As mentioned in a previous newlsetter, sponsored posts are a vital part of keeping the ComLuv.com domain going. Traffic is up, bandwidth is WAAAYY up and it’s time for the server to get a bigger fatter amount of RAM and some vital backup and protection services.
All done by hand
So far, I’ve had to do every little thing for the server by hand. That means writing my own backup scripts in perl which is not a language I had used before, thank the lawdie for internet tutorials! I’ve also had to arrange the uploads/downloads/sideloads all by myself too.
After a couple of scary moments when scripts failed or spam attacks were happening, I was considering giving it all up if I couldn’t fix the problems because paying for the extras without comluv making any money was starting to cause a problem at home.
UKFast to the rescue!
Luckily, UKFast have given me a fantastic deal on a managed dedicated server and their techies are wonderful to phone up and send into the front line of php, perl and cgi whenever I need something specific doing. Hell, they’ve even sorted me out with more RAM so the site can stay up!
There’s only so far that goodwill and customer service can go though, so it’s time to upgrade even further and put into place the things I will need for the increasing traffic and bandwidth. That’s where more RAM and pro protection offsite backups come in and they cost money!
Advertising is sold out but it’s still not enough!
So far, I have been lucky enough to sell enough text link ads to keep things going, mainly due to the huge attention the site gets from search engines because of all the fresh content and link backs from you, the commentluv users.
That really helps, especially now that I have taken on an editor and maybe will be taking on someone else too next month, but, to pay for the extra RAM and backup services, I have to pimp out the blog a little bit here and there and sell a sponsored post which will be following on the next newsletter.
My promise to you..
I will personally filter every single sponsored post advertiser myself and I promise not to hock any old cack at you just to get some greens. I take great pride in running a morally sound and corruption free site for myself so you have my solemn promise not to sell out to the highest bidder who wants me to send you all sorts of crap which you don’t want to read about.
Sponsored posts wont be taking too much space here but when one does get published (and they wont be often), I would seriously appreciate it if you would visit the post and click through to the sponsors site and interact with their services (if free and where applicable).
Thanks for listening, the first sponsored post will come out next week (there isn’t a second one made (yet)) and you have my word that I will never sell your details to anyone, ever.
Twitter: Bytefulcom
says:
But isn’t it nice to have problems like this? It means you’re growing! And I’m really happy for you (and the whole CL gang)
I also greatly appreciate your promise, and I’ll hold you to it, Mister! As long as you only take sponsored posts that you think people would find genuinely useful, the Newsletter’s reputation will stay intact. Remember that.
B.Traveller´s recent blog post ..How to Shield Yourself from your Host’s Bad (or Good) Habits while Travelling
Twitter: xyJmqPmHcULncjBzUVM
says:
Thanks B!
The first sponsored post is for a plastic surgeon but the article I have for it is an interesting one in it’s own right. In fact, I had most of it written and was planning on publishing it as an interesting top 10 type of post before I had even met him, all I had to do was modify the links and change all the photos to be ones from his site. There are other unseen things I’m doing to help promote it but, essentially it is a sponsored version of a legitimate post!
i don’t think it will happen very often but this one was very welcome, I have already ordered the pro-protection and automated backups which has already made a difference!
Thanks for your feedback!
Twitter: Bytefulcom
says:
You’re welcome!
And for a site like this (which is the hub of a community) automated backups are really important.
B.Traveller´s recent blog post ..How to Shield Yourself from your Host’s Bad (or Good) Habits while Travelling
Twitter: jchronowski47
says:
Great job. Wish I had the space to even consider a setup like that. Do you have a comment luv Amazon wish list? That might help you getting parts at least.
Juanita´s recent blog post ..1000 mosquitos less each hour Nice to know via @jchronowski47