Clarifications on Paying Bloggers deal
Since this idea seems to be getting so much reaction (thanks Stowe for the input) - here’s what I just sent out:
- YES we expect people to delineate and make clear what’s the ‘paid’ stuff versus ‘normal posts’. In fact some folks have suggested that the post be placed into a box on the side of the blog page. However (as I’m sure Stowe found it) it’s impossible to include a box on the side - into your normal feed. However we will not REQUIRE anybody to disclaim in any certain way -so a background color, a box, language, an embedded emblem, whatever si fine with us - or not. It’s the bloggers call.
- once we sign up somebody we will not fire them for at least three months. It’s my call who to hire - so the onus is upon me to choose the right people. That said - regardless of what they write - we’ll stuck with them. My word.
- I’m cc:ing this to my clients - so they see what I’m telling you guys and gals. Everything is above board, out front and honest. So all the terms of the deal, all the conditions (if there are any), who we’re paying, what we’re paying ALL will be above board.
- let me say that what was most disturbing to me about what Jason posted - was the notion that only A-list bloggers with 250,000 hits a month deserve to make money. Fuck you - fuck that - I’m a nobody and I’ll never hit that number - but yet I deserve to make money.
- let’s see what else…..
- we’ll maintain a complete hands-off policy in regards to what bloggers blog. Period. No discussion.
- better yet - we’ll actually read what they say and react and listen to criticism.
- YES we will ask people to blog about the product. HELLO - that’s the point! If you don’t want to do that - don’t sign up.
- I’ll live with the loss of credibility (if it happens) but I also get the credit if this changes the blogosphere. And all you too get the credit - for listening and reading this rant.
Do hopefully that’ll clarify what’s up.