Nasty New Entrecard Trend
By Sheila on Jul 11, 2009 in Blogging Tips
I am not writing the post to offend anyone – just trying to make you think.
I’ve been with entrecard for over a year now. If you spend a little time on it every day you can get a lot of traffic to your site and make wonderful contacts in the blogosphere. EC has had it’s issues over the last few months but I try to look at it as growing pains – they don’t want their site to fade into oblivion because it became stagnant and irrelevent. So, I decide to sit back, watch and wait to see what happens. But I’ve noticed something quite disturbing over the last few months. It isn’t the changes in EC that is hurting this community, but the members posting about their unhappiness with everything EC. Some members are going as far as attacking other members – critisizing the quality of their blogs, their advertising habits, just about anything they can complain about. While blogging is a great format for writing about anything I think people really need to stop and think before they write a negative post and put links and pictures to other sites on their blog (especially when you don’t really have an issue with that site) Why would you want to negatively impact another blogger, one in your own community? I won’t post links to these sites or I’d be guilty of the same thing I’m complaining about. Remember, every negative comment you make about another person, blog or site is there forever. Maybe if people would quit bitching and get to work they would be too happy with how well their site is doing to complain about others.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’d like to provide everyone with a bunch of links to some “free” stock photo sites. I think putting images along with posts is an important aspect to creating a visually pleasing blog. I get a few snarky comments about the pretty girls I put on my site – but everyone’s taste is different, I happen to think hot girls add a little beauty and interest to this site that could be really boring if it was all about how to advertise a website. Maybe I should put pictures of computers and flowers and dog poop. I guess you just can’t make everyone happy all the time. Enough ranting, here’s the links – one bit of advice though, if you are putting these images on something that you are going to sell (ebook, template, etc) you should probably go ahead purchase the rights to the images so you never have to deal with any copywrite issues down the line.
67 Comment(s)
By brad on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
With you on this. I would only add that I think it is a very easy way to get EC droppers to stop and read. It is also a very easy to write. Complaining is easier then writing something that is useful and contributes to peoples lives or provides them with useful information.
By brad on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
…great useful links
I am also with you on adding images to posts. For picture oriented people it helps, especially if the picture relates to the content, for remembering the content.
By The Bad Blogger on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
There are alot of idiots and loser who just like to place negative comments and about my English my ideals and my way of expressing stuff… but you know what, these people are always hiding their face and their links…. I wonder is that what they do for living…
By Sheila on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
thanks guys – it’s one thing when someone makes a comment that you don’t like, I’ve done it – I’ve recieved them. You can delete them, It’s a whole other thing when someone writes a negative post and then sticks your ad image up there next to it. Don’t they realize that it will negatively affect that website? They probably just don’t care.
Sheila
By RedRaider on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
I’m with you all the way on EC. A lot of my blogging buddies dropped off the EC map the moment they started to serve up paid ads. I sat back and maintained my normal routine with regards to EC.
It wasn’t that big a deal to me. I could always drop EC at anytime if I didn’t liked what I saw.
It works well for me, and for now, I’m still with it.
By Strength and Fitness Blog on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
To be honest, I’m still considering dropping EC from my blogs.
EC is just like anything else: it has it’s pros and cons and everyone will have to decide what is right for their own blog.
I still would not hesitate to use it if I were a brand new blogger–it gives a nice jump start from oblivion.
By maggie on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
It seemed odd to me for anyone to complain about someone advertising on too many blogs- aren’t the ad exchanges what keeps the system going?
I mentioned another blog in my latest post, I hope it was not inappropriate. I work many days in the library lately and I could not believe the harmless blogs that get caught in the library filters!
By Julehya on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
You are absolutely right Shiela. There are a few things I am pissed off with a few bloggers myself but I would never imagine myself going through such immature ways of dealing with the issue.
Some of us really forget that whatever we do reflects the kind of people that we are.
By the way, I have said this before and I say it again. I really find your blog very informative.
By Steven Wilson on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
The exact reason I took the EC widget off my site a few months back.I had been with EC since the start,and found all the negative things there just a little to much.
By Robin on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
I’m in agreement with what you say on this. A lot of people will criticize any new changes because they get set in their ways and hate to see change happen. Most of the criticism is directed at name-calling etc. It’s okay to criticize but the criticism should be constructive.
As for including a picture with blog posts, this is something that I do with every post on my blog. Choosing the right picture as it relates to what you’re writing about will grab a reader’s attention.
Cheers!
By Spicybugz on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
I saw blog and the post that you are talking about. I was kinda shocked when I read it. I think some people only have negative things to say. If they weren’t complaining about something, they wouldn’t have a post to write.
By Acadia on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
What post and also why am i still banned? Also hi
By femmepower on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
You said it well. I hope bloggers in the EC community stop offending fellow bloggers for shallow reasons. If they have issues,why don’t they just send a message to the ones concerned through Entrecard and settle the matters privately? Unless it’s about plagiarism.
Before speaking out or even blogging,it helps to ponder on the Rotary’s 4 Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Let’s make blogging fun and productive. Cheers!
By Technochase on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Yes, we should mind our own business and stop the criticizing. I have been with EC for a few months now and has experienced the same difficulties. Blogging is part of the new media and should set as a good example, especially bloggers ‘coz they have the power to influence a lot of people. Once again, cheers to this! More power Ad Master!
By BK on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Simply put, we cannot hope to please everyone. Thank you for sharing the list for photo sites. I have been using stock.xchange since I started about 3 years ago and so far it has been able to provide me with some good photos. No harm having a few more sites to look into.
By Sheila on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
strength and fitness – For the first time I’m also considering dropping EC.
By Sheila on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
femmepower – Very well put!!
By Strength and Fitness Blog on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
I am going to keep EC long enough to let my current advertisers run their ads–I don’t want my decision to affect other bloggers who wanted to advertise on my blog.
For me it’s a couple of things:
1. I don’t really have time to drop, which is important in using EC.
2. I’m just not getting many hits from EC and I don’t think it is worth the space on my blog.
Again, these two reasons may not be true for everyone, but they are for me.
I’ve added the admaster’s blog to my feeds so I’ll keep up with it that way.
By Grampy on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
I am told that complaining is human nature. Bah hum Bug. If you don’t like another blog don’t visit. No need for attacks. Life sure does get crazy at times. Or is it life or people.
By mike golch on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
I have to agree with Grampy.if you do not like what someone posts on their site ther is a great solution:
A) don’t visit the site and B)if you do not like what I said there is a big red X in the upper right hand corner just click that!
By Dorothy L on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Nice post…I commend your honesty.
People will do that….unfortunately so many people jump on those negative bandwagons and do not even really know what the issues are.
It is hard to please all of the people all of the time…that is fact.
I think for the most part…the problem was more to the fact that the bloggers did not want to be forced into anything. Also as one reply mentioned above people want to see more comments.
My thoughts are simple…I write because I want to…whether or not someone actually wants to reply is not a priority. Joining entrecard does not promise anyone comments. It does promise traffic and that has been successful. The we have this ‘bounce rate’ thing ….again not an easy thing to control nor is it really entrecards fault.
In any event…it is nice to see a positive article on the subject and thank you so much for the links to the free photo sites.
AS for the snarky comments about the beauties…why don’t they just sport some hot looking guys if they feel that way.
It is a free world out there:)
By Acadia on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
will someone answer me? It is no fun not knowing the controversy!
By Sheila on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Acadia – it’s not really a controversy – I’ve just read so many posts lately from people on EC complaining about other EC members and dedicating a whole post on their blog to it – stupid stuff that to outsiders can come across as a reason not to visit someones site. A couple of examples, a post about someones widget that looks too much like someone elses widget – another negative post about how much someone advertises and a whole post dedicated to each blogger who left negative comments on someones site.
By Rolly on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
I agree with you. I was once a victim of a certain blog that have had been attacking me for dropping without leaving a comment. And my personalized photos were published on the site without my permission and humiliating me with other bloggers. I would be happy if somebody will drop a card on me and I don’t mind if they leave a message or not. Why should I force them to comment if they don’t feel happy to comment?
Well, this must be stop for the benefit of a good blogging community. Every blog is different and unique in each way. What we need is respect. Simple as that.
By Sheila on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Rolly – YEA! Someone finally understands what I’m talking about. Maybe unless someone has been there they just don’t get it.
By John on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
I don’t quite get why someone would complain about a FREE service to them…amateurs!
Thanks for the great posts Sheila
By derekpm on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
By The BoBo on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
I’m in general agreement with you as well. By airing out grievances openly on your blog – it’s just cutting of your nose to spite the face. It won’t help matters. If you have a grievance – take it to EC.
By Your Daily Cute on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the list of links to free photo sites!
By Mountain Woman on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I’ve never had a problem with the paid Entrecard ads. If Entrecard needed money to keep a wonderful system going, that’s okay. I hope this isn’t complaining but where I’ve run into trouble is lots of people weren’t accepting paid ads and then not many people would advertise on my blog because I did accept them. Seems like the whole system is just in a state of flux at the moment.
Anyway, I always enjoy reading your posts and I’ve learned a lot here.
I think it is not good karma to attack other blogs at all.
By sharkbytes on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
ECs changes were bound to lead to shifts in their clientele, and I’ve done some posting myself about this. I have also chosen to not display paid ads on two of my blogs. But I’m not into bashing particular blogs that I don’t agree with.
However, it is true that when a paid ad runs and has little competition, no matter whose it is, it will show up on a lot of EC sites, and effectively stop surfing.
Another free photo site I’ve recently found is shareapic.net
By David Rader on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
*Note* Many if not most of those are not “free” stock photo sites. It’s actually specifically illegal to use those images without purchasing. Their prices can be quite hefty.
If you sell or have a single advertising unit on your page, you’re clearly in the wrong for using those images without consent, copyright violation, stealing a photographers work.
Even some of those websites above say “free” on their own website, but if you actually take a minute to read the silence, you’ll learn that they don’t want you to use it for commercial use (making any money using it- that’s what advertising units usually do).
By Blog Tactic on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Those who complaint must be new bloggers. As with any FREE sites, you have to use their facility as it is, even with defects or shortcomings.
And if they are not satisfied, they can just quietly stop using the FREE service. That is all to it.
By Sheila on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
David Rader – You’re right – most of these are not “just” free photo sites. Most photo sites have a section of free images OR you can buy pictures from them. I buy every single one of my pictures because I don’t ever want to have any issues with anyone. Of course anytime you use an image from anywhere on the web you need to know whether you are allowed to use that image or not. I wouldn’t recommend going to any site and just copying an image – always read the terms and conditions.
By John on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I haven’t seen the post mentioned since I’ve been camping for the last three days. Unfortunately I’ll probably find it while I’m dropping tonight
I really don’t understand why anyone wastes their time writing negative posts about other bloggers.
By Tina T on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I am still fairly new to EC, and I have met a wonderful group of bloggers for the most part. The one thing that I do agree with some of the complainers about is that there are some bloggers that seem to have multiple blogs with almost identical content on each one. I don’t think it’s fair for such bloggers to get credit for putting the same content on multiple blogs.
That said, this is an issue for EC to sort out and many of the duplicates do seem to get removed over time. I don’t plan on letting these problems ruin my EC experience, so far the benefits definitely outweigh any problems.
By Rob on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Good post, and yeah, for all the faults of EC it is a pretty cool system as far as drumming up some traffic and finding new and interesting blogs. I’m sticking with it (although I have still yet to make a 300 drop day… I just don’t know how to find time…
By 113Tidbits on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I could really care less about what others think about my site, since I got what I wanted from them in the first place – a visit. whether they choose to stay or not or even be cowards and not comment on what they like, that’s their problem.
With that said, go ahead drop by my site and poke around a bit. We love to deal with conflict.
By Mikes Sumondong on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
One of the honest posts I have ever read! Keep posting. about the pics, it doesn’t bother me at all!
By Mikes Sumondong on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I think it’s people! lol!
By steven surty on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
It’s wretched trend of entrecard!
By Laura on Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
Just wanted to say thanks for the great list for free stock photos.
By jj-momscashblog on Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
Great post and well said and I think needed to be said at this time. I’m not sure if I know the exact blog you are referring to (doesn’t matter) but I have just recently read a post that was really ragging on Entrecard and wasn’t sure where this anger was coming from. I can not say anything bad about entrecard I think the concept of what they do works,at least for my blog it does. Maybe when something new is introduced it may not work as well as we like but like someone else mentioned above just sit back and wait. Thanks for the photo info. jj
By Thomas on Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
This is why I think there should be a mandatory five day waiting period on all computer purchases and a written test.
By entrepreneur on Jul 18, 2009 | Reply
Hi,
Well said indeed! This is very negative and Entrecard had better look into it as it may be an impediment to high quality growth!
By Pu Niao on Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
Well, my own personal best advice? Ignore the hurtful comments people post about you or your blog. Sure, it might stab at you like a knife, but each and every blogger has his or her own way of blogging. I’m more of a picture/photo blogger than a words/writing blogger, so there it is. If one doesn’t like a blog, he or she can simply just choose not to visit that particular blog, but to go as far as to attack another blogger is uncalled for. And yup, I’d ignore nasty comments as I don’t feel I have and should pay attention to something that aims to pull me down.
Sincerely,
Pu Niao
http://sexybluemame.blogspot.com
By Jim on Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
All the negativity started at the top of EC and was accepted by the decision maker. Once you start down that slope, it’s slippery. The blame should go squarely on one person.
By Liza on Jul 23, 2009 | Reply
I left Entrecard a few months ago, initially supporting their new paid advertising setup and then seeing how badly it was implemented. But perhaps with this purchase of Entrecard things will get better with people in the community and the way the community itself is run.
By Polly on Jul 24, 2009 | Reply
I think there are a whole lot of issues that go along with negtative blogging, the main one being that since it has spiralled everyone’s views has gone down enormously. For those who may not have been in Entrecard very long let me just advise that the top position on the board would normally have received up to 1000 views per day via Entrecard alone and even those who were casual bloggers received over 100.
You might like to think that this meant that bloggers at that time were not reading posts or commenting – but you’d be wrong – just check any of those blogs that have been here for a long time and you will see that nearly everyone fully embraced every feature of the original Entrecard system.
We now are dipping our toes into new waters – in order for this to be successful for all of us we need to steer the ship in a straight line.
On another slightly different note – it is apparent that often Bloggers advertise on sites that are doing well in the hope of getting many visits back. This used to be the case without fail. Bloggers would often receive between 100 to 300 or more visits through the advert widget. In the last few months there have been more and more Bloggers that do not participate fully in the dropping system – if you do not drop the chances are you will not receive click-through views through widget advertising. For those who do not know how to find out whether a blogger drops reasonably regularly – to to the E on the widget click it and then check the drop rank of the blogger. So for those placing high stake adverts – try and do a fair amount of dropping for a while as it does increase the views through widget advertising.
By Alvin Lim on Jul 27, 2009 | Reply
Good explanation about benefit of using Entrecard. I think Entrecard is suitable to become a good blogging community among blogger but not really suitable for blogger to earn money through Entrecard.
That is why the last Cashout program didn’t success, right? And that is why EC split into two different community but it is okay and back to normal now.
By Brenda Bunney on Jul 27, 2009 | Reply
I am fairly new to Entracard, but I can see that some of the members are concerned. Attacking each other is not the answer and we’ll just have to see what happens with that.
On another note.. thank you for the links. Some I have used and yet others I’ll need to visit.
By yanjiaren on Jul 28, 2009 | Reply
Funny you should say this. I wrote about how I am turning a negative experience I had growing up into something positive. I think it is high time we all pulled our socks up and tried to contribute some goodness to the World instead of filling our life buckets full of S**t excuse my French lol. I think these bloggers just love the attentions and writing negative crap is what makes good reading for very bored people!!! I am glad you vented it out and made a point. I hope if any of these people read it they may get a conscience and start being nice for a change. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice does it? Peace and I am now in Entrecard and enjoying dropping and commenting on all these lovely blogs.
By RE on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
the trend around entrecard these days are scary.
I truly appreciate your comment on my blog – and wrote a response post to it today. you are very astute and put your finger dead center on the situation.
again, thanks for the wonderful comment Sheila, and I will become more of a commenter on your blog now that I realize you really read mine.
Cheers My New Friend
~RE
By BadGalSays on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Ahhhh so this post is about me.
well I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. nice indeed..
I talk about click farms, but you left that out. hmmmm wonder why ?
Thanks Sheila, you let me know all I needed in one post.
By draxc0la on Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
great useful links
By zoomprofit on Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
With you on this. I would only add that I think it is a very easy way to get EC droppers to stop and read
By anisha on Aug 11, 2009 | Reply
Ya it is very true that when you see pleasing pictures of woman you try to read something more in the blog otherwise you just run away.This is the normal trend of bloggers.
Infact picture makes it very much attractive and makes blogger stick to it.
I think you are using sensible pictures to make your blog more decorative and that is why may be people are jealous of you,
Anyways when you start to do some good thing you are always opposed by many and only few are with you ,but with those few persons you can conquer many.
Regarding entrecard comments I would say that bloggers should not have opposed paid adds so vigorously it was working well,further how would you provide anything to somebody if you do not have it.Atlast if happened new management had to discontinue cashout of entrecard credits by stopping the paid adds.
We do not know about the future of entrecard because it is difficult to run such a high profile site without any funds as advertising on the site would not generate enough funds for running the site.Well let’s wait and see what happens!
By Erik on Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
I enjoyed your article today. It is obviously garnering a good deal of attention. I like the stockphoto sites you included. I personally prefer to take my own pictures, but stock photos are the safest bet in this climate…if you aren’t taking your own.
By molly on Aug 13, 2009 | Reply
thanks so much for this list of free stock photo sites… so so so good!
By zuls on Aug 18, 2009 | Reply
found your blog by traversing through EC ads. I’m very new to EC, so I don’t know about this trends in EC. I don’t care that much either. This is a nice info for me.
By The Great Monkey on Aug 19, 2009 | Reply
My wife would always complain about the weather before we would go out. Then I would complain about her complaining. Eventually I learned that if she found it was that necessary then I best just ignore it as it was a losing battle.
Plus you have to approve your comments anyways so If people let them through, then they really aren’t too concerned w/the negative impact anyways.
TGM
By TopBanana on Aug 20, 2009 | Reply
In your last sentence, I think you mean “copyright issues” instead of “copywriting issues”. Copywriting refers to the act of writing the text (called the “copy” in journalistic lingo) of your blog.
By Sheila on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Topbanana – I never would have caught it.
Sheila
By My X Note on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
I still need EC to increase my blog traffic since I’m a new blogger
By pinoygeek on Sep 15, 2009 | Reply
I am with you on this one admaster! They should mind your their own business. They gotta find their own style. I am really with you mate..
By Dragon Blogger on Sep 22, 2009 | Reply
Entrecard is effective and an essential tool for beginning bloggers seeking to find an audience and connect with other bloggers, the Marketplace needs vast improvement though, it is still useful but not as much with so many dead offerings.
By free online virtual worlds on Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Finally, something I could use.