tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post8001768161431634344..comments2024-03-28T15:33:17.736-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: I need your feedback, pleasePeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-82486349476248546822016-05-26T09:10:47.689-05:002016-05-26T09:10:47.689-05:00I suggest you look at this blog as - in part - an ...I suggest you look at this blog as - in part - an advertising tool. You advertise your books here, you advertise yourself here. You build your brand. People hopefully buy your books as a result.Quentinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-37345930246122297272016-05-25T18:03:42.752-05:002016-05-25T18:03:42.752-05:00I wish you well, may your endeavors be successful....I wish you well, may your endeavors be successful. right now I cannot donate even a dollar a month to you. My computer is my link to the world beyond my windows.<br /><br />Your blog is a must read, and you are much appreciated.<br />God bless you sirAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-70205987592749350272016-05-25T14:05:05.016-05:002016-05-25T14:05:05.016-05:00I'll point out that the success of Brings the ...I'll point out that the success of Brings the Lightning is mostly due to the visibility that it got from this blog.David Langnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-68207851842024125842016-05-25T13:18:14.121-05:002016-05-25T13:18:14.121-05:00On the geek-side of things, if you are comfortable...On the geek-side of things, if you are comfortable with Linux you can spin up a Digital Ocean server for $5/mo to run your blog. It's about the most cost-effective way I've run into for running small sites, or even developing and testing applications.Aaron C. de Bruynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04898305272010592221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-71616512283303000032016-05-25T13:02:54.398-05:002016-05-25T13:02:54.398-05:00I'd do $5/mo. and would prefer that to ads.I'd do $5/mo. and would prefer that to ads. Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192121247584828848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-85278281365654537992016-05-25T11:55:29.619-05:002016-05-25T11:55:29.619-05:00LLC's do and more than one. Talk to David Web...LLC's do and more than one. Talk to David Weber who already uses one, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Vox Day, then find a good lawyer.<br /><br />Remember you can back charge web costs to your LLC's and write them off as as business expense on your taxes. If it makes more than expenses, that is all gravy. Talk to a good accountant.nonohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10946012129539132762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-68585104722906720032016-05-25T10:25:50.475-05:002016-05-25T10:25:50.475-05:00I use a reader (The Old Reader) to read blogs, and...I use a reader (The Old Reader) to read blogs, and thus never see blog ads, unless I click over the actual blog site in order to post a comment. And even then, I rarely/never click on ads anyway. I'm reading blogs, not shopping. :) Dirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04353273036394049597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-4004853557800207652016-05-25T10:07:40.592-05:002016-05-25T10:07:40.592-05:00Blog ads were a waste. I tried it a couple years ...Blog ads were a waste. I tried it a couple years ago and maybe made $20, and I was getting a fair amount of traffic.Borepatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029434172945099693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-19101263378805787862016-05-25T08:12:20.266-05:002016-05-25T08:12:20.266-05:00I'd do $5/month instantly.I'd do $5/month instantly.Nahum Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-14798303958305008632016-05-25T07:36:35.197-05:002016-05-25T07:36:35.197-05:00@C. G. R.: I could, but I'm no expert at that...@C. G. R.: I could, but I'm no expert at that sort of thing - and there are already too many mediocre, "me-too" Web sites out there. If I'm going to have one, I want it to be as good as I can make it, and if I can't make it very well, I want to hire someone to do a better job! I guess there's a bit of the perfectionist in me.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-78090545555607170032016-05-25T06:47:59.722-05:002016-05-25T06:47:59.722-05:00It seems like you opted for "vertical integra...It seems like you opted for "vertical integration", doing most of the heavy lifting as well as a lot of the minutiae yourself. Why not doing the web presence the same way? There are currently a lot of cloud service providers offering web site hosting for really accessible prices with a lot of the trivial services included (high-resilience, backup and restore, self-service, card processing APIs, etc). You shouldn't go into three figures for starting your web presence and the maintenance should be really cheap since the bulk is provided by the hoster anyway... CGR710https://www.blogger.com/profile/15505866142053585054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-47080859516917181662016-05-25T03:48:58.532-05:002016-05-25T03:48:58.532-05:00@Jones: All of those avenues are being explored. ...@Jones: All of those avenues are being explored. However, no publisher of which I'm aware currently offers its authors the kind of support you've described, with the sole exception of top bestselling authors who probably don't need such help anyway, because they're making enough money to afford their own experts! In today's publishing world, you usually have to provide your own social media platforms - in fact, you're unlikely to be accepted by a publisher unless you can bring a significant online presence to the table, along with your book.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-58595701232543447352016-05-25T00:50:30.732-05:002016-05-25T00:50:30.732-05:00Why are you not looking at getting your
publisher ...Why are you not looking at getting your<br />publisher to do more of the heavy lifting<br />in terms of your professional marketing<br />and promotional placements?<br /><br />More to the point, why can't your blog be<br />integrated into your publisher's operations,<br />saving you the cost of hosting it yourself<br />while also working with your publisher to<br />provide updates, teasers, and other content<br />that fits your publisher's needs?<br /><br />It's probably a good time to give up some<br />control in order to stop worrying about the<br />day-to-day stuff, and this is probably one<br />of the things that will help.<br /><br />It would certainly be more helpful and less<br />stressful to have some assistance in putting<br />up new content on your Web site, even if you<br />have to phone it in literally as well as<br />figuratively on occasion.<br /><br />Successful people don't in-source -- they<br />out-source and get as much help as they can<br />to make their big projects bigger and more<br />successful.<br /><br />It wouldn't bother me in the slightest to see<br />your blog become a part of your publisher's<br />presence on the Internet -- in fact, I'd see<br />that as a positive indication that you are<br />increasing your stature as a writer.<br /><br />If your publisher will take reasonable bets<br />on you, it shows people you are someone who<br />should be reckoned with.<br /><br />So I'm going to advise against doing anything<br />with PayPal, Patreon, or anything of that kind<br />on your own. It shows that you are working as<br />a free agent and that you're not making full<br />use of what your publisher can offer.<br /><br />Instead, it's time for your publisher to help<br />you out more while you help out your publisher.<br /><br />Don't eliminate writing for the Web entirely.<br />Make it work better for you instead. Special<br />and exclusive content is lovely, but it would<br />be more lovely if you can get targeted marketing<br />and placement through your publisher to work<br />for you.<br /><br />It's tempting to be a one-man team or a one-<br />family team, but at some point you have to give<br />up control to get to the next level.<br /><br />Health and other issues that have been coming<br />up recently may be a sign that it's a good time<br />to start considering how to do that.<br /><br />As for your LLC, seek out the help of an attorney<br />with expertise in intellectual property and tax<br />matters, especially royalties income. Sometimes<br />individual income pass-through allows you to avoid<br />taxes that you would otherwise pay when running<br />your income through a corporation of any kind.<br /><br />There may be a way to arrange things so you<br />can take advantage of multiple structures, and<br />it may be possible to get better protection<br />for your work, including better treatment of<br />author's moral rights. This can sometimes be<br />referred to as "forum and venue shopping", and<br />in many cases it can really pay off.<br /><br />Where and how you receive your income also<br />matters, especially if you can take advantage<br />of tax treaties and exemptions.<br /><br />Finally, look into whether an "S" corporation<br />would work better -- it may be treated like a<br />"disregarded entity" for certain purposes such<br />as royalties income, which might mean that you<br />could take advantage of some situations that<br />might not otherwise present themselves.<br /><br />You will need competent legal help for this,<br />and it's something you will want to research.<br /><br />Best of luck with what lies ahead.Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-9790843624845354702016-05-24T23:24:25.998-05:002016-05-24T23:24:25.998-05:00I'm in for $5 a month. I check in here, at Da...I'm in for $5 a month. I check in here, at DaddyBear's, and Commander Zero once a day. I'd be happy to have all you,guys on Patreon so I can donate regularly.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-23623387081017817342016-05-24T22:27:09.322-05:002016-05-24T22:27:09.322-05:00I'd definitely be willing to set up a regular ...I'd definitely be willing to set up a regular payment. DaddyBearhttp://daddybearsden.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-34438118199345983152016-05-24T21:13:56.375-05:002016-05-24T21:13:56.375-05:00I don't think you're going to see that muc...I don't think you're going to see that much of an income stream from Patreon.<br /><br />The two Patreon/blog examples you mention are two of the web's premier comics. Those guys are producing superb original content on a daily basis, and have been for a long time. This blog is interesting, well written, thought-provoking, and worth following. But, it isn't the same kind of blog. You're doing as much linking and reposting as you are original material. I think that people are much less inclined to pay for that.<br /><br />Of course, that doesn't take into account the possibility of early book access.<br /><br />You never know unless you try. I might be (and hope I am) completely wrong. I can't see that starting a Patreon account could hurt. <br /><br />I too use an ad blocker ... I actually don't mind a reasonable quantity of ads, but so many sites are so overloaded that I had to put one in for sanity's sake (the sites load a lot faster too). That said, if you have to do some ads, so be it. I'll even turn off my ad blocker for you.<br /><br />One way or the other, I'll continue to purchase your books. Not only do I like your writing, but I also like what I feel your career in authorship stands for: perseverance, self-sufficiency despite adversity, values, and work ethic. <br /><br />IMO, your health/income/sanity come before the blog. If you have to cut back so be it. Whatever you decide, you have my best wishes!<br /><br />Rich S. (Selkiemaine)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15533085157186763697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-8739658153072863872016-05-24T20:47:54.229-05:002016-05-24T20:47:54.229-05:00
$5 a month with free boks, etc...even a cheapster...<br />$5 a month with free boks, etc...even a cheapster like me would be up for that.<br /><br />MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-65519114568734190202016-05-24T20:37:56.141-05:002016-05-24T20:37:56.141-05:00I'd do $5. I generally check your blog a coup...I'd do $5. I generally check your blog a couple times a day and generally find it informative and/or entertaining. I would hate to see it go.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780834197167716549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-14475583033888925792016-05-24T20:33:10.703-05:002016-05-24T20:33:10.703-05:00Peter I'm a somewhat regular and would happily...Peter I'm a somewhat regular and would happily support a $5/month effort.<br />I will tell you that I particularly value your compilation of articles written over the years.<br />Thanks<br />BAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-88214662394853373262016-05-24T19:20:33.332-05:002016-05-24T19:20:33.332-05:00I like your blog but I really am just coming to ch...I like your blog but I really am just coming to check on anything new about your books. I would be willing to do 5 a month to see arc chapters if you are having someone else maintaining the blog for you. Why burn 2 hrs a day on the web? Heck some of us could probably help you do the blog and help you proof read arcs. A rotation of people each giving 4 hours a month should cut time from non-money makers so you can write more. Thatwould be a win win for those of us that love your books.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846174552311408860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-37586790001577897062016-05-24T19:12:47.058-05:002016-05-24T19:12:47.058-05:00I'm in for $5 - I enjoy your commentary on all...I'm in for $5 - I enjoy your commentary on all things ranging from the fiscal policy to the cultural landscape to the planes to the humor.TisDonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09184758079344118436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-53981265738608757062016-05-24T19:01:20.248-05:002016-05-24T19:01:20.248-05:00I hate adds but over at Rural Revolution (http://w...I hate adds but over at Rural Revolution (http://www.rural-revolution.com) she used selective ads that she believed in to cover costs. I have no problem with ads that are not flashing at me or block or interfere with my reading. Maybe you might want to check out this site http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.ca/ as she writes to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-34527527811405644492016-05-24T18:25:32.077-05:002016-05-24T18:25:32.077-05:00I'm another $5/moth.I'm another $5/moth.Mogrithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03403850012381295251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-2880807186823131052016-05-24T18:20:51.910-05:002016-05-24T18:20:51.910-05:00Wordpress is the platform of choice. Free, but hos...Wordpress is the platform of choice. Free, but hosting fees.<br /><br />Blogging gives you a chance to interact with fans and build your brand. Does it need to be everyday? I find your content a good read. What of your content gets comments? What builds your buying audience?Ray - SoCalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11293232996007277071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-24631121238246235332016-05-24T16:59:23.296-05:002016-05-24T16:59:23.296-05:00I would do $5/month.I would do $5/month.David Neylonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03440053244435091067noreply@blogger.com