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Who's in the Video
Jason Kottke is a blogger and former web designer. Educated at Coe College, Kottke began his career as a web designer in 1986. He worked on design projects for companies[…]

Internet advertising presents many opportunities for trial and error, Kottke says.

 

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Question: What advice do you have for Web entrepreneurs?

 

Jason Kottke: The thing about online advertising is it’s so . . .  It’s just . . . it just sort of works.  I mean I run ads on my web site, and I never have to think about it.  I . . . the ad is just sitting there, and you know I get a check every month, and I just don’t have to think about it.  I also did this thing where I solicited contributions from my readers, and I did that for a year – sort of a PBS fund drive sort of thing.  And that was quite a bit harder for me because there was a lot more work involved.  And you know and I think people on the Web are used to getting things, if not for free, then for cheap.  And you know asking people to pay sort of a $30 subscription where they’re not really getting anything more than what they had is kind of a . . .  I don’t know.  It was a difficult thing to . . . to try and get across.  But at the same time I guess I’m glad I tried it.  And you know I guess the advice I would offer is . . . is you know don’t . . .  I don’t know.  Just don’t be afraid to try . . . try different stuff . . . you know try and fail.  It’s really not such a bad thing.

 

Recorded on: 10/9/07

 


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