Audio interview, Controversy, $3 Mil

PayPerPost, which does blog advertising, just announced that is received $3 million of outside capital funding. That has renewed the talk about the controversy about is paying for a post an ethical thing to do. TalkCrunch did a full phone interview about this that you can listen to on the web.

I have to say, that when I first heard about PayPerPost I thought it was crazy. I didn’t know why anyone would want to do it, why anyone would lower themselves to write a blog and get paid for it. But, here I am, happily searching for blog opportunities that fit for me.

That’s really the key thing – blog opportunities that fit for me. I’m not going to write about a frat-boy videos. That’s not me and so it would be lowering me to do that. It wouldn’t be ethical for me to write about that. But I am going to write about Internet phone service and digital cameras – I would do that anyway because those are things I use or am thinking about using.

More than just what you write about, you can also be ethical in how your write. Do I write about an Internet phone service company and say how great they are when I really don’t know. No. But if it’s a PayPerPost about a website about Internet phone service, then I look at the site (really search around and read), and share what I find.

The last big controversial issue is whether or not to disclose when a post is generating revenue. I think it really could be done – as long as companies are ready to get real and unbiased reviews from the bloggers.

P.S. PayPerPost want bloggers to share their true views about this… and they are paying for bloggers like me to share my thoughts. That’s how it works.

New Wine Retailer on Web – Clean Site Design

There is a new wine retailer on the web. JJ Buckley Fine Wines is out of California. The site is very well done, very easy to navigate, and very clean. Actually it’s almost too clean! I wish I could see the actual bottles of wine that are being offered. Many wines have good descriptions which are helpful, though. You can sort by the basic color or class (red, white, sweet/dessert, sparkling/Champagne), where the wine is from, wine varietal, and cost. The cost ranges are from under $25 to over $200 with many brackets in between, so the wide range of prices is nice.

PayPerPost takes over the Today Show

In a move right out of the Guerilla Marketing handbook, PayPerPost.com scores some awesome TV cover on the Today show.

Unknown to the Today show staff the PPP team provided tee shirts and signs to the people waiting in line to be on the Today show. The signs were an awesome design that allowed the guests to write their own messages while still showing the PPP logo and name. I don’t know who came up with the idea, but it was a great way to build brand recognition, as well as get “free” airtime on a major TV network. The guys and girls behind PayPerPost continue to amaze me at the way they are tackling this entire marketplace. Way to guys, keep it up.

For some behind the scenes video be sure and check out the PPP blog at blog.payperpost.com

Why Blog? To vent, preach, and make a buck now and then

One of the fun things about blogging, besides being able to vent when I need to and preach when I feel so called, is being paid now and then for writing a post. PayPerPost.com connects bloggers with companies that want to get word out about their website and what they have to offer. They want to advertise on blogs; we want to write blogs. PayPerPost brings it all together. PayPerPost even has their own blog where you can read fun profiles of other bloggers and link to individual websites. It’s worth checking out.

VoIP Forum & Info – Independent discussions about Vonage

We’re still looking at switching to Internet Phone Service or VoIP. Here is a VoIP forum that discusses topics relating to VoIP and in particular the provider Vonage. This is an independent site, not related to Vonage just about Vonage and its service. Read post from folks considering whether to switch to Vonage, folks sharing ideas about how to make their setup work better, and even posts from folks having problems with their service.

Time for VoIP – Internet Phone Service?

We’ve been looking at our budget, and we are considering switching our traditional local and long distance phone service to Internet Phone Service or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Even though we searched around a few years ago to find long distance and local phone service providers with the best rates, we would save a lot more now by switching to VoIP. The biggest hindrance to VoIP is if you don’t have a reliable internet connection; when that connection goes out, so does your phone service. We have a few friends who have switched to VoIP, and only one has had problems with their connection; everyone else has been very happy. They all have cell phones they can use as a backup if needed. They all are happy with the price. Maybe it’s time we joined them too. If you want to find out more about VoIP, click on the link above to visit a site that explains how it all really works.

It took 11 years, but we love our GPS

Back in October 1994 we went on vacation to California. Our rental car had this amazing computer mounted inside that we could use to type in our destination address and get step by step directions. The computer even tracked where we were and showed it on the screen. We were floored. Eleven years later and 2 months later we got our own GPS or Satellite Navigation unit. We love it. Ours is a Garmin Streetpilot. I am notorious for getting lost, so in the 9 months that we’ve had our Garmin, it has saved me so much time, frustration, and worry. Currys, a large UK store, has a number of different GPS units and accessories. Garmin, TomTom, and NavMan are some of the sat nav from currys that you can find. If you are in the UK or headed that way, check them out.

MBA Flashback

The real-life case studies at MindComet bring flash-backs of my best MBA classes at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Some of the classes and projects were really intense – I learned so much. They would love this company, an Interactive Agency, and how they use the Internet and technology to find new marketing solutions. They have a very inteactive website that really highlights their technology and offerings. One of the things that caught my attention was their section on Viral Marketing. They had white papers on the topic, as well as a podcast discussing the techniques and how they used it for one marketing effort. Their site is amazing clean, polished and has a very web 2.0 look and feel. It is probably only a matter of time before MindComet is a case study at Smith.

Wedding Invitations Website – clean with many styles

Here is a nice and clean site selling Wedding Invitations and more (groomsmen or bridesmaids gifts, favors, thank you cards, etc.). Check out the different styles – even Disney invitations with Mickey, Cinderella, or Beauty and the Beast. Baby announcements and other products too.

Nursing Scrubs Gallery

To all our friends in the medical fields… here is a site that offers a wide selection of Scrubs for both men and women. Search by your preferred criteria (style, color, and fabric), and be shown a multitude of possibilities. There is a 30-day money back guarantee for unopened products just in case you aren’t happy with what arrives in the mail.

Smoking Tobacoo with Hookahs

I never knew that Hookahs were legal, but in fact they are for smoking flavored tobacco. Hookahtown.com has a great selection of different types of hookahs, also know as nargila or shisha. They have solo, as well as party hookahs and all of the accessories and supplies that you might need. One thing to note is that you have to over 18 to enter the site. So if you are into that kind of thing then I recommend that you stop by their site and take a look.

Digital Camera Review Site

If you are looking for info and reviews about digital cameras, Digital camera reviews is one place to start. I haven’t figured out all the ins and outs of the site yet, but they’ve got a plethora of cameras to look at complete with photos, specs, prices from different retailers, reviews by users (you can leave your own review), and even links to reviews on other websites.

What is PayPerPost Founder Doing With His Money?

So I have been a member of PayPerPost.com for the last couple of weeks, but I recently got thinking about what it’s founder Ted Murphy is really doing with all the money that he gets from people writing ads on blogs and I’ve come up with the following theories:

1. He is putting the money into a numbered account in the Cayman Islands so that once he earns his millions he can skip the country before he has to pay his hosting bills
2. He is secertly funding reseach on how to fool seach engines so that his clients will always come up first
3. The money is going to support groups for overweight lab mice.
4. He is investing it and will return a portion of his income as a bonus to all of the beta testers of PayPerPost. (At least I really hope that is what he is doing.)

Neck Wraps and more help relieve stress

If you are feeling stressed from a day at work (or with the kids), a warm and soothing shoulder wrap like this NeckEase can be just the thing. Heat it in the microwave for just a few minutes and place around your neck and on your shoulders. BodySense even has colorful, kid-friendly animal shaped ones for your children’s sore tummies or boo-boos (they can also be chilled and serve as fun and safe cool-packs). These are well made and filled with long grain rice plus spices for added relief.

Best Buy Online Coupon Codes

Have you been itching to get that lasted gadget? Do you need to buy memory for your new computer? Are you looking to upgrade your appliances? If so then you must stop by and visit the Best Buy online coupons section at CouponChief.com. They have the latest and greatest coupon codes and online promo codes for all your major vendors including Best Buy, Dell, and Khols just to name a few.

Do you like Red or White?

I ran across a great new site today that provides the fantastic list of Wine and Food events calendar, worldwide by city. I just looked up the wine events in our city and there were over 59 different things listed. Each listing goes into detail about the event; it includes the data and time as well as the ability to contact the event organizer. It even has maps to the locations. So of the wine events even allow you to make reservations directly on line.

So no matter where you are going, stop by the LocalWineEvents.com website and check out what things you want to attend, and raise a glass for me. But don’t just take my word for it, read a review by Wine Business Monthly.

Always remember to drink alcohol responsibly.

Look no further for Family Room furniture

If you are looking to furnish you rec room, family room, or basement then you really need to Check Out www.FamilyRecRoom.com. They have a fantastic supply of items to make your room look special. They have everything from reclining movie theater seats, to popcorn machines, to vintage style accessories. If you looking for pool table supplies, hot tubs, even saunas then they should be your first stop. So stop on over and check out the great selection and even better prices.

Garden Gnomes – All Most Go

Their mistake is your good fortune. Online Discount Mart over stocked on Garden Gnomes and now their entire stock must go in order for them to make room Christmas items. If you’ve been looking for a garden gnome then look no further. Not only are they already deeply discounted, I also have been given the following 10% discount coupon (coupon code: gnome-bloggers) for the purchase of a gnome or any other item on their site (note the code is good until April 1, 2007).

Even if you are not interested in garden gnomes, please stop by their site and look at the fantastic selection of outdoor décor items.

Do you need furniture for going back to school

It’s that time of year again when kids, parents, teachers and administrators are getting ready to go back to school. Do you need School Furniture for your room or classroom? If so then head on over to BizCahir.com. They have a fantistic supply of school furniture and supplies.

They carry a wide range of items from desks, chairs, and tables to art supplies, computer desks, art tables, and loads of kids sized items from preschool size on up. And for you grown up kids needing to furnish your college dorm or apartment, they offer a great seleciton of home items too.

Their prices are great and a lot of items even include free shipping. I highly recommend that you take a look at BizChair.com first before shopping any where else for your school furniture needs.

Earn Money by Writing Blog Articles

How would you like to do what you are already doing but earn some money? Visit http://www.payperpost.com, sign up, and get paid to write blog articles. I signed up for the program and now I am earning money to write articles.

Just think of it this way. You’ve been wanting to buy a new iPod or other gadget. If you write 3 articles per day (the max) you can earn any where from $15-$50 a day and in a couple of weeks you get that new iPod. So I highly recommend that you stop by, sign up and start earning some additional money.