Comments on: The Devil and Daniel Blogger http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/ ... at the intersection of media, technology, business and the web Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:14:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: The great blog payola debate continues » Mathew Ingram: mathewingram.com/work http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-65287 The great blog payola debate continues » Mathew Ingram: mathewingram.com/work Fri, 13 Oct 2006 20:21:43 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-65287 [...] Back when PayPerPost first came along, it got a huge amount of negative publicity from the blogosphere, with some bloggers calling the company outright evil for paying people to write about corporate clients (and not requiring them to disclose that fact on their blogs). At the time, I wondered whether there was any such thing as bad publicity, and whether PayPerPost would suffer for the avalanche of criticism. [...] [...] Back when PayPerPost first came along, it got a huge amount of negative publicity from the blogosphere, with some bloggers calling the company outright evil for paying people to write about corporate clients (and not requiring them to disclose that fact on their blogs). At the time, I wondered whether there was any such thing as bad publicity, and whether PayPerPost would suffer for the avalanche of criticism. [...]

]]> By: George Tsiolis http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18886 George Tsiolis Sun, 02 Jul 2006 19:02:01 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18886 Hi, Mathew. Anyone who attended Mesh in Toronto heard one very loud and clear question - how do I make money from my blog? As a business heavy, tech light attendee, my mind immediately started racing on how to capitalize on the opportunity. As such, this comes as no surprise to me and should come as no surprise to most. In fact, I've already started speaking to bloggers about helping market Agoracom and our clients through their blogs. The difference, however, is disclosure. Despite the fact that securities regulations would require any participating bloggers to disclose working with me, I would have demanded it anyway. Partly because I believe in ethical communications but an even bigger part stems from terrifying fear that we would be outed by the blogosphere and potentially cause great harm overnight to a business that I've built over many years. As such, I have to wonder how many advertisers are going to take advantage of PPP. More importantly, how many advertisers are going to participate when the very first advertiser is bashed by other bloggers. It won't be very difficult, just go to PPP and take a look at the "opportunities" section. There is definitely a gap to be filled between bloggers needing to make some money and adertisers looking to leverage their network. I'm going to do it but I'm also going to make sure the whole world knows it when its happening. This assures zero backlash from those not interested, while providing great upside from a community that may find interest in my messages. Best, George Hi, Mathew. Anyone who attended Mesh in Toronto heard one very loud and clear question - how do I make money from my blog? As a business heavy, tech light attendee, my mind immediately started racing on how to capitalize on the opportunity. As such, this comes as no surprise to me and should come as no surprise to most.

In fact, I’ve already started speaking to bloggers about helping market Agoracom and our clients through their blogs.

The difference, however, is disclosure. Despite the fact that securities regulations would require any participating bloggers to disclose working with me, I would have demanded it anyway. Partly because I believe in ethical communications but an even bigger part stems from terrifying fear that we would be outed by the blogosphere and potentially cause great harm overnight to a business that I’ve built over many years.

As such, I have to wonder how many advertisers are going to take advantage of PPP. More importantly, how many advertisers are going to participate when the very first advertiser is bashed by other bloggers. It won’t be very difficult, just go to PPP and take a look at the “opportunities” section.

There is definitely a gap to be filled between bloggers needing to make some money and adertisers looking to leverage their network. I’m going to do it but I’m also going to make sure the whole world knows it when its happening. This assures zero backlash from those not interested, while providing great upside from a community that may find interest in my messages.

Best,
George

]]> By: Mathew Ingram http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18878 Mathew Ingram Sun, 02 Jul 2006 18:04:48 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18878 That's why I put in the "royal" part :-) That’s why I put in the “royal” part :-)

]]> By: Scott Karp http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18869 Scott Karp Sun, 02 Jul 2006 17:23:46 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18869 Mathew, I forgot to mention -- I think the phrase "knickers in a twist" has definitely jumped the shark. Mathew, I forgot to mention — I think the phrase “knickers in a twist” has definitely jumped the shark.

]]> By: Mathew Ingram http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18686 Mathew Ingram Sat, 01 Jul 2006 18:56:27 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/06/30/the-devil-and-daniel-blogger/#comment-18686 Thanks for the comment, Ted. You've certainly had a trial by fire. Just out of curiosity, have you thought about changing the terms of PayPerPost's model so that bloggers are required to say that they've been compensated? That might alleviate some of the criticisms. On the other hand, perhaps it should be up to the blogger and their conscience. And Scott, I see your point -- but I don't think anyone would suspect BusinessWeek of taking money for something. Why? Because it has a reputation for quality, which it has developed over time. And I think blogs will do the same, regardless of PayPerPost. Thanks for the comment, Ted. You’ve certainly had a trial by fire. Just out of curiosity, have you thought about changing the terms of PayPerPost’s model so that bloggers are required to say that they’ve been compensated? That might alleviate some of the criticisms. On the other hand, perhaps it should be up to the blogger and their conscience.

And Scott, I see your point — but I don’t think anyone would suspect BusinessWeek of taking money for something. Why? Because it has a reputation for quality, which it has developed over time. And I think blogs will do the same, regardless of PayPerPost.

]]>