Who’s getting taken advantage of now?
Y’all said you wanted to see the other side of me.. well here goes…
I am totally confused. I’ve sat through twitter conversations where the amazing bloggers of the Walmart 11Moms have been battered and bruised for supposedly blogging for free. We’ve been told we were bringing down the blogosphere and that we’re ruining paid blogging for everyone because we’re sort of “un” sponsored by Walmart.
Truth be told.. We are NOT paid by Walmart, but we are usually compensated by the brands that we blog about. We’re not forced to turn cartwheels for anyone, we’re given offers we can accept and decline as we see fit for our bloggy audience, our family, and our interests. I know for a fact that there are several bloggers out there that choose to post uncompensated giveaways, and other posts. So why do the 11Moms have to be made the example… at least we can still blog about what we want to…
Enter now the Sony DigiDads.. Now, I’m happy these Dad Bloggers have found a voice with a company. I’m sure this will be a big success for Sony.. but wait a minute… They’re not getting any pay, they’re not even getting to keep their products that they review… Oh and they have special assignments they have to do with these gadgets? Sounds like a lot of work for free… Chris Brogan, someone who I do look up to, is the consultant on this project, and he IS getting paid as a consultant to Sony..So what are the blogging dads getting out of it? Exposure I guess… What’s Sony getting out of it?? A whole lot of FREE ADVERTISING.
So now I’m waiting.. Waiting to see if there’s going to be any conversations about this on Twitter… Or are the 11Moms just the example because it’s Walmart and certain people just don’t like Walmart? I’m curious…
What are your thoughts? Am I wrong?? Tell me how!
PS.. I’m just as geeky and technologically inclined as any of those dads… I love gadgets..
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Please do not misunderstand what I am about to say. I am someone who doesn’t like walmart. So for me personally when I see a blogger touting being one of the walmart11 moms, I am immediately turned off. I believe credibility in blogging is very important. Walmart, to me, is not credible. Therefore I have to be willing to go beyond that to give these particular 11Moms blogs a fair read. I honestly mean no offense. Obviously you are 11 very talented, completely viable writers & lovely women. Every blogger, whether a man or a woman, clearly has a right to affiliate themselves in whatever manner they chose with whatever brand they chose. But that association to brand brings everything with it, and if there’s anything bad lurking there, it will likely be perceived by your reader that you’re part of it. That can be positive or negative depending on the brands general reputation. A brand like Walmart knowingly carries alot of negative public perception. They are infamous for the exploitation of their employees and I think that’s a big part of what’s behind this bashing. People see this as one more way that Walmart is growing at the expense of others. I think it’s important for all bloggers to really consider a company’s brand reputation in order to decide if you’re ready to take the good with the bad. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.
Leslie.. no offense taken, but… that wasn’t exactly the point of my post. It wasn’t whether or not it’s a good company to align with.. it has everything to do about the idea behind getting paid for your work or not. There have been several twitversations saying that Walmart is bad for not paying the 11moms (who BTW are a band of 22 blogging women, confusing, I know)… Doesn’t that put Sony in a similar light for not paying their bloggers? At least the WalmartMoms get to keep the products they blog about, and some get monetary compensation for campaigns.
I understand that you aren’t compensated but you are apart of 11moms of walmart..but its walmart and that comes with Walmart brand. Its the brand name and what it means to the comsumer and their thoughts and opinions of the company. Sometimes I either hate it or love my Walmart.
I saw something like this with @youngmommy too. Don’t worry because it will blow over but its interesting that 11mom bloggers are concerned about how other moms feel regarding this issue…Are you thinking you should get paid for your time ? Are you wanting more from them ?? I understand that they helped you get to Blogher…right ?? or another company ?? How is that not being sponsered by a brand ???
For some moms they might like it and other don’t the brand. I have meet you IRL through another website(momslikeme).
Monica. Thanks for responding to my comment. Didn’t realize there were 22, thanks for informing me. IMHO every blogger is free to decide for themselves if they want to blog for a co – paid or not. If Walmart, Sony and others don’t offer payment and bloggers are okay with that, then it’s free enterprise…literally. Interesting that people don’t seem as alarmed about Sony’s digidads but are about the Walmart11 when the circumstances appear to the be the same.
@aprilmom- Yes, Walmart did sponsor our trip to BlogHer. I’m sure it will blow over at some point.. I and just seriously am curious why all the backlash for Walmart not paying the moms, but it’s ok for Sony to not pay the dads.. Seems like a double standard… I’m no upset by the talk from people… I’ve made my decision to work with Walmart and their vendors, and I’m perfectly sound with my decision regardless of Walmart’s background. I joined in hopes that I could make a difference to consumers and brands!
No, I’m not concerned about Walmart paying me directly. They along with their PR company have worked with the brands to pay the bloggers directly.
Monica,
It’s just because there is a stigma attached to Wal-mart that Sony doesn’t have, that’s the main reason why you’re getting the backlash. Also, obviously, more bloggers are following your moves than the Sony Dads.
The most important thing is to stick to your vision about blogging – not anyone else’s. Great strides aren’t made by following the group. You’ve done some tremendous things in the blogging world and have helped open doors for bloggers behind you.
Just stick to your guns and keep making new ground!
It depends on whom you ask and what you define as “getting taken advantage of”.
I had the same question about a large collaborative blog that runs lucrative ads, but doesn’t pay its’ blogggers for posts. I asked some of my blogger friends who are a part of it their take on the situation. It was obvious that they had thought about it (they weren’t blind sheep) and each had a different answer as to why they did it (to increase their own blog audiences; to be invited to more events; they had built some real friendships amongst the group; etc.) Different people – different answers. It’s all good. In my opinion – as long as the individual blogger is happy with the set-up, then good for them!
I’m with Leslie and Lori, everyone is free to make this decision for themselves, that’s the beautiful thing about social media. At the end of the day, those who create a really great product (content) will grow their audiences and, if desired, the ability to monetize their work. Keep up the great work Monica!
And I TOTALLY Agree with you John.. Everyone is free to make the decision… I just really hated seeing the 11Moms getting bashed everywhere because we chose to do something we believed in!
Thanks for everyone’s comments!
I'm with Leslie and Lori, everyone is free to make this decision for themselves, that's the beautiful thing about social media. At the end of the day, those who create a really great product (content) will grow their audiences and, if desired, the ability to monetize their work. Keep up the great work Monica!