Goodbye Entrecard.
I have thought long and hard about whether I want to stay with Entrecard. I have read lots of posts and comments from disgruntled users, and although I do agree with a lot of what they say, I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t my place to say what Entrecard should or shouldn’t do with their company.
Entrecard has been great for bringing bloggers together and bringing extra traffic to our blogs. It, no doubt, has been responsible for some of my readers and I think I may have even found the odd blog through it, though it’s doubtful. Maybe I’m not the usual Entrecarder, because most of the blogs I read, I found through comments on mine, or other blogs. If the comment interested me, I clicked through to the blog. Blogs have their own means of networking and maybe we have allowed the use of Entrecard to fog that. If you enjoyed reading a post and leave a comment, you have a list of bloggers that also found it enjoyable enough to comment. There you have a list of like minded bloggers to check out. I have found some real gems this way.
We seem to be caught up in this ‘reading and rushing off to the next blog in order to drop 300 EC’s’ cycle. This takes away the quality of our blogging time. I would rather spend time enjoying, and getting involved in the blogs I read than be governed by numbers. Ultimately I want my blogging to be stress free and enjoyable. Most social networking sites bring with them a little unwanted pressure, but Entrecard brings the most pressure for me, because it’s a constant, daily pressure.
Since Entrecard have moved over to paid ads I saw little point in staying. My credit advertisers dropped off completely – and who can blame them? My drops dwindled, and to be honest, though I’m still dropping my 300 a day, I find myself saying “Why am I doing this?”
Entrecard have every right to steer their company in whatever direction they wish. It’s their company, but recently events have made me seriously question their steering abilities and the methods used. Now is the time for Entrecard and I to part company.
Now the unnerving part.
I will go back to the methods I used when I had no idea what those 125×125 widgets were for – Reading, commenting and following links. I know I’m running the risk of possibly losing some readers, along with the Entrecard traffic. I sincerely hope not. I always subscribe to blogs I read anyway, so I will not lose any of you. If you want to continue to drop by my blog, and I hope that you do, I would ask you to please subscribe, or bookmark me. You can always find me on other networking sites, and I’m active on Facebook. If you have a Facebook account, please friend me, or you can follow me on Twitter.
I will leave this post up for a while as I want to give people a chance to see it. The widget will also stay up until the remaining ads have run their course.
It’s been good and I’m thankful for the people that Entrecard sent my way, but now is the time to remove the stabilizers and enjoy the ride. I hope you’ll come with me.
Stumble it!
Subscribe by Email
Mo
| 21 April 2009 at 21:21
Very well-written post.
You’re absolutely right that blogging should be enjoyable, and not stressful.
And I believe that it is the quality of visitors and comments that matter, not the quantity of hit and run Entrecard droppers, that truly matters for a blog.
Don’t forget to set your EC widget to “no longer taking adverts” while you still have it up.
Cheers,
Mo
Mo´s last blog post..Ruby Tuesday: UK Phonebooth
Ana
| 21 April 2009 at 21:21
Oh Babs, I have just received your email and hurried over to see your blog to know what’s going on. I can so understand you.
I have stopped dropping since quite a while now. Actually since they have implemented their paid ads system. I didn’t like the idea too much, also I never wanted to earn money with EC and now it looked like I was forced to in order to stay in the line.
Over the past weeks I have seen so many fellow and beloved Entrecarders leaving.
I am still keeping my EC widget and buying an ad here and there but just occasionally. But I am not allowing paid ads on my blog. I am feeling free to not have to drop 300 ECs a day anymore. I am still keeping my account cause also I am thinking about what to do with all those credits I have earned and have received…
Before you have joined EC i have known you so of course I will continue visiting your blogs, reading your great posts.
Hugs, Ana
Ana´s last blog post..The tragedy about our favorite cat treat
Daisy the Curly Cat
| 21 April 2009 at 21:21
I am still on the fence about whether I am going to stay with Entrecard or not. But I subscribed to your blog a long time agao!
Ana
| 21 April 2009 at 21:22
Oh, now Mo has hit “send comment” just a few seconds earlier and again I didn’t make it to the first commenter
Ana´s last blog post..The tragedy about our favorite cat treat
Comedy Plus
| 21 April 2009 at 21:36
I’ll still visit Babs. You are in my Google reader and shall remain there. Good for you for doing what is right for you.
Have a terrific day. Big hug.
Comedy Plus´s last blog post..Awww…Mondays #13
Jaffer
| 21 April 2009 at 21:38
Oh I’d hate to see you cry Babs.
When did Mo get a moustache ?
I have to agree with you. But dropping cards when visiting blogs was a fun idea.
But their approach of having prices of ad spots increase exponentially is what I believe was the root cause of it all !
We couldn’t even negotiate prices for ad spots with other bloggers and had to accept – or leave.
Say hi to Mo for me.
Jaffer´s last blog post..I think I coined a new term
Mamaflo
| 21 April 2009 at 21:39
I’m all subscribed up so I won’t miss a beat.
I haven’t made the final decision about what I’m going to do either (although I’m not accepting paid adverts). I must say I was more than a little unnerved by the forums issue, it really does feel a little Hitler in nature.
Thank you for the special “gift” you sent, I appreciate your friendship.
Deb
Mamaflo´s last blog post..How to Spell Exhaustion
Barb - WillThink4Wine
| 21 April 2009 at 21:51
I left EC months ago, Dec or Jan I believe, long before they went to paid advertising. My wrist was killing me, and I was dropping 300 a day for 2 blogs. I had no time to actually blog. I thought there was something seriously wrong with that equation.
We’re already friends on Facebook and I’m subscribed! I recently tried Twitter again, but I just don’t “get that”. Facebook is much more fun!
Barb – WillThink4Wine´s last blog post..Goslings
beetle
| 21 April 2009 at 21:58
Mo: Yes, I want to get back to blogging with no pressure again. Thanks for reminding me to set my widget. I hadn’t done it
Ana: Yes, it has been very messy lately and I just feel it’s time to leave now. Glad you will be sticking around
Daisy: I was a while thinking it over, and couldn’t decide. The latest developments just tipped the scale.
Sandee: So glad you’ll continue to visit. I just felt it was the right move now. Dropping 300 a day has always been a pressure for me. This has been a long time coming.
Jaffer: Ha ha! You are so funny. Mo laughed at the idea of a moustache, and she says hi back
Mamaflo: Yes, that was the final straw for me. I was reading it just moments before they locked it. I think you were my first Entrecard friend
beetle
| 21 April 2009 at 22:01
Barb: Oh I think Facebook is more fun too! I remember you leaving Entrecard and I was thinking of leaving back then too. This latest development just pushed me into the decision.
Mike Golch
| 21 April 2009 at 22:25
that is why I quite entrecard I was caught up int thr rush to drop and go instead of reading and commenting on the different blogs that I visited.I do not regreat my decision for one minuite.I’m happier on my blog and on facebook.
Mike Golch´s last blog post..why me?
Unfinished Rambler
| 21 April 2009 at 23:07
“We seem to be caught up in this ‘reading and rushing off to the next blog in order to drop 300 EC’s’ cycle. This takes away the quality of our blogging time. I would rather spend time enjoying, and getting involved in the blogs I read than be governed by numbers.”
Exactly how I felt too. Drop, drop, drop. To what end? Unfortunately, those people that have dropped the most aren’t even going to get anything for it, not really.
I have added you to my reader and will catch you there as well as on Twitter. So not going anywhere.
Natural
| 21 April 2009 at 23:12
enjoy your free time. EC has been good to me, though, so no complaints here. i just got tired of dropping and i too said: what am i doing. i’m a grown *** woman.
well i didn’t say the last part, but i got a look at myself and i can spend my time better by visiting and commenting on blogs.
Natural´s last blog post..My Two Left Feet
Mom's Cafe Home Cooking
| 21 April 2009 at 23:21
Hi Babs
I left EC and despite being a bit vocal about it I don’t regret the decision. My blogs are better for it and an unexpected benefit is I’m now excited about blogging again! All of a sudden I have extra time to spend on the blogs freed up from simply dropping cards. Not only am I enjoying blogging again, I am enjoying the networking getting to know other bloggers. In the long run that is going to be a lot more effective when it comes to traffic. I’m convinced this will give the quality traffic that every blogger wants. I’m also active on twitter that I do think will be a lot more effective than EC. I’m following you on twitter
gardengnome1 on twitter
Mom’s Cafe Home Cooking´s last blog post..Tortellini Soup
Connect with your Teens
| 21 April 2009 at 23:23
I am also leaving Entrecard. I used to think it was a great site and that I would never leave, but these past few weeks have changed that for me also. I am in the process of bookmarking or subscribing to my favorite EC blogs, which of course includes yours. I know I’ll still see you on facebook also which will be nice.
Connect with your Teens´s last blog post..Niche Social Networking Websites for Teens and Twenty somethings
Kathy
| 22 April 2009 at 0:14
“Blogs have their own means of networking and maybe we have allowed the use of Entrecard to fog that.” Exactly!!!
I’m back to reading blogs I really like and commenting on them. That’s how I built my readership before and that’s how I’ll do it again.
You and I are connected in a many places, so you know you’ll always see me!
Kathy´s last blog post..I’m Dropping Entrecard
Maureen
| 22 April 2009 at 0:24
Oh, Babs, thank you for your gift. I completely understand your decision; I was shocked to see the forums get locked down… a few are back up, but really, I have never seen a so-called business shoot themselves in the foot like this. They are plummeting down a slippery slope alright. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
I never, ever got caught up in the 300 drops/day fad. I only had a few drops, and mostly use it to find new blogs to read.
But never worry; I will be HERE for as long as you are. You’re one of my most favorite places to be.
And I wouldn’t worry about your numbers; people come and stay here for your great stories; not for the little widget.
Maureen´s last blog post..You Named Your Kid What?
beetle
| 22 April 2009 at 0:28
Mike: That’s what I have wanted for a long time now. To feel more relaxed about blogging
Unfinished Rambler: The dropping was beginning to get to me, and I wasn’t sure if it was bringing me anything other than ‘drop and run’ traffic. I’m happy that you have me in your reader. You are also in mine
Natural: Yes, I have had a good run on Entrecard. It’s time to finish now though.
Mom’s cafe: We may possibly build better relationships with other bloggers, now we have the time.
Connect with your teens: Yes, I think Facebook is going to be a good connection point for bloggers that aren’t with Entrecard. I’m enjoying meeting new blogs that way.
Kathy: I’m looking forward to a more relaxed way of blogging now. BTW you’ll never shake me off your back, so don’t even try
beetle
| 22 April 2009 at 0:35
Maureen: I think you were right not to get caught up in the 300 a day thing. It was no fun.
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you. I’m really glad you’ll hang around for the ride. I hope I don’t wobble too much
Swubird
| 22 April 2009 at 0:36
Babs:
I don’t Entrecard from a deck of cards, so it’s impossible for me to comment one way or the other. But I’ll continue to be a loyal fan of your blog.
Happy trails.
Swubird´s last blog post..THE RIDE FROM HELL
Vampy Vic
| 22 April 2009 at 0:45
I have never used anything like that. I just find blogs through the other means you mentioned and if I like them (like yours) I subscribe
It sounds like you most certainly without a doubt did the right thing, it is supposed to be fun and you do it to enjoy yourself nothing more, and if that was not happening or the application was interfering..
Anyway as usual I am long winded, heeh I am glad that you made a happier choice!
While I don’t comment as much (with everyone), I still do drop in regular like ;p
Online friends are still friends in my books
Sue
| 22 April 2009 at 2:06
“Why am I doing this?”
Exactly! I asked myself that so many times. Dropping became a chore. I have more time to comment and read now!
Sue´s last blog post..Sue and Bill’s Wild Weekend Part 2: Breakfast Is A Big Deal For Us
Lauren
| 22 April 2009 at 4:35
Oh thanks for the gift! I hardly use it myself to be honest. I get more ads than I ever try to advertise myself. I’m a lazy blogger I guess as I always did this for me, as a way to get my crazy out.
It’s just fun for me. I met you before entrecard. I loved you before entrecard and I’ll continue to follow you where ever you write!!
Lauren´s last blog post..Best Award I Ever Won!
DrowseyMonkey
| 22 April 2009 at 6:00
I think you made the right decision. I never was a “dropper” altho I did have EC on my photo & cat blog. To be honest I don’t think it ever brought me a lot of readers – maybe a few but they probably would have found me thru other means.
I don’t have my blog listed anywhere anymore. Not at blog catalog or mybloglog…nothing. I’ve lost about 500 visits per day since January but that really hasn’t changed all the great commentors on my blog – so I’m not sure who those 500 visitors were.
The thing is – I’m not bothered by it. I rarely look at my counter – I did the other day just to see if my not posting very often changed things. I guess it did but mostly I feel better. And this is suppose to be a fun hobby – I find all those social networking things just stress me out. And ultimately us using them is making the owners of those companies rich – which is not what I blog for.
Anyway – I’m like you. Read blogs, read comments, meet like-minded people that way. It’s how I started. When I came into blogging without knowing anything I think I had more fun! LOL
DrowseyMonkey´s last blog post..Are We Ferengi Now?
Mystery Man
| 22 April 2009 at 6:13
I’m sorry to hear that you’re leavbing. Although I rarely commment, I do enjoy reading your blog. I’m in the middle of decideing whether to stay with EC or not. Think I’ll hold out until the summer before I make a decision, though, hoping they change. Like you, though, I find myself wonder, what’s the point. OH well, at least I’ll still be dropping by to read on a regular basis, regardless of whatfollishness EC decides to do. Next they’ll be having their memebr sacrifice their firstborn for ads…just wait and see! lol
Mystery Man´s last blog post..Musical Monday
VanillaSeven
| 22 April 2009 at 6:42
I still don’t know what to do with my remaining EC credits. All the hard work to click 300x might come to the end..
Anyone got alternative site beside EC?
Do keep in touch Babs.
http://vanillaseven.com
Ivanhoe
| 22 April 2009 at 14:22
My thoughts exactly
) It became too much of a stress for me and not enjoyment. Have a great Wednesday!
Ivanhoe´s last blog post..Earth Day 2009
beetle
| 22 April 2009 at 15:13
Swubird: Ha ha! You get readers because of the quality of your posts, which is exactly how it should be!
Vampy Vic: When I first started I knew no other way of finding blogs, but I did find them, and still read them
Sue: I’m already enjoying the freedom of not dropping!
Lauren: Yes, our reason for blogging is what we mustn’t lose in this numbers game! There are many great blogs out there that have never used Entrecard, yet have a large following.
Drowsey: I so agree with you. I suppose we have to examine the reason why we blog and be true to that. I think that, in the beginning, Blog Catalog brought me my readers, but then I had people dropping in because I had left them a comment. I have to admit to rarely looking at my stats. More to the point I don’t really understand them haha!
Mystery Man: I am interested in seeing what Entrecard will do next, I must admit. I’m glad you’ll continue read my blog. NBow you’ve left a comment I can check your blog link
VanillaSeven: I did have a lot of spare credits that built up recently. Cash out doesn’t appear to be happening, or even worth it at the moment, so I gave them all away. I will keep in touch, and I have subscribed to you
Ivanhoe: I am looking forward to this, I must admit
Palabuzz
| 22 April 2009 at 15:31
I think that I am not yet ready to leave ec for now. maybe someday when my blog has grown enough.
Palabuzz´s last blog post..Malin Akerman for Maxim for April
Jenn Thorson
| 22 April 2009 at 15:57
I absolutely do not blame you. I am on my way out with it, myself.
PS- I was one of the ones who found you through Entrecard and then realized we had all the same online friends!
Jenn Thorson´s last blog post..How to Prepare Zombie Chicken
beetle
| 22 April 2009 at 23:12
Palabuzz: Entrecard is good for getting traffic to your site.
Jenn: It’s nice to know you found me independently of other blogs
The same circle of friends must mean we’re all like-minded.
Black Cat
| 22 April 2009 at 23:48
Well, for some reason I’ve never been tempted by Entrecard (perhaps coz since I first saw the widget on someone’s blog I also read a gripe about it!) Can’t really remember, but I do know something in my head said, “Don’t go there”. I just found blogs I liked and left comments. I don’t have a huge readership for every post but I don’t mind, I just want to enjoy blogging and I do! I’ve found new friends by doing this too. If they all commented every time I posted I would be all day reading and visiting back! I only joined Facebook and Twitter recently. I joined MyBlogLog ages ago and then forgot all about it until recently! I don’t think any of them have increased my readership but they keep me in touch when there isn’t time for more. So don’t worry, your friends (as I can see above) and I won’t desert you!
Thanks so much for the award! I hope you can get into your blogs soon and read all these supportive comments. We luvsya Babs!
xxx
Black Cat´s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday?
beetle
| 23 April 2009 at 0:01
Black Cat: I agree. I don’t always comment on every post I read, though I read them all. I try to comment on every two or three posts, if they post every day. It was all the dropping that I found stressful. I’m free now
meleah rebeccah
| 23 April 2009 at 5:24
I found your blog without Entrecard and I will continue to read / enjoy your blog without Entrecard!
I guess Im glad I never bothered to sign up for it.
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Meleah Is Back To Writing Thinking And Speaking In The Third Person.
Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"
| 23 April 2009 at 11:34
I’ll be following you on Twitter. Sorry to see you leave Entrecard though.
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”´s last blog post..8 Things Meme
beetle
| 23 April 2009 at 13:16
Meleah: Oh good, I’m so glad. Yes Entrecard can be a drain on your blogging time.
Karen: Thanks for following me. It really was time for me to leave. I’d been thinking about it for a very long time.
Annie
| 23 April 2009 at 21:57
Babs, I will be reading your website as long as you are writing. I believe I’m already a subscriber, but I’ll make sure, and I’ll follow you on Twitter, Facebook, Technorati, etc…I’m sorry to see you leave, but I respect your decision, plus, I know I’ll see you on Slogbite.
However, I’ve written you a private message on Entrecard. Can you read it? Let me know O.K.?
Your the best~
Annie
Annie´s last blog post..Edited Repost: Make Way For Ducklings
beetle
| 23 April 2009 at 23:17
Annie: I’m so glad you will follow me every which way hahaha! I read your message and you are more than welcome!
Jay
| 24 April 2009 at 14:52
“We seem to be caught up in this ‘reading and rushing off to the next blog in order to drop 300 EC’s’ cycle. This takes away the quality of our blogging time”
That sums up exactly why I never jumped on the Entrecard bandwagon in the first place. I could see that’s where it would lead and I didn’t want to go there.
I find blogs by searching, or through the comments on mine and others. I didn’t find yours through Entrecard (obviously) so here’s one reader you’re going to keep.
Whether you like it or not! LOL!
beetle
| 24 April 2009 at 17:12
Jay: It was never a pressure in the beginning. It got that way once I started dropping 300 a day!
Gawd, will I never get rid of you? No? Oh I’m so glad
Lee
| 26 April 2009 at 0:07
” Ultimately I want my blogging to be stress free and enjoyable. Most social networking sites bring with them a little unwanted pressure, but Entrecard brings the most pressure for me, because it’s a constant, daily pressure.”
Amen and Amen!
I dropped EntreCard a couple of months ago because I didn’t see a real benefit from the effort I was putting into it. I should have taken time to evaluate a lot of what I was doing in the blogging arena at that time.
I have been missing in action for a couple of weeks and the reason is that I caved to that “constant daily pressure” you speak of. I was trying to do two or three different photo memes a week, visit about thirty different blogs, and publish 5-6 posts per week. It finally got to the point where the realization that I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing and have a life caused me to fall into a period of doing nothing at all.
I’m going to begin blogging again, starting with a post for Sunday Scenery” tomorrow, and then taking a stab at visiting my favorite blogs again…especially yours!
I am not going to paint myself back into the corner I was in, but I will be active. The likely outcome will be that visitor numbers will drop…but the numbers were not what I started blogging for any way. Hopefully, at least me friends will come back.
Lee´s last blog post..Sunday Scenery
beetle
| 26 April 2009 at 1:18
Lee: That’s exactly how I was feeling too. I have decided that I want to enjoy blogging. If that means letting some things go then so be it.
I hope you come back to read this because I just tried to leave a comment on your post and couldn’t find the link. I don’t know if I’m going mad but I looked all over and found nowhere to click, or space to type in.
robin N (Tqmnurse)
| 26 April 2009 at 14:01
this is such a well written post. I agree with everything that you have said. I too have struggled with the entrecard changes. I couldn’t decide if I should stay with it, or if I should just say goodbye and find another source for blog traffic. In the end, I have to admit that I stopped dropping my cards to see how many actual entrecarders actually followed my blog…amazingly there were several. I have again resumed dropping on sites, but am being more conscientous and trying to not just “blog hop”, but to actually take the time to read the posts.
Thanks for continuing to visit me…
Many blessings
Robin
robin N (Tqmnurse)´s last blog post..Miss me???
beetle
| 26 April 2009 at 17:17
robin: Hi, I found that, when I stopped dropping, some months back, my visitors dropped by almost equal amounts, so I started up again. I finally found it all too much, with all that is going on, so made the decision to leave. I hope my blog doesn’t suffer too much, but if it does I’ll just have to work at building it up using the methods I used before.
Lisa
| 28 April 2009 at 17:40
I dropped too and will stay on with you anyhow. I enjoy your posts, Entrecard or no Entrecard.
Lisa´s last blog post..Swine Flu: A hypochondriac’s nightmare
babs - beetle
| 30 April 2009 at 0:23
Lisa: Thank you Lisa
babs – beetle´s last blog post..I did this so JD doesn’t have to.
Lynda Lehmann
| 30 April 2009 at 14:34
I have the same conflict, Babs, and I think it’s time I acted on it. I totally agree that their system encourages a click and run approach. I will likely decide today. It’s hard enough to keep up with blogging and related stuff, without the extra race. I have rarely become a dedicated reader of a blog through EC; likewise, I get so many visits from EC droppers who never become my readers. I mostly discover new blogs through reading the comments on blogs I’m already familiar with. AND, I don’t like being told I can’t have auto-play music on MY blog!
Thank for the honest post.
Bingolady
| 30 April 2009 at 16:01
I have left Entrecard since 1st April, so 1 month now without EC, but I never looked back. I felt that the pressure to drop back to everyone who dropped on me was uncomfortable after so many months.
I have bookmarked every blog I liked (and I’m happy to see most of them in the commentlist here lol at Babs) so I can visit those blogs from time to time.
I didn’t agree the way EC took as well, but that’s another story
Bingolady´s last blog post..New members welcome contest at Vic’s Bingo
babs - beetle
| 30 April 2009 at 16:28
Lynda: I have felt far more free since I stopped dropping. I don’t think you’ll be sorry. It’s your blog, isn’t it?
BingoLady: Yes, I stayed as long as I could. Eventually I had to make the decision to leave. Thank you for your kindness to me, and I passed it along to others
babs – beetle´s last blog post..I did this so JD doesn’t have to.
astrid
| 1 May 2009 at 16:07
Way to go Babs! I feel the same about Entrecard. Basically I left months ago. Still have to remove the widgets tho. didn’t have the time yet to go mess with the blog code *sigh*
beetle
| 1 May 2009 at 22:57
Astrid: Yes, lots of people have left, or are leaving now.
Mar Matthias Darin
| 7 August 2009 at 0:07
I find myself getting ready to do the same thing… The complete sell off of EC has left me with an uneasy feeling. Since I started “Along for the Ride!”, I’ve spent more and more time considering whether I should drop EC altogether. The time it takes to drop the cards is definately wearing me out and the drop and run buch is killing my bounce rate…
Please have a look at my traffic system and let me know what you think:
http://matthiaschronicles.tanaya.net/AFTR/
Mar Matthias Darin´s last blog ..Along for the Ride! updates for June/July