Money For Nothing - Why Fox's YardBarker Deal Should Include Some Jack ($$$) for Writers

NICE and i agree!!!!!

so obviously someone didn't agree cuz they thumbed it down, which to be honest is not fair. i agree because i SEE your points being made!!! and to be honest i had no idea there was any deal between fox & yardbarker.

We'll be announcing it officially in the Yard at some point soon. For the record, Yardbarker is not being paid one cent for this deal. We're doing it because it's good exposure for us and also for our bloggers. It's completely optional, and we wouldn't do it if we didn't think it was a good deal for the YBN and also for our community. For what it's worth, the deal will result more traffic for our network of publishers, and that WILL result in more $$$ for them. It's a win-win, and again, 100% optional.

Dewey -
Meaning you no offense, if you are providing content to Fox, increased traffic is not going to amount to a fraction of what they should pay for content being carried on their network. Rupert Murdoch is good for paying something for the work. Fox benefits from the content, and from the traffic drive both ways. You sell YB, and your reader-writer-contributors, short if you do a no-cost content deal with a major conglomerate.

I think the main point here is that the deal is "100% optional" for the bloggers. If you feel like you're getting the short end of the stick, then simply choose not to submit your content to be considered for use by Fox. However, if you feel that increased exposure to your work is enough compensation for Fox to use your content, then feel free to submit it for consideration. It's totally up to you.

Personally - and I'm sure there are plenty of others like me - that increased exposure is enough to pique my interest. I've had my work picked up by ESPN and other national news outlets in the past, and never received compensation for it, but it didn't bother me - it was just satisfying to see that my work was reaching a larger audience. It's not like I'm making a living off of blogging, nor do I expect to.

Good point, Oflarity. Thanks for the insight.

Great post oflarity. I've already had an increase in exposure on my sites just by coming here alone. Now adding the option of submitting my content to Fox will make it that much better.

One thing that is also important that I think gets lost in this is that YB and Fox are BUSINESSES. Also, times change, people change. Always have, always will. Everyone running a business has to do what they can to make it.

Fox is trying to get something useful for nothing. Even ESPN should compensate you if they use your content. At $52 Billion in value in the Disney stable, they aren't hurting for cash either, and should compensate the work used. It is just wrong.

Wow. Interesting post. And I agree, don't give those money hungry conglomerates anything for free!

Yeah, this is a Catch 22. You defintely want to bring the virtues of YB to a larger audience. If your a business-owner, it is ideal. You CAN'T turn it down because you want more exposure for your business. On the other hand, FOX benefits from amazing, insightful, and original unpaid content - which is truly to the benefit of the "conglomerates" (which is why they do it, "How can we get something for nothing?" and "How do we reach a whole new segment of the sports audience for nothing?"). The challenge is figuring out how to not seem like your taking advantage of the people - the writers - who post on YB for love, and not necessarily for profit. Some bloggers may not feel like it's to their advantage. Dunno. Interesting. Would be a good survey.

Agreed Kat. I, for one, originally signed up after a buddy of mine from SN referred me here. We both come here to help get more traffic to our sites, but have found very passionate and kind people here as result. So I don't mind throwing my comments around to them from time to time as well as posting articles, too. It's helped out for sure, and that isn't to say I don't enjoy writing because I do.

That's the unfortunate thing with this is trying to target those who are looking to gain revenue from this and those are here for the fun of it. Many sites have latched onto the idea of inking deals with bigger corporations because like you said - it's ideal for the business-owner to want more exposure to their site.

Maybe about the only solution I could think is the option of YB bloggers to run ad campaigns on their own pages. If they're here strictly for the fun of it, then they wouldn't have to run them on their page if they didn't want to. There are numerous ad campaigns out there for members to try, so maybe YB could go this route next? It's just a thought, but one that would benefit just about any type of blogger on here.

But you're very right - it would make a great survey as far as getting other member's thoughts about how to target bloggers of all kind on here.

See above for Oflarity's comment, which was very helpful. But I do think you're right about a survey for targeting the bloggers. Good idea about the ads, as well. I, like you, can't fault folks for wanting to grow their business. That's part of the puzzle when you become an entrepreneur. Good onya YB! Congrats.

Btw, thanks for the thoughtful reply. Always love it when kind, thoughtful folks join the threads.

Yeah, I was replying before I caught Oflarity's comment. He said what needed to be said on that. I agree about folks, like yourself, leaving thoughtful replies to threads, too. Thanks for the good words.

There is paid content here, and there is amateur content. YB makes deals to carry advertising to promote content. That is a form of payment. Fox is carrying the content. They should pay something as well. Content worthy should be compensated for the re-carry.

My biggest thing is that they are posting a full post rather than a partial post. If they truly want to get traffic to the BLOGS and its respective bloggers than it should be a partial or link so they will actually visit the site that posted the original content.

All good points from the Yard. Earlier today, I spoke with my editorial counterpart at Fox, and as soon as I finish my coffee, I'm going to type up my thoughts and more officially announce this partnership to the Yard; in short, though, the opportunity here is even bigger than just ad revenue and traffic. If we do this well, there is an opportunity for writers to build their own, personal brand. To be featured regularly and to be "known" for more than just their own blog. I'm not taking away from any of the points that everyone here is making, because everyone is obviously entitled to their own opinion (especially in the Yard), but the value here is more than just the short-term buck. None of this will happen overnight, and the partnership will develop over time, but the potential here is huge. Lots of cool stuff happens in the Yard. This opportunity has me especially excited. Damn, I didn't mean to get all long-winded on you. My bad! Stay tuned for me. But first, my coffee...

Dewey, I hear ya. I think it is great for everyone, I just wish it was a partial thing rather than the whole post. Its great exposure and we will definitely want to be a part of it, like everyone else will :)

The partnership is young. It will develop. The most important thing in the short-term is demonstrating to Fox Sports that we have great content, which we do. Over time, as they become more comfortable with the Yard and our publishers, we will continue to find ways to keep everyone psyched about the partnership. Thanks for your thoughts... that goes to everyone.

Congrats to you guys, Dewey! Well done. I have no doubts that the integrity of what you guys do will be upheld in this new deal. Good luck!

Very young, but very exciting. Good job and keep up the good work....

Dewey - Sorry, but incredibly naive. When Fox "partners" they come with cash. Ask Scout.com.

Here is our quote-unquote official announcement. Nothing new here really.

http://www.yardbarker.com/backyard/articles/Yardbarker_partners_with_Fox_Sports/277355

This looks huge on paper. While I agree with the poster, this could become a great opportunity for all the bloggers. Good stuff.

Dewey, you guys still looking for support staff?

Looks like there are a couple of jobs listed on our jobs page right now.

http://www.yardbarker.com/help/jobs

Yardbarker.com cashes in, not us. Dewey, don't want to share his.