In light of the new law coming in to effect regarding the disclosure of freebies and compensation from companies and today’s article in the LA Times on the same subject, I thought it was time to address this head on in how I deal with it here.
My promise to you as a reader is to always be honest in my reviews and recommendations on this site. It’s simply not in me to write something I won’t stand behind. I’ll never recommend a video game, activity, toy, food or anything else for that matter that we don’t currently use or would use ourselves in our home.
One of the benefits of being a blogger is that you are like a reporter (without as many barriers and no one to answer to except your readers). I am constantly being approached by companies and PR Firms asking if I would like to have free samples of products in hopes that I will review them or to attend their events. This is no different than what happens in the world outside of blogging. I know this because I have been on the other side, working at a PR Firm, approaching reporters with the offers of free samples. It’s just the way the world works. I’m also savvy enough to know that just because I don’t like something, doesn’t mean someone else won’t. I don’t have an interest in “slamming” a product or service… I just don’t want to waste my time with negative posts. I have received products that we tried and I just wasn’t enthusiastic enough about the product (sometimes it just comes down to feeling the product is way over-priced) to write a post about it. You’ll notice with every post I will share the story about how we heard about the product (whether it was a purchase on our own or it was a part of an event) and I always make an effort to tie it in to show why I am passionate about it.
I really appreciate being approached to review the products because I simply don’t have the budget to purchase and experience so many things without receiving them that way.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email me!
Thank you a lot for your great article. I have been looking for such message for a really long time. Not all your content is completely clear to me, but it is definitely interesting and worth reading.
ReplyDelete