Mark Dykeman
New Brunswick, Canada
- 8 comments
- 2 likes given
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Bio not provided
In a way this makes me sad. I once spent a lot of time on Digg and actually met a lot of the core social media folks that I know through Digg. But I don't think I've even been on the site for two years. It all just seems like such a waste.
Bacon writer... bacon taste tester... hmmm... must Google.
Of course, farmers and slaughterhouses have great influences on bacon writers... and the pigs.
3HatsComm I like the way you've put it. I think there could be an unreasonable sense of entitlement out there among some people.
Gonna go contrarian here. I think there's an important point that "Sarah"'s post brought up that got lost in the execution and the reaction. There's been a huge number of opinions shared on the whole concept of "deserving", whether it's being deserving of being paid for working with a PR agency to promote a product, to getting free samples, to... whatever type of award that people are looking for.
Yes, some people seem to be showered with gifts, perks, even $$$$ to promote stuff. I think that "Sarah" was right in noting that there isn't always going to be a budget to reward the bloggers who promote stuff for them. As long as that is known up front, it's fair game.
As flawed as metrics may be, a PR firm is only going to want to invest time and money into someone who will (and can) do a good job of spreading the word to the desired audience. Many bloggers won't have been able to build this kind of audience. I know that in my case, my book reviews won't have the same reach as Chris Brogan's and I don't expect anyone to shower me free books (although there are a few people out there who do send me books for review, for which I'm grateful).
The real audience of "Sarah's" article, I think, was the (possibly) growing group of bloggers who are practically demanding compensation and perks, yet they haven't put in the time, created the content, built the relationships or the audience to be the type of person that a PR firm would target to help spread the word. I realize that this is a polarizing example, but there have been stories (largely apocryphal? I don't know) of various bloggers who have been "caught" demanding extravagant perks just because they see other people getting them. Some of the stories that stick in my mind have to do with the "mommy bloggers" segment, but I personally think that there might be a vocal, very small number of people who may be suffering from an enlarged sense of entitlement. I'm sure it happens in other segments, too. Most bloggers, I think, are pretty reasonable about most things, but there are always people who are more concerned about personal gain than serving their audiences.
Also, there's the whole pay issue that both "Sarah" and Danielle have referenced. My feeling? If you are a professional (blogger, consultant, etc.) then you need to be running things like a business and ensuring that compensation is a negotiated, agreed upon item. If money has to be involved, sort that out as a part of the due diligence. If you're not happy with the deal that's being offered, if any, then you always have the option to walk away.
I'm sorry if Danielle and other folks felt that they were being slighted by "Sarah"'s post, but if you've got your shit together, then I don't think "Sarah" was talking to you. "Sarah" could have done a better job at making her point, but I don't think she was entirely wrong.
Danny Brown Luigi all the way.
I dig the video. I recognize a bunch of the sites and the race cars in the mall reminds me of Mario Kart.
You know, in the proper context, thought leader = pundit...
It's all because you're a freaking rock star influencer. You know that, right? ;-)