tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post9180598305940830377..comments2024-03-29T01:13:00.830+10:00Comments on Veggie Mama: Thoughts about sponsored posts on Veggie MamaVeggie Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09393571810604343918noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-43384553879339696452012-07-10T10:07:08.687+10:002012-07-10T10:07:08.687+10:00I think I've come about this backwards - I'...I think I've come about this backwards - I've had a ton of breathing space because there hasn't been anything I've been excited about so just didn't bother. For some reason I also never got flooded with product so was never really tempted. If they sent an email, I just said no... but I think I'm on a different email list to everyone else, as I wasn't getting a thing! But now stuff turns up in my inbox and I think I could really make it beneficial to everybody, but because they've been so few and far between I thought I'd better gauge the reaction haha. A lot of the stuff doesn't seem worth it, so I started with a really high price already!Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-6469516556276536552012-07-10T10:04:33.392+10:002012-07-10T10:04:33.392+10:00haha thank you so much. I'm way better than so...haha thank you so much. I'm way better than soy milk anyway! xxVeggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-33009623136869700162012-07-10T10:04:02.069+10:002012-07-10T10:04:02.069+10:00It's hard to separate sometimes isn't it? ...It's hard to separate sometimes isn't it? from blogger to blog reader. Anyway I totally get what you mean and thank you xVeggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-51481544591431125972012-07-10T07:24:26.979+10:002012-07-10T07:24:26.979+10:00I've been pulling back on the monetisation thi...I've been pulling back on the monetisation thing for my blog because it just didn't seem worth it but now I've had a bit of breathing space from it, I think the answer for me is to just put a high value on sponsored posts so that I'm happy to work on them and they are a rarity. <br /><br /><br />I think you've got a great approach. Sometimes I find it hard because PRs are really generous with what they send and often after I try it I have to say no. Not going to write about it. Not going to give it away. Zoey @ Good Googshttp://goodgoogs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-90471184187392614162012-07-10T06:52:35.524+10:002012-07-10T06:52:35.524+10:00I appreciate all the feedback, and I also apprecia...I appreciate all the feedback, and I also appreciate that you took my comment for what it was, honest but totally in good nature as someone who enjoys your blog very much. I hear all of your points and i think if you really believe in the products, then God bless you as you venture forth into sponsored posts and just remember that YOU are your number 1 product, not any kind of soy milk (no matter how tasty!) and dont let anyone take that from you. But that is meant as encouragement, not a condescending reprimand. :) Blessings as you move forward and Im certainly along for the ride. The Old-Fashioned Housewifehttp://oldfashionedhousewife.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-15302027333919329652012-07-09T21:15:03.906+10:002012-07-09T21:15:03.906+10:00There is no way I could weigh in on this due to bu...There is no way I could weigh in on this due to bucket loads of personal bias. Lots to consider in the comments below. I think you'll do beautifully, whatever you choose. Good luck. Melissa Walker Hornhttp://www.sugercoatit.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-51404921283630465172012-07-08T18:28:13.877+10:002012-07-08T18:28:13.877+10:00Yes, you make perfect sense! And thank you so much...Yes, you make perfect sense! And thank you so much for taking the time to give a thoughtful, considered reply. Especially because it runs counter to most other sentiment.<br /><br />I happen to agree with you to a certain extent about monetisation and sponsored posts. I do see people struggle to do them well and it does impact their readers. I was incredibly surprised to see the positive reaction to the one or two I have done in the past, which gave me hope that I might not totally suck at perhaps navigating these waters to everyone's advantage. That's half the reason I was so specific in my post about what would and would not change. And as for my voice - that's been exactly the same since I was 10, despite a journalism degree and a brief foray into creative writing trying to derail me!<br /><br />As I said, they would be few and far between, and while I have a wide range of readers (some of whom would be totally interested in coconut oil and cloth diaper inserts, I know I would be!) not everything I write now is to everyone's taste, so I can't expect to please you all with the sponsored post content! I do aim to have something for everyone though. And that brings me to why I started the blog in the first place, which as much as I'd like it to be for the sole reason of creating and writing and sharing for the sake of it, it really was mostly to have an online portfolio of food writing so I could break into the food journalism industry. When I abandoned that career track two months later thanks to snagging the job of my dreams, I kept the blog going. Two and a half years later, I'm not entirely sure why. What I do know is that it has morphed into something I could never have imagined and truth be told it does take up a lot of my time, energy, skill and passion. It is like a part-time job and if I can make it bigger than a hobby and have it be profitable, in a way that pleases everyone (without readers there'd be no point!), then I'm more than happy to see where it takes me and have you all along for the ride. I would never, ever be offended if one chose to unfollow me for doing that. Or for any other reason, to be honest :)<br /><br />The way I see it, I already talk about products I use and am 100% honest. If you look back at any of the companies I've worked with, I've been honest in my feelings about them. I only use Vitasoy soy milk, and Pureland Organic tofu and things of that nature, and I talk about them - not because they pay me (they've never heard of me!) but because it's what I use and recommend and it saves ten people emailing asking what sort I use. If I was to sell out for the almighty dollar, I would have written a post on baby formula, like I was asked to recently, and told you all to like it or leave. I guess my point is that I have a job I adore and this is for fun, which enables me to pick and choose and be snobby about who I choose to work with. But I'm interested to see where I can take this offshoot, even though it is going to be rather slow going as I do it with a great deal of thought and consideration.<br /><br />I really want to thank you again, and I'm sorry for the word vomit, but I value my readers and want them to know my thought processes and where they stand. I want to hear their opinions and concerns, and I want to have discussions about what they want to see here and what they don't. I totally appreciate you taking the time to let me know how you feel, and most of all for returning to read like you do. You guys make the hard work totally worth it xxVeggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-7181551861442231432012-07-07T23:15:17.384+10:002012-07-07T23:15:17.384+10:00As a regular reader I appreciate you asking for in...As a regular reader I appreciate you asking for input. Im going to be brutally honest and say that I usually just skip posts from bloggers that are sponsored (meaning I just dont read them) because no matter how honest the blogger or how much I enjoy her content, the minute that shes writing the post for money its hard for me to believe that there is a way to be 100% honest and I have yet to find many bloggers that can really write a sponsored post that doesnt sound like a crappy commercial. And if a blogger starts having too many sponsored posts, I usually just unsubscribe. For me, as a blogger, I am passionate about writing and creating and sharing in this place for the sake of writing and sharing and creating, and not for making money. I see so many good bloggers become nothing but hawkers for other people's stuff and I just ask myself at what point did they stop seeing themselves and their ideas as worthy of being their number one "product"? In other words, if the voice of your page changes to fit sponsors, then its not really you talking anymore. And maybe you could do it differently... but I think for a lot of us out here, and maybe we're just too cynical, but something in us just gets turned off when a post is wired around plugging a product for money.<br /><br />ALL that being said... Im actually not anti-advertising. I think there is a place for tasteful, appropriate ads on a blog (somwhere on the sidebar), and by appropriate I mean something that fits in with the ethos of your blog and not 80 random google ads for crap no one needs, but there is a difference in my mind between renting space to an advertiser you believe in and changing the voice of your blog to fit the agenda of someone else. Does any of that make sense?<br /><br />At the end of the day its a tough decision and its probably easy for me as a smaller blogger to judge someone who is having a lot of offers from potential sponsors. I just know that once I start seeing posts for coconut oil giveaways and cloth diaper insert reviews and posts all about recipes that can only be made with an 800 dollar juicer (as you point out), for me as a reader I just tune out. But thats just me, and may sponsored bloggers do very well, and I wish yo all the best luck in trying to navigate these waters. Ive appreciated your content up until now and I look forward to more good stuff. God bless and thanks for asking for our opinion!The Old-Fashioned Housewifehttp://oldfashionedhousewife.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-38648027792037311392012-07-07T14:37:48.206+10:002012-07-07T14:37:48.206+10:00this reminds me of two J.Lo songs. I will spare yo...this reminds me of two J.Lo songs. I will spare you!Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-34218878722226824972012-07-07T14:37:17.700+10:002012-07-07T14:37:17.700+10:00I love a good stalker...I love a good stalker...Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-8009618240606713662012-07-07T12:07:13.158+10:002012-07-07T12:07:13.158+10:00Do it lady. I'll still be here. Stalking- wait...Do it lady. I'll still be here. Stalking- wait, reading. And trying your recipes in my new kitchen. Looking forward to more veggie fun!sarahhttp://happinessstuffandnonsense.blogspot.com.au/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-40087105885320012132012-07-07T11:28:42.564+10:002012-07-07T11:28:42.564+10:00Do what you gotta do Stacey. I love your blog and ...Do what you gotta do Stacey. I love your blog and I wouldn't not read it due to sponsored posts. Also, anything to do with Project 18 has my vote, both hands.<br /><br />You keep things real, that's what keeps me coming back. Also, you have a cute kid. Peggy Saashttp://cakecrumbsbeachsand.blogspot.com.au/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-72660117974495704012012-07-06T11:02:44.934+10:002012-07-06T11:02:44.934+10:00Noooooo I'm a failure! I haven't tempted y...Noooooo I'm a failure! I haven't tempted you with *anything*? Good god woman, you'll have to come over for dinner sometime.Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-80473108370766174942012-07-06T11:01:43.093+10:002012-07-06T11:01:43.093+10:00Oh Denyse your comments always make my day! Such t...Oh Denyse your comments always make my day! Such thoughtful, considered, generous words. You make the blogosphere a brighter place xxVeggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-35813306942759134362012-07-06T11:01:11.812+10:002012-07-06T11:01:11.812+10:00Haha you're cute. Thank you!Haha you're cute. Thank you!Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-20197846143932638512012-07-06T11:01:11.508+10:002012-07-06T11:01:11.508+10:00I have a degree in journalism - I'd die before...I have a degree in journalism - I'd die before I sold out to become a PR machine! And you're right about products I don't use (or drink) - it just wouldn't happen xxVeggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-42244554486702757032012-07-06T10:59:39.765+10:002012-07-06T10:59:39.765+10:00Nikki has done it so well from day one. I'll a...Nikki has done it so well from day one. I'll always be true to myself - if I sold out for the almighty dollar I would have written that contact lens post haha! xxVeggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-30139832896092835952012-07-06T10:58:38.852+10:002012-07-06T10:58:38.852+10:00Yes I find it strange that mostly the uproar is co...Yes I find it strange that mostly the uproar is coming from people who don't read blogs! I'm trying to stay out of it, I find it vastly confusing. But figured I should gauge sentiment among the only people I care about - my readers!Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-55549676026250250892012-07-05T23:08:20.216+10:002012-07-05T23:08:20.216+10:00I trust you wholeheartedly with sponsored posts. I...I trust you wholeheartedly with sponsored posts. I love your blog, even though the closest I usually come to having a vegetarian meal is pigging out too much on the bruschetta starter and not being able to fit in my meaty main :)Chelseanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-80007999659287179472012-07-05T21:30:17.720+10:002012-07-05T21:30:17.720+10:00Aww. Anything you did would be right (write!) in m...Aww. Anything you did would be right (write!) in my book. I popped in to agree with the 'go for its' but also to say how delightful it is to read your blog posts about EveryDamnedThing you love. The passion is so lovely for your food, the experience, and the preparation…and when I see Veggie Baby (soon to be Veggie Big Girl) cute as all get out meals I just melt. A more loving prep of food I've never seen. You truly put something of your heart into your food…love your work, your smile, and of course, what I read! Denyse xxDenysewhelannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-70950843873316545562012-07-05T20:53:06.361+10:002012-07-05T20:53:06.361+10:00Go for it!Go for it!Denise Solomonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-79972116706998736612012-07-05T18:55:55.906+10:002012-07-05T18:55:55.906+10:00Clearly you've really
thought about it and if ...Clearly you've really<br />thought about it and if there are things that fit, why not?! as long<br />as you're transparent about it and don't become a PR machine (unless<br />you realise that actually is your calling ;) Not all products and<br />companies are bad - lots of them make our lives easier. It might be a<br />bit out of character if you suddenly write about coke - but I can't<br />imagine that happening.Louisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-14851335964681744542012-07-05T16:06:56.528+10:002012-07-05T16:06:56.528+10:00Go for it Stacey. It works for Nikki on Styling Y...Go for it Stacey. It works for Nikki on Styling You - I love her blog. Make it work for you. As long as you are true to yourself you cannot go wrong. I love reading your blog and trying out meatless yummy recipes. You can only go from strength to strength and this is a way to make it happen.Lindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-77498973429291065192012-07-05T15:10:10.083+10:002012-07-05T15:10:10.083+10:00Do it! Why the hell not! I don't see what the ...Do it! Why the hell not! I don't see what the uproar is about. Maybe the 'uproarers' are people that have blogs that no one wants to sponsor? It's your blog, your time & as you said you'd keep it relevant than why not! I'm not into 'infomercial' type blogs that only seem to do product reviews & giveaways but one every-so-often is fine. Hell, I've even entered some giveaways & won stuff! xxlittle lovenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5525909913783427552.post-90787513955763026762012-07-05T11:28:58.772+10:002012-07-05T11:28:58.772+10:00I am also a monthly sponsor, but wanted to do more...I am also a monthly sponsor, but wanted to do more. Haha we're ALL about disclosure!Veggie Mamahttp://www.theveggiemama.comnoreply@blogger.com