Comments on: Bring back the writing

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:54:35 +0000

I hope that you and LinMarie were able to work things out. I thought your response to her post was fairly mellow and seemed to consist more of reflection and thinking-out-loud than defensiveness. To be honest I was really surprised by her second post.

Sorry, don’t mean to be a pot-stirrer or anything.

By: Molly

Molly — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 12:53:04 +0000

It turns me off from a blog if they’re constantly writing about other stuff. I usually end up pulling them from my reader. Which stinks.

Katie, I think this post needed to be said. I find it so frustrating when I used to enjoy a blog and now I’m constantly confused because they’re writing about products and being sponsored. Some people try to cushion their review with like one “thing to keep in mind” which I guess is supposed to be their “negative” aspect of the product, but it seems they’re pandering to the companies that give them stuff, and not to the readers that are there in the first place.

I get that people need to make money. I just wish there was HONESTY instead of blatant ass kissing.

By: Selena

Selena — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:45:28 +0000

@Katie, Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I’m glad you wrote this post. It spurred a great discussion…. I like how you just put it out there and you inspire me to do the same.

By: Lu@masmom

Lu@masmom — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:53:46 +0000

@Katie, No, no, I got that too. I didn't feel like you called anyone out. I only said that b/c others mentioned it. I was also going to say (and for some reason stopped writing) that I totally agree with the whole review thing too. I often joke with Issa that I am going to go read someone's blog about yogurt, be right back. So I TOTALLY get that. I truly don't think you attacked anyone. You did get your point across. I am a notorious rambling commenter which is why I don't always comment. Also, medicated. Heh. But I agree. Real writing. I don't know how to do anything else. If you even call it mine writing. See? Rambling.

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:42:53 +0000

@Lu@masmom, Dude, you’re not guilty of anything. You RT’d for a friend, that’s okay. I hadn’t paid much attention to the Energizer thing at all, to be honest, I’m not on twitter as much as I used to be, and this post wasn’t really inspired by that at all.

This is why, for a number of reasons, I would like to delete this blog post and pretend like it never existed in the first place. I didn’t mean to call out people, to make others feel guilty or uncomfortable. I just miss voices on blogs, I miss hearing stories. It was supposed to be more about wishing I could read more stories and less about telling people how to write.

That’s my mistake.

By: Lu@masmom

Lu@masmom — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:30:19 +0000

I think I am honestly just less bothered by things then most. I don’t notice as much.
I don’t do reviews or give a ways because in general I tend to be bitchy and my blog is mostly about death. So unless you are selling coffins, you probably won’t ask me for anything.
I also don’t enter contest. It’s not that I am too good to get something for free, it’s just like it’s not for free. It’s usually so much work and you annoy your followers and stuff. I started as a twitter girl and turned into a blogger. I twitter to talk to people. Yeah I will link when I post, but the rest of the time I am talking to people.
However, I am guilty for RTing the energizer thing. Issa is my best friend and I still did it for my other good friends. It just doesn’t seem like a huge deal just every once in a while. IDK it’s like I have SO many people I follow I guess and read super fast so I just skim to what I want to read.

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:04:12 +0000

@LinMarie, Let's do this over email, okay? Take a deep breath. Please.

By: LinMarie

LinMarie — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:48:00 +0000

OK WOW Katie! I NEVER comment and YES this is apparently why..I was not implying your husband did anything. I was simply ASKING a question. I am quite shocked however that you’re so offended by this. I did not say “SO did your husband brain wash you? or anything along those lines. Again it was a question because SUPPOSEDLY YOU like to interact with your readers. But for you to go on twitter and act all attacked and shocked and stuff is ridiculous. I was actually complimenting you on your WRITTING and yes maybe I did say you whined but you do and I was being HONEST. Anyways, I will NOT be commenting anymore because apparentyl a simple question on religion can send you into a tailspin. I in no way meant to be rude and am quite SHOCKED at your dramatic reaction. Wow again, it was a SIMPLE question and I understand your answer. I did not know it was a sensitive subject.
P.S YES MY COMMENT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE B/C I WAS BEING RUSHED OUT THE DOOR AND WANTED TO TELL YOU HOW I ENJOYED YOUR BLOG BEFORE I CHICKENED OUT. AND MY HUSBAND WAS STANDING OVER ME RUSHING ME. SO YEA THE EXPLAINS THAT

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:40:15 +0000

I respect you SO much more for posting a negative review. I don’t think I’ve ever read one, it seems like they’re always blowing smoke up the asses of companies. I think it’s easier to believe that you’re giving honest reviews when you don’t love everything you try.

I really do understand that it’s a source of income and as far as running reviews goes, I think you’re doing it right.

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:35:56 +0000

I agree with you, and I am guilty as charged.

I do Pay Per Posts as a source of income, being unemployed (ok working part-time very sporadicaly) it is my main source of income right now.

BUT

I do put the disclaimer at the top AND the bottom (IZEA requires it in both places), and I don’t bullshit. Heck, you can go read my last review of a product I received in the mail that I HATED and I told that. I pull no punches. WHen I say in my disclaimer that “so and so sent me this and is paying me to post but the opinion is 100% MINE, I ain’t kidding.

I got a nasty email for that last one from the PR people, but pffffft tough, if you want a “positive review only”, don’t send me shit.