How was everyone’s weekend? Oh wait – yesterday was just a random day off in the middle of the week so our kids could drive us nuts up here in good ol’ Canada! (Happy Canada Day folks!). I spent the whole day loving and enjoying my family, and hanging out in the backyard.
Nah – that’s not all I did….. I also took an hour after the family went to bed to write up a great post about bloggers being compensated for hosting giveaways. If you have ever been approached to do a giveaway or review on your blog then you may find this an interesting read.
“… there’s one trend I don’t see going away anytime soon – and that’s product reviews and giveaways. I’m not sure exactly when PR firms woke up and realized the value of bloggers for helping to spread the word about products, but I’m glad they did. While I think it’s great that these firms are branching out and looking towards non-traditional ways of marketing, I often wonder – are these companies taking advantage of us bloggers?”
How do you feel about bloggers being compnesated for hosting giveaways? Are for it, against it? Please share.
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I am all for it. I mean, I know the score. If a blogger suddenly gets a new Garmin foreRunner 405 or something, from Garmin, for free, and then if said blogger writes a GLOWING review, I will be skeptical. In fact, I am skeptical of most things I read online, but I’m paranoid like that.
On the rare, rare, rare occasion when I’ve gotten free swag, I have been firm but fair, I think. I’ve tried to present both sides. For example, I got a GPS-enabled sports watch from AIM not too long ago. In short, it was crap, and my review reflected that, I think. I’ve not used it since. On the other hand, when I got Grete Waitz’s book on running your first marathon, my review was more favorable. Still, I pointed out the books flaws, as any good critic should. You point out the good; you point out the bad. Then caveat emptor.
Having said all that, if the good folks at Apple would like to send me a new iPod Touch or if the adorable Garmin people would like to send me a new 405, then I’d be sure to give those products a fair shake. Please.
Edward´s last blog ..[103] Back on track
I don’t agree with paid reviews, but simple giveaways would be fine. A review needs to be objective, which is why I will no longer work with Mom Central – they got pissed at me for being honest and now I will never trust their company or anything anyone says that’s sponsored by them ever again. Payment for posts always seems dumb to me and reduces the authenticity of the blog, and I generally won’t go back if I see more than one or two posts like that. Paid links? Totally fine – but in the sidebar or other ad spaces and not in posts where I go to read what the writer actually thinks.
much more than a mom´s last blog ..Camping Haiku
I think it’s great to get paid to write a review. However, it’s got to be an honest review and then you’re not going to get paid for it unless you write something positive – so what’s the point then, it’s not real.
jafer´s last blog ..The Vacation Store Review