As some of you may remember, besides this blog and my Picture Book, I also keep one devoted to the Harry Potter books. (See link in the sidebar.) Updates have been rather infrequent (as I knew from the beginning that they would be). Just recently I’ve been making a bit of a renewed effort inspired by ABC Wednesday; but other than that, I haven’t done much to promote it. This post is not an effort to do so either; I’m only giving you some background for the point (or story) I will eventually be getting to... Hang on!
I started the HP blog just to have a place to collect my thoughts on a special topic, rather than mixing too much of that into this one. In the sidebar there I have also added a collection of links I found useful in the context of my own HP ‘research’ (most of which goes back to 2005-2007). One of the things I have enjoyed looking into is J.K. Rowling’s very purposeful use of names, and their meanings and history. So among my links are a some that go to websites where you can look up that sort of thing. However, I have not made a point of collecting lots of links; I have only included some that I myself found especially useful.
Last week I got an email ‘out of the blue’ from someone who had come across my blog and liked it. (Which was of course in itself flattering.) She had also noted the links in my sidebar, and said that she had created a baby name site of her own, and she wished me to include a link to her site as well.
Suddenly I found myself in need of a policy! After thinking a bit, I sent an answer saying that so far I have only included links that I have actually made use of; in this very limited context. So for now I had added her site to my private bookmarks, and if I found it useful in connection with future posts, I would link to it then.
To my astonishment I then got another email, more or less begging me to include her link. So I had another look at it, comparing it to the site I’ve used most. I found hers not really able to compete. I also noted some ads flashing by which were not to my liking… So I turned her down again, but was at the same time half amused by her eagerness, so I asked if she had actually paid attention to my number of followers (=8).
When I got another email today, my eyebrows collided with my fringe…! Quote: “Listen, we’re not above bribery here. Would you consider putting our link up there and we could paypal your $20 or so for your trouble?” [!!!]
I’m not asking for advice. I already answered I don’t do things that way and it’s no use asking again. I’m still puzzled though. If I had had hundreds of devoted Potter-fans following my blog, then I would have understood the motive. But since that’s not the case… ???
So I’m curious: Has anyone else among my handful of devoted readers ever been offered cash to put up a link on your blog?! Is this a unique request, or is there perhaps a going rate for this sort of thing??? (Not that I’m considering starting to charge you for the links that are already there, mind…)