OK I see a few shocked faces at the new ‘ads’ on my website. The truth is that I’ve resisted them for years, probably being the only food blogger in history without them! To be honest, it felt like I would be selling my soul (although, actually it’s not!). However, I’ve finally embraced them – and I am really happy about my decision.
It was a choice between:
- shutting down my blog or
- adverts
Please let me explain what a massive difference it makes to me…
Couldn’t afford to run my website anymore
I had to face the fact that I could no longer afford to run my website. Earlier this year I was actually steering away from my website and looking for other ways to bring in enough money to sustain myself. It was breaking my heart! I’ve faced this dilemma for a long time actually. For anyone not familiar with running a quality website with a lot of visitors, then you might be surprised to know that it costs money to run a website. Not only does running a website incurs costs – it also involves quite a lot of time behind the scenes (in my case, recipe development, photography, graphic design, video making, writing, sorting out the endless technical issues that pop up). I do all of this myself.
But I LOVE running my website
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE running my site and and creating – in fact I’d dearly love to do it more. It brings me so much joy to share my recipes and pass on my experience, to engage with my readers and know that it is making a difference somewhere, in someone’s life.
So there’s the dilemma…
Can’t afford to run my site anymore BUT will not give it up either!
Internet is slow for my books
The only possibility I’ve had for earning any income from my website is by selling my books. I thought it would perhaps be fabulous if I could make enough money in book sales to help pay the bills. Well that never really happened. The profit margin on my books is so low (a few £££’s per book – and I am the publisher, designer, photographer, distributor and author). To be honest I am also pretty rubbish at promoting them ***chuckles*** and I don’t see that changing any time soon – just not part of my skill set.
My book purchases mainly come from the lovely guests who meet me in person and have enjoyed my food on retreats. The internet is actually a very slow portal for any sort of sales for me personally. It’s just not working. Sticking it out for over three and a half years has been awesome and so rewarding – but at the end of the day, I actually need to realistically pay the bills.
Adverts actually allow me to pay the bills – finally!
Putting adverts on my website means that I will receive enough income from it to pay my essential bills – which is no small feat. I can’t tell you how amazingly happy that makes me!
I am the first to admit that adverts aren’t always pretty and can be a bit intrusive. I’ve managed to control about 90% of the ads to fit with my ethics – there was a long tick list of ads that I was given, that I don’t want to display on my site. You’d be amused watching me, because I ticked almost every single check box (nope, nope, nope, nope). Unfortunately there is also a small proportion I have no control over – sorry about that!!! Not happy about that myself either, but it will have to do.
It FREES me up so I can stay here and share MORE
In a nutshell, putting these adverts on is are also a gift, because it FREES me up to spend MORE time working on my website, to share MORE recipes and articles.
My passion in life is creating conscious cuisine and it actually gives me the opportunity to share that across the web.
Until another – better – solution comes along
Until another, better, solution comes along then I am embracing this. I’ll also be tweaking them over the next few weeks to make sure they flow right (more technical stuff).
Very much looking fwd to being available more here on my website and sharing more and more stuff to inspire the soul.
Deeply thankful to everyone tuning in here regularly
I am deeply thankful to everyone who tunes in here regularly (tears beginning to well up in my eyes). You know who you are! It means so much to me that you resonate and receive what I share in the spirit of loving kindness that it is always intended.
I am exceedingly happy that I will be continuing to share, passing on that inspiration – helping you and others find your own expression of deep inner light… so that those ripples can spread ever further outwards and together we can make the world a better place.
I am here and will continue to share – convinced that there will always, ALWAYS be a way!!!
From my heart to yours
Trinity
I would much much much much much much rather have your wonderful website with a few adverts that I can choose to ignore than not have your website at all! I think you’ve done well to get this far without the support of advertising and you’ve really considered their use so I agree it’s something to embrace and it will definitely not stop me from visiting and enjoying your amazing gift to us XXXX
It warms my heart so much to feel your beautiful support and kind Elly.
Means so much.
xx
Love you and your website with or without adverts…..I´m a silent follower from Germany <3 x
Well big hello and I am glad that you’ve come out to share today.
Vielen Dank
x
Trinity 🙂 You share so easily and eloquently from the Heart… You are so open and provide a beautiful example of how being vulnerable is such a beautiful strength. You inspire me… From my Heart to yours, continue being the beautiful shining Soul leading by example that you are <3.
Namaste
Steve
Thank you so much Steve.
x
So important, this space you pour your heart out from!
Paying the bills is simply reality & We are All confronted with this reality daily. Adverts are one way we can connect with products and services which we are called to do. It’s how I first read about OH’s work then by extension-You? Where would I be stumbling around right now if it were not for some random advert?!
So proud of you Trinity. Love you dearly xxoo
Ahhhhw thank you so much Michelle.
Big heart full of love and thanks
x
I agree with Elly and thank you for writing about this and letting us know your feelings about the process. What comes through in your writing is that you’re doing this with care and thought — like everything else in your life — and that’s always going to be right. We can ignore the adverts if we choose to <3 SO good to have you "out there!"
Thank you for sharing here Yvonne… that means a lot to me.
x
It would be sooo sad and a huge loss for you to stop publishing your blog and close your website. I love reading your thoughts, recipes and ideas. You’re hugely inspiring to many many people. Adverts are a means to an end and everyone has to make enough money to live on.
A PR company might be helpful as you are so unique and individual.
There are lots of food bloggers who, although good are literally still children. You are seriously the best grown up plant based spiritually connected earth mother recipe creating lady I’ve some across. I don’t feel the adverts are a problem as readers can chose to ignore them if they wish.
Meh, what’s a few ads. We’re all used to them anyway.
You need to do what it takes to pay your bills
You put in a heap of effort and you deserve to be funded
We are all fans and appreciate you and your work with or without ads!
Ahhhhw thanks so much for the kind words of support Caroline.
x
Trinity, i so so appreciate what you are doing, and also your integrity, and really, who cares about a few ads, i simply ignore them, but i do understand your ethic, and i honor it.. sending warm hugs your way…
Thank you 🙂
Ah yeah so there are ads, didn’t even notice! Too busy being intrigued by the super cool recipes. Anyways these Roast Beetroot Falafels look quite interesting.. .. .