Comments on: Let’s Get Ready To Hear My Opinion on the FTC changes for Bloggers http://cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog/2009/04/29/let%e2%80%99s-get-ready-to-hear-my-opinion-on-the-ftc-changes-for-bloggers/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:16:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Buy Facebook Fans http://cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog/2009/04/29/let%e2%80%99s-get-ready-to-hear-my-opinion-on-the-ftc-changes-for-bloggers/comment-page-1/#comment-6224 Buy Facebook Fans Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:25:51 +0000 http://cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog/?p=649#comment-6224 <strong>Websites You Should Visit...</strong> [...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]... Websites You Should Visit…

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]]> By: Melonie K. http://cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog/2009/04/29/let%e2%80%99s-get-ready-to-hear-my-opinion-on-the-ftc-changes-for-bloggers/comment-page-1/#comment-2299 Melonie K. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:58:16 +0000 http://cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog/?p=649#comment-2299 The worst part about this is that a large number of "mommy bloggers" aren't even paid for their reviews. An international homeschooling publication has an entire team of reviewers who receive ZERO payment. They have a contract that states you will get to keep the product(s) you review as a "gift" from the company supplying it. This practice is actually encouraged by people who a) are just happy to get something free or b) actively seek out anything and everything "Free" in order to "get stuff". Can you imagine being sued for a product review you didn't even get paid to write? I've also worked with periodicals who allow companies to provide "editorial content" - after they've paid for their ad space. While these publications are in niche markets compared to the mainstream media, I'm betting their readership isn't aware of the policy. So MSM can't tell me they don't do this (pay more for front of the book/back of the book positioning, receive editoral space in exchange for ad purchases, etc) when the "little guys" learned it from them. When I was a problogger I did some paid reviews but stopped short of actually endorsing things myself - I stated very clearly the review was paid and I stayed as close to neutral as possible. I can't imagine being willing to make "amazing" claims about something - but I guess it's my readership that keeps me in check there. I don't need the threat of being sued - I know that if I make absurd claims about something my readers will call me on it. Sounds like the FTC just needed some other way to pass the buck, frankly. (Oh wait - did they ever pass that thing that says you're liable for the comments people make? OOPS. Sorry!) ;-) The worst part about this is that a large number of “mommy bloggers” aren’t even paid for their reviews. An international homeschooling publication has an entire team of reviewers who receive ZERO payment. They have a contract that states you will get to keep the product(s) you review as a “gift” from the company supplying it. This practice is actually encouraged by people who a) are just happy to get something free or b) actively seek out anything and everything “Free” in order to “get stuff”.

Can you imagine being sued for a product review you didn’t even get paid to write?

I’ve also worked with periodicals who allow companies to provide “editorial content” - after they’ve paid for their ad space. While these publications are in niche markets compared to the mainstream media, I’m betting their readership isn’t aware of the policy. So MSM can’t tell me they don’t do this (pay more for front of the book/back of the book positioning, receive editoral space in exchange for ad purchases, etc) when the “little guys” learned it from them.

When I was a problogger I did some paid reviews but stopped short of actually endorsing things myself - I stated very clearly the review was paid and I stayed as close to neutral as possible. I can’t imagine being willing to make “amazing” claims about something - but I guess it’s my readership that keeps me in check there. I don’t need the threat of being sued - I know that if I make absurd claims about something my readers will call me on it.

Sounds like the FTC just needed some other way to pass the buck, frankly. (Oh wait - did they ever pass that thing that says you’re liable for the comments people make? OOPS. Sorry!) ;-)

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