I do almost all of my reading online…There’s a notification on my iPad whenever anything in the world happens that might be newsworthy…and sometimes even when it’s not particularly newsworthy. By the time I turn on the evening news, it’s usually just background noise at that time, because I’ve already heard about it online. My favorite and trusted sources for information is much different than my husbands. Trusted sources are SO personal aren’t they?
I used to collect cookbooks, but downsizing has changed all that. There’s no room for such a collection….except on my iPad of course. The upside is, I’ve replaced all those books with favorite online sites….bloggers and Pinterest now serve as my source for inspiration, and they take up virtually no room in my house.
I used to depend on cable…to bring me the hundreds of channels with nothing on…well, at least for the last 35 – 40 years. What we did before that seems archaic now. With Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon and iTunes….as well as some online sources, the days of soaring cable bills are gone….Entertainment now resides “online”, but it does depend on high speed internet.
I used to subscribe to magazines that ended up in a stack waiting for some sort of future project….all those recipes to cut out….all those great home decorating ideas. I now look to the iPad for all my favorite magazine subscriptions, and most of them have online sites that offer the same information as the magazine….The need to cull and decide which publications were worthy of keeping, no longer exists.
When I need motivation or inspiration, there is a blogging community rich in “experts”. I even see some familiar faces on the morning news programs. I’ve already read their blogs so it’s all just background noise by this point. If I’m not familiar with them…I’ll check out their blog, so next time I will have already heard them.
I don’t miss those old bygone days….but, I am missing something.
You know when you’re scrolling through a magazine…your eye catches something that looks interesting, but eventually you wander up to the top of the page for the word…A D V E R T I S E M E N T. If you’re watching TV there is a direct statement from Brian Williams, Matt Lauer or Dr. Phil telling me they’ll be right back….a clear indication there is an A D V E R T I S E M E N T coming. Even those pesky ads on some of the iPad/iPhone apps are unmistakably recognizable.
Since I’ve come to think of some of my online blogger sources as “trusted sources”… Sources I can turn to for a good recipe, an opinion on something I’ve been thinking about or struggling with, or maybe even just an interesting story. I talk to my blogging partner and longtime friend, Lee everyday….she recommended a product to me the other day and I promptly went out and bought it…I knew it was something she used and believed in.
Some of the “trusted” sites (bloggers) I’ve come to rely on, have turned to monetizing their blog by becoming “brand ambassadors”! It is a great way you can monetize a blog! However, I’m not sure if they really think that smoothie recipe is all that great or they just got paid to tell me about the Breville blender they used in the making of said smoothie. I look at these trusted sites, just a little differently now… Apparently, I’m not alone. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has looked at the blogger/brand ambassador phenomena and developed a set of new guidelines for bloggers and social media users. In the new guidelines, the FTC calls for bloggers to disclose sponsored content or free product samples in exchange for reviews. So, just like in the magazine, I might see…..”Product Endorsement” or A D V E R T I S E M E N T. That’s what I’m missing!
Paula Deen, the TV chef, I used to enjoy watching became a “brand ambassador” But, chef Paula Deen found herself the butt of plenty of jokes when she “came out of the closet” about having diabetes . Nobody laughed at her for having diabetes…she tarnished her reputation because for three years, she hid her diabetes and pushed butter, cream and hamburgers made with donuts on her cooking show on the Food Network….she was the trusted sources for ridiculously rich and satisfying food. Her three-year secret didn’t just slip out, of course. It instead came out as she announced that she was the news spokesperson for diabetes-drug maker Novo Nordisk…a brand ambassador is born. I don’t watch Paula anymore, I simply don’t trust her. And that’s my feeling about bloggers making believe they’re sharing something with you when their true intent is to represent a product. If I found out my friend had told me about a product she thought I should try out and then got paid for her….no further recommendations would be taken.
A promise I can make to you: The brand I represent is my name…if I tell you about something in this blog, it will NOT be a paid endorsement. It will be because I use it or believe in it. Just like a “trusted friend”. I blog to engage a conversation…I blog to share experiences…I blog to share stories with people that have been on my same journey. I don’t have anything against “brand ambassadors”….I just want it disclosed before I invest time reading.
Are you a “brand ambassador”? How do you feel about the blogger/brand ambassador phenomena?
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Tags: bloggers, brand ambassador, paul deen, trusted sources online
AMEN!!!
I have written a couple of posts on products…it makes me uncomfortable even when it’s a product I support and disclose prominently. And, maybe it’s that I’m not really writing to become a brand ambassador. I do however, seek ways to supplement a freelance writing income so it’s alluring, yet a slippery slope!
I have to agree with you about that ‘uncertainty’ one gets when reading to discover at the very end, that a deceptively bloggy, friendly post is really a paid advertisement!
It’s almost a feeling of betrayal, isn’t it! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!
I understand the suspicion and uncertainty over recommendations that have involved freebies or sponsorship. In some ways, it’s only natural to wonder about such endorsements. But surely there must be a way around this dilemma.
What I would like to know is how it might be possible to retain my readers’ trust in my opinions but still work with brands that I truly believe in and receive compensation for that work.
So far, I have not received direct financial compensation for the time and work I have put into testing and reviewing products but I need to change the way I work with brands as there are travel costs and other considerations that need to be factored into the equation. There are a couple of brands that I really want to develop a deeper relationship with. I trust them and would hope that my readers will not just assume I’m ‘selling out’.
Can you see a way of achieving this?
Thanks for reading, Julie! I think we’re all looking for a way to pay the bills and monetizing our blogs is a dream we all share. I think the balance, for me anyway, starts at the beginning….just tell me at the beginning of the article your a brand ambassador….tell me why…tell me what….I’m about to read a product endorsement. I would be more inclined to read, if I think the author is being honest with me. I’ll check out your blog…it looks really interesting!!
It’s all I see on blogs these days. I understand loving a brand but not being a slave to one.
I hear ya, Nikki! When it isn’t revealed…it feels sneaky! Thanks for reading
I understand where you’re coming from but you have to realize that not all bloggers are in it for the money. Some of us simply love connecting with brands and personally and furthermore, we love the products they sell and want to share our love with our readers.
I know that personally I would not be a brand ambassador for the company I am if I didn’t really love their products. I was a purchaser of theirs long before they approached me about being an ambassador and know I’m thrilled to be sharing their products that I’ve used and loved with my readers who trust me.
I’m so glad you stopped by middlesage! My objection isn’t about bloggers making money..at some point our plans include monitizing middlesage too. It isn’t about the great relationship you have with your brands and your readers either…the relationship with our readers is of utmost importance to us here – so I can very much appreciate howmyou feel about that…my objection is purely about knowing whether or not I’m reading a paid advertisement. I’ll be sure to check out your blog…perhaps you do it better than every one else
Barbara,
I understand that some blogs don’t disclose product reviews and sponsored posts correctly. However, with the new FTC guidelines bloggers are required to disclose those things at the TOP of their post. Therefore, you should know if the post you’re about to read is sponsored from the very first word.
Should….it’s a powerful word isn’t it. I’d like to make myself clear…If you choose to be a brand ambassador, and disclose that you’re doing so I will read your blog. You say that you’re doing this so we’re good….right?
Knowing ‘Framed Frosting’ personally, my personal disclosure is she DOES do it better!
That’s a great referral! Thanks for stopping by!
As a beauty blogger I do get sent products to review and I always disclose my relationship at the beginning and end of my posts. As per the new FTC guidelines that were rolled out a few months ago all bloggers should be doing this for the very reasons you named.
Casey – you’ve hit the nail on the head….all bloggers SHOULD…My objections before the FTC were based on solely my own quest for truth in advertising….now, thanks to the FTC it’s about following the guidelines. I harbor no ill will for those that follow the rules. Thanks for stopping by middleSage. I’ll check out beauty101!