I’m Writing This Post for Free! (Instead of $400)
Posted on 21. Aug, 2011 by Steph in Housekeeping, Philosophy
Last week an advertising firm approached me and asked me to write a sponsored post for their client (who shall not be named). They offered to pay me more than my asking price, a lot more. They offered me $400 to be exact. Sweet!
You may have noticed that I do occasionally sell sponsored posts on here, but in fact I have very strict guidelines to prevent my site from being over-run with spammy crap. My demands go something like this: You give me a lot of money, I write a post (usually something I was going to write anyways), you get a link in the post, and I disclose at the end that you pay for it. Everybody wins. Surprisingly this doesn’t go over well with too many advertisers…
The disclosure at the end is key. I always insist on that for a couple of reasons, but mostly because I think bloggers are made and broken on their integrity. You guys read this site either because for some reason you see value in what I have to say (thanks for that, BTW). If I’m going to link to something that I don’t have experience with or can’t endorse myself, I want you guys to know that.
photo credit: peasap
Anyways, these corporate guys want to pay me $400 to write a post- on a topic I’d probably write about anyways, just to include one link to their company. $400! That’s a hell of a lot more than I usually make per post ($0). It was pretty tempting I admit, and you’d probably be reading that post right now if it weren’t for one thing: they insisted I leave off the disclosure at the end.
Now, I really wanted that $400. It’s kind of a lot of money for me. It’s almost twice the cost of my plane ticket to Colombia! I wrote back, are you sure we can’t squeeze in a disclosure? Just a tiny one? Pleeease?
They were insisitant that this collaboration be hush hush so in the end, I had to say no. I’ll admit it wasn’t the easiest decision, but it sits right with me.
So why am I telling you my sob story? It’s not so I can brag about the purity of my blog or my moral superiority or any bullshit like that. I rarely ever talk about behind the scenes blog writing stuff on here. I don’t care much what other blogs do, I just have to do what seems right to me.
The reason I wanted to tell you guys this is actually kind of the opposite: I know you guys see the ads on my site, the sponsored trips I’ve been lucky enough to go on and yes, the occasional sponsored article. I do these things because I need to make money to you know, live, and keep doing this website. I’m sure you guys understand my desire to like, eat and stuff. So I will continue to sell ads and do things for money: but I will always try to be clear with you guys about what is sponsored and what isn’t, because this site is about nothing, if not honesty.
68 Responses to “I’m Writing This Post for Free! (Instead of $400)”
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Mike Padgett
21. Aug, 2011
In my book, you made the right decision. Thanks for sharing.
Erin
21. Aug, 2011
Good for you, Steph. I’m not sure why advertisers think they need to hide what’s going on. We’re not idiots! Our society is so saturated with advertising that I’m almost immune. A little disclosure at the end of a post wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Yeah that’s what I figure- you guys know what advertising looks like so lets call a spade a spade.
Monica
21. Aug, 2011
Even if I didn’t agree with your decisions (I do) I would still be following your blog because of your honesty. You stick to what you believe in and you’re honest about what you do. More people need to realise that this is how real bonds are built online; lying and deceit only cause backlash. Good for you for sticking to your morals.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Thanks- that means a lot!
Julie from WhyGoCanada
21. Aug, 2011
Classy. Good call Steph. Here’s hoping the PR community hears you on this.
Abby
21. Aug, 2011
Bravo, Stephanie! I also think it was very brave to write about it.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Thanks! I’m still waiting for the backlash.
Katrina
21. Aug, 2011
Same thing just happened to me. Would love to be buying some computer accessories or a plane ticket right now, but I’ve also got to be able to sleep at night and be proud of my blog. Good for you for making the ethical choice!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Wonder if it was the same company? Thankfully another deal fell into place to make up for the lost income.
Meliha
21. Aug, 2011
Good decision. I appreciate honesty in blogging.
Btw, did we meet at TBEX ’11 in Vancouver…?
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Did we? I was there, but I can’t tell from your picture! Probably- I was the jetlagged chick who was complaining a lot.
Meliha
27. Aug, 2011
I think we did meet. I seem to recall someone asking you what you’re going to do with your site once you’re no longer in your 20s (gasp!)…
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Haha yup, I get that a lot.
Dario
21. Aug, 2011
Excellent. Thanks for your honesty. It is all a blogger has got, for me. Thanks a lot. There’s nothing wrong with advertisement as well (you’ve got to eat, as well as your advertisers
), but a line in the sand needs to be drawn.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Thanks- I do hope people can distinguish the difference.
Christine Peets
21. Aug, 2011
Good for you. It’s hard to walk away from money, but there was a lot more at stake here.
Being upfront with your readers, the advertisers, and the clients is important–and necessary.
Well done. You may have lost this one, but who knows what you’ll gain because of your stand?
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Thanks!
Amanda
21. Aug, 2011
You go, girl. I would have made the same decision (although it would have been painful to turn that $400 down!!). I got a similar offer recently (though not for quite as much money), and I, too, had to say no because I ALWAYS disclose things. Even if it’s only a free ticket I got worth $15, I’m going to tell my readers about it. It just feels better that way.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Yeah I can’t lie- I was pretty tempted. But ultimately my stupid moral code is worth more than $400. Dammit.
Kara @ The Vacation Gals
21. Aug, 2011
Wow. That company is CRAZY. What they are doing is against FTC recommendations (okay, it’s not a law) and if they are found out, they’re the ones who will be fined, not the blogger. The responsibility/accountability falls to the marketer when it comes to this disclosing situation.
Kara @ The Vacation Gals
21. Aug, 2011
At least that’s what I understood when that spokesperson from the FTC talked to us at TBEX 10.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Yeah I always keep the FTC in mind. These guys were outside the US though so maybe they weren’t concerned.
Gerard ~ GQtrippin
21. Aug, 2011
That $400 could’ve went a long way in Columbia too… Way to take the high road! In the end, this kind of decision will pay off more than the $400.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Oh trust me I know, I was already spending it in my mind
Lauren @ Northwest TripFinder
21. Aug, 2011
I think the advertiser made the wrong call, particularly if it is for a product or service that would be of interest to your readers. I think your loyal readers would be MORE interested in their company and product knowing that they sponsored you and helped support this blog, not less.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
I think probably they were only interested in SEO anyways. Oh well, sucks for them.
santafetraveler
21. Aug, 2011
Good for you, Steph. I applaud you for sticking to your guns. Integrity is mega-important It’s okay to make money-we all need it, but disclosure is important. My understanding is if it’s your blog, article or whatever, it’s your responsibility to disclose and that it ‘s required by the FTC and not optional. I was disclosing before they asked us to. There’s a perception that we’ll sell our reputations for a night in a hotel. I ‘t have a blanket disclosure on my blog and try to put one on every post where it’s applicable- as a woman way past 20 something- sometimes I forget. Thanks for sharing your story.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
You are right about the FTC (although they are more concerned with advertisers than bloggers). These guys weren’t americans though so I guess they didn’t care.
Renee King
21. Aug, 2011
I have a nice blue dialog box with curved edges that I use to announce that my trips, posts, etc. were sponsored. I’ve never had one to ask that I hide that fact and can’t imagine what choice words I would use if they did. I do know that I wouldn’t accept their terms. I think you did the right thing and while you may be short $400 right now, I think you will see that and much more by following your own dictates and honoring your own moral standards. My feeling is people who have nothing to hide, hide nothing. Congrats on kicking these ‘winners’ to the curb.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Thanks! Everything about their emails was a bit shady.
Robert Steers
21. Aug, 2011
I suspect that it might actually be against the law to NOT declare if you are paid for an opinion. There was a recent judgement that said that if you provide a testimonial, and you were paid to do so, you must declare that you have an affiliation with the company. I forget what law/jurisdiction it falls under though.
Alex
22. Aug, 2011
Kudos for doing what felt right, even though it was kind of painful. I also wanted to say you did an amazing job of blending in that text link in your sponsored post. Not easy to do, it seems.
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks! It’s definitely a challenge b/c I don’t want to write gross add copy, only useful stuff.
Josh Aggars
22. Aug, 2011
Good decision Steph. I hope you get to make the $400 up again soon so you can ‘eat and stuff’ which is fair do’s. I’m sure you will. I don’t get why they wouldn’t let you include a disclaimer though. Seems a bit strange. Probably for the best if they were trying to act so clandestine.
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Yeah I thought it was pretty shady all around.
AmySho
22. Aug, 2011
Great decision, and the advertiser could get in BIG trouble with the FTC for asking you to leave out the disclosure. The FTC put those guidelines in place a few years ago to avoid situations like this. Luckily you’re savvy enough to not fall victim to these shenanigans. Keep it up!
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks- I think they were not american so they might not care about the FTC too much, but it’s still bad practice.
dtravelsround
22. Aug, 2011
That must have been really hard to do! I commend you for taking that route! I have been approached for items like that, and if they say “no” to the typical disclosure statement, I always try to see if we can finesse it so readers know what it is they are reading, that it is, in fact, a sponsored post, even if I don’t use that exact wording. I find it very shady that these companies won’t admit to paying to play in our sandbox. There are rules and regulations we should adhere to, and the fact that they wave lots of money in our faces to go against these is frustrating and annoying. Good on you, babe!!
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Yeah, I offered them a couple options but they weren’t taking anything less than zero disclosure. Which is just way shady to me.
Ryan
22. Aug, 2011
Steph- Wow. I respect your decision and really appreciate the fact that you wrote about it here. It’s a compliment to your blog that you get such a well-priced offer, and then a compliment to you for the decision you made. I applaud you. Cheers!
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks! I wasn’t sure if I should write about it, but I wanted to make the larger point.
Martha
22. Aug, 2011
Your mama raised you right – good call! I know she’s proud of you!
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
PostcardFromBK
22. Aug, 2011
Why wouldn’t they just spend the $400 on the banner space? Or better yet, engage you in a conversation on twitter… For free!
paige
22. Aug, 2011
@postcard from bk: word. What they were after was very shady. Good for you, Steph, for speaking up. Thanks for sharing.
Michael Figueiredo
22. Aug, 2011
It’s very commendable that you stand by your code of ethics
Stephen
22. Aug, 2011
Looks like you made a good decision. It’s more important that you are satisfied with the decision you made. It’s tough to balance making a living with keeping your integrity sometime. I would have respected you either way. A good blogger is a good blogger.
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks Stephen- I definitely think it’s up to every blogger to figure out what sits right with them.
ehalvey
22. Aug, 2011
Woot! Good for you! I never understand the whole “pssst, don’t tell anyone…” especially when you see celebrities hawking everything under the sun. It’s obvious they’re paid, why not make it obvious in print, too.
Christine
22. Aug, 2011
Can be such a tricky situation–as one of travel blogging’s fearless leaders, I appreciate your honesty here to help out the rest of us. Cheers
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks Christine! Like I said, everyone has to figure out what they’re okay with.
Lauren Fritsky
22. Aug, 2011
Nice work! Would expect nothing less from you, though — I know you’re honest and upfront.
Shtina
23. Aug, 2011
Good call on taking the moral high road Steph! But it begs the questions, how does one write a positive review on a blog without someone wondering if it is secretly paid for? Should disclosure statement like “I enjoy X and I’m not getting paid to say that” be more abundant?
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Well I’ve definitely spotted a lot of undisclosed “sponsored” links out there so sometimes it’s really hard to know!
Thomas
24. Aug, 2011
That’s the problem with a lot of things people need to be more transparent. Why hide? I know when I need advertisement I am more than willing to pay for it. Great job and trust me I think we all under that you enjoy writing but this also helps fund your travels and live as well.
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks, I think transparency is key.
Claire
24. Aug, 2011
I don’t know if I could have done the same! So props to you
Dad
27. Aug, 2011
Good decision Steph. Your father is proud of you.
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks Dad
Rebecca
07. Sep, 2011
This post actually makes me think back on some posts I have read on other blogs.
When I hover over the links to see where they go (I rarely click through) and wonder why they click to a 3rd party website and when I scroll to the end I wonder why there is no disclaimer on why the post wasn’t “sponsored”. And this is why.
As a newerish blogger who really only writes for herself, this post was very informative to maybe how other blogs so business!
Thanks Steph!
Caitlin @ Roaming Tales
10. Jan, 2012
Not all third-party links are paid for. I link out a lot in my posts. Most of the time it’s just a service to readers, no one has paid me anything.
Lusso Bags
20. Sep, 2011
Way to keep the standards tight for us bloggers. Love that about you.
Jen
15. Oct, 2011
Really respect your integrity on this one. I always believe in disclosures, not because us readers would mind if you left one off, or judge you in any way, but it’s aways nice to know… I duno… just because lol. Well done for sticking to your guns!xx
Steph
16. Oct, 2011
Thanks for the feedback!
Sebastian Aquitaine Ste. Claire
21. Oct, 2011
Hear, hear
Caitlin @ Roaming Tales
10. Jan, 2012
They want to hide it because Google can punish them – and the blogger – for honesty.
If you disclose that the link is paid for and Google sees the post (or if someone reports you to Google), then Google can nix your site to zero in search results and do the same for the company that bought the link. Google doesn’t mind you selling links as long as you code it as ‘no follow’. Most advertisers are not interested in this because they don’t really want to advertise to your readers, they’re just trying to game SEO.
So that’s why they want to be sneaky about it. But good for you for standing firm! I agree that it’s absolutely necessary to disclose all commercial arrangements to readers.
I also don’t think it’s unethical to sell links if you disclose that fact to readers. But Google can and will punish you for it if they find out so it just depends if you think it’s worth that risk.
Dave @ One Tour One
01. Apr, 2012
Stuck between a rock & a hard place, but kudos to you. Tough choice, but seriously, for $400 bucks they can spend that kind of money getting other links. I couldn’t agree more that it’s 100% necessary to have the disclosure to maintain your authority.