Work Matters

Buying PR In Blog Posts?

Written by

supermoxie

in

I suppose that I should have known this was going on, but I just got an email titled "Sponsoring a blog post," which says:

My name is Samantha and I work for a management consulting
firm. We are currently in the process of growing our online presence and would
like to know if we would be able to sponsor your upcoming post. The sponsorship
is not a product review but rather a mention within the body or the byline of
the post. Do you think we would be able to work something out?

I was a bit taken aback, as this something that would never occur to me to do or to accept.  But I guess it is a little like product placements in movies or TV.  Has anyone heard more about this practice?  Am I being too touchy in my negative reaction?

P.S. Samantha used a gmail address and did not say what firm it was. 

Comments

160 responses to “Buying PR In Blog Posts?”

  1. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  2. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  3. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  4. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  5. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  6. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  7. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  8. Michael F. Martin Avatar
    Michael F. Martin

    http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

    Reply
  9. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  10. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  11. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  12. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  13. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  14. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  15. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  16. Peter Edstrom Avatar
    Peter Edstrom

    I like to look at it in extremes.
    What would happen if you did that on every post? In every paragraph? Would it still be your blog? Would it still be your voice?
    If it is a friend or association that you would personally like to promote, then yes, it is ok. But as soon as you are doing something you wouldn’t naturally do anyway, you’re loosing your own voice on your own blog.

    Reply
  17. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  18. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  19. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  20. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  21. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  22. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  23. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  24. twitter.com/jmcaddell Avatar
    twitter.com/jmcaddell

    Bob, I’ve gotten those come-ons from time to time. I’ve said no every time.
    I’d stay away. The very modest upside is overwhelmed by the reputation downside.

    Reply
  25. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  26. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  27. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  28. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  29. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  30. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  31. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  32. jik Avatar
    jik

    Blogs have been commercialized like this for a long time. Popular bloggers get freebies, money for writing product reviews, and even paid trips to conferences and such sponsored by the companies that want to be written about.
    The honest bloggers admit when they’re receiving any sort of remuneration for what they right. There are lots of dishonest bloggers. And yes, I do consider it dishonest when a blogger fails to disclose that they have a financial interest (past or future) in what they’re writing about.
    I’m sure my blog (http://blog.kamens.us/) is far less popular than yours, but I’ve been getting occasional offers for people to pay me money to write about them / link to them / whatever for years. I pretty much always ignore them. (I do have AdSense on my blog, which pays me very little — I finally got my first $100 payment from them after having them on my blog for a year.)
    Something you have to be careful for is if someone asks you to put a link or ad on your blog, and they aren’t clearly working for an ad agency or company you can verify and trust, there’s a good chance they’re trying to use your blog as a platform for getting malware onto people’s computers.

    Reply
  33. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  34. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  35. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  36. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  37. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  38. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  39. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  40. Armin Avatar
    Armin

    Sounds to me like they are trying to cleverly buy some “link love” from well known websites in order to improve their search engine rankings. I’ve seen this before with the infamous “text links” to be placed somewhere on the site, this looks like they are aiming to “hide” them in the actual body copy so that the search engine crawlers get duped into thinking it’s a genuine link.
    Sounds rather naughty to me, I would train my spam filter on mails like these.

    Reply
  41. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  42. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  43. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  44. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  45. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  46. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  47. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  48. Stan Taylor Avatar
    Stan Taylor

    You’re correct to be skeptical.
    It’s Google scamming. Since Google PageRank takes into consideration links from ‘established’ sites in calculating a site’s rank, it’s worth their while to try to get links from other web sites. I get frequent requests to buy ad space on a web site I maintain. The Google value is much higher than any potential customers that my site might drive to the prospective purchaser’s.

    Reply
  49. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  50. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  51. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  52. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  53. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  54. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  55. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  56. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Yep, I get these too. I believe that once you’re at a certain level of blog traffic (which you’re certainly at), it takes way more money than these companies are usually offering to even consider thinking about something like this. Basically, they want to buy your credibility for their own gain. I recommend ignoring them!
    (But I suppose maybe in a certain light they’re better than the dozens of PR people who try to get bloggers to promote their products/authors/news releases for free?)

    Reply
  57. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  58. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  59. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  60. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  61. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  62. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  63. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  64. john Avatar
    john

    Did they explicitly mention a link though? The text reproduced here simple states “a mention within the body or the byline of the post”.
    This seems more like classic product placement to me, which is widespread in all media formats these days, so why not blogs (assuming it is a product you would actually endorse)?

    Reply
  65. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  66. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  67. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  68. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  69. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  70. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  71. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  72. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    I have never had an issues with a blogger receiving consideration, as long as they are up front and honest (“Apple sent me an iPhone and paid me to review it”).
    Over the years I have read magazines, newspapers, and newsletters that receive consideration from outside sources.
    However, the publications that refuse all consideration are in a special class. Once that boundry is crossed, it will be very difficult to go back.

    Reply
  73. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  74. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  75. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  76. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  77. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  78. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  79. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  80. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    I just received the identical email message from “Samantha.” I usually ignore these, but having just seen this discussion, I decided to ask what they traditionally pay for such things, and I’ll return here and let you know. I can almost promise that it’ll be a pretty small sum.
    I agree with Greg that it’s hard to go back once you cross that boundary.

    Reply
  81. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  82. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  83. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  84. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  85. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  86. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  87. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  88. Ask a Manager / Alison Green Avatar
    Ask a Manager / Alison Green

    Ha!
    I wrote back to Samantha to ask what she envisioned paying. Her reply — $75.
    I pointed out to her that no established blogger with credibility and good traffic is going to consider something that low, and that she might be better off approaching blogs with lower traffic, so that she’s not asking an established blogger to sell their credibility for $75.
    Her response, which just blows me away: “All I am asking is to put a mention at the bottom of you upcoming post. This takes 5 seconds for an established blogger as it is only one line of code.”
    I wrote back to her: “It’s not a question of how much time it takes — you’re right that it
    would take 5 seconds. It’s a question of the value you’d be getting — 5 seconds of my time and three years of my work to build credibility
    and high traffic. Are you really basing your price on how much time it will take people, not on the value they’d be supplying? That’s crazy.”
    She has not been heard from since.

    Reply
  89. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  90. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  91. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  92. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  93. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  94. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  95. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  96. Joseph Lira Avatar
    Joseph Lira

    well, if the product they ask you to sponsor is actually good, I would consider it, only if it is something I would recommend even without the payment, because you risk loosing credibility if you recommend bad stuff.
    something like good books or good blog recommendations are often appreciated

    Reply
  97. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  98. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  99. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  100. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  101. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  102. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  103. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  104. Wally Bock Avatar
    Wally Bock

    FWIW, Samantha contacted me as well. The message was precisely the one in your post. I suspect darling Sam is mining our blog rolls. What I found interesting and a bit appalling, was that she was requesting a link embedded in a post, not an ad, an addition to the blog roll, or a guest post as others I’ve gotten.

    Reply
  105. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  106. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  107. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  108. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  109. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  110. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  111. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  112. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Is Sam a blobbyist?

    Reply
  113. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  114. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  115. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  116. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  117. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  118. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  119. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  120. Bob Sutton Avatar
    Bob Sutton

    Ally,
    You get the “brevity is the soul of wit award.” I want to thank all of you for such thoughtful comments. I agree that it is not a wise idea to do for many reasons, although I don’t want to leave the impression that I am an unselfish angel as, truth be told, I do try to sell my own books. The other lesson I learned from your comments is, when I am praising a person, company, product and so on, and have some personal or financial relationship involved, I should take more care to disclose that fact. Thanks again — and I am finding myself feeling a bit bad for Samantha.

    Reply
  121. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  122. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  123. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  124. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  125. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  126. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  127. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  128. ally polly Avatar
    ally polly

    Ha !
    Thanks, Bob.
    I miss reading your blog.
    Don’t know where I’ve been…

    Reply
  129. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  130. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  131. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  132. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  133. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  134. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  135. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  136. Barb Chamberlain Avatar
    Barb Chamberlain

    Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC rules for bloggers (as should all bloggers–none of the comments here mention it and you all need to know about it unless you’d relish a nice fat fine and negative publicity).
    What she’s proposing is something that has to be disclosed.
    This link by an Internet law site is just one of many you’ll find if you search on FTC blog disclosure: http://bit.ly/d8Pj60
    As someone who works in communications, public affairs and now social media, I wouldn’t dignify her request with the label “PR.” She’s trying to do an online advertising buy *disguised* as PR–and doing it poorly.
    @BarbChamberlain

    Reply
  137. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  138. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  139. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  140. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  141. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  142. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  143. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  144. CV Harquail Avatar
    CV Harquail

    Bob,
    thanks for bringing this up, and Wally & Alison for adding their experience…
    I got this email & threw it away, but up until this point never really thought about whether anyone in my circle of bloggers ever responds to these. Frankly, I prefer if they offer me a free book and a chance to interview the author (hint, hint, Wally) but even so…
    I just think of the emails, link exchanges, pr announcements and the like as a passive experiment in “S#%& Not To Do” and marvel at the naivete that anyone would think sending these emails in worth their time.
    Thanks for blowing their cover.
    cv

    Reply
  145. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  146. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  147. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  148. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  149. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  150. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  151. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  152. Sebastian Franck Avatar
    Sebastian Franck

    Lots of suspicion in these comments.
    However, pure and clean sponsorship where you mention the fact that the blog has been sponsored by so-and-so, maybe even accompanied by a link or and endorsement, is nothing but good business sense.
    I’d like to point you in the direction of John Gruber, whose “Daring Fireball” (http://www.daringfireball.net) is one of the most read and respected blogs in its area. Gruber has no ads, but makes a supposedly very handsome living out of occasional “sponsored by” posts. This does nothing whatsoever to diminish his integrity or trustworthyness.
    IMO such sponsorships are clearly the best way of “monetizing your blog” as they call it. You might even consider it a service to your readers.

    Reply
  153. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  154. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  155. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  156. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  157. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  158. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  159. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply
  160. Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com Avatar
    Thatcorporatewriter.blogspot.com

    As others have said, Samantha needs to brush up on the new FTC regulations (released in January).
    I feel a blog post coming on. 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts