A word on ethics, integrity and selling out
Posted by Josie on Dec 10, 2009 in Uncategorized | 37 comments
No, I’m not dredging up THAT old debate – merely letting you know a few things.
Sleep is for the Weak seems to have fallen under the PR radar lately, which is nice of course, but has meant I’ve needed to decide my position on a few things. Mostly its nothing very exciting, pitches for products and services that are, sometimes laughably, inappropriate to my family or to this blog. But ever so often now, something more suitable is coming up and I’ve been left with having to make a decision. As much as it would be nice to keep this blog a purely personal venture I’d be a bit daft to look a gift horse in the mouth when one comes along. Cutting off my nose to spite my face just so I can sit in some pure, sanctimonious bubble, is SO not what I’m about.
So before the odd bit of commercial content starts appearing on these pages, here’s where I stand:
1. I will never, ever feature products, reviews or advertising for things that I think will be of no interest to you, go against my personal ethics, or accept anything just to make a quick buck. Free stuff and the odd bit of cash is nice but not at the expense of my integrity or the risk of spoiling my lovely blog with meaningless crap.
2. Commercial posts will be infrequent, probably very infrequent, and my usual outpouring of regular, interesting (I hope), varied posts will still make up the vast majority of this blog’s content.
3. Where I have received a product or payment for writing about something I will always make it obvious.
4. If reviewing a product or service I will always be (probably uncompromisingly) honest. Features and reviews will be written in a way that is informative and entertaining which I hope you will enjoy reading.
5. And lastly, because I feel this is important too, I will always negotiate rates that I feel reflect my talent as a writer, the time and effort I put into my blog and it’s success. I’m not going to start accepting cheap handouts just for the ‘privilege’ of being asked. I believe parent bloggers are worth far more than that – we are talented, discerning, intelligent people and if people want to make use of those talents and use our blogs as a platform their going to have to charge a decent price that reflects commercial rates. Accepting peanuts just because we feel a bit special getting approached means PRs will think that’s it’s ok to ask for peanuts in the future. And it’s not. Believe it or not I’m not some desperate, easily manipulated mummy with too much time on her hands – I am a writer with professional pride and integrity. So there.
This doesn’t mean that suddenly everything I write for others is going to come with a price tag. I will still always be open to opportunities for guest posts and new ventures which I’m happy to do for free if they offer a good bit of exposure and if I feel passionately about the project. But when it comes to big business who can afford to pay me for my time? Well, that’s a different matter.
For anyone else interested in disclosure and ethics in blogging I’d encourage you to go have a look at A Modern Mother’s ‘Blogging with Integrity’ campaign, which includes a button you can use on your blogs.
Anyway. I hope that makes my own position clear. Would love to hear your thoughts as always…
Related posts:
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http://rosiescribble.typepad.com
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http://www.notsuchayummymummy.wordpress.com
Good for you. Why look a gift horse in the mouth when it’s bringing you something that would help enormously? I enjoyed your review of the book the other and I know that if you review something, promote it etc then it’s got to be for a good reason & I’ll pay attention.
I have to admit I’m skipping a number of blog posts at the moment as they all seem to be sponsered ones and most of them bore me! They seem irrelevant to the blog, to the writer and to the readers.
I’ll look forward to seeing what pops up!
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Josie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:19 pm@Emma @ Notsuchayummymummy, I do the same, skipping posts, I don’t mind one ever so often if it’s something different and interesting but it’s getting a bit relentless on some blogs…
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http://www.kidstart.co.uk/livingwithkids
Exactly. Particularly the negotiating a fair price for your words part.
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Josie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:22 pm@Liz (LivingwithKids), And you’ve given me some great advice on that score so thank you xxx
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http://themoiderer.typepad.com/blog
Personally I don’t enjoy reading the blogs where someone has done a review. I really enjoy all the different blogs and get a lot out of them, including some great tips. When I see one that is a review I ignore it. When I see one with too many reviews I stop following the links to read it altogether. I understand it is a great opportunity to make money and get some free stuff, but my personal preference would be to have a seperate “review blog” with maybe a link to it from the main blog. This takes advantage of a wide audience without “dirtying” your core blog.
.-= the_moiderer´s last blog ..Xmas dinners – oh boy! =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:55 pm@the_moiderer, I very much doubt I will do anywhere near enough reviews on here to warrant a separate blog (and I can’t be arsed tbh…) I don’t see the harm of the odd one here and there, and certainly won’t mind if you choose not to read them
I’m the same though – too many and I lose interest x[Reply]
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http://lifeslightlyused.wordpress.com/
Well said hon
very well said (you are more than a good enough writer and trustworthy enough (to fellow parents) to review and earn some of extra money)
.-= april´s last blog ..That awkward age… =-.[Reply]
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http://hearth-mother.blogspot.com/
I agree with the_moiderer above – I ignore blogs with too many reviews. It’s not really why I’m into this at all.
.-= Theresa´s last blog ..Are You Proud About Me, Mummy? =-.[Reply]
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http://www.arewenearlythereyetmummy.com
I have a seperate review section, but sometimes run reviews through the main blog too.
I’ve had some lovely books and toys through the reviews and some paid posts. It’s not going to make me rich but during these extremely hard times it is helping.
It’s such an individual thing – you can’t please everybody all of the time.
Welcome to (what is considered dependent on which way you look at it) the dark side.
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http://motherofinnovation.blogspot.com/
From ‘the other side’ I have had some great reviews for the product I make, and one really honest one that while they liked it pointed out the downsides too. For me that was really useful too – as it is going to help me make better products. So, I value people reviewing for the feedback as much as the potential feedback.
To me a reviewer with integrity is the only reviewer work asking.
However, I am still trying to get the right balance on my own blog – so, again, your blog is great food for thought.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Do we suit green? =-.[Reply]
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http://mwaonline.blogspot.com
I think you should do what works for you. As long as you mark it clearly AT THE TOP. I am getting a bit fed up with people seemingly writing a “normal” post and then I get to the end and all of a sudden it’s a sponsored one.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..Low Countries bloggers unite! Or not! =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:15 pmOh no!! Was that you telling me off?! I did do a link at the bottom of a post the other day, but it wasn’t a sponsored one. I’d just written the blog post and thought I’d link them in since they were giving my blog a bit of exposure and were nappy related.
Off to hang my head in shame….
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Mwa Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm@Josie, I wasn’t thinking of anything you had written. Really!
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..Low Countries bloggers unite! Or not! =-.[Reply]
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http://stickyfingers1.blogspot.com
Good for you Josie. And good for you for sticking to your guns and getting what you deserve/are worth.
I am a big believer is doing what you are comfortable with and not listening to anyone saying you should do this or you shouldn’t do that. it’s your blog, it’s great and anyone who likes what you write will continue to come back for more. x
.-= Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Jumpers for goalposts =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 10:06 pm@Tara@Sticky Fingers, Absolutely. I think if I go with my gut I can’t go far wrong. If I feel happy about what I’m doing I’m guessing most people will feel the same way.
Thanks xx
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http://cavemother.blogspot.com
Good for you, setting it out clearly like that. Let’s be honest – it’s usually pretty obvious whether a post is “normal” or “commercial” from a couple of sentences in. If people don’t like those posts, they don’t need to click on them.
.-= Cave Mother´s last blog ..I Never Knew What Nursing Meant To Me… =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 10:08 pm@Cave Mother, Well that’s kind of the bottom line isn’t it. Don’t like them, don’t read them! I won’t mind…
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http://www.bringingupcharlie.co.uk
Couldn’t agree more (with you) on pretty well everything. (Obviously!) But I’m going to take issue with the_moiderer (above). Almost all of the advice I value re: products, services etc is what I read on people’s blogs. Being independent, being in a similar position as I am, straight-talking blogs are the most reliable source of advice on offer. Like a good friend, but multiplied to cover almost everything you might ever want or need to buy. Just tell it as it is!
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Happy Christmas! =-.[Reply]
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http://insomniacmummy.com
The dark side ain’t so bad.
I’ve done a couple of reviews now, fretted over it for ages but really have no idea why now.
When all is said and done these blogs are ours and ours alone. If people don’t want to read a post then they don’t have to. If they want to unfollow because of a few reviews then hey ho.
As long as you are honest and stick to your disclosure policy then none of it is really anyone elses business.
Everything evoloves.
.-= Insomniac Mummy´s last blog ..Blog Housekeeping – Update =-.[Reply]
Insomniac Mummy Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 3:40 pmThat should say evolves……gah!
.-= Insomniac Mummy´s last blog ..Blog Housekeeping – Update =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 10:29 pm@Insomniac Mummy, Oh I quite liked the evoloves
And you’re right of course. Sometimes it’s good for growth x
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http://www.mummymania.blogspot.com
Look, I think you are being honest and up front and if you can get some4thing out of it for yourself, go crazy. I personally like recommendations, and let’s face, we are all free to tune out if that particular promotion isn’t for us. well done you – and be proud you are at the level that you can be influential enough to be asked. and be prouder still that you have a price! well done you.
.-= Mummy Mania´s last blog ..Overwhelmed and underperforming =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 10:32 pm@Mummy Mania, Thank you lovely. I think I might hire you as my own personal feel-good coach. You always say such wonderfully affirming things!! x
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http://www.musingsofageriatricmummy.blogspot.com
As long as it’s done with openness and honesty I think it’s absolutely fine. I would if I was asked, without hesitation. Without wishing to duplicate what has already been said, what you do on your blog is your business. If people don’t like a particular post they needn’t read it. End of.
Don’t give it another thought
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http://www.strocel.com
I don’t generally run reviews or content based on PR contacts. However, one time I did, because I really wanted to try the product myself. I was quite worried about it, but found that everyone was very positive. At least as positive as they normally are, anyway.
For me, there’s a point when a blog becomes all about reviews and ceases to be interesting. I enjoy original content. However, in moderation, it’s totally reasonable. My yardstick is whether or not I would tell a friend about it. If I would, then it seems fair to blog about it. If I wouldn’t, well, that’s another story.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Work at Home Mom =-.[Reply]
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http://drawingdad.wordpress.com/
Firstly, congratulations on building this blog and its readership to the extent that you would be approached for this kind of thing. Brilliant!
Secondly, I don’t have much to add the hasn’t already been said in comments above. I admire your honesty and agree with your point of view on this. Go for it.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..My escape =-.[Reply]
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http://www.englishinbarna.blogspot.com/
Hi! Congrats on your blog! I think it can be a positive experience for you if you can select the product. I don’t mind reading reviews once in a while, and, honest, if I’m not interested in a particular post, I just don’t read it
This is a video dealing with the vendor-client relationship, I hope you enjoy it. As a freelance translator, I feel it describes well some situations with big publishing groups, for example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY
.-= marta´s last blog ..Thanksgiving with some American friends =-.[Reply]
Josie Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
@Rosie Scribble, Thanks Rosie. I always admire your transparency when it comes to your blog – I think you set a really good example xx
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