05/09: More Thoughts On Sponsored Blogging

The first of these was over at Josh Spaulding's Make Money Blog and related to a Review Me post at John Chow's blog. The ensuing discussion is an interesting one because as ever it produced some strong reaction and opinion.

If you have read any of my previous ramblings about sponsored blog posts you have probably realized that whilst I'm a supporter and am in favor of the principle, I also have some reservations. If you read the aforementioned post, you will see that the crux of the argument is whether the blogger should have accepted payment in light of what he subsequently published.

The reason I raise it here is because I think it highlights one of the biggest problems surrounding sponsored blogging - self control on the part of bloggers. It is widely accepted, I think, that people tend towards animosity against blogs that are filled with nothing but sponsored content. Whether or not this is justified is neither here nor there, it just seems to be so.

I don't write many sponsored posts, but of course my blog is monetized, and I will happily write them if I feel they are relevant and that I can do the purchaser justice. This is where restraint has to be exercised. As an example, I've been asked in the past to write about things like Caribbean Cruises on this blog - understandable because I live on Grand Cayman and on the face of it, it's a relevant topic, but anyone who lands on these pages know that it's really anything but. Sure, I'm intelligent enough to cobble together a few paragraphs extolling the pleasures of our beautiful region and our islands in particular, but I don't think that's what my readers come here for, even though I do throw in the occasional local bits and pieces for variety.

I've stated before that bloggers need to consider more long term goals over a quick buck, but of course the higher the offer, the harder they become to refuse - human nature right? Well, maybe, but the next post that caught my eye was Andy Beard's article promoting free keyword and SEO tools, where he clearly states that he turned down a $130 fee but wrote about the topic anyway. Sure, Andy could just be attempting to demonstrate that he is a halo wearing and benign blogger, but anyone who reads his blog will know that he is one of the few high profile and successful guys who is also a genuinely nice bloke with no need to resort to such tactics. Credibility leads to far more reader loyalty.

Just to ward off the cry that he can afford to turn down advertising of this sort, it doesn't matter if it's ten or four hundred dollars, there is a reason he is in the position to turn it down in the first place and aspiring bloggers, myself included, do well to remember that.

The point I'm trying to make is that when you compare the attitudes of these two blogging 'names' the differences are plain to see. Long term, one does himself and his reputation far more good than the other, who's actions have been called into question. Worlds apart.

If you believe that no publicity is bad publicity, I suppose these views are irrelevant, but I think the lesson is clear.

We all love getting paid to blog and do something we enjoy, but there is a need to balance the greenbacks with a coherent and cohesive blog, that won't portray you, the author as being all about the money, which will, like it or not, turn a great number of people off.