While blog hopping today, I saw a fun post from blogger pal Chelsea at Someday, I’ll Learn. She was recently featured on NBC along with La Jolla Mom during a great segment about the business of blogging. I loved hearing both women weigh in about what’s been successful for their personal brands.
During the piece, it is mentioned that this is “A business that could easily be abused”, asking the viewer, “Can you trust a blogger that is paid to write about a particular toy, or camera, or baby food?” I hear this come up in most articles about professional blogging, and I have a perspective that I don’t often hear discussed. I’ve been a journalist for 16 years, and I ended up transitioning from freelance writing for other publications to spending 100% of my time writing for my own outlets; my blogs are essentially an online magazine that I own and edit. And because I am a journalist, I always chuckle when people tut-tut over bloggers – gasp! – getting paid for their content. These same individuals do not seem to have an issue with a magazine that features an advertiser’s product in their “Best-of” list, or product placement in television shows.
The FTC reasons that magazines and television shows don’t need to make the same type of disclosures as blogs, because the material connection is “Usually clear to the audience” by implication. I might disagree with that point, but I understand that blogs are a new medium, so let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. But it’s certainly true that bloggers are held to a higher standard in many other ways: For example, recent revisions in the FTC guidelines say that websites must place disclosures prior to any links, in case someone clicks off the page before they read the whole article. And that’s all well and good – but think about the last time you watched TV. For example, one of my favorite shows is The Voice, and Starbucks is one of their sponsors; you will see the judges drinking Starbucks in almost every episode. Does Adam Levine stand up at the beginning of the show and say, “Starbucks is paying advertising fees and provided me with this free cup of coffee?” No. You do see sponsor ad spots dotted through the commercial breaks – but what if you changed the channel before the ad came on? Would you then have been mislead into thinking that Adam Levine just buys a ton of Starbucks on his own? What about diet commercials the the back of magazines with the disclaimer in the fine print – are they responsible if the reader stops paying attention halfway through and doesn’t read the disclaimer in tiny font at the very bottom of the page?
Don’t misunderstand, I am happy and want to disclose my connection with all clients – I even joke about it, with posts where I am provided with big money compensation like mustard samples. I would just like to see my print and television colleagues be equally transparent in their work with clients, especially since they reach a much larger audience than I do. Journalism as a whole continues to take a nosedive in quality, with reporters so desperate to create a story that they publish ludicrous, unverified material as facts in an attempt to get a “Scoop” – take, for example the recent blunder of a news program reading out absurd fake names of Asiana Flight 214 pilots. I’ve always held journalistic integrity in the highest regard and at every point in my career, I have been painstaking to research every point and verify the accuracy of quotes, names and claims. When I quite literally put more effort into researching a blog post about biscuits than TV programs do for actual news, that’s a serious problem.
While I may roll my eyes at the grand accusations of bloggers being unethical and dishonest because they got a free pair of socks, it doesn’t unsettle me. There is a reason why I don’t even bother freelancing for print magazines or other traditional media outlets anymore – the future is in the Internet, so I spend that time continuing to build content that benefits my own brand. I’m actually stunned that so many of my print colleagues haven’t done this themselves; media outlets are only shooting themselves in the foot by crying foul about blogs while continuing to ignore their own sinking ship.
How do you feel about advertising in the media?
I find this hilarious, personally. There are so many bloggers out there who make money with their blogs! Some have very thorough disclaimers, others do not, but the intent is clear in all cases, in my opinion.
The only issue I have with this is questionable product matching to their blog: some bloggers are rather picky when it comes to matching products up with their blog niche, others don’t seem to have such scruples. For example, I never did understand the blogger who was uber healthy, worked out constantly, used “clean” products, yet was suddenly touting the benefits of artificially-flavored vitamin “infused” water and a body lotion that came in a spray can. Or natural beauty bloggers who do a review on a product that isn’t so natural.
To each their own. Some folks do giveaways, some don’t. Some have big corporate sponsors, some don’t. What is sad to me are the bloggers who feel bad because they don’t have a huge following, don’t have the corporate sponsors, or wonder why they ended up with tons of new readers during their giveaway, only to find they have vanished once the event was over.
As long as the individual bloggers can cover their behinds if the FTC comes sniffing around or if someone complains about copyrights, it’s all well and good.
Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl! I definitely think that any outlet – a magazine, blog, or what have you – needs to keep their readers in mind. As you pointed out, a brand project may be a turn-off to some readers if it doesn’t fit with the usual content – If a vegan blogger becomes a hamburger ambassador, they will probably lose a few readers! 😉
I’ve always disclosed. I used to do it in my review, I’d say I received x, and then I’d give my thoughts. I think it’s ridiculous that now we have to worry if we actually should or should not write I received nothing and I’m sharing it because whatever. No other medium has to disclose this way, it’s ridiculous.
You totally hit the nail on the head!! Having come from the “traditional” publishing world into blogging myself, I find it to be a huge double-standard. I’m happy to disclose, I just wish the same rules applied to everybody equally.
I saw an ad today on TV for hair dye. The actress was paid to say she uses this dye and trust no other. I didn’t believe it for one bit. I really wish bloggers didn’t get a bad rap. It is so silly!
I agree 100% but could you imagine All the judges on the Voice, X factor, AI, AGT etc all taking the time before every sip to tell us their drink was sponsored by SO &SO… AS for blog rules–I think most readers are smart enough to know the blogs they follow and can spot a sponsored post. I still think I’d trust a blogger with his/her thoughts even if they did get the soap for free over an actor who most likely doesn’t have a bottle of it in their home.
We have absolutely no issues with disclosing on our sponsored posts and would never dream of attempting to deceive our readers. It is a shame, though, that the disclaimer now must appear at the top of the post, because I do feel like you lose readers’ attention that way. We work very hard to make our sponsored content reader friendly and write it in our “regular, non-paid post” voices…thankfully, our readers seem to appreciate that. Stopped by from the SITS Sharefest onTwitter.-Ashley
I don’t have a problem with disclosure, I think it’s important. I just wish the laws were applied and enforced equally across the board.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, guys! I really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.
I think that clear disclosures are a huge part of being a transparent and ethical blogger. There are a few bloggers out there that are downright crappy about their disclosure, and even get defensive when asked if something was sponsored, which just leaves such a bad taste in my mouth.
I agree Liz, I think transparent disclosure is important in all forms of media.
I think the implication of relationships on blogs are a LOT more apparent than magazines. I just learned recently those pages w/ tons of products in the backend are paid ads!
trisha
My thoughts exactly Trisha. I’ve been wishing that print media and TV were more upfront about many of their advertisements since the ’90s – long before blogging professionally even existed!
I have always been happy to disclose. I don’t like the spammy statements at the top now though because they are spammy and not authentic disclosure.
The worst of it is that I feel I have to disclose when something isn’t sponsored just to be clear. It should be assumed but when I post a review of something I love and bought I write in there that is it not sponsored same for food or a trip or well anything besides a picture of my kids! I hope I can still assume that everyone knows they aren’t sponsored by anyone but me who provides for them! 😉
TOTALLY agree with you 110% if bloggers are held to a standard to disclose then so should other media!
I implemented disclosure buttons along with my post tags & always disclose up front. I don’t bother with blah blah blah opinions are my own. There’s always an inherent bias towards an item that you received for free (plus whatever you need to pay in taxes). When you do a lot of them and are making money i think your review gets closer to what you would say if you bought the product yourself. just my opinion!
What I get tired of is having to say hey yeah this is my referral link, or this is NOT my referral link, etc.
there is a blogger in my niche who barely discloses. it’s annoying and i have heard people complain (other bloggers privately, and individual readers who felt duped). i went back and look at some of the reviews and there were zero disclosures made. when someone isn’t disclosing they probably also aren’t tracking and are also probably tax cheats. :/
Great insights, everyone!
Beth – Yeah, it’s a shame that bloggers are feeling nervous that they might have to tell people that a post WASN’T sponsored by anyone.
Brandy – I don’t bother putting “Opinions are my own” either; I just note that samples/compensation/etc was received. It’s then up to the reader to decide for themselves if they trust my opinion. I feel like my work speaks for itself since I take care to provide constructive criticism, so I leave it to the readers to decide how they feel about what I’ve written.
Este fue el primer inhibidor selectivo de la fosfodiesterasa de tipo V al que han seguido otros como el tadalafilo y el vardenafilo. La combinación puede disminuir la presión arterial a niveles peligrosos. Si estás preocupado acerca de la disfunción eréctil, conversa con el médico, incluso si te avergüenza. Esto se consigue al relajar la musculatura lisa, permitiendo la entrada de sangre y la consiguiente erección. Esta patología supone la incapacidad persistente para conseguir o mantener una erección que permita una relación sexual satisfactoria. Pero para estar diagnosticada es necesario que el problema persista en el tiempo y no se trate de un hecho puntual.
Herbolario: Se compone como la utilización de combinaciones de hiervas para mejorar la disfuncion erectil, incluso para tratar su causa, como la falta de testosterona, los problemas de circulación, etc.
sql interview questions
sql interview questions and answers
sql interview questions pdf
sql interview questions for qa
sql interview questions amazon
sql interview questions 2019
sql interview questions advanced
sql interview questions facebook
sql interview questions reddit
sql interview questions data engineer
sql interview questions difficult
sql interview questions data analyst
sql interview questions developer
sql interview questions deloitte
sql interview questions ddl dml
sql interview questions download
https://mikewhellans.com/sql-interview-questions-and-answers/
sql interview questions dataflair
sql interview questions experienced
sql interview questions examples
sql interview questions employee table
sql interview questions ey
sql interview questions experienced pdf
sql interview questions etl
sql interview questions expedia
sql interview questions for experienced professionals
sql interview questions in amazon
tarot card reading
tarot reading
tarot card meanings
tarot card meanings list
love tarot reading
tarot card meanings pdf
tarot cards reading
one card tarot reading
how to do a tarot reading
tarot card reading near me
https://ericsundwall.com/tarot-card-reading-and-meanings/
tarot card reading free
tarot card reading meaning
tarot card readings online
tarot card reading love
tarot card reading austin
tarot card reading youtube
tarot card reading nyc
tarot card reading layout
tarot card reading how to
tarot card reading lotus
tarot card reading accuracy
tarot card reading aries
tarot card reading accurate
tarot card reading austin texas
tarot card reading about love
tarot card reading astrology
tarot card reading aquarius
tarot card reading a sin
a psychic card reading
a free tarot card reading
pick a tarot card reading
is a tarot card reading accurate
do a tarot card reading
how a tarot card reading works
how does a tarot card reading work
the aeon tarot card reading
what does a tarot card reading tell you
the moon tarot card reading
tarot card reading boston
Residential Rehabilitation Centers http://aaa-rehab.com Drug Rehab Centers http://aaa-rehab.com 24 Hour Drug Rehab
http://aaa-rehab.com
Your ideas absolutely shows this site could easily be one of the bests in its niche. Drop by my website YV6 for some fresh takes about Thai-Massage. Also, I look forward to your new updates.