AAA - Aggravating Adsense Ads
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My Ignorance
Like most everyone on Hub Pages, I signed up to write and hopefully at least garner a little pocket change in the process. I waded through the directions for Google's Adsense and finally got it hooked up and functioning.
Now my issue is with the content of some of the ads. Invariably I get tagged with ads from companies I deem unscrupulous. Author House is one. Then there are companies I would not send my most reviled writing acquaintance to like iUniverse or Xlibris. There are ideological differences I have with other ads like the one that states, "Don't Self Publish...". Self publishing is not for the masses, true, but it is an excellent way to break into publishing. You learn the ropes of being a small press, what it takes to publish, all the nuances of publishing that you should know before you publish through anyone else, AND you have a finished product or products to boot.
The learning curve on publishing in today's digital world is far less steep than pre-internet and digital printing days. A writer who is sharp and not afraid to work and learn can accelerate not only their ability to publish, but also their knowledge of what to look for in a publisher and how to get the best deal possible.
So these ads pop up every time I write a Hub. I am sure there is a way to control this. I am also sure (by reading other Hubs) there is a way to incorporate those items you want to advertise - through Ebay for instance. I am learning to search out other Hubs to learn how to do such things.
One of my missions post Thanksgiving will be to correct this situation. I want ads that reflect my philosophy on publishing and writing in general. Too many of these vanity presses lure new writers into their webs of 'we-publish-anything'. Self publishing does not equate to unprofessional or poorly edited. In fact, many small presses have sprouted up BECAUSE of poorly written, edited and published books. I've turned away most every manuscript I've received because the writing was inferior, the author did not identify a niche market and a plan to reach them or the material was plagiarized among many other reasons. Most if not all of the vanity presses do not care about these things at all BY THEIR PRACTICES.
They will give lip service to editing, original work, marketing necessities and the like, but in the end, all they want is the poor writer's limited money for their coffers. As we learn new things about Hub Pages or anything else for that matter, bringing it out in our writing is like a public service. Others will be running into the same issues. This is my current issue. I want ads with my articles that I agree with in scope and philosophy. Now I need to pop out and learn how to accomplish this.
Obviously, hints and suggestions are wholeheartedly appreciated. Also, once I do learn how to do this effectively, I will then have another Hub to write, right? Have a great holiday and be thankful for all the freedoms we have in this country!
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Mouche, lol!!! Most likely, my ignorance of how the ad thing works is causing the problem. Applied knowledge is power. Once I get the info, I'm gonna use it. Welcome to Hub Pages. In the three weeks I've been here I've come to love the atmosphere.
Michael, if you log in to your Adsense account, go to Adsense setup and then look for "Competitive Ad Filter", you'll find a place to enter the URL's of companies you want to block.
I'm one of those who advises people against self-publishing all the time. My main reason for doing that is exactly what you said - most people who want to self-publish haven't subjected their work to any kind of review (other than kindly friends), haven't done any editing or been at all self-critical - they've just finished their "masterpiece" and want to publish it NOW. Even the head of Lulu.com admits he's making a living out of bad books.
I went looking for a publisher when I was almost finished my novel. Thank goodness I didn't find one, because I now realise the writing was cr*p. I need to rip up the whole second half and start again. Not sure when I will though - I seem to have got sidetracked here on HP!
Marisa, I knew someone could tell me how to 'adjust' those ads! Thank you so much. I will do this immediately.
I support self-publishing with qualifications. First and foremost, you MUST use a professional editor for your work. Crap is even coming out of the big houses these days. Second, I don't want to make 50 cents a book while still having to market and promote my book with my own money. The days of large advances for new writers is long over. It still happens, but very rarely. I prefer making $10 - $15 per book. This allows me a profit margin that covers marketing and promotion. I won't get rich (unless I am able to garner volume sales.)
Another reason for self publishing, or going small press, is that if you sell 10,000 copies of your book, the big dogs will look for you. They have distribution to reach millions. You bypass the agent hassles (or more easily acquire one) this way.
When you find a profesional editor, it costs money and you MUST be willing to hear your work needs work. Another awesome comment. Thank you. I'm going to pop over to your hubs. With the comments you make, I know I'm going to find excellence!
Thank you Michael, I'll wait to hear your conclusions!
I'm actually going to revise a couple of my Hubs on writing in view of your comments, thanks. The idea of a professional editor makes sense - question is, how do you find a good one?
Hi Marisa,
Finding a good editor can be challenging. That could be a hub in and of itself. One place I've found a couple is large writers groups. While I've run across some that I wouldn't let near my work, I have found three that attend FWA (Florida Writers Association) meetings. They are freelance editors, and each has a strong point. One is the most hawk-eyed copy editor there could ever be. One of the others is strong with respect to content editing. The third is a strong mix of the two. I'll have to look into a "finding a good editor" post. Thank you for another excellent comment.
I'll be looking forward to the Hub on finding an editor! I'm a hawkeye proof-reader (one of those apostrophe nazis) and have done a bit of content editing for other writers - I'm not so confident at that, though, because I find it very difficult to know how to present criticism. I only wish it was as easy to spot the flaws in my own work!
Marisa,
Isn't that the truth. When an editor goes over my work, I am shocked at the things I don't catch. Most of the edits are things I know better than to do. I catch these things in other people's work, but my own? No way.
Mouche 2 years ago
First and foremost, thank you for writing this article! I am a newbie here and created my Adsense account only yesterday. As I am reading your article I am learning a lot about the benefits of selfpublishing. On the other hand I see ads for anti aging, Towne automotive group, credit reports, loans and for an ophthalmic solution?! They have nothing to do with the initial topic of AAA and make no 'Adsense' at all to me... Maybe this was done to make you feel even more aggrevated?