paid blogging companies that I have not worked for in a while, and/or do not work for regularly

Blogitive

When I last used Blogitive, opportunities were assigned 3-5 at a time, and you had a week to complete the assignments. Each assignment paid $5 – 10 and generally only required 1 link. Payout was done 30ish days after a post was approved. *

Blogsvertise

Blogsvertise assigns you opportunities as they come along. They generally pay $8 – $15, and the requirements are concise — 200+ words (specified by the advertisers), 2-4 links (specified by the advertisers), specific topics to write about. There are “grab bag” opportunities, which are extra opps that you can take at any time. Payout is done 30ish days after a post is approved.

Buy Blog Reviews

Buy Blog Reviews allows you to search through a database of available assignments, and apply/request assignments that you’re interested in. Opps pay anywhere from $1 (no lie) to $100, depending on the criteria and the blog qualifications. Payout is done on the 1st and 15th of every month.

PayPerPost

PayPerPost paved the way in the paid blogging industry, and is managed by IZEA, which is the parent company of PayPerPost and several other related marketing companies. PayPerPost has evolved drastically over the last several years. In its current state, opportunities are assigned to you (it used to be that you had a list of assignments to choose from). Requirements vary among individual opps, but generally ask for 200-300 words of relevant content, 1-3 links, and sometimes an image. Compensation is based on the criteria and the blog qualifications, and also on the ranking/stats of your blog. Compensation is currently done via “points”, which each point being worth a penny. Once you have reached 5,000 points, or $50.00, you can do an automated cash-out (compensation for completed and approved posts is done after 30 days).

PayU2Blog

PayU2Blog works a little differently than other paid blogging companies, in that their opportunities always pay the same, unless it is a special assignment, and the criteria for an opportunity is that you insert a pre-determined link (with anchor text) into a post. Posts must be at least 60 words in length and can contain other links (so long as they do not lead to websites that compete with or put down the nature of the link you’re including), but other than that there are generally no specific post requirements. Every assignment is worth $5, and payout is done bi-weekly, usually on Fridays.

Smorty

Smorty has a list of available assignments that range from $5 to $25, depending on the criteria and blog qualifications. Opportunities generally require relevant, on-topic content, and 1-3 links, and sometimes an image. Payout is generally done every month. *

SocialSpark

SocialSpark is also owned by IZEA. It is currently going through some changes — SocialSpark 2.0 Beta uses the points system, similar to how PayPerPost in its current form operates — but currently allows you to browse through lists of available opportunities. Opportunities are not always readily available; you may need to request an assignment by sending a message directly to the advertiser. In other cases, you may be notified via email that you qualify for an opportunity. Opportunities pay $5 to $25+ apiece, and generally require 200 words, 1-2 links, and sometimes an image or an embedded video (opps that require embedded videos usually pay more). You can do an automated cash-out once your account balance reaches $50 (compensation for completed and approved posts is done after 30 days).

Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post still hasn’t paid me

Jenn — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:57:29 +0000

It has been three months since I wrote Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post is a scam, and I’m updating everyone to report that despite multiple blog entries, Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post still has not paid me. They have ignored dozens of email requests and PayPal requests from me, and continue to go on duping new bloggers who are ignorant of their scamming ways.

It has been three and a half months since I have been due $109.00, and I have not seen a penny of it.

Whether you’ve been personally burned by Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post, or are simply commiserating with me, PLEASE re-tweet, Stumble, Digg, whatever, to spread the word. Protect other bloggers from being scammed, and make sure this company goes down.

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Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post is a scam

Jenn — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:22:35 +0000

Update #1: As of 05/17/2010 at 6:00pm EST Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post blocked my home IP address. They also blocked my email address. Too bad they don’t know all of the IP addresses I use (mobile wifi ftw!), and hello multiple email accounts?

I was able to use an alternative wireless network connection to login to my Blog Advertising Store account, take more screenshots of the opps I have taken and have been approved for. I also copied down the URL of every advertiser that is currently working with Blog Advertising Store. I am going to contact them tomorrow to inform them of the shady business they are dealing with, since in the end scammed, pissed off bloggers will yank down their written posts, which will ultimately hurt the advertisers themselves.

Update #2: As of 05/18/2010 at 10:00am EST I have sent all of the advertisers listed in Blog Advertising Store’s aka Paying Post’s Open Opportunities page the following email:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to give you a head’s up about Blog Advertising Store (http://www.blogadvertisingstore.com) aka Paying Post (http://www.payingpost.com). They have a disturbing trend of not paying bloggers on time, or paying them at all, for opportunities that were written by bloggers and accepted by the company. I, unfortunately, am their latest victim. I am contacting you because as the advertiser, you are the one that is ultimately being hurt by Blog Advertising Store’s despicable behavior. Like other bloggers, I will soon being pulling down the posts I have written for you and other advertisers; therefore you are paying Blog Advertising Store for a service that is not being fulfilled, except temporarily. Furthermore, I am sure that some of the other bloggers that have been scammed by Blog Advertising Store are now not only avoiding them, but you and the other advertisers as well, despite the fact that you personally have done nothing wrong in this situation.

For the good of the blogging community and for your bottom line, I would strongly suggest that you cease doing business with Blog Advertising Store. And since they are not using the money you have paid them to compensate bloggers such as myself, you may also wish to consider contacting them and getting a refund.

FYI, Blog Advertising Store owes me $109 for posts written between January 2009 and February 2010. I have been waiting for payment for over two months now, and two weeks of emails have gone unreturned. Additionally, as of yesterday evening, Blog Advertising Store blocked my home IP address from accessing their website (this was confirmed when friends of mine on other connections were able to access the site; I was also able to access the site using a work IP address), and also blocked my emails (also confirmed when I sent them an email from an alternative address).

Here is a detailed, organized blog post I put together explaining the situation and calling for action from the blogging community: http://www.blogging-girl.com/2010/05/17/blog-advertising-store-aka-paying-post-is-a-scam/

Thank you for taking the time to read my email.

Jenn

Well over a year ago I signed up for Blog Advertising Store, though at that time they were calling themselves Paying Post. Between then and this past February I have written $109.00 worth of opportunities. I followed the instructions on each opportunity, included the required links, wrote relevant, high quality content, and submitted each opportunity on time. Every opportunity that I did was approved, and as of April 2010 I was eligible to receive payment, as my balance had rolled over $100 (that is Blog Advertising Store’s / Paying Post’s minimum payout amount).

Only… I didn’t receive a payment in April. I didn’t receive one in May, either, despite Blog Advertising Store’s / Paying Post’s dashboard stating that I would be paid $109 on May 1st, 2010.

Screenshot of Blog Advertising Store’s / Paying Post’s Account page

Screenshot of Blog Advertising Store’s / Paying Post’s My Posts page

On May 6th, 2010, I sent the following email to support@blogadvertisingstore.com and support@payingpost.com:

To whom it may concern:

As of May 1st, 2010 I was due for a payout of $109.00 to my PayPal account x@jenn.nu. It is now May 6th, 2010 and I have not received anything.

I have been a bit wary completing posts for your company, as in the past I have read some unsavory things about your business practices and the handling of payouts. Please ease my anxieties and compensate me with the money I am rightfully owed. Again, the balance due is $109.00, and my PayPal account is x@jenn.nu.

Thank you very much.

I forwarded the email to them on May 8th, 2010, and again on May 9th, 2010.

As of May 11th, 2010, I still had not received any kind of response, so I sent the following email:

I will continue to email every day until I receive payment. I will continue blogging on multiple blogs about this issue. I will post on Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Twitter. I will contact the Better Business Bureau. I am also going to contact all of the companies that bloggers have written posts on behalf of in order to let them know that while they are paying you, you are not doing your part in paying your bloggers.

Please, prove to me that you are not the scamming, fraudulent company that the majority of bloggers who have worked with you claim you are. Pay me what is rightfully owed. The balance is $109.00, and my PayPal address is x@jenn.nu.

I forwarded the May 11th email to them on May 12th, May 13th, May 14th, May 15th, May 16th, and May 17th.

Last night I sent the following email:

If I do not receive a payment of $109.00 to x@jenn.nu by 5pm EST tomorrow afternoon, I will be blogging about your company and its scamming practices on the following blogs:

http://www.blogging-girl.com

http://www.heytechgirl.com

http://www.in-my-bag.com

http://www.jenn.nu

http://www.kitty.nu

http://www.mamahood.org

http://www.thatfatchick.com

Additionally, I will be posting about your company on the following forums/public groups:

http://www.payu2blog.com

http://www.lavish.nu

http://www.ning.com (every single product review/paid blogging/mommy blogging community I can find)

Finally, I will be spreading the word on at least a dozen social networks, including:
Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, StumbleUpon, Twitter

Please, take the professional route and pay the money that is RIGHTFULLY OWED TO ME.

I sent yet another email this morning:

I will also be contacting every single company that I have written a post on behalf for through your company, as well as every company I find listed in the open opportunities list.

It is now after 5:00pm EST on May 17th, 2010 — over two months past the date I should have been paid $109 for the opportunities I wrote and had approved by Blog Advertising Store and Paying Post. Interestingly, I suddenly am unable to access blogadvertisingstore.com or payingpost.com, though the few people I asked on AIM reported being able to access it with no problem.

Summary

Blog Advertising Store aka Paying Post is a scam. Do NOT take any of their opportunities, as you will not be paid for the work that you do. Essentially, Blog Advertising Store aka Paying Post and the advertisers that they work with will be getting free advertisement on your blog(s).

Unless I am paid the $109 that Blog Advertising Store aka Paying Post owes me, I will stand firm in my belief that the company is a SCAM. They collect money from advertisers and turn around and provide opportunities to bloggers, only they do NOT hold up their end of the bargain and pay the bloggers for their work.

Spread the word

Spread the word about the SCAMMING COMPANY that Blog Advertising Store aka Paying Post is! Please don’t let them continue to get away with this behavior! We can effectively shut them down by refusing to work for them. With no bloggers to blog about their company and the companies and products of the advertisers they work with, Blog Advertising Store aka Paying Post will eventually go out of business.

If you have a Twitter account, please spread the word by tweeting about this post:
Blog Advertising Store AKA Paying Post is a scam! http://bit.ly/basppscam #paidblogging #scam

Thank you for subscribing to Jenn.nu's RSS feed! ♥ Jenn | Flickr: kiss-my-kitty | Twitter: @kissmykitty

You want it? Pay for it.

Jenn — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:56:55 +0000

One of the sponsored blog companies I occasionally do posts for is PayPerPost 4.0 Alpha. Their setup is a little different than PayPerPost. With v4, bloggers set a price per word and per link. The platform spits out recommended amounts based on your blog (PageRank, Alexa rating, traffic, content, topic(s), etc.), but you’re free to set your own price. By setting your own price, you ultimately decide how much you’re paid for writing a sponsored post for an advertiser.
Another difference with v4 is that you don’t have to worry about refreshing the dashboard looking for opportunities — they come to you. Advertisers are able to sift through the various bloggers and send personal invitations inviting targeted bloggers to write about their products, services or whatever else it is they’re wanting to promote.

Now, you’d think this is a good thing, right? For once you get to be paid per word and per link. Gone are the days of being paid $5 for a 300 word post with three links (not that I’d accept such a measly amount for such high requirements; by the way, that’s what this blog entry is about — I’ll get to that in a paragraph or two). On the flip side, gone are the days of scoring the awesome $10, $15 and even $20 and $25 opps that only required 100-200 words and just one, sometimes two links.

The bad thing about v4 is that advertisers can supply their own requirements for written content. Typically advertisers use this area to request that a blogger writes the entire blog entry around a certain subject. In other instances the advertiser may ask the blogger to simply include the link. An advertiser may also use this section to request that a blogger include an image, or a certain keyword, or a certain blurb about the product/service/whatever.
Unfortunately, there are also advertisers that will use this requirements section to require a blogger to include extra links. And because the advertiser has the ability to ultimately approve or reject the submitted blog entry, they can essentially get extra links for free if they decide to be underhanded and do this.

On no less than five occasions I have outright refused to do a sponsored post because an advertiser would essentially pay me for 100 words and one link, but then specify in the requirements that I include 1-2 additional links. In another outrageous instance, an advertiser privately emailed me a long-ass Word document that outlined the 500+ word post I had to publish, along with three links and two images. Mind you, the invitation in v4.0 outlined and offered payment for 200 words and one link.

I really, REALLY fucking hate and loathe advertisers who try and do this shit. I can’t fucking stand it. It’s sneaky. It’s underhanded. It completely disrespects ME as a blogger, and basically says that I am not worth being paid for X, Y and Z. I’m sorry, but my time, my creative energy and the space on my blog IS worth being paid for, which is why time and time again I have outright rejected $8 and $10 opportunities, because I’m not throwing in freebies. Bastards.

Thank you for subscribing to Jenn.nu's RSS feed! ♥ Jenn | Flickr: kiss-my-kitty | Twitter: @kissmykitty