Need some opinions

[Cyrann]

Dude, those are some GREAT thoughts, seriously, thanks for that...

I agree with you on most of those thoughts....What if I was to give a stick every once in a while? Like just when I feel like it? Not every stick at all, but when I have some extras...That would still get some people some sticks, and make me happy

Also just a note, I am NOT in this for the sponsorships or money at this point...I wanted a place that I could put my thoughts, and I wanted a place that people knew they could go to to get real thoughts (not that other reviews don't mind you, I am not saying that)...

Does that make sense?

~brooks

Yes it makes sense.

Don't get wrong, I wasn't saying don't do contests (who doesn't like a good contest), but not every post... that is just ridiculous and no one should expect that.

I can see where you are coming from w/ sponsors and if you can pay for the site, get the sticks you do, and not need them? Well, that is refreshing too. I'm sure some people out there use blogs as chance for free goods, but that's not what it is about... it's about the cigars, bonds, trades, friends, and fun of the hobby/passion.

There ARE alot of blogs out there, and I have a feeling that people are getting "Blog Fatigue", and I am not sure what to do about that...

It's all good man... keep on burning ones that others save, me included.

That's what you do... stuff people don't know about... stuff people want to see burned... hell stuff people want!

Oh, and ANSWER your email!

 

[MC808]

I for one enjoy your blog. Its well composed with great photos and personal commentary. For me its just one mouse click away.

I agree with what Larry said. Reading your reviews allows me to live vicariously through your experiences.

As for giving out the sticks, do what makes you feel good. If you offer something with positive intentions and no strings attached, why the hell not?

 

[twenty5]

Brooks, I also love your pics and reading your reviews on the HTF stuff. I think maybe you should have a little "Brooks Reviews" section on the site:dunno: That way you would be able to keep all your stuff together and I won't have to leave this place to read it. I understand what other people said about people posting a couple of lines here to tell us to go somewhere else, doesn't seem right to me. As for giving your stuff away, I think that is a great idea as long as its done over here. I know it might be double the work for you and you may not get as much traffic over at your site but you asked for some opinions and there is mine lol/

 

[xddco]

In some ways I agree. I love reviews but refuse to be dragged to another site for it. This is my home and this is where I like to get my info. No slam bro. You have a great blog. I just like to read it here.

I'm relatively new here... but I like the one stop shopping of this site and have to agree with CWS. I don't think I'd go to another site.
However, I do like the idea of gifting a HTF smoke to a BOTL....as anyone who knows me from cbid will attest... but I do it to create the experience, not drive traffic to a blog. Just my opinion, as requested.

 

[alden]

This whole thing sounds like a great Idea. Your site is great brooks!

 

[daniyal]

Great idea!

 

[Josh.CHI]

I am on the same page as SFL. I enjoy your site(which isn't in the standard BLOG format), the photos are great and I do in some way identify with you because of BOTL and actually read the entire review. And if you want to send out sticks to fellow BOTLers that is up to you and if it makes you happy, why not.

 

[strife]

Bottom line Brooks is it's your site to with as you choose. I like the idea of rewarding someone with stick now and then but not because he happened to come by the site and post a reply "hoping" to win one. I mean do you want people visiting the site because you have to entice them or because they truly enjoy your work, you know there will be a lot of people that won't even bother to read the review but still leave replies just for a chance to "win". I think if you want to send a cigar to someone then just do it for the sake of wanting to do it without anyone having any expectations of receiving one.

As far as linking, I can understand what Justin and Chuck are feeling and they have every right but honestly what's one more click these days. The reviews are nice but like all reviews they're subjective and should be taken as such. I go to your site for your honesty and your kick ass photos. For all I care you could review a Garcia y Vega and I'd enjoy it. (The review not the cigar!)

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

"I go to your site for your honesty and your kick ass photos."


As I posted earlier, strife pretty much summed it up for me Brooksey!

 

[Electric Sheep]

 

[blooz4u]

Is that Tupac ?? Did he release another CD ?? :dunno:

 

[Harvard]

Not sure I want to moderate this one but I do see both sides. Perhaps there is a happy medium. Brooks could review the sticks both places and for those of us that choose too, he could provide a link to the review on his site for comments. I think we get too caught up in concerning ourselves with guys that are out for a quick buck using our traffic to their sites to make that happen. After all, there are ads on this one as well. I love this place but really can't we all just get along?

 

[Harvard]

Electric Sheep and I must have been typing at the same time.....

 

[blooz4u]

I'd imagine that it's MUCH harder to do what Brooks needs to do in this forum setting, versus his blog setup. Me, I personally don't have a problem, as I love this site to death, but do not mind an extra click to help a friend out!

 

[pfm721]

I enjoy brooks' site because he takes photos that I couldn't come close to replicating. The nice thing about him having his own site is that if you like the pictures or reviews that he writes you can see the rest of his material in one place. If you were to try and run down past reviews and other content that he posted here it would take a bit more work than just looking for it on his site.

That said I can also under stand Justin, CWS, and Xddco when they say they like the one stop shopping here. I review for a blog but to my recollection I haven't ever posted a review from there on a forum. I figure if you want to go read those then you can find them there. I do try to offer my thoughts on a stick if I see a discussion going on about on that I have thoughts on.

Brooks love the site keep up the good work.

 

[Harvard]

Not suggesting the pics etc. being put up here just copy and paste the review and then the rest can be found on his site. Just a thought!

 

[kaelaria]

That's EXACTLY what I do and apparently it's not good enough for the complainer either...

Brooks - do what you like man, none of us will EVER please everybody, no point in even trying. The lack of good pics is something that spurred me to start doing them this spring also - love your work, keep it up!

 

[twenty5]

That's EXACTLY what I do and apparently it's not good enough for the complainer either...

:nodlaugh:

Brooks contributes to this site.... That is not EXACTLY what you do, now is it???

 

[CWS]

That's EXACTLY what I do and apparently it's not good enough for the complainer either...

Brooks - do what you like man, none of us will EVER please everybody, no point in even trying. The lack of good pics is something that spurred me to start doing them this spring also - love your work, keep it up!

Sir,
I take umbrage to your statement. The man asked for opinions and received them. Are you saying that opinions can only be the same as yours? If someone's opinion is different then it should be discarded and called a compliant. I think not. I applaude Brooks for his personable and even response to both opposing opinions. His gentile and well thought esponses actually caused me to go look again at the excellent work on his blog. First rate stuff. Perhaps you should take heed.

Thanks for your participation int he forum Brooks.

 

[Electric Sheep]

Sir,
I take umbrage to your statement. The man asked for opinions and received them. Are you saying that opinions can only be the same as yours? If someone's opinion is different then it should be discarded and called a compliant. I think not. I applaude Brooks for his personable and even response to both opposing opinions. His gentile and well thought esponses actually caused me to go look again at the excellent work on his blog. First rate stuff. Perhaps you should take heed.

Thanks for your participation int he forum Brooks.

Posts like that are why you're my BOTL.org hero. :cjump::ccowboy::lady::roundtheh