I don’t have a transparency statement on the blog because I didn’t think I needed one.
I am not big time. If I review a product, it tends to get a positive review not because I can’t give a negative review but because I don’t review products and services I don’t like. I generally know what is good before I agree to do a product review. If I think that it is going to turn out bad, I politely reject doing it. If it goes south after I agree, I talk to the company and suggest how to improve.
Is this wrong? I don’t think so. There is enough negative stories out there. If you want to know what sucks go look at Consumer Reports. Maybe people be happier if I started a blog about products sucking.
Recently the New York Times did a article called Paid to Pitch: Product reviews by Bloggers Draw Scrutiny. It is about how bloggers aren’t held up to the same standards as traditional media.
I figured I throw in my 2 cents that is probably worth a penny. The article is interesting but I do not understand how what I do is any different from radio or celebrity spokesperson. I am not the same caliber as Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson but do you really think that Jessica uses Pro Active. I bet not. I bet she paid good money to go to a dermatologist to get her acne cleared up.
I mention radio only because I used to work in that industry, When you hear a DJ talk about how he loves Company X hotdogs, that DJ is getting cold hard cash to say that. Heard your favorite DJ talk about the awesome event/concert/play they went to and you can still get tickets. Yep paid. It is called sponsorship. Remotes are the same way, “Come on down to Place XYZ and check out their deals..” All paid and written for them.
Radio is a dying media but so is newspaper. Radio still has the quickest time from hearing message to cash register. So what’s the difference.
Two smarter people than me have written about this:
Check out Jessica Knows Wall Street article and Blogging and Double Standards.
Check out Chris Brogan’s Future of Sponsored Posts.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I think a single statement you made is indeed the point. Radio and print advertising are dying – because consumers can’t trust the ads. Journalism is changing since readers can’t trust the motivations of the editor (ie, who his golfing buddy is, or who is a large advertiser and how that changes editorial). According to Forrester research, readers don’t really trust corporate blogs.
Your readers need to be able to trust you. Not only which products are good, but also which products you would not recommend. Personally, I don’t care that you’re paid to review, but I think you ought to blog your own thoughts – not what your sponsor want you to say.
Not too long ago, Chris Brogan was publicly slammed because of his K-Mart post. I’m not sure why. He wasn’t totally positive of his review. Among other points, he mentioned the only thing he bought that HE would actually wear were Joe Boxer underwear.
I do blog my own thoughts. I have no problem doing a negative review and have no problem being truthful. If a company doesn’t want a negative review than I say make a product/service that is good.
I read Chris Brogran’s K-Mart post and really had no problem with it. I thought it was fair and balanced.
I definitely don’t mind posting product reviews or reading them. Because of other bloggers I’ve learned about some really great products I might not have known about before. When it comes gift time for my kids I always have a go-to list thanks to that. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.. it’s like any other blog post really- if they don’t want to read it go on to the next post.
I 100% agree with everything you said. I might not have ever heard of Boogie Wipes if not for a a blog or Pineapple Jerky! If I am not interested I move onto the next blog
I think I tend to get more value from blogs and personal review sites for information on products.
Like the post explains, there could be hidden motives and agendas.
Great post. People are acting like blogging is so different from traditional media.
It is. And it isn’t.
Didn’t our moms always tell us not to believe everything we read in the paper or see on TV?
Everything is open to interpretation. Bloggers can’t go wrong if they let a strong sense of integrity and an authentic voice lead their actions.
Now, if only we could get the Wall Street Journal to disclose and be transparent about the articles they’re actually writing…because the article that came out is not what the reporter told me it was going to be.
You rock (and psssst…you are big time!)