I've recently been receiving a few emails enquiring about paid links and posts for this blog. These I just delete; if a blog, website or shop is featured anywhere on this blog, it's because I like it, not because I've been paid to feature it. My absolute favourite pitch was a random tweet addressed to me on Twitter from someone who isn't even following me on there -
'Hey LondonMUgirl - we'll buy you a MAC eyeshadow if you link to this site: xyz'
I don't even much like MAC, but kudos to a body building site for knowing the lingo. I'm trying not to think about what they thought the crossover between their site and my blog might be.
That sort of thing is easy to ignore, but I have noticed more genuine approaches for affiliate linking recently (where, if a reader clicks on a link in this blog and buys something, I'd get paid for it), and although I haven't personally been approached I have noticed a couple of sponsored posts on a number of other blogs recently too (where the blogger is paid to write a post about a specific thing, in these cases both viral/ad campaigns).
This doesn't feel right for me at the moment. I'm happy to run paid ads, where it's clear that it is an ad, but this is really a consumer blog, and it's a hobby for me. I feel like I have a relationship with my regular readers here, and I'd hate for you to feel like I'm linking to something because I want you to buy it to earn me 50p, rather than I'm just being helpful. I can see the difference with larger blogs that have big hosting costs, and where the website is being developed as a potential business, but that's not my situation.
This stance might also be quite hypocritical of me, because I do accept products sent to me without charge for review, so where's the difference? That has a monetary value too. What I can say on that is that I do always disclose if something has been provided without charge, so you are able to read my posts on such products knowing that. I also do say no thank you if it's something I wouldn't buy for myself, and I wouldn't give anything a positive review it didn't deserve.
What's your opinion on this? Does it matter, so long as any potential source of remuneration is disclosed? Do you prefer reading blogs without sponsored posts or affiliate links?
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I generally feel the same way you do. I think the worst is when a company approaches you and you turn them down but you see the same company featured on other blogs you (once) respected. You have to think, ok, well, they are obviously getting paid for that because the same company whom I had never heard of before tried to get me to do the same post (and to these bloggers, I know that's not your "favorite site")!
ReplyDeleteI do have a "click here and buy something and I'll get a measley sum" link on my blog. I disclosed it in a post and picked the least obtrusive icon I could. I don't expect anyone to click on it and buy something, in fact, I'd be shocked.
I got emails asking for link exchange and sponsored links too, but most of the time, their websites don't have anything in common with mine to start with. I agree with your point, it's a hobby for me too and I want it to be fun. Paid links, as long as they are fully disclosed and of interest of you or your readers, are ok, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent years in advertising, and years in media, I like my ads to be ads, and my editorial to be editorial, and I like there to be no mistaking the two, hence no "sponsored posts" on Get Lippie.
ReplyDeleteI have no objection to ads (viral or otherwise), btw, it's just that I find "advertorial" articles way, *way* beyond irritating when I come across them either online or in print, it's the lack of objectivity inherent within that grates, I think.
But putting an ad up for people to look at if they want, or ignore if they don't is much less confusing and/or irritating for the readers I think.
I too, accept things for review, and sometimes I have to grapple with my conscience about that (as you say, that has a monetary value too), but, I still speak my mind about things, wherever they come from. And I'm clear with both my readers, and the suppliers, about that.
I didn't get into Get Lippie to make money - I doubt it ever could, tbh - but if other people was to use their blogs to fund at least part of their lifestyle, I wish them good luck, and more power to them, in all honesty. Just because I've turned something down, or won't do something, doesn't mean that I look down on other people who do things differently. My blog, my rules, your blog, your rules. C'est la vie.
Hi, Grace!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with Gilt and Hautelook links since it's so obvious and well known that that the person who refers you will receive a credit if you place and order, but the other kinds of linking do very much bother me and it's one reason I've stopped reading many blogs I used to love.
I simply don't trust that a review is there, or product was featured, because it is actually worthy when the writer is being compensated for directing traffic towards that item. I too have been approached several times about affiliate linking on my blog and have never responded--it's important to me that my blog reflect only my opinions and not be influenced at all by compensation.
Personally I have no desire to read blogs composed primarily of press packets, affiliate links, and products "reviewed" because the writer received them for free.
Hi Jeweled Thumb - I think I'd definitely differentiate a separate 'visit my amazon store' (for example) button - the affiliate links I wouldn't be comfy with are the ones that just look like helpful links to a website in the body of a post about a product. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteHi Halifax - I definitely agree that disclosure is the most important thing - that way the reader can make a fully informed decision before clicking on a link. Thank you :)
Hi Get Lippie - thanks for your comment. I'd rather feature an ad that is obviously an ad, personally too.
Hey SB - I think half the problem with the US blogs is that they weren't ever required to disclose paid links/free products, and so when they were required to by the FTC it came as a shock how many affiliate links etc there were out there. Thanks for your comment. x
It's not something I would ever personally do but then I like to write about products I'm excited about trying simply because I love buying stuff then ranting and/or raving. For that reason it just wouldn't feel right as it would make my opinions biased.
ReplyDeleteHowever if someone is upfront and honest about the purpose of their post and the reader is aware that they may be biased then I have no problem. I have a problem with people misleading readers, not with them making money x
Hi,
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, funnily enough I was ask to do one of those affiliate linking things recently but decided not to take it up even though its from a site I shop from regularly, just didn't seem right somehow.
In terms of recieving items for free, I think if its something you would normally buy and you make sure you disclose it then its fine, although I know there are a few blogs where every post seems to be something they were sent and they always rate it so I just tend to look at them for the pictures/swatches rather than trust the review.
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteI think that from the point of view of the regular reader (as I don't own a blog and I'm not familiar with blogpolitics), you get to a point where certain bloggers have earned your trust and their intentions are not in question.
Yours is a very selective blog. All PR provided items that I have seen reviewed here tie in with your expressed preferences, and the balance between purchased and provided items is very carefully considered.
Therefore, I personally would not mind a link from time to time. I realise this is a hobby to you, but I don't see why you would not make something out of it (modest sums, I'm sure) that could go towards expenses for the blog's upkeep.
To my mind, it's all a question of what kind of relationship you have built up with your readers and, personally, I am convinced about both your intentions and your judgement.
Nina
I'd have to agree with Nina on this one--Grace your blog has an honest voice and there are others that I could name that fall into the same category. They call them as they see them. Others you can tell just don't seem to have the same credibility, but that comes across in the reading. It's all in how its handled. When the US started requiring disclosure, I was surprised to see how many blogs receive samples. Ultimately, I think it was a good move to require disclosure in the US. It's probably good practice all around, but I wouldn't be concerned if you (or the other blogs that I like) started linking so long as disclosure is made.
ReplyDeleteHello Eyelining - I think that's the crucial point; as long as full upfront disclosure is made, then you can decide if you want to click on and purchase through a link that makes a blog author commission.
ReplyDeleteHi Replica - I bet it's the same store :) Yes, I know what you mean; where nothing on a blog is purchased by the author it does sort of cease to be a consumer blog to me too.
Hello Nina - thank you so much for your comment. You were one of my first readers, and twhat you've written here really means a huge amount to me. x
Hi Amy - again, it comes down to disclosure, doesn't it? I wasn't very surprised by the PR sent stuff (if a blog gets lots of collection months before it's released, generally it has to come from a PR) but the affiliate links did surprise me.
Thank you all, so much, for your comments.
I've given this a lot of thought. It bothers me when the reviews are so obviously biased because the blogger has gotten the items from the PR firm. Honesty needs to be first and foremost for people to trust a blog or a review of any kind. On emakemeup.com we've long had the policy that we can't get something for free from the company for the purpose of review. That's a way of others knowing our reviews are honest.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've been thinking about this too lately as I've been approached as well for affiliate links and for sponsored posts.
ReplyDeleteI've been in media for most of my career and I feel strongly as Get Lippie said, about keeping editorial editorial and advertising, advertising. But like you said, I do accept products for review consideration with the only caveat being products that fit into my area of 'expertise.' For example I was asked to review a flat iron.I could have said yes but realistically i would never use it nor does it fit what I write about regularly. I feel like I owe it to myself and to my readers to stay true to the blog's original purpose -- and that is to share my love of makeup and to talk about it with those who enjoy it just as much.
Some late night rambling!
Michelle
xox
Hey Marcia - it really is a good selling point of the EMMU flower reports.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle - I totally agree with you. x
Well, I think your blog is is certainly one I can trust, and has stayed true to itself over time. We both like the same brands and things too, so that really helps!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this kind of thing lately because after all the PR hoo-ha there seems to be people advertising on Twitter and doing (obvious) sponsored, paid for posts but not disclosing it.
Disclosure I think, is the key thing here.
On my blog I have obvious ads on the site. I don't do twitter advertising, advertorials or sponsored posts or have affiliate links in blog posts - I don't know, I prefer ads to be ads and content to be content.
I do get press samples, (which I disclose) and ones that interest me get reviewed honestly, and I have had my fair share of PRs fall out with me over what I've said. Do I care? Nah - luckily if I want to try something, I can buy it.
So really, if someone is transparent, (as in telling the reader if they are being paid for a certain promotion or if a link is a affiliate one) then its all ok. I don't see the point of being honest with some things (like disclosing PR samples) but then being sneaky with something else.
Whatever bloggers decide to do with their sites, as long as they are honest and comfortable with it, more power to you!
Hi Cosmetic-Candy - yes, I definitely think it comes down to disclosure. It would feel disingenuous to me to very obviously disclose one interest (e.g. PR provided samples) but then not disclose others.
ReplyDelete