I feel weird about something and I thought I would just put some thoughts out there. This post may have no purpose except to get these thoughts out of my head.
Last Friday I posted a review for eShakti, and while I really enjoyed working with that company, and their clothing does really appeal to me, I feel weird about the whole experience.
I started writing this blog as a way to keep in touch with family and friends when we moved across the country. It evolved into an online journal of our family's life, and it allowed to meet all of you, which may my favourite thing about our blog ever. Words cannot express how much I value my relationships with the women I've "met" through my blog.
I've read some blogs over the years where it sometimes seems like all they write about is how amazing this company is, or how wonderful that product is, and I feel like they've just become a continuous commercial break from the content I used to really enjoy. And as much as I would love to earn an income from our blog, I know that will never happen. (Although seriously, why can't someone pay me to blog about checking out different tea places, gardening, and going to Target??? If I can ever earn income from blogging about those things, all these promises will be negated!)
I don't plan on doing any more product reviews on this blog (with the above noted exceptions. And maybe throw Starbucks and books in there as well!) I want you to read my blog because you are interested in my kids, my yard, and my life in general, not because I'm getting free stuff in exchange for telling you all about it.
I want to be really clear. This is in no way a reflection on my partnership with eShakti. It is my thoughts on product reviews, blogging, and how it all relates to my blog, in general.
So there you go. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to dip my toes into the "bloggers get stuff in exchange for a blog review" waters. From now on, I'll just be enjoying the views from the shore.
I understand the feeling!! I also hate when a blog turns into one long sponsored commercial and the great content disappears. But I really don't mind when people just do an occasional review or something-- I mean, I want my friends to get fun free clothes in exchange for all of their hard work blogging, and as long as the reviews are honest (and honestly disclosed), I don't think an occasional review is bad at all!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Erika! I loved seeing you get a beautiful free dress. It really made me excited for you. I do know what you mean about seeing blogs that you love turning into on long product and company review. I really don't like that. But, if you want to throw in a product review every now and then, I don't mind at all. I love knowing what you think. Either way, you totally have my support.
ReplyDeleteI did one product review once and I had the worst time trying to make it sound like something I would actually write instead of a review. I thought yours was very well done, but I love knowing you're going to continue to be Natasha from the blog. :) I have loved getting to know you and your family! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! And like I said, it's the relationships with other bloggers I am happiest about! I'm glad the feeling is mutual.
DeleteI understand! I did book reviews for a long time in exchange for receiving them, but I don't mind since I (used to) read so much anyway. Plus, that was before all the rules about declaring advertising, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to define content and a hard balance to strike if you're going to blog both personal and promotional stuff. Everyone, I suppose, has to find their own happy spot--both for themselves as bloggers and for their readers. :)
All that to say, I enjoy your blog, and I'm glad we've "met" this way too!
I'm also tired of the mega-blogs turning into non-stop commercials. It just takes the fun out of it.
ReplyDeleteI was excited that you got free stuff! But I also understand your point of view too!
ReplyDeleteI was excited to get free stuff but I don't want blogging to turn into just that for me :)
DeleteIf I had ever received an opportunity for an awesome free dress, I doubt I could pass it up, but I have never received any such offers. Haha! I don't blame you a bit for taking them up on the offer, and I think you made an awesome choice on the dress. I actually browsed their site and do like the clothing, but I will have to see if I can justify buying a new dress anytime soon. I will be in need of a new dress for beach pictures this year. ;-) Obviously, I am glad you will be continuing to blog about your life though!
ReplyDeleteI definitely know some bloggers whose blogs have become sponsored post after sponsored post, and those aren't really fun to read anymore. But there are also blogs who write sponsored posts, but I enjoy their writing so much, and it still feels authentic that I don't really mind them. (Girl's Gone Child is a good example of that.) I know for me, I don't really write sponsored posts, but I do receive a lot of books for review. So much that it's almost taken over my reading, and I never read books just because anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo it's definitely a delicate line, and I think people can make it work. But I think the most important part is what feels right to you, and what you enjoy doing.