…A little blogging business, if you don’t mind, readers…
I think I’m going to out myself and say this straight up — we have come a long, long way from the days when blogging was about pouring your heart out and hoping somebody read it.
Fact is, I’ve been doing this since 2006 (I blame-thank Tertia – the original Queen of Everything) – I used to blog on iblogs, moved to blogspot and then that all got deleted one day, thanks person-I-used-to-know – so my WordPress archives only go back to 2008.
Anyway – not my point. This is:
I have watched, with interest and enthusiasm, as blogging has become a career for some, an interesting outlet for others, and a space to breathe for many. I have also applauded the fact that commercial entities take blogging seriously. I mean, duh – someone’s opinion and word of mouth referral system is a KEY element of marketing your business/product/whatever.
It does lead to some line-blurring though. How can I tell if someone is saying nice things about their shoes, and being honest about it? I know I have done a few reviews in the past, and yes, I have disclosed that they are review posts, and that I received something for it. Other times, I’ve reviewed things or mentioned them because, heck, I use them and bought them myself!
Is it bad of me to wish that everyone did this? No, I don’t think so.
Now, I don’t care WHAT you blog about, as long as it’s honest, original content and you’re upfront about it. Cool?
I’m even more glad to see that people are taking this seriously now – and that’s why I’ve taken the LadyBloggers pledge. You’ll see a little badge on the righthand side of this here blog, that says I have.
I have never been one of those bloggers who regularly posts reviews or product press releases, but I’m happy to do it. The truth is, I didn’t start blogging to do that – I wrote only ever for me, and my kid. In some respects, I still do. But, if it is relevant to our life, and something we use, then yeah – I’ll do it.
I hope this leads people to realise that blogging isn’t just the headily atmospheric introversion it was when I first started out (oh, and don’t fret – you’re still ALWAYS going to get lots of that from me – that much I can promise you)…but blogging is being taken seriously by business now. Tanya has made some damn fine points on this and so has Saul – by the way, readers, if you’re not reading their blogs already, you should be.
So, let’s be serious. Just for a second.
Great post! We can’t believe you have been blogging for so long. Our old blogs are also tucked away in some part of the internet (where no one should ever find it). Thanks for the shout and taking the pledge. Blogging is close to serious media now and should be considered as such. 🙂
Love this post and I so agree with you. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it is honest and original. I would like to know up where you fit into the picture (like the way you do it)
I don’t get products to ‘review’ (it’s not why I blog) but I read tons of blogs that do and I would prefer to know up front.
And I love reading your blog. Always!
I’ve also taken the pledge and totally agree with you!
I like that a LOT! I have always stated what the blog post is about if I have been asked to review a product – whether I like the product or not.
I will take the pledge!
Oh yes! I would totally 0 in fact will do before my next review. We do not do a lot because I straight out tell product people that we will review HONESTLY and I will disclose that we have been sent x y or z . I will also tell if we do nto like the stuff. Funny how often they just do nto come back to you….
I wasn’t going to do the whole pedge thing as I try to avoid the whole give-away-sponsored-post thing, but after reading your post I realise it really is more about drawing the line in the sand isn’t it?