Community managers want to monetize what they’re doing. Brands want to reach niche communities with marketing messages. Seems like a simple solution, doesn’t it?

But then came the social media hippies and tree-huggers. “Marketing doesn’t belong here! We don’t want your spam!” So brands sulked away. And the community managers (think forums, LinkedIn Group leaders, not brand-side implementation specialists) who were interested in making money for their efforts got shut out or snuck behind their brethren’s back to make a buck.