The last few days have been filled with intense debates over the tricky issue of sponsorships for blogs. I’m not going to give an opinion on what happened (referring to the food blogger PR fiasco), but I in some way, I want to use this opportunity to talk about a decision I made a few months back, regarding this blog: as you might have noticed, it’s sponsored-content-free. No advertorials, no blogger events, no sponsored products.
Have I gone crazy, to voluntary give up all the perks that come from being a blogger? Let me tell you, it was not all that easy and simple. When I started to blog, I never suspected I could grow into popularity that would result in any PR companies approaching me. But turns out, even being a rather small blog, it’s enough to spark interest of brands.
At first I was excited and all caught up in the glitz and glam of the blogging world and promotions. Isn’t that the “Holly Grail” of blogging, to get invited to events and participate in blogger contests? And also, having access o products for reviews, that I couldn’t aways afford. But for me the experience wasn’t all that sweet.
I loved blogs always for the sincerity – real people using real products. Not copywriters with their fluffy copy. Not brands with their phony brand messages. And my first thought when I was approached by an agency was “no matter if it’s sponsored or not, I am going to stay true to myself”. But that is easier said than done. Let me explain the reasons:
- When you are introduced to a brand by it’s representatives, you instantly get indoctrinated about the brand and you get to personally know the people behind it. It’s impossible to not have their passion for the product rub on you at least a bit, and not to fall under their personal influence.
- If something is free, it’s harder to criticize. It just does not burn a hole in your pocket, and it’s easier to be forgiving toward little flaws. And of course, you subconsciously avoid being confronted with the PR person, who will cut you off the freebies tap as soon as you say something negative. They may say “oh, write whatever you want”, but then you meet with them again, and you just know their boss whacked them for engaging your traitorous ass in the first place.
- If something is free, it’s easier to criticize. Because when we pay for something ourselves, we know the value of it. We do a fair bit of rationalizing, to not feel we have spend the money on something not worth it. And it’s normal, natural – that’s what we all go though when we leave the store. And the blogger wit freebies does not experience that.
In the end, I guess I stopped believing one can be truly honest in their opinions, when they are chaperoned in their experience or given something for free. And I did notice that my readers were far more apprehensive towards reviews of sponsored products, than the un-sponsored ones. I guess that is the reason why many bloggers don’t disclose sponsorships – they feel their readers will be dubious of the sponsored review.
In the end, a few months back I started turning down all PR invites and offers. I just don’t want the drama and pressure that comes with it. I know that means I might be able to do less reviews, and have less material to blog about, but in the end what ever I write will be coming from me, and me only. I still keep the banners on my blog – the little spare change they earn is sufficient to pay the hosting fees and domain name.
I don’t want to condone bloggers who don’t turn down invites or freebies (although I do strongly believe it’s not nice to conceal sponsorships), but I want to give heads up to smaller blogs, that have not been sucked into the PR world – we might not have the freebies and tons of products to review, but whatever we write is the essence of blogging, so cheer up and continue writing! 
I agree with everything you have said. I too have gone thro the same issues as you when it comes to free products. It is very, very difficult to be objective. A lot of bloggers start out all honest & objective, but soon fall in this PR tap, where getting expensive freebies becomes more important than anything else.
And you are right that readers are more skeptical of products reviews that are sponsored.
You have taken a bold, courageous stand, I respect you for doing so & all the best
hey. good point you have over here.
keep on doing what you’re doing! =)
“In the end, I guess I stopped believing one can be truly honest in their opinions, when they are chaperoned in their experience or given something for free…”
Aptly observed. I agree with your sentiments.
I agree! I always trust your reviews on skincare product more than those beauty blogs with sponsership.
Hey Angmoh girl, I really respect your choice and applaud you, but I think you can have both of that – an honest, trustworthy blog that also allows invitations to events and accept samples to review. At the same time, I totally agree with the points you made about it being “harder” to write the truth when it was given to you and all the “strings attached” to it, but I think that if you are honest with the PR in the firstplace it won’t be such a headache.
Personally I do accept some samples to review now and again and go to events that I am invited to. But I am always very clear and say my reviews are 100% honest, so send at your own risk! Generally I am more into blogging for the writing/creative aspect rather than the “benefits” so to speak, so I only accept samples/go to events to products that I am personally interested in. The rest I just say no thanks. :/ It may not be nice, I guess, but it’s your blog and you’re free to do what you want… you could just reject the ones you’re not interested in and only write/attend the ones you are. Just stand your ground and be true to yourself!
Salute to you my dear ! Awesome ^^
Hi! I agree with your sentiments on sponsored item and events and I applaud you for taking a firm stance on it
I’m just getting into blogging myself and have thought about what I would do if my blog ever reached a level where I would receive invitations to review products. Personally, it all depends on the product and the way the company handles itself I think.
I would hate to miss out on putting a review out there, especially if the product is, eg. very very expensive and readers want to get some insight on it before they splurge their money. While there are definite risks in that readers might be more wary of sponsored reviews, I think it’ll be alright as long as all parties are open, honest and objective right from the start
But kudos to you for making your thoughts known! I love your blog xx
awww, that means i can’t invite u to blogger events anymore?
but i respect you for this. u brought up very valid points! 
thanks for sharing ur side of the story. i don’t accept paid advertorials mostly (only done ONE in all my years of blogging), and i don’t put ads on my blog, because i don’t think my blog is a way for me to earn money (then again, i get job offers because of my blog and my activities online, haha). my hosting is already ‘sponsored’ by a friend, and domain doesn’t cost that much, so i don’t use ad networks like nuffnang etc. 
but that’s just my choice.
hmmm.
but anyway, coming from a PR background, i still do appreciate brands reaching out to consumers, altho as u brought up in ur first point, getting to know people behind the brand will probably make your opinions biased towards it.
Those are very valid points you brought up, and it’s admirable that you stepped away when you felt you could not reconcile with the discomfort.
But something you said about invites to events, promos and freebies – “Isn’t that the Holy Grail of blogging?”
It would be a very sad day if bloggers and would-be bloggers see this as the point of blogging. Whatever happened to self-expression and creative output?
The good bloggers actually put in A LOT of effort for their blogs, and will continue to do so whether or not those so-called glamourous invites/freebies come their way.
And yes, some feelings may be hurt (oh, don’t we all hate that) if you say negative things about a sponsored product, but in the long run, by being honest, your blog will maintain more integrity and respect. You won’t be afraid of the PR folks turning off the freebies tap, because it isn’t what matters.
As I mentioned on twitter… I absolutely love this post!!
Good for you gal. I still accept invites and products for reviews, but on a very selective basis. Honesty aside, I think it’s most important to reveal that the product was being sponsored so that readers make up their own mind about what you say.
Yeah! I don’t mind when I read reviews of sponsored product on other blogs – many bloggers have the right attitude and will try their very best to be critical when needed, and praise when the product deserves it, and we readers have to judge ourselves what we make of it. But I have no nice feelings for ppl who “forget” to mention where they got the product from <_<.
I love your blog. Seriously, i stumbled across it while googling for reviews on BB cream, and i love your honesty, your integrity and just staying true to yourself. Yes, i know many in the blogosphere start a blog to get freebies; some are genuine and will provide constructive criticism, some will lap it all up and sing nothing but praises.
YOU GO, Girl!