Disclosure Statement
Why Disclose?
Blogging is a relatively new medium and is currently going through changes and maturing at a rapid speed into a real alternative to traditional media, and in fact can be seen as complementing traditional media
With that comes the increasing commercialization of the blogging industry - which I have no problems with. Heck, I’m here to make money just as you are.
The issue here is disclosure - when I read a post on a blog am I reading a bloggers honest opinion or a paid post - in effect, an advertorial? To me that is a big question and I would like that answered.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Blogging can take on many forms. For me, I’m using blogging as a publishing tool to further my career in journalism and product creation and marketing.
For small business, blogging is an awesome marketing tool - no doubt the best I’ve come across. I plan to use this blog to develop a readership, and to do that I have to be honest and ethical in everything that I publish here.
Credibility is a big thing with me and I’m sure with my current, and potential, readers they’d expect nothing less.
I want to build a strong and ongoing relationship with my readers for years to come (no “get rich scheme” here sorry) and to do that I have to hold myself to the highest of standards - and I plan to do that to the best of my abilities.
The Blog Honor Pledge
Jim Kukral from Revenews is a person I greatly admire. He is really passionate on this disclosure issue and has even gone as far as setting up The Blog Honor Pledge - which I fully back and have taken the pledge 100%.
Good stuff Jim and I urge everyone to take a read of the page in full to get a better understanding of where it’s all coming from.
(click the button)
So here’s my disclosure statement
My opinion can not be bought! Full Stop!
I write what I want to write about, what interests me and my readers. I have a voice and I have an opinion. If something excites me you’ll see it in my writing - and just as if something goes against my principles you’ll definitely hear my voice on it - I blog without fear or favor. I’m beholden to no advertiser.
You will not be seeing any non-disclosed paid-for-posts here at ePublishingDaily.
Yes, as many media outlets and journalists the world over, we receive complimentary products in our areas of interests. We know the PR game: send a freebie in the hope of a positive write-up. That’s common practice - and I do it too.
I receive many offers from companies wishing to send me their products for review. I’m happy to take a look at them all and decide - and I always have the final decision whether I will do a write-up and more importantly I have full editorial control - that’s the beauty of blogging: you are the writer, editor and publisher.
The argument can be stated that because I’m receiving a “freebie” I’m obliged to write-up a positive post. That’s B.S. in my mind. I write it the way I see it. If I like the product or service, and I can see value in it for my readership then I will say it as it is. And that goes the other way around. If I come to the conclusion that the product or service is not up to par then trust me, I’ll write about it.
Current Relationships & Conflicts
- Text Link Ads - As you can see in my sidebar to your right I have a handful of text link ads. I have no control over them, it’s automated and it’s pretty clear as the heading above it states” Advertisements”
- Performancing Partners - below that I have a link to the new Partners initiative from those at Performancing. It’s much like TLA in that it’s fairly automated. So far, there are no ads appearing.
I have also received complimentary copies of the following products for review: Desperate Buyers Only, Writing White Papers and Audio Products Made Easy.
If you need any further clarification please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]