When I started my blog in 2007, I started it for fun. I started with free hosting and quickly moved over to paid hosting which obviously means it cost money to run and maintain my site.
My hosting company:
They provide my hosting and maintaining of my site. And I can’t speak highly enough about them. They have been so good to me from the start. I would highly recommend them if you’re looking for hosting and/or designing a website or blog. They do wonderful work. And are really a nice group of people!
Soon after I switched over to paid hosting, I realized I could offer advertising that would help with the yearly cost to maintain my site. And obviously if I made a profit, yay me!
But I’ve never accepted advertising from everyone. I’ve refused many companies over the years for many different reasons. Years ago I was running ads for an ad network and was making a nice profit until they changed their rules and guidelines. I pulled their ad because no amount of money was worth any company telling me what I can and cannot write about.
So the ads on my sidebar are from companies I’ve come to know and love:
Love them! I’ve been running their ad for a couple of years and they have always ALWAYS been good to me. Manos and Kelle are the nicest couple! And I love my Hot Caliber necklace!!! It’s a great unique gift to give!!! Go buy one!! Or two.
Who doesn’t love Gatlinburg?!?! Mark and I were married in a small beautiful church in the Smoky Mountains and we rented an isolated cabin in the mountains. With a hot tub of course. If you’ve never been before, it really is a beautiful place to visit. If you’re interested in visiting Gatlinburg, please contact my friend Joshua.
They are very new to my site and I hope their advertising here is well worth it. So friends, go buy a toy!!!
And …
They have some of the best outdoor games you can play online! Go play!!!
I know many sites where their advertising is so overwhelming you don’t know what’s an ad or an actual story. And that will never happen here. They are on my sidebar and thrown in between a post here and there. I owe them that!!! And honestly, I don’t talk about them enough.
The popularity of blogging:
Over the years, I’ve seen many top 10 or 20 outdoor blog lists. Every list I’ve seen since the day I started blogging has never had any merit with me. It is nothing more than a popularity contest. I use to follow a blog about outdoor blogging from a guy I thought gave pretty good advice until he ran a top 20 hunting blogger’s list that you should be reading. I can’t remember how I specifically worded my message but it went something like this …
Dear so and so, seriously?!?! Your #15 is a fishing chick. Her and her hot @ss has never talked about hunting ever. If you could get passed the boobs, you might realize the site is about fishing not hunting.
Huge FAIL on his part. He lost all credibility.
I won’t ever do those list’s here but I will share blogs from those I’ve come to respect over the years.
The Hunter’s Wife Facebook Page:
I do have a Facebook page for the Hunter’s Wife. And I probably haven’t promoted it as much as I should but I just don’t like being overwhelming. Those that read my site can easily find my Facebook page. If not, here it is …
Click the cocktail!
And if you love my site and humor … please share! I too could take that advice and share much more than I have.
Finally, there have been many days I’ve said I’m done blogging. Then I get an email from someone saying I made them smile and made their day. That one simple kind email has meant more to me than most of you will ever know. And why I continue my silliness. Even if it’s just for them!
Have a wonderful day all!
And thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
xoxoxo
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Very nice post. I’ve always wanted one of those helicopters. And, please don’t ever stop blogging.
Linda, tell Mark to buy you a helicopter.
You left out the part about helping struggling new bloggers get on the right track….and being a good and patient teacher
Click those ads friends – it won’t hurt a thing!
Gretchen, yes I did leave that part out. I’ve helped a lot of bloggers over the years. And have always been more than happy to.
I adore reading your hilarity!
(btw, the Hot Caliber ad isn’t clicking through… but I am going to “shoot” over to their website and take a gander! sounds intriguing)
Stephanie, yes I have to fix the link. The one above does work! Thanks! And you will adore the necklace! Buy it woman!!!
never mind… the link ABOVE the flash ad clicks through… I wanted to make sure that, as they track their, they know I came from you, well, your blog… I came from my mama!
Your awesome to me!
Glad you followed your dream!
And i still remember sitting at el taco with you and sue and uou asking us what we thought of you blogging. And of course both of us said…go for it!
Love you Jody
Joan, thank you! We need to have lunch there soon!!! xoxoxo
Keep on rocking, Jody! You’ve always done a great job here, and I look forward to more! You’re definitely on my top 10, must-read blog list!
Phillip, thank you and you would be on mine as well.
Keep it up, Jody! We love you!
Thank you, Mark!
Well, Jody – you’ve come a ways since the days of the BlogCatalog .. eh?
Keep up the daily dance with your witty outlay – we do and love your style. Onee day .. maybe .. just maybe .. I’ll grow up and write regular – just like you.
And if you need an email to look at – from time to time – to keep your keyboard electrified ‘n going – I’m sure you could open about any in your Inbox – and you’ll get a jolting-chuckle to kick-your-writing-jeans-in-gear!
Just don’t stop … your run has only just begun. Best! B|
O’fieldstream