I bought myself a new laptop a little while back and within the first week my lovely, beautiful and clumsy wife spilled her Hunters Dry all over it destroying the keyboard. So I went out and bought the cheapest keyboard I could find and it is so loud it is driving me crazy.
So this morning I decided to go and get myself a decent one and at the same time an email arrived from kalahari informing me that they are offering 25% of SteelSeries products today. SteelSeries make some great keyboards, mouses and headsets so obviously this is a sign. Actually the only sign here is that the world hates me as they are offering all of the SteelSeries products on sale except the keyboards but if you are in the market for upgrading your headset or mouse then it’s worth a look.
SteelSeries is often voted as the best gaming gear so you know you are buying quality.
Click here to see what’s on offer
On the other hand, Darryn
In related news, this post isn’t an advertorial and is actually exactly what happened to me this morning. kalahari and SteelSeries have absolutely no idea this post is going up but I need to ask you guys and girls something that has been on my mind for a while.
We often get asked if we would be willing to post up advertorials on the site. Like they do in magazines and newspapers where the advertiser would like to tell you all about their product in the form of an article.
I’ve always said no as I don’t want to cheapen our content but one dedicated employee at an advertising firm (you know who you are!) has been working on this idea for over a year now and now has me thinking that it isn’t selling out but rather a compliment that the advertisers really rate our readers highly and that is a much better way to moneytise than banner advertising or competitions.
So since we are a totally undemocratic site that pretends we are I thought I’d ask your opinion.
If we started posting advertorials (maximum 3 per month) which are carefully selected for you and clearly defined as such on the front page and in single article view would you see that as a terrible sell-out or an acceptable form of advertising?
As an example kalahari or TakeALot would ask us to post up an article about their sale with links and certain keywords. Currently we never post about sales that we don’t find really interesting ourselves and we would continue posting those, but sometimes we would post about sales we don’t really care about and mark that as an advertorial.
Or companies like Heineken or Red Bull would ask us to post about their latest product and if we feel it could be of interest to you we then would do it. Absolutely nothing has been decided yet and we are still very much in half minds about how to proceed.. so please do give us feedback and if you can show us examples of how it’s cool to do and where someone has done it terribly that would really really help.
Last Updated: July 10, 2013
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:35
Agreed. You have my blessing.
As long as you get some funding for it, as I know its hard to keep the ship afloat these days and I’ll be damned if this site ever goes under!
LordCaptainAwesomeness
July 10, 2013 at 12:37
Hear Hear…. make them Suuuuuuuuppppppper Effective
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:35
Also….
NO BLOODY POPUPS!!!
NO BLOODY FLASH BANNERS!!!
NO NAKED/SEMI NAKED/CLOTHED DARRYN!!!!
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 12:36
I like flash banners… but no popups
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:37
Would it be purely gaming related ads?
I don’t want no obscure ads!
Unavengedavo
July 10, 2013 at 12:38
Like the ones that say there are horny girls in your area…
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:40
Now we all know where you surf….
BUSTED
Unavengedavo
July 10, 2013 at 13:05
Those are for purely educational reasons!!!
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:29
Exactly. If you don’t know what’s out there you can’t spot the bad ones.
I mean avoid… not spot. *cough* :/
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 12:41
No not always gaming, Some of the things that have been pitched to us are A brand of drink, a chat program, a deal on holidays, food… so anything really.. but it’s all thing they want to pitch to gamers if that makes sense
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:42
No to holiday deals.
NO to chat program.
Yay to booze.
Yay to fewd.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 10, 2013 at 12:43
Gamers need holidays too
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:44
Oi, I won a holiday from LG, maybe if they have ads more chances of this happening will take place!
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:45
Riiiiight, the one you “lost” the GF mos?
How could I forget. You fart in jacuzzi amirite?
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:46
Low man, Low 🙁
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:47
Yeah well you rub vacation in my nose!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 10, 2013 at 12:48
want some vicks? rub it on your nose, really helps open the airwaves
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:03
you won a holiday from LG? where to? the zoo?
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:05
That would be a lift home silly!
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:09
Seriosuly now where you go on holiday?
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:10
Sent me to Caladon spa for 2 nights with breakfast and access to all the hot pools. Was awesome.
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:11
Where is caladon? you get massages? that would be worth it!
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:13
Few hours out of cape town. And yes, massages, though didn’t pay for it 😉
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:16
Nice what was the comp though?
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:18
Just one of those, leave a comment comps. Simple 🙂
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:19
Forgive me but I have never seen those. I still wonder if Gavin gonna actually mail my tshirt thou lol
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:21
Haha! He will. I also won a DVD and that was sent through.
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:44
No problem with the holiday ads, I won a holiday from you chaps, perhaps with this you will get more offers for competitions!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 10, 2013 at 12:47
Seeing as it is an Advertorial, will they be writing or you guys? not sure how it works
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:52
No, the company will write something and send it in. I think LG would be allowed to edit some things, but then they would have to get permission from the ad team to post the new version. At least that is the way it worked when I worked for a newspaper
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 13:08
yeah like he said… we can change it with group agreement
Kromas
July 10, 2013 at 13:24
I can see a whole set of WiiU fit adds. Cause that’s a “real” game. 😛
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:01
I like Flash banners too 🙂 plus they can be made easily
LordCaptainAwesomeness
July 10, 2013 at 12:38
Why did you have to mention Darryn? now i am thinking of that one ION post with him as the Model… the Horror
ElimiNathan
July 10, 2013 at 12:36
I wouldn’t actually mind at all, I read this site for 99% of my gaming news unless I catch another link on Facebook, and I like to see what new gaming gear etc is out there. So ye I say go for it
Captain Minion TallTwit
July 10, 2013 at 12:41
Agreed!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 10, 2013 at 12:38
There are 2 kinds of advertising on the internet:
1) A true advert that looks like an advert, is clearly defined as and advert
2) The “sneaky” advert where an article is written by a staff member who then praises the product regardless of whether it is good or bad and smears it off on their readers as “the way they actually feel about it” when it isn’t.
Adverts in article form wouldn’t be to bad as long as we can see that, that is exactly what it is and doesn’t really reflect anyone’s opinion other than the company advertising.
It would be the same as having a full page add in a magazine. Just on the interwebz. So I don’t see that as a problem.
HvR
July 10, 2013 at 14:27
Hate those, especially if the “facts” are BS.
Here is looking at you news24.
I feel the best way for an “ad article” is to the company to pitch their product and not have a fake article with “this is an ad at the top or bottom”.
For example: “Steel Series presents the Sensei Headset 2” from the onset it is clear that it is a pitch by Steel Series.
Sir Twakkus
July 10, 2013 at 12:38
As long as I dont have to close a bazilion popups, which advertises anything from toenail clipper to “that product” which will bring all the single ladies to the yard, then I have no problem with it. And if you get a bit more coin from these companies then go for it.
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 10, 2013 at 12:38
Risky Business for The company as people generally tend to rant on the net. If people don’t like the product that you are advertising, and commentators start raging the company can lose potential sales lol but Gavin usually knows what people likes and will be of interest to the readers and as long as it is CLEARLY marked as an advertisement.
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:43
Very very true.
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:42
I will permit this. I have no issue with advetorials as long as you don’t saturate us with them. And in the spirit of allowing this to go ahead, I post a cat for your pleasure, sorry Darryn, at a staff meeting tomorrow so this will have to fill your cat Thursday http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aeN3n1m_460sa.gif
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
July 10, 2013 at 13:09
Save it for Purrsday dammit!
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:11
I won’t be here for tomorrow or Friday! They are dragging us all on some staff strat meeting 🙁
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:24
Oh I love those. We got everyone together for one a few years ago, the MD laid out his whole strategy, we all got into groups to brainstorm stuff.
The following year he went off to a strategy meeting overseas, then when he got back & called us all together again he told us the main conclusion of their grand strategy meeting was that we didn’t have a strategy & should devise one.
But… the previous….year? erm… what? Did you forget? Because we didn’t.
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:32
This is exactly what this is about. Last year I missed our meeting because of the De Dorns rioting. The year before, Hermanus where 2 people were let go for voicing problems. This year, we are supposed to come up with a 5 year plan! 5 Years! Aren’t we getting nailed with an asteroid before then?!
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:39
You know who else had 5 year plans? Stalin. trollol
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:43
It is at Lanzerac, which is pretty damn awesome, but the work that goes into these things, not worth it.
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:46
True. They cost a fortune, and it’s money pissed away if there’s no solid plan to implement the damn ideas, or if it’s done half-assed.
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:24
Thats some good cat right there.
Yolanda Green
July 10, 2013 at 12:44
MONNEH! I mean, err, yeah sure…
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:46
O_O
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 13:20
whowzer 0-O
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:46
Bwahahah!
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:17
If it gives you money then I am happy for you, just no spending it on games lol on a dress instead
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:23
Yolanda strikes me as not a dress person.
Yolanda Green
July 10, 2013 at 13:27
I am definitely not a dress person xD
Yolanda Green
July 10, 2013 at 13:29
buy all the games!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 10, 2013 at 12:48
….
Slade Boender
July 10, 2013 at 12:52
hahahaha bloody awesome
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:53
Epic!
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 13:00
Wait, are you the chick?
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 10, 2013 at 13:00
Trust you to try and make things difficult lol
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:13
Don’t be a bigot! Some people are born feeling that they’ve been born into the wrong gender & now with the wonders of modern science they can change it. I think you look lovely.
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:14
If only you knew what they do to your………..
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:22
I’ve see Silence of the Lambs, they just tuck it away apparently.
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:24
tuck it away with a slice in half and tuck it in yeah perfectly tucked away
Unavengedavo
July 10, 2013 at 13:27
Enough said…
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:30
I wont click on that but see this instead 🙂
Unavengedavo
July 10, 2013 at 13:36
Its the Mr Winkey scene from Ace Ventura 😛
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:42
Dood, I think my whole office just crossed their legs and did the suck-thru-teeth “fssst” noise.
Anon A Mouse
July 10, 2013 at 12:49
As long as it’s all hipster and stuff, otherwise no.
As a sidenote: It’s your website and you do actually need moniez to run the thing so why not? As you’ve stated it will be clearly defined as such so go forth into the unknown.
Argentil
July 10, 2013 at 12:50
Gaming related advertorials, that’s fine. Heineken and Red Bull? No thanks.
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:33
Red Bull is a bit harsh, how else will I know when my favourite Vodka mixer is on special 😉
Jonah Cash
July 10, 2013 at 12:53
I can’t see the harm in them!! If it is something I don’t care for I just wont open the article!! Or am I not understanding the way this would work?
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 13:09
nope that is exactly how it works
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:10
If you guys will better yourselves then go for it. Tough world out there today.
Jonah Cash
July 10, 2013 at 16:32
Then good sir why not would be my question to you and anyone opposing this? As long as I can chose to ignore, then I don’t see the problem!
JHN
July 10, 2013 at 12:56
Go for it!
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 12:58
I think Its a good idea! as long as it stays within reason and not stupid stuff.
I would offer my services Free of charge to make adverts as I am a graphic designer after all.
Lemme know lol
Weanerdog
July 10, 2013 at 13:00
Firstly, ban all drinks from around the computer
secondly advertorial is fine as long as it is marked as such
thirdly don’t bury the unfortunate spillees body in your own garden but that a dodgy neighbour. (If you are the dodgy neighbour then you can try burying it at the cemetery, no one ever looks there)
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:11
Ban all drinks from around the computer? Are you mad, sir? Have you gone completely INSANE?
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:12
I killed keyboard at work with coffee
Weanerdog
July 10, 2013 at 13:16
Hammers work better and make for much better viewing pleasure from your fellow colleagues.
Weanerdog
July 10, 2013 at 13:14
Yes by everyone except you of course
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:20
I too WTF’ed at that, some people are just crazy man, just plain crazy!
Kromas
July 10, 2013 at 13:06
The minute you post a Justen Bieber concert ad is the minute I burn down whoever hosts your servers. Other than that its all good. 😛
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 13:18
Right there with you on that one!
matthurstrsa
July 10, 2013 at 13:09
I have no problem with that as its pretty easy to tell the difference between an advertorial and an article.
Go forth and make more money. For you deserve it.
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 13:09
I’m happy as long as they’re clearly marked.
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:13
if the pop up gonna be pissed!
Andre116
July 10, 2013 at 13:13
If it is clearly defined, like in the header, then it should be ok. None of that small footnote “this is a paid for advertorial” BS. And if you do go the advertorial route, it would be nice if the some representative from the the company would hang around in the forum to answer some questions.
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 13:14
hey I like that second idea… and trust me it will be very very clear. The colour will be different on the front end and the article itself will make it clear
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 13:15
What colour? lol
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:39
Maybe all white, so they can hide in the background.
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 13:55
don’t know yet.. gonna play around.. but not a ridiculous change. just enough to make it noticeable
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:40
The hanging around to answer questions thing would be cool imo.
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:18
I think it’s a good idea, my suggestions to keep LG honest would be as follows:
1.) Make it clear that it’s an advert and not an actual article, also avoid sneaky ads that have our authors plugging some product when we know they wouldn’t touch said product even with Darryn’s dick.
2.) Only gaming related adverts e.g. gaming equipment and games.
3.) Not too much, 3 a month sounds fine, I wouldn’t be happy if I had to start looking for actual articles amongst the adverts.
4.) Keep them off the Front page “You cannot miss these banners”.
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 13:55
So don’t feature them? That sounds fair to me
string_slinger
July 10, 2013 at 13:39
Advertorials are fine, so long as they’re clearly marked as such at the top of the article. Topcar mag copy is a good example of this, done well at no compromise to magazine integrity. And if that provides some extra cash to keep Lazygamer rocking & growing, that’s good for all of us. Use us, do it, DO IT!!!
P.S. Love the head’s ups like this article too. Make sure these don’t ever get compromised by advertorials either…:)
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 13:54
Our community is the most important thing to us so we go out of our way not to ruin it 🙂
Unavengedavo
July 10, 2013 at 13:41
I am fine with it, as long as they allow you to add your own flavour to the advertorial just to keep it in line with your other content. Plus then your regular readers would be more likely to read them.
DrKiller
July 10, 2013 at 13:57
You already have ads for Megarom.. what makes Kalahari and Takealot different? Tell them to give us more vouchers 😀
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 10, 2013 at 13:59
Ads and advertorials are a different beast. Advertorials show up as posts (but they’ll be clearly labelled as such)
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
July 10, 2013 at 14:02
This comment brought to you by Bokkie Viennas. Hmmmm, taste the sausage that is filled with local love!
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 14:04
How filled? :/
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 14:05
Similar to fudge packing but with delicious hot meat.
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 14:08
I’m going to assume that you’re referring to those little cellophane wrapped fudge packets that I get at the counter of my local Spar. Don’t anyone tell me differently.
HvR
July 10, 2013 at 14:42
Today’s ION presented by Vagisil.
Vagisil cream, makes brides more happy, less itchy. You can count on it.
Korffbal
July 10, 2013 at 14:27
Sure.
HvR
July 10, 2013 at 14:30
Please can you keep the background game related, if I need to stare at another Outsurance background on a site I’m going to scream.
AND PLEASE not banner ads where you need to smack a cockroach, shoot a mexican or have a car drive over the article I’m busy reading.
Gavin Mannion
July 10, 2013 at 14:50
we avoid all those annoying adverts.. but I can’t say we won’t have background outsurance adverts. Standard paying banner and wallpaper adverts will continue as usual
Verrayne
July 10, 2013 at 15:30
I actually enjoy advertorials. It’s because of them that you sometime get to find out about a product.
Go ahead and do it guys! Kotaku does it quite well with the “Sponsored” tag.
VinTaco
July 10, 2013 at 15:34
I’m happy with clearly marked advertorials.
Rags
July 11, 2013 at 12:10
Hmm, a site that does reviews and advertorials. I will certainly lose a bit of trust. Rather put ads on the side.
Gavin Mannion
July 12, 2013 at 09:01
I understand that issue…
Rags
July 11, 2013 at 12:14
And can I just say some products are still cheaper at Rebeltech even with the 25% discount. And will I be allowed to say this?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 11, 2013 at 12:15
Why would you not?
Rags
July 11, 2013 at 12:29
It is just a concern. It could potentially cause advertiser to pull out if they receive bad publicity on the product and put pressure on you to moderate/censor comments or keep such threads closed. I am not saying you will do it, but it could become a difficult situation for you.
If the top comment is “Rebeltech is still cheaper” with 50 up votes and I am the advertiser I will certainly be annoyed, because the competition is getting the potential customers for my paid advert.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 11, 2013 at 12:37
Gives the advertiser valuable insight in to their pricing models. ;P
Gavin Mannion
July 12, 2013 at 09:00
We definitely would not censor comments like that and if an advertiser gets upset then shame… community comes first.
Devon Stanton
July 11, 2013 at 12:58
Can I just say that firstly as an advertiser I really like the idea of advetorials sure I may be a little biased, but I’m a consumers as well and I’d much rather have an advertorial that I’m keen on reading on being gaming related or not in good ol fashioned lazygamer style.
I hate banner ads they’re annoying they clutter the experience a user has and they have such bad connotations associated with them I personally hate the new thing thats going around where the background is clickable (NOTHING INFURIATES ME MORE) I use the background as a neutral zone.
I hear all the people that keep complaining about ad’s and the sort, and I get it they’re annoying. But how else do products get their name out there how does a conversation start when you see your friends “Oh have you seen that ad with the …. ” or “Oh I saw something the other day that might help with that … ”
As much as we hate ads, they’re equally important I think the internet still has to find the right way to utilise ad spaces, but we need to progress somehow
Guest
July 12, 2013 at 17:12
Hmmm.. I posted this on the 10th already but it seems to have disappeared…
In order of importance:
1) No pop-ups.
2) No booze, no smokes, no dating/porn/hookups/sex/viagra-type meds – kids read your site too.
3) Clearly identified as an ad.
4) You get money on views, not clicks (I’m probably not going to click on the stuff.)
(Would the ads possibly include competitions where your wonderful and amazing readers can stand chances to win stuff by answering a question buried in the ads? This would kinda almost force us to read them.)
Thanks
Andrew
Vinson
July 10, 2014 at 07:45
I found the Steelseries Kana V2 weight just allowed me to swipe with better control at 400dpi. The scroll wheel is also the best I’ve ever used, it’s so smooth and wide, I wish all mouses had this kind of scroll wheel. Despite some complaints with the kana’s feet as plastic, it didn’t really bother me, it still glides on my qck heavy just as smooth and fast as any other mouse feet.