Note: This post will self destruct in a couple of days.
As always, your feedback is much appreciated.
I try to run ToolGuyd with as much transparency as possible. And if you’re a regular reader, seemingly minor changes might have big effects on your ToolGuyd experience, and if so, I want to know about it.
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I put a lot of thought into just about everything I do on or for the site, but sometimes there are changes which I cannot commit to without wanting to run it by you guys first.
Following are 3 changes, with 2 already live, that I would love your feedback on.
ToolGuyd’s Top Tool Picks
Okay, so a few months ago a company contacted me about putting a shopping engine on ToolGuyd pages. The engine would featured related products, and would supposedly be wonderful for everyone.
I decided not to give it a try, because they couldn’t tell me what kind of “related products” from “various retailers” I could expect to see.
One of the tool-related sites that they used to sell me on the idea was showing weird related products, like toilets when the topic was about hammers, or something like that.
So I thought, what if I could create my own “recommended products” widget? I would hand-pick the tools, and either link back to ToolGuyd posts, or to affiliated partners, such as Amazon, Home Depot, Acme Tools, or wherever.
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You see, I like control. I like determining what is displayed on ToolGuyd as much as possible. The idea of a “related products” widget displaying products that are unrelated, or worse – products I don’t like, or linking out to retailers I don’t recommend, just didn’t sit well with me.
Months passed, and the idea to have a recommended tools widget is still on my to-do list, along with an update to my Ultimate Tool Gift Guide, and many other things.
I was checking out one of Amazon’s new widget offerings, more on that in a moment, and came across a new option that lets me build a quick and dirty ToolGuyd recommendations widget.
So, I entered 4 tools I absolutely recommend, and added it to the site.
There are 2 goals:
- To share impromptu recommendations regularly, and without having to write up a post.
- To earn a little extra revenue for the site.
I’ve got a few hesitations about it, hence the request for feedback.
Where is it? At the bottom of posts, after “Related Posts,” and before the Comments section.
Update: It’s been moved to below comments and the comment entry form, placing it near the bottom of the page.
Do you find it to be intrusive?
Does it take up too much space on mobile browsers? (It goes to 2 rows of 2 columns).
Keep it or lose it?
While not paid to be there, purchases made through the links, of the recommended items or something else, would help support ToolGuyd.
My plan is to update it regularly with tools that I recommend. Unless a lot of readers chime in and say it’s a terrible and page-cluttering idea.
There’s also the option for dynamic “related products” selections that are suggested by Amazon’s search engine, and an Amazon search option, but I would much rather hand-pick a couple of recommendations to share instead.
Keep in mind that we earn a commission on purchases made through the links. But if we recommend something you hate and you return it, we get nothing. I find this to be a good system of checks and balances.
I try to be sparing in the use of affiliate links, to Amazon or elsewhere. Amazon is by far my favorite tool source, which is why you see a lot more Amazon links than to anywhere else.
Over-use of links is something I am always very sensitive about. That’s why I felt the need to ask for feedback. The widget looks alright to me, and sounds like a great idea, reasonably matching a feature I wanted to implement anyway. (But I really don’t want to have to code and maintain a custom recommended tools widget myself)
Mobile PopOver
I have been approached by numerous companies, wanting to add a mobile popup ad to ToolGuyd pages.
I don’t like this idea, at all. When I see such ads, I click them without giving them any thought whatsoever.
But Amazon has come out with a new widget, and it doesn’t seem so bad. Above is a sample screenshot from Amazon’s demo page.
When a reader is paused over a section where there’s an Amazon text link, a short preview pops up. It can be hidden with a finger press.
And when you’re passed the link, it disappears.
I provide reference links where I think it will be helpful. But I find that, when browsing on a mobile page, I don’t even click the links.
I imagine that a lot of you guys are the same way.
I usually link out to retailers in two places. First, if the context calls for it, or I think a price is worth mentioning.
For example, in last week’s Forstner drill bit post, I mention the Festool Zobo set, and pop in an Amazon link, because that’s where I was looking at it and its price when writing the post.
I figure that some readers might find the link to be helpful, and in it went.
P.S. Do you know how much I love Engineer Inc. scissors? They’re not very expensive either (~$22 via Amazon).
And then there are Buy Now links at the bottom of pages. This has really cut down on the number of “where can I buy this item” emails that I used to get a lot of.
The Mobile PopOver widget is now live, and it doesn’t seem to work on the Buy Now links. I suppose that’s good. This way info will pop over for tools I mention very briefly, and not for tools that you already see images of, sometimes a price for, and a prominent purchase link for.
This should help avoid redundancy and overuse, but I’ll have to do more testing to make sure.
If you’re browsing ToolGuyd via mobile device, what do you think of the bottom-of-page popover?
I added a link to Engineer Inc. scissors mentioned above, so you should be able to see what this looks like, live.
I spend a lot of time on ToolGuyd, on both desktop and mobile devices.
Right now, I’m not bothered by the effect, how it pops up when an Amazon text link is on screen, and disappears when it’s not. It took me a few tries to realize that pressing the arrow hides the small box, rather than trying to drag it closed, but that was me playing around. I didn’t feel compelled to close it, which is a good sign.
Please give it a chance and report back with your thoughts!
Sponsored Projects
In recent months, I’ve been asked by a lot of potential advertisers to consider offering more content-based advertising options.
That’s a tough one, because I absolutely do not allow for sponsored posts.
Related: No Sponsored Posts (2011 discussion), 2014 Media Guide
A few months ago, a brand approached me about doing sponsored reviews, but I told them I’d do the reviews for free. If they had money they wanted to spend, I’d do a sponsored project and use their tools for it.
It didn’t work out because I started seeing sponsored reviews all over the place, and didn’t want readers to think ToolGuyd coverage was similarly paid for.
But I do like the idea of sponsored projects.
I come up with the project.
I select the tools that are used.
I write about the project in whichever way I want.
I review the tools used for the project, if they haven’t been already.
I’m always looking for more project time, and sponsored projects might enable me to work on something I ordinarily wouldn’t have time or budget for.
For example, we’re in the process of moving, and the new workshop will need at least one more cabinet. I could buy something, I could build something simple, or I could spend more time and effort on a more elaborate project.
But given my schedule, a more elaborate project might not be a priority. Make it a sponsored project, and I can do things differently, with more coverage, reviews, and discussions stemming from the project.
I will try to do a free test run in the Spring, but also thought it would be worth bringing it up for feedback. Right now it’s all hypothetical, but I think I explained my take on it clearly enough.
When I first wrote the heading for this section, it didn’t say sponsored projects, it said custom projects. Maybe I should have left it unchanged, because that is how I see it.
What do you think? Give it a shot?
Pete
Hi Stuart–
My personal feeling is that the “mobile popover” addition is actually helpful, without being too intrusive or annoying. I like that it doesn’t block what I’m trying to read (like typical pop-ups, which drive me nuts), and I like that it provides a thumbnail picture, a quick price check, and most of all: an Amazon star-review average…very helpful).
I’m not as keen on the recommended purchases widget, as it takes up too much space and requires effort (minimal, but still) to scroll past.
On another note, thanks (as always), for what you do, and how you do it. Between this post asking for feedback about behind-the-scenes revenue streams, and the way you ended up conducting your recent gift-card giveaway, I feel like I’m reading write-ups from a knowledgable friend…advice from someone I actually trust and respect, not just someone writing to see his name online or to hear himself speak (so to say). So, thanks. Keep up the great work!
Roger
As long as the ads/recommendations are relevant, these are all basically fine with me. Just don’t use taboola or outbrain or any other click-bait link widget provider…
Not crazy about mobile popovers in general, but again if the ad is interesting/relevant then it’s not as bad.
David
I like it – this is a guide, a tool guide, that I purposely subscribe to, so, guide me! I love it! It works, it’s not “intrusive”, or overly so. I think it’s great.
Matt
Hey Stuart,
I’ve been a big fan of the site for some time now, and I think this post perfectly summarizes why I enjoy it. You run it with a great deal of transparency regarding commissions and promotions rather than “selling out” and leaving us in the dark. The other thing I really appreciate is how community driven toolguyd is, you ask us questions in reviews and on issues like this concerning the site as well as maintain an active presence in the following discussions. So many other sites like this have utterly empty comments and you’re left completely at the mercy of a most likely sponsored post.
Anyway, on to the questions you’re actually asking this time.
I really like the Amazon pop ups on the bottom of the screen. It’s unobtrusive, and half of the time it’s a product in less than familiar with and look it up anyway. This saves me the laborious task of opening a new page to do so.
As for the recommended products, I really don’t mind them, but I’m the kind of tool buyer who enjoys trying to justify something I’m not entirely sure I need and I trust your judgments about their quality. I won’t pretend to understand all of the technical mumbo jumbo about setting up but I think it would work best if there was a variety to it, like updated weekly with different products. I agree with you that sometimes Amazon reccomends weird stuff. Personally I’d prefer to have it at the top of the article, just because I spend a decent amount of time trying to flip between the article and comments to better grasp something I skimmed over too fast.
Anyway. Thanks again for the awesome site and community!
Hilton
I don’t buy anything viewed on a mobile device. I tend to open up multiple browser tabs and flip between them whilst comparing various items. This is impossible on a tablet or phone.
I get that you need income so I’m all for the recommended ads. I’m not forced into clicking on them so no harm no foul.
I also like your idea of NOT having a sponsored review. Eventually the pressure will get to you and your soul will be prostituted to the corporates. I’m all for the sponsored projects however as the reader is fully aware that the project will be built using X-brand.
P
Not to make it easier for you to spend money, but if you are using Chrome on Android (don’t know about iOS) you can swap tabs by swiping across the address bar. It’s a handy little feature that I hadn’t seen pointed out much.
AJ
I like your desire for control. I think your taste in advertising would be nice.
While I read through an RSS, whenever I’m looking into a tool I come to you first to figure out what to buy.
AJ
One other thing, and this is probably already on your radar. I didn’t realize you had established the forums until a couple of days ago.
Today I tried to go there and it was hard to find. You should consider adding it to your banner.
Stuart
Thanks! That’s also on my to-do list. I can’t fit it on the top menu without getting rid of something else, so I might bring the bottommost menu back to the top. But it looks weird on mobile having 2 menus at the top, which means redesign is necessary.
I try to continually improve the way ToolGuyd looks and feels. Maybe I can shrink the sidebar image link and put it under the blue square “social” icons.
Maybe I can add it to the mobile “hamburger menu.”
Stuart
Thank you everyone for the feedback so far, please keep it coming!
Hmm, maybe I can put the recommended tools widget below comments? It’ll take me some time to test it further.
andy
No pop ups please
Peter H
Yeah, I’ll vote for the “recommended tools” widget appearing below the comments, but it’s not a strong preference.
I actually liked the mobile Popover when I checked it out on my phone (iphone, if that matters). I like that it pops up at the bottom and doesn’t take up much space. Didn’t feel obtrusive at all.
But most of all, I appreciate your efforts to control what’s on your page. I’m sick and tired of seeing bullshit ads all over the place, with a stock photo and “Homeowners are in for a big surprise” or some other click-bait caption.
Patrick
It’s nice to see what the item you may be talking about currently costs but as long as it’s relevant and unobtrusive.
For sponsored projects, those would make me uncomfortable, you have developed a reputation for posting unbiased and ethical reviews, knowing money was changing hands could tarnish that and lead to questions as to whether the review was influenced. Not that I’m saying you world do that.
Hilton
A sponsored project is very different from a sponsored review. For the latter, the author would have to give his opinion on the tool in question whilst for the former, the end result speaks for itself.
Brandon
I’m not a fan of the mobile pop-ups because my screen is already small and the pop-ups are mostly just annoying. Also, it’s usually difficult to hit the tiny “close” button with my fat fingers, which is even more annoying. However, I rarely browse ToolGuyd on my phone, so it won’t really affect me much.
I like the “sponsored project” idea, as long as you can maintain your impartiality. One thing that frustrates me to no end are the “sponsored reviews” on Amazon (and “Vine reviews”). I used to think I could get a pretty good sense of the product from the reviews, but reading a bunch of those sponsored reviews isn’t helpful at all. I’m sure some of those people try to maintain impartiality, but I’m also sure some of those people just do it for the swag, and I don’t have any way to know who is who.
Joshua Latham
I usually read the site at work with my morning coffee, lol. But i like the recommended link widget. It has items that are relevant to the article or something related. I don’t think it’s too large or intrusive.
Brett
Recommended products is good. Mobile popovers are never good in any context. Sponsored reviews are always suspect, sponsored projects sound like a good compromise as long as the content is honest in its evaluation of the tool(s) and not swayed by the sponsorship.
Nathan
I think the amazon links to recommended tools at the bottom is great. It’s something i might actually click through on and buy, which is *really* saying something.
I don’t like pop ups, especially on my mobile.
TBH i didn’t read in detail the rest of the post, but if my understanding of sponsored projects is accurate (they provide the tools for a test), i have no problem with it as long as it is part of a comparison between brands and all brands are invited to sponsor their own “contenders”. I don’t really feel that you’re the kind to lose objectivity under the circumstances that brand x doesn’t sponsor their tool while y does. That’s just my opinion.
Tyler
I can’t stand popups either, however, did you try this page on mobile and stop scrolling where he inserted the Amazon link for the scissors? It’s actually not that bad.
P
I had noticed the Top Picks section at the bottom of the articles, but I had assumed they were Amazon’s (questionable) Algorithms at work, rather than curated. Now I know these are actual recommendations, I’m much more likely to look at them. I get followed by Amazon’s tracking cookies all over the web, and have been conditioned to ignore their widget’s anywhere I see them.
Checking on mobile, they don’t take too much space. Scrolling is quick, and it sits in a sort of “dead zone” between unique content, so it’s not any worse for navigation than the related posts.
I don’t read ToolGuyd that much on mobile, but I did just poke around and got the popover to appear. It’s not terrible, but my automatic assumption would be, again, that it’s Amazon’s algorithm, rather than attached to something on the page. The popover does seem to self-minimize after being ignored long enough, which is a nice feature.
Ultimately, it’s not offensive, but I’m not a big fan either. If this ad could ever replace the in-line ads, I’d be much more enthusiastic, but I’ll bet those pay a lot more, and you deserve the income.
The Sponsored/Custom project’s sound very interesting. As long as you explain exactly what was paid for/products provided at the beginning, it sounds like a very interesting approach. Showing exactly how you used a particular product as part of a review would be a wonderful addition.
In addition, Stuart, thank you for being so transparent about this. It’s refreshing to see, and helps make ToolGuyd feel like a community more than anything else.
Blythe M
I liked the bottom pop up-relavent, small, and mine automatically disappeared in like 10 sec.
All for sponsored projects if it helps you try more products in person, hands on reviews are the most valuable information/posts. I trust you can stay transparent
RKA
The recommended products widget is interesting but only if you curate it. I generally get annoyed by Amazon’s recommendations, but you have a section that shows related reviews and articles and I will frequently click through when I see something interesting. Any other third party is likely to be a lot worse than Amazon, so I would avoid unless you have personal experience with it. Of course, economics may ultimately drive the decision.
The pop up ads are annoying to me. Especially when I’m browsing on my phone. Just my $0.02.
The sponsored projects are interesting. Anytime I can learn something new and read a tool review I’m in! Do it! As long as you can be honest about your thoughts on the tool, it’s good!
Tom
I do like the idea of a sponsored project once in awhile. It might be interesting to see some issues encountered and the tools that get you out of that bind.
My only hesitation is that there are a lot of DIY blogs out there that you would be competing against. How you review and feature the tools would be your unique take on the idea, but I am not sure whether it is necessarily worth your time.
I think that another option would be a series of Tool 101 posts. I can’t find a single good webpage anywhere on how to setup and use an air compressor and basic air tools. There are some videos on youtube that sound like they were recorded in a cave and some really basic websites. But a detailed post on air compressors, tools and accessories could be something that may draw people to your site and stay relevant long-term (like your gift guide). A detailed post on how to get things setup, what sort of couplings to use, airlines and air tool maintenance might drive more traffic than another webpage explaining how to make a wall cabinet. Just a thought.
Siegel
I like the idea of hand picked tools recommendation links. I need recommendation and that’s part of the reason I regularly visit your website. So adding links for your highly recommended tools, no matter it is related to the post or not, it definitely helps me.
And, actually, i feel a little bit shame cause I am from Canada, So the links to Amazon.com do not work for me. Most of the tools in Amazon.com do not ship to Canada. So even if i purchase something based on your recommendations, i cannot contribute any to you or to this website. Maybe it is possible to add a link of Amazon.ca? Such that our Canadian can provide our 0.2 cent help to you? 🙂
Jim Felt
I’m on my iPhone in a coffee shop and can’t and won’t right a big response.
That said I truly appreciate your stated concerns and generally believe your actions have not betrayed your stated convictions and I think we all like the compromises you’ve chosen so far.
So carry on.
Justin
Hi Stuart,
The top tool pics being under the comment section is a no-brainer. Its easy, out of the way, and exactly where we expect ads to be already. The fact that they are curated just makes the site seem even more reputable.
As far as the mobile pop-ups, I’d have to let other users comment. They appear fine on my phone, as I can click around them. That may not be the case with people who have tiny phone screens (older Iphones, other budget phones).
I think sponsored projects sound interesting, but I’m not entirely sure how it would work out, so I look forward to your trial run. Personally, I would like to see more head-to-head comparisons between tool brands (a power tool olympics, perhaps?).
JoeM
My “Opinion” is simple. Do whatever needs to be done to keep your great work going, without compromising your choices. If YOU don’t like it, Don’t do it at all. If you like the content, and it will give you revenue? Do it.
That is all.
Tyler
Top Tool Picks:
Do you find it to be intrusive? —- Not at all. It’s a good way for you to quickly make your recommendations without spending a bunch of time doing it. I feel that I have a better chance getting to see your picks if you can quickly do it this way versus having to write it up all the time.
Does it take up too much space on mobile browsers? (It goes to 2 rows of 2 columns). —- Nope. It’s reasonable advertising space.
Keep it or lose it? —- Keep it. I like it.
Mobile Popover: My gut reaction was, “Absolutely not”. I can’t stand the things and I have left sites because I had enough of it. However, I tested this page in mobile and I was pleasantly surprised. It isn’t 100% in your face intrusive, doesn’t interrupt my reading or flow and it politely dismisses itself after it’s no longer relevant. Plus, it’s actually a little informative. I can see the amazon description, price, rating overviews, Prime eligibility and a thumbnail. It doesn’t feel like as much of an ad when it isn’t intrusive and is actually helpful.
Projects: Sponsored or not, I think it’s a great idea. If you simply/briefly disclose it’s sponsored I have no objections. No need to go into detail, just mention it. As long as I don’t feel like there are back room deals going on I read sponsored posts like a regular post. Including it in a project, takes it to the next level. It allows you to justify and be able to do stuff you may not have time and/or funds to accomplish. I actually like seeing how people utilize their tools in different ways. I’m grown-up enough to be able to figure out what I can do within my budget. If it means I can make a purchase from the sponsor to encourage them to continue working with you, that’s great. Both parties need to keep the lights on, no reason you can’t work out a reasonable sponsorship that benefits everyone, including the readers.
JSBS
No pop ups please.
Stuart
Pop ups and pop overs are complately different.
Scott K
I really like the democratic approach you’re taking with this subject. I’ve never seen the bottom-of-the-page Amazon widget, but I like it. It’s unobtrusive and helpful. I like the idea of your recommended products, even more so if they are relevant to an article. They are also tucked away at the bottom so it’s easy to avoid for those who are bothered. Pop up adds are generally an annoyance that I don’t look at but rather X out asap. I’m not offended by a sponsored post if it is accurate/honest and properly noted. However, I’ve noticed another site I used to frequent has been doing them so frequently it seems as though there is rarely original content. Sponsored projects seems like a more honest and helpful approach to having a sponsor help cover the costs of your work.
Fran Tark
The best travel guides don’t tell you where to go… They inform you from their experience what places are out there, what each place offers, and let the traveler decide what destination might be the best for them. Your tool guide is exactly the same. There might be some “destinations” I have no interest in, and you might have a couple articles or popovers or widgets or links that aren’t in my wheelhouse but I’m pretty good at ignoring stuff especially in order to benefit from from a resource as valuable as this one.
Your gut has served you very well thus far, Stuart… Stick with what it’s telling you and we will all be pleased.
Change for change’s sake is rarely appreciated, but without meaningful changes/advancements, we’d all certainly be missing out on some great improvements in our lives. I’m sure there are “purists” will want toolguy’d to be the same forever. These same people didn’t want polio vaccines, air bags in cars, variable torque chucks in drills, or battery operated tools. Toolguy’d is setting the standard in tool review sites and you’ve earned my trust. I’m sticking with you, regardless!
I love having first world problems!
James
Sponsored projects sound great. If you walk us through a whole project and still love a tool, then I’m completely convinced that it’s a great tool. Ordinary reviews sometimes require us to make assumptions about exactly how you used the tool to test it, which may leave me not as convinced.
MT_Noob
Please keep all the great content coming. Nobody wants a website full of pop-ups and banners and flashing ads. We know you will keep it tasteful, relevant and relatively non-intrusive. If making any of these changes helps to keep the content coming and keeps you happy as well you got my vote.
BikerDad
Sponsored Projects, go for it. I think it would be interesting to approach the projects both ways. The first, which is likely to be most common, would be “hey, I’ve got this project to do, y’all manufacturers want in on it?” The other way would be “hey, they just sent me this tool, and that tool, and some other tool. Now what they heck can I do with ALL of them?” Kind of like one of those cooking show challenges, where they get some goofy ingredients and have to come up with a decent dish.
As a frequent reader here, the key to the sponsored projects for me is the thought process involved in selecting the tools to the project or the project to the tools, both in the macro sense and the micro sense. While I’m always interested in tools, what really gets my juices flowing is the OPPORTUNITIES that tools open up. And, of course, seeing how the reality of opportunity matches up with the previously imagined potential.
BTW, if you want someone to join you on a crazy sponsored project ride, ring me up. Especially if it’s something to do with welding. Why welding? Because I haven’t a bit of experience with it and I’d love to learn, plus I have a few welding projects to do….
As far as the other elements are concerned, as long as the advertising doesn’t interfere with me getting to the content, monetize my eyeballs all you want however you choose. Do not, however, waste my time wading through ad-crap. As soon as popups, slide-overs, etc start getting in the way, I’ll be visiting less frequently. (Note, I dislike mobile browsing, it’s horridly cumbersome for me and I usually have 3-30 windows/tabs open at a time, so any feedback on the mobile stuff I would give is unlikely to be of much value.)
Doug
Well, to paraphrase Bernie Sanders, “My answer is simple,” I trust your judgement.
You do a fine job with this site, and I agree with other posters about appreciating your transparency about these things. I also want you to make a living and be able to continue.
Given a choice, links that are not heavy on “tracking” operations are always preferable to the damn ones that still are recommending things I needed for a project that has been done 5 years ago, no matter how careful I am with clearing the browser cache.
Hate popups for their distraction, but as you said, these aren’t as bad as some, and I think if they annoy people, you would hear that feedback too.
Thanks for asking….
Doug
Stuart
The Google ads might track you across websites, but you could opt out.
There’s an arrow at the top right of the google ads, which will either give you instructions on how to opt-out, or if it’s through another ad network through Google, you might be able to opt out from personalized ads right then and there.
I just tried this.
A Google ad, where you hover over the arrow and it says Ad Choices, gives instructions on how to manage your ad settings.
A Staples ad, probably because I was searching for printer ink last night, apparently served through a 3rd party network, gave me the option to opt out from Staples ads, or personalized ads from that network.
Direct ads shouldn’t be collecting any tracking data, and as far as I am aware, there’s no means for them to even do so.
victor
HI STUART – ” FANTASTIC JOB” ………………victor.
Toolfreak
I don’t think links to recommended products are a bad idea at all. It might generate a fair bit of click-through too since people don’t always buy through the links to buy a tool immediately after reading an article or review, but a recommended product link in an ad might remind them and be there when they are ready to buy. If the ad shows the current price, it might also be helpful to show when the price has dropped to make it a really good deal.
Pop-overs are a little annoying, mostly because it’s hard to disable those things, but it’s not too bad if they only activate at the very, very bottom of a page, and retract when you scroll back up. I don’t view the site on mobile often if at all, but I would say pop-overs are less annoying on a desktop/laptop where they take up a whole lot less of the screen.
I’m not sure you’d have time for many sponsored projects without planning months in advance for stuff you’re going to do and coordinating with multiple companies to get all the tools together to do it. I’d agree it’s better to just have companies send the tools, and get around to the reviews when you get around to the project. Now that we have forums, I’d really like to see some of the long-time site members get to review some tools on the forum, too.
I also still think you’re missing out on ad revenue by renting the empty side columns / background of the site on a weekly/monthly basis to major tool companies. Even if the main site doesn’t get the treatment, the forums could have such a background.
Stuart
I gave it a try in today’s Wiss knife post: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/wiss-folding-pocket-knife/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I was about to mention a few alternative products I would consider, but thought that would be a good time to simplify things with a 4 item “recommended alternatives” box. I don’t care if it doesn’t pull in any additional clicks or commissions, it seemed like a far quicker and easier way to mention products without side-tracking the post.
Sponsored projects would be a once-in-a-while type of thing, probably on top of a direct ad buy, or even standalone, but with a lot of planning. It wouldn’t be meant to supersede reviews. For instance, instead of building a workbench out of a butcher block top, 2x4s, and Strong Tie brackets I have in a box after taking apart and never rebuilding my last bench, I’d plane and laminate a top myself, maybe use mortise and tenon joinery for the legs, and add a fully decked out top shelf, plus maybe a drawered side cabinet.
It’s hard enough sometimes getting potential advertisers to fill traditional ad space, let alone gutters or “brandscape” options. Tool industry brands typically don’t engage in such huge attention-grabbing campaigns, and so it would be a hard sell to get them to start.
As for the forum, I’ll consider advertising in the future. Right now, I’m more interested in cultivating it and maximizing its potential as a ToolGuyd complement.
As for sending tools to readers or forum participants for review, I went down that path in the past, and it hardly ever turned out well. Maybe one day, if ToolGuyd grows large enough, I could have someone organize a reader review program.
John
I can’t see any pop-up ads, so I am guessing Ad-blocker has taken care of it.
Carry on.
Stuart
There are no pop ups. As shown in the screenshot, when certain Amazon links are on screen, there would be a small overlay at the bottom.
Jay
My only mobile is a flip phone so can’t say up or down on that one. As far a the Amazon stuff goes no worries, get stuff from there all the time.
jkrl
Sponsored projects are like any other sponsored review.
While you think you have the freedom to write whatever you wish, it is a slippery road. At first, you will just feel thankfull for the opportunity, and give a better review. Afterwards, you will start thinking about the next project… giving a bad review would not encourage new projects…
After a while, it will become in effect a sponsored review – “everything is good”.
Stuart
I have faith in my ability to remain impartial.
If it doesn’t work out, or there’s a sign of my objectivity being compromised, I’ll simply stop offering sponsored projects as an option.
Chip
All I say, is go with your gut, it doesn’t let you down often…. In any thing very often.
I install fence,and break many pipes.
My local plumbing and electrical warehouse know me well, lol.
I tell them and the independent Milwaukee rep what new tools are coming out, and reference your site.
I don’t like bs fluff pieces, and because I daily read your blog means you are doing an awsome(rarely used from me) job.
I live in reality and what doesn’t pertain to my”interest” I ignore (and can do the same with advertising).
Your asking for feedback is proof of the gut instinct, I look for.
Keep up the great work.
Evan
In my opinion I like the selected recommendations idea however I would put them just before the comments (its not like it takes up a lot of room).
Second, I dont like the pop ups at all.
Lastly, I really like the projects idea. Too bad we can all be sponsored for those back burner projects we all have. haha.
NickH
Hi from England… Where good tools were once made…!
Firstly, thanks for all the effort that you put into this site – it shows.
Second – a shopping link would be great, on items that You have tested, but with one, essential caveat – THE SHOP MUST SHIP THEIR STOCK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
– WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Many of your colonial retailers cannot be bothered to sell outside the USA, which is not only very rude but intensely irritating…!!!
Keep up the good work.
John Blair
Okay, I’ve lived with it for a while. I kind of like it. I’d vary it a bit more than those same 4 items. It is unobtrusive and if it helps you make money, I am all for it.