Hi Joey…your doing a great job and providing a great service to the community…love the page and look at it every day.
My observation and from not just me alone, the page is getting very product oriented. You have to get thru all the products you and your family are selling before you get to the news. Shirts, hats, cookbooks, mason jar cups, Joey approved photo gear, photographs, etc….
Please don’t take it the wrong way, the blog is great but it looks like you are more interested in selling stuff than ever before….
jeff
My response to Jeff-
Thank you for your observation Jeff.
I heavily heavily promoted my sister’s cookbook for several reasons-
She had three years of non stop working on that cookbook all day every day- a ton of pride and hard work went into it and it cost her a ton to produce with it being a no compromises small run hardcover with jacket and glossy photos cookbook. She could have lost her shirt. As it is she may still only break even or have a tiny profit but if her Kickstarter didn’t work out she was going to be heartbroken and on top of that out a shitload of money.
selling the tshirts and caps is really fun for me. I like doing the research to find just the right products and designing them and picking the colors. Every time an order comes in (and please dont think I make a ton of money off of the hats and tshirts) it is a rush for me. I’m proud of the products and the process. After all is said and done at the end of the year it probably pays for the computer and camera upgrades for the blog along with the huge amount of space upgrades from the massive amount of content we’ve posted.
I’ve posted well over 19,000 posts, and a huge portion of those posts are promoting people and businesses in and around Gloucester other than myself and never asking a dime from these businesses.
If you knew how much time I spend editing and re-editing people’s messed up press releases for the GMG community announcements you might cut me a teeny tiny bit of slack.
I have a lobster business, how often do you see me shilling lobsters on GMG? Very rarely.
I understand you wrote your note without malice and I appreciate the feedback but if you understood how much time and effort I put into the blog I would think that you would cut me a little break on the “you’re only doing this for money routine”
Again I know you didn’t mean it with malice but if you knew how much time and energy I put into this community through the blog it really is kind of insulting that you don’t think I should ever plug the things we do (especially when it’s peanuts we’re talking about).
Maybe stop to think about how much money we put into all of the schooner’s pockets from people who didn’t even know they could go as passengers for the schooner races. Or the money that Maritime Gloucester raised from the lobster bake that was an incredible success because of GMG, or the countless other organizations we help every week.
Just this morning I posted 5 community announcements-
Wellspring House
Lanesville Community Center
Sandy Bay Preschool in Rockport
Free Flu Clinics
The Cape Ann Emergency Planning Team and
the Cape Ann Boards of Health
Magnolia Historical Society
Boston Area MG Club 4th Annual ‘North Shore Ride”
So excuse me if I occasionally step out of line and promote something my family or I am involved in. I think I’ve earned the right.
Respectfully,
Joey Ciaramitaro
Good Morning Gloucester 
Plus, people love buying their GMG t shirts and hats and then wearing them all over the world, because they’re proud of this community and how tirelessly Joey works to promote everyone here. And I love my new cookbook! I’ve lived in a number of different places in this country, but this is my favorite- even though I’m not Italian Joey and family make me feel included in whatever is going on.
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Good job Joey C! Respectfully submitted, love your blog
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We support each other in this community. I covered the Mayor’s Reception for the schooners, collected over $3,500 selling Joey’s lobsters for the schooner committee, and shot the race from the water. But I’m not shy about promoting my local merchants, “shilling” Joey’s lobsters, or even promoting my own gallery. My post this morning was a public “thank you” to the Gloucester Police Department. That’s how we roll here on GMG.
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To me, there’s a huge difference between promoting products that help the community (The cookbook, the shirts and hats, etc) and promoting stuff because of a paid sponsorship (which doesn’t happen.)
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Great blog fantastic job by you Joey and your contributors.lots of good info. and also awesome good you all sell. Enjoy everything about GMG.
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I understand Jeff’s concerns. It feels like all of our coveted cyberspace has become one big advertisement. How many movies, ads, photos and annoying pop-ups do we have to click-on just to see content? However, from my point of view, I’m surprised GMG doesn’t carry more traditional income generating ads. I worked for an isp and a commercial website, and I know about the cost of bandwidth, hard drives and computers, not to mention what a time-sink a responsive site like yours must be. I have nothing but respect for what you do. Your response is further proof of what a community centered town Gloucester is.
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I actually see the product as an added value to me. I love my GMG hat and wear it proudly. I love Gloucester and the real product here is. the. Blog… which is free. A huge community service! Thank you Joey (and all the contributors). Tom
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Joey , Thanks for prompting so many things about my families projects, my friends projects ,my friends businesses , my charities , my civic projects, my kids schools. Thanks for thinking up all the high energy events that have put Gloucester on the tourism map…like the lobster bake. Thanks for all the “good news” and fabulous pictures we can turn to every day instead of the steady diet of greed ,violence and stupidity from the tv and news papers. Thanks for letting us all have an opportunity to give back by buying a book and wearing the team colors… yea GMG!!!
Kathy Slifer
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Do you know how much money Joey could make if he opened his site up to advertisers? A lot – especially since the GMG’s unique views per day are twice the population of Cape Ann. However, Joey chooses not to benefit from advertisements on his site. Why? Because GMG is organized by the community, for the community, which obviously spans well beyond Gloucester.
Essentially, Good Morning Gloucester is a group organized for purposes other than generating profit and in which no part of the organization’s income is distributed to its members, directors, or officers. This, by the way, is the definition of a non-profit organization.
Keep on keepin’ on, Joey. Gloucester would not be the same without you or your site.
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Thanks, I’m actually gonna do the unthinkable. An unprecedented 1 gazillion percent subscriber fee giveback to anyone who is unsatisfied with the way we do things around here.
Its the least we could do.
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YES! Please send me my giveback ASAP.
Oh, by the way my last few GMG Pay checks bounced.
What’ going on?
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THERE IS NO ONE WORKING HARDER than Joey to strengthen our community—who also asks for NOTHING IN RETURN. I think Jeff may be interested to read the comments in the Power of Positivity post: https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/gmg-a-powerhouse-of-positivity-for-gloucester/
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This place rocks! I love seeing the GMG merchandise. It shows how much this GMG community has grown, thanks to your effort and love. Thank you!
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GMG stuff allows FOB’s to show their pride! Great balance. Keep up the great work promoting the entire community!
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I think its great that people read on the daily, enough to see all the fantastic things you are offering. Just another way to bring newness to the BLOG. (Insert rant here) honestly i feel like a broken record when i say this but THIS IS A BLOG AND YOU CAN POST WHATEVER YOU WANT! you can turn it in into whatever you want! you can say whatever you want…that’s the purpose of a BLOG. although if I were you I would be completely flattered that people care so much
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We love the hats and tee shirts and Joey works for everyone. All community events go first to GMG. So many people have contacted me to put up their events on Good Morning Gloucester. Joey works very hard to make sure that all events are covered by the contributors. Keep up the good work GMG.. Love being part of this team.
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I love your blog and enjoy buying items to help support all the great work you do!
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It’s you damn blog! You are certainly entitled to post WHATEVER you want! Keep up the great work you do for the love of Gloucester and all of her citizens.
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Bar none, this blog is the #1 public announcement platform for Cape Ann – with no ads, compensation or membership fees.
Yes, I bought a hat. Damn proud of that GMG hat. I have had offers for that GMG hat. I didn’t buy it because it was merchandise. I bought it out of PRIDE, of feeling CONNECTED to other FOBs, and yes, out of a need to SUPPORT & PROMOTE GMG. A $20 price tag is a small price to pay for years of deriving true joy experiencing how an online community becomes a face-face reality through GMG = priceless. Any community in USA would die to have a platform like this.
I want to ask “Jeff” to what extent he is a voyeur looking or he is participating in our community building work – on the ground or online.
And based upon your note, IMHO, you are just a sorry-ass. online, virtual tourist. I live in Gloucester and a FOB and that gives me the privilege to call you out for what you truly are.
GMG is not Joey’s blog. It’s a community blog of people who love Gloucester and if you know Gloucester you don’t fire a shot over her bow.
..Bex OUT
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Wow – just read this post i cannot believe how far off the mark this Jeff guy is number one it actually costs Joey money to run this blog he could be getting paid for advertising but he doesn’t do that instead he raises a little bit of money by offering quality hats and t- shirts – he carefully chooses these items to make sure they are really good quality and actually makes more work for himself taking and managing the orders and you are going to complain about that? Number 2 I can’t think of another individual on Cape Ann who does as much as Joey does for the businesses and people without asking anything in return. He rarely mentions his own business, despite the fact that Captain Joe and Sons have the best lobsters around, no he spends his time promoting and supporting everyone else’s business and the nonprofits and community events and then gets criticized for it? Wow that sucks. We love our GMG and our GMG gear!
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I love my GMG hat, my GMG Dry it T-shirts (one of each color), my GMG Hoodie (Best insulated hoodie I’ve ever owned), my GMG stickers (I get them for free) and I am seriously considering getting a “Homie” tattoo o my butt.
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Joey — you summed it up well!
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Keep up the great work, Joey. We would miss so many important events and stories, if not for your blog. When I mention these event to my friends, they say ‘How did you find out about that?” I tell them “Just watch goodmorninggloucester and you will be well informed.” Just love your blog.
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Keep doing what your doing Joey!
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First cup of coffee, and reading last night’s comments about Jeff’s observations. Classic comment from Bex: “GMG is not Joey’s blog. It’s a community blog of people who love Gloucester and if you know Gloucester you don’t fire a shot over her bow. ..Bex OUT.” As soon as I read this I got up and put on my GMG hat, which Joey personally delivered. I’m beating a dead horse, but here’s a story about our boy Joey. While working out the details of a joint BHP and GMG event (huge holiday party), I suggested a local purveyor of spirits could donate to the event. Joey was adamant about not doing this, saying he will not ask for anything for free. That taught me something. You’re trading your integrity when soliciting “donations.” Even if the donor doesn’t ask, you feel you owe them something, be it a plug or a positive review. Now, when I go to a place with the intent of reporting, for my FB Page or GMG, I never ask. If they know me and offer, I say: “Thanks, but it’s not company policy. I’m want to pay full price.” Then I can tell the truth about a meal or a product. Today I’ll wear my GMG hat all day and can’t wait to buy a GMG hoodie. Jeff, you’ve boosted Joey’s sales by 500%, and if you come into my gallery, I’ll GIVE you a sticka’ 🙂
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I had just found out about GMG recently and enjoy learning more about Gloucester and what is available on Cape Ann. Joey and other contributors are doing a great service for us all. Thank you. I have things I hope to contribute as this gardening season starts to wind down. Some old Lanesville photos, area postcards etc. Love it here!
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when my husband was alive he was Gloucester Bytes and did computer
work for GMG and Joey wrote about him. This is not self serving
this is sevicing the community…that is Good Morning
Gloucester Community..what the world needs more
of.
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I love seeing folks out and about in their GMG gear and the stickers on cars. It makes me feel like I am a part of the GMG community. My only complaint is that I don’t wear hats so I want more merchandise options. So Joey, my comment is the opposiute of the orginal post. I am looking for MORE MERCH! I also can’t wait to get a copy of your sisters’ cookbook. Great job on the launch at Cruiseport! Keep up the good work and thank you for all that you do for Gloucester.
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How dare you Joey! Where do you get off building your own brand? Who do you think you are? A capitalist or something? And seriously, promoting Sista Felicia’s book just smacks of nepotism. You’ll never get away with this!
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Joey,
I respect that you don’t promote anything that you haven’t vetted for yourself and found to be top drawer. I just want to say that I am one of the remaining few people on the planet who actually enjoy having an illusion, perhaps, of privacy and so I don’t do Facebook. I look to your blog to fill me in on all the great things about Gloucester that I would miss otherwise. I love Greg Bover’s thoughtful quotes from famous people through out time, your quirky creatures from the deep, all the fantastic photos you (and others) take of everyday life here in paradise, learning about Fish from Kathy and Marty, seeing Kim’s gardens and learning the ways of butterflies, finding out about worthy causes and their events, music, plays, readings….on and on and you don’t get a dime for doing any of it. I know you must get a lot of satisfaction, though, knowing that you pass on the love you have for the place you live and work. I salute you. Many thanks for your tireless effort.
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Keep on keepin on, Joey!
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Well said Joey! Amazing how one can see something that’s so positive and try to turn it into a negative….and then not put their full name to back up what they say?
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