Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "advertising"
Embedded Promotions
This morning, I watched a YouTube video and the “influencer” (The term for an actor on a streaming video. Apparently, he cannot be called a “tractor expert” because that would be too obvious. Also, I hate the word influencer because it sounds like YouTube people are better than us. It was a privilege to be influenced.) was describing how he fixed a broken water pump. I cannot own a tractor because l do not live in a house that can fit/use such an enormous machine, but I still find these videos interesting.
Halfway through the video, the influencer (I still hate that word) embedded a promotion. The idea is when a familiar person is describing the product; the sales pitch will be more effective. In this video, the influencer (I still, still hate that word) plugged the website hosting company Squarespace. The sales pitch had the usual benefits, features, low introductory prices, and a cost reduction for mentioning the influencer’s (I still, still, still hate that word) name at the time of purchase.
I am sure my blog readers see such advertisements often, but what does this have to do with writing? Of course, some reading formats such as magazines, newspapers, comic books, or websites have advertisements or website links, but what about books?
I recall reading books in the ‘70s with center sections loaded with advertisements. These were the same campy type you would (and still do) see in the back of comic books. “Call us to receive a free catalog.” “Send $9.99 to receive your spy glasses.” So I did some research, and in the ’50-70s, they did this type of advertising in inexpensive books to offset the printing cost. The term Dime Novels describes them.
By the ‘80s, this kind of advertising had fallen out of favor, and I doubt you can find a modern book with it. What about a “paid promotion?” Meaning that they pay an author to include a topic. “Our hero was in a bind because he needed a quick way to get the word out. Fortunately, he knew about Squarespace and quickly developed an excellent website.”
I suppose companies can pay super-famous authors to embed promotions, but from reading famous books, I have never read a blatant plug. Instead, authors use the brands they know, “She jumped into her Ford pickup truck.” Unfortunately, the Ford Motor Company would not pay the author a dime for mentioning them. Bummer.
What about a blog? I have read many blogs and never encountered an embedded promotion. There are advertisements on blog sites, and perhaps famous bloggers might get paid to plug something, but the rest of us only receive likes and insightful comments.
Oddly, advertising has not penetrated books. One would think that a famous book such as Harry Potter would have an advertisement or sponsor’s content on every page. I can hear “girrrr” from my blog readers. Yeah, I would also hate a book full of plugs.
Reading is a solitary activity that requires patience and deep concentration. One needs focus to enjoy the medium. Well, I could be part of a new revolution!
My website company is Web Hosting Pad, and perhaps they will sponsor me if I embed a plug in this blog. “Did you know that Web Hosting Pad has the best prices? And their customer support is outstanding!” Nice job!
https://www.webhostingpad.com/
Web Hosting Pad, I did my part! Can I please have a free year of service?
You’re the best! -Bill
March 29, 2023
Halfway through the video, the influencer (I still hate that word) embedded a promotion. The idea is when a familiar person is describing the product; the sales pitch will be more effective. In this video, the influencer (I still, still hate that word) plugged the website hosting company Squarespace. The sales pitch had the usual benefits, features, low introductory prices, and a cost reduction for mentioning the influencer’s (I still, still, still hate that word) name at the time of purchase.
I am sure my blog readers see such advertisements often, but what does this have to do with writing? Of course, some reading formats such as magazines, newspapers, comic books, or websites have advertisements or website links, but what about books?
I recall reading books in the ‘70s with center sections loaded with advertisements. These were the same campy type you would (and still do) see in the back of comic books. “Call us to receive a free catalog.” “Send $9.99 to receive your spy glasses.” So I did some research, and in the ’50-70s, they did this type of advertising in inexpensive books to offset the printing cost. The term Dime Novels describes them.
By the ‘80s, this kind of advertising had fallen out of favor, and I doubt you can find a modern book with it. What about a “paid promotion?” Meaning that they pay an author to include a topic. “Our hero was in a bind because he needed a quick way to get the word out. Fortunately, he knew about Squarespace and quickly developed an excellent website.”
I suppose companies can pay super-famous authors to embed promotions, but from reading famous books, I have never read a blatant plug. Instead, authors use the brands they know, “She jumped into her Ford pickup truck.” Unfortunately, the Ford Motor Company would not pay the author a dime for mentioning them. Bummer.
What about a blog? I have read many blogs and never encountered an embedded promotion. There are advertisements on blog sites, and perhaps famous bloggers might get paid to plug something, but the rest of us only receive likes and insightful comments.
Oddly, advertising has not penetrated books. One would think that a famous book such as Harry Potter would have an advertisement or sponsor’s content on every page. I can hear “girrrr” from my blog readers. Yeah, I would also hate a book full of plugs.
Reading is a solitary activity that requires patience and deep concentration. One needs focus to enjoy the medium. Well, I could be part of a new revolution!
My website company is Web Hosting Pad, and perhaps they will sponsor me if I embed a plug in this blog. “Did you know that Web Hosting Pad has the best prices? And their customer support is outstanding!” Nice job!
https://www.webhostingpad.com/
Web Hosting Pad, I did my part! Can I please have a free year of service?
You’re the best! -Bill
March 29, 2023
Self-Plugging
My parents are getting older, so I downloaded a self-help book so I can help them and know what to expect. Unfortunately, the book was a dud. Instead of focusing on practical advice like low-impact exercise, a good diet, and working with doctors, the author presented a holistic approach. Before you get upset, this would have been fine if the book description or title had prepared the reader. “A holistic approach to old age.” However, neither was present, and the light content provided little helpful information.
Forgiving an author for lackluster content is possible, but there was a more significant problem. The author spent two (out of eight) entire chapters on a book that was far too short, instructing (not asking) the reader to write a positive review. The first chapter described how vital reviews were to the author, gave tips on the review content, and discussed how to post the review. The second chapter repeated how critical reviews were to the authors’ success. I have never encountered such an arrogant request and found it to be outrageous and unprofessional. I hope this new form of promotion is not a new trend.
I am a humble author who appreciates when a reader views my words; this is my positive review. You read my work? Thank you! The icing on the cake occurs when somebody takes the time to thank me. Wow, it feels great to be appreciated.
Now, hold on. I self-plug my published books in my articles and use my plots as examples. Why? I want to be successful, and advertising is a significant part of sales. Yet, I would never demand something from my readers and do not have gushing self-plugs. I would rather be a failure than stoop to that level.
Yet, my self-plugging seems hypocritical. I can complain about an author who went too far, but not myself. I suppose I must fall back on the title of a Cranberries song, “Everybody else is doing it, so why can’t we?” The difference is that I go far to ensure my humble plugs are tasteful and not in your face.
There was something else amusing about this book. None of the reviews mentioned the review demand. I would have expected at least some anger; after all, it upset me. This lack of reaction made me wonder why I get so upset.
Every day, commercials bombard us. Billboards, magazines, bumper stickers, radio commercials, banners, pop-ups, subliminal messages, and hidden text. Nearly every online video ends with “If you liked this content, please like and subscribe.” Likes have become the content currency.
Readers and viewers have become accustomed to in-your-face advertisements and demands for many things. It is so much noise and wasted effort. We live in a modern world, and advertising will only get worse. I predict that artificial intelligence will soon bombard us with hyper-specific advertisements.
Yet, a book is a flat, dull thing. They do not have exciting YouTube personalities with excellent graphics or pop-up windows with a great deal on socks. And that is the big reason we read them. “Today, I got under a warm blanket and read a lovely book.” What did it do? The book entertained and informed me. Great job, you wonderful author. But two self-plugging chapters? They crossed a thick line.
You’re the best -Bill
January 10, 2024
Forgiving an author for lackluster content is possible, but there was a more significant problem. The author spent two (out of eight) entire chapters on a book that was far too short, instructing (not asking) the reader to write a positive review. The first chapter described how vital reviews were to the author, gave tips on the review content, and discussed how to post the review. The second chapter repeated how critical reviews were to the authors’ success. I have never encountered such an arrogant request and found it to be outrageous and unprofessional. I hope this new form of promotion is not a new trend.
I am a humble author who appreciates when a reader views my words; this is my positive review. You read my work? Thank you! The icing on the cake occurs when somebody takes the time to thank me. Wow, it feels great to be appreciated.
Now, hold on. I self-plug my published books in my articles and use my plots as examples. Why? I want to be successful, and advertising is a significant part of sales. Yet, I would never demand something from my readers and do not have gushing self-plugs. I would rather be a failure than stoop to that level.
Yet, my self-plugging seems hypocritical. I can complain about an author who went too far, but not myself. I suppose I must fall back on the title of a Cranberries song, “Everybody else is doing it, so why can’t we?” The difference is that I go far to ensure my humble plugs are tasteful and not in your face.
There was something else amusing about this book. None of the reviews mentioned the review demand. I would have expected at least some anger; after all, it upset me. This lack of reaction made me wonder why I get so upset.
Every day, commercials bombard us. Billboards, magazines, bumper stickers, radio commercials, banners, pop-ups, subliminal messages, and hidden text. Nearly every online video ends with “If you liked this content, please like and subscribe.” Likes have become the content currency.
Readers and viewers have become accustomed to in-your-face advertisements and demands for many things. It is so much noise and wasted effort. We live in a modern world, and advertising will only get worse. I predict that artificial intelligence will soon bombard us with hyper-specific advertisements.
Yet, a book is a flat, dull thing. They do not have exciting YouTube personalities with excellent graphics or pop-up windows with a great deal on socks. And that is the big reason we read them. “Today, I got under a warm blanket and read a lovely book.” What did it do? The book entertained and informed me. Great job, you wonderful author. But two self-plugging chapters? They crossed a thick line.
You’re the best -Bill
January 10, 2024
