Does Web-strategist.com have too much advertising?
In my previous post this morning, I highlighted the advertising (and other content areas) on the world’s top 10 blogs. I’d even argue their not even blogs anymore, as none of them are written solely by individuals –they’re magazines
On two occasions has my friend Allen Stern suggested that I pitch and advertise quite a bit here on my blog. He’s right, I do. I promote my employer, my friends, and companies I help.
But when I do, I always do so transparently and out in the open. What do you think? Have I crossed the threshold in blog editorial? (if there’s such a thing?) I encourage you to be honest, I’m listening, I really am.
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I am sorry! I didn’t mean to cause a whole stir about it. I love your content and as you know I think you are one of the best out there (you could easily be a leading blog if you went fulltime on the blog). And unlike your comment in your previous post, if you sold ads, they would easily sell out.
What I struggle with is how much is too much. I don’t know if what you have is too much, but seeing, “i advise” or “my employer” on nearly every post, makes it appear like the posts are almost like a paid post (which I know they aren’t). And while you noted that it’s marketing when you mention the companies, I think it’s advertising. When you say marketing, that means to me that you created the post specifically for the purpose of “selling” their product.
Maybe there is a way to split the two? What about a blog on podtech that highlights what your clients are doing?
And just to be clear to your readers, I think you are always clear when speaking about something/someone you have a relationship with.
I still look forward to a day when we can sit down and chat live. I am certain I can learn a lot from your experiences.
Allen,
I think blogging is a blend of marketing, advertising and PR. Jeremiah uses this particular blog to do all of those things.
All bloggers are doing a little advertising, marketing and PR. Some charge your attention for it, others gain no money, but self worth, pay their therapy, etc.
Obviously Jeremiah lives and breathes social media and it is reflected in his posts. I knew this about him back when I first started reading his blog when he was Hitachi. I would be curious to see Jeremiah create and post on a blog about some of his other passions. Perhaps a food blog, or a travel blog or whatever he likes to do. I wonder then if his voice would change or his style would not be the same. What do you say Jeremiah? A cat blog in your future?
Jim, you are correct. I guess maybe for me, I see an uptick in the number of “i advise” type notes from say a year ago. Of course Jeremiah has grown in position since then so I guess it makes sense.
I can only hope that one day I can attain the same level of status that Jeremiah has. He is someone I certainly think is doing great things.
Please no cat blog - I think if we went to the core of the Internet - there would be a whole slew of cats running the thing!
Well I can tell you this Allen, he connected me to you and now I have subscribed to CenterNetworks! The power of blogging is around us.
Allen, no need to apologize, I’m not offended, nor bothered. I’d rather bring better content to people that matter –the community.
Jim, thanks.
I’m hoping to get a few more opinions. Honest ones are the best!
This is an interesting perspective to think of Jeremiah’s comments about his experiences as advertising. I guess I’m not seeing it that way; instead, it feels more like advocacy or enthusiasm or even justification.
Advertising inherently implies compensation to me. Not that advertising is a ‘bad’ word … but in this instance his comments seem more about personalizing the online conversation, and legitimizing his opinion. Would we feel that Jeremiah is someone we should listen to if he didn’t have the credentials he refers to in his posts?
As a new blogger, I am intersted in what the community thinks about this question. People obviously blog for different motivations- and in Jeremiah’s case just knowing him I think it is more because he is excited and passionate about social media than it is about making a dollar- which is what advertising implies to me.
Anyway -interesting questions as always J.
meow. cat blog. ick.
Thanks Angela, that’s helpful. Glad to hear you voice out!
Jeremiah
Yes, I’ve noticed your “transparency notes”. It’s obviously commendable and no doubt it could be seen as advertising. I don’t have a problem with that. But in case there is a degree of discomfort, what about having a section on the site where you list the companies you advise and have a link in the sidebar for anyone who wants to check? The main thing is: keep on bloggin’
I don’t see why you can’t blog about your business or the companies you consult. It’s your job, it’s a big slice of your life. Blog away!
You’re always transparent, and I see no problem with blogging about companies that you advise.
If I’m going to read about the latest from these companies, it’s a benefit to hear from someone close to the action.
Blogging is always going to have opinion/favoritism relative to content. Why:
1. Bloggers write about things they know.
2. Bloggers tend to write about people they know as well.
I personally don’t see a conflict w/a disclosure (I worked with, I know, I use, etc.).
Great and timely post of a very gray topic. Over-generalizing, bloggers are publishers of ‘content’ and similar to other publishers of ‘content’ such as magazines and newspapers that generate their revenue from advertising (as well as subscriptions) it certainly makes sense to have it. Other points to consider are the types of advertising and journalistic/subject matter expert integrity. Print publications have clear separation of content creation (editorial) and publishing whereas bloggers are both.
Examining the magazine publishing model a bit further, we (generally) see advertising clearly segmented from content in the magazine. This provides a In magazines you’ll also find ‘advertorial’ content but it’s generally visually separated by style so the reader can understand it. Along those lines, Banner ads are clearly defined and shouldn’t be problematic. If you start putting advertorial content in the mix it gets gray and the question becomes whether there’s a journalistic expectation for bloggers or perhaps some professional bloggers are more closely related to radio personalities.
I’ve yet to see the rules for bloggers but have seen controversy around ‘bribing bloggers’. When bloggers are part of a media buy then they are closer to being online personalities who provide advertising endorsements. When Microsoft’s ad agency distributed laptops to bloggers as gifts with the expectation of positive feedback it was no different than a local radio personality endorsing the dentist that gave him a great smile. Joel Spolsky saw a conflict of interest and won’t take any more gifts but he will certainly plug his own products. When magazine editors receive products to review, they almost always have to send them back to the manufacturers to keep it clean. With that said, there is no expectation of journalistic integrity for bloggers today or is there?
Overall I think you do a good job of keeping the subject matter expertise clean from advertorial and your SME status intact.
Based upon what I’ve read here in the comments I’m going to conclude
-Yes, everyone knows I’m Marketing my companies and friends
-I will continue to do so transparently
-If it becomes too much, folks will tell me, and I’ll self correct
I think that SOME blogs are publications and other blogs are personal platforms. I’ve seen yours as a blend all this time, so I take the promotions to be what good evangelists do: point out things we think are cool, even if we’re working with/for the cool thing/people.
Disclosure is the only thing, and you do that well.
That’s my .51 cents.