The Reader’s Embrace of Local Bloggers

Back in late april, the San Diego Weekly Reader reprinted excerpts of local blogger Barbarella. It marked the first time that I had ever seen a reprint of a local blogger in a major print media publication. Only weeks later, however and Brian Dear was offered $2000 to allow a month’s worth of his blogging to be published in the Reader as well. Now, in this week’s Reader, Barbarella is back with a 17 page feature on her determined effort to be on The Price is Right. Though she wasn’t called down to participate - (”The slut with the Uncle Bob shirt got up there pretty quickly”) - Barbarella’s account will keep you laughing and offers an insider’s glimpse into the game show world.

What I love about the story is that Barbarella doesn’t change her provocative style (”I wondered if she was wearing a bra, because those tits were everywhere - might want to wear some kind of protection on your face if you’re going to continue to jump around like that.”) even though she’s writing for a relatively well-respected local publication.

Recently heavy hitter Glenn Reynolds who writes on instapundit.com announced that he has been raking in about $4000 in each of the last two months using Google’s AdSense. Is this a sign that blogging may soon become a profit making endeavor? We shall see as time goes on.