My friend CalTechGirl called me and a few others out on the paid posting thing (I know you love me anyway! MUAH!) and Pam's response to the "controversy" is exactly what I would have said.
Yes, I am aware that there is an excess of paid posts around the blogosphere. I don't like that some of the advertisers request that it not be labeled a sponsored post, but those also happen to be the ones that pay just a bit more than others. And like Pam, I also think that I try to personalize the post with an anecdote or story. To date, all my paid posts have been a reflection of something that really happened to me, or could have affected me in some way (except the rehab one, I admit, that one was a bit lame). And in just 10 days that I've been doing it, I've made a little over $100. If I keep up that average, these paid posts will really help us out with several bills monthly. In other words, I am going to continue writing paid posts, either until my ranking gets high enough that I qualify for big money ones and don't have to write as many, or until hubby and I are in a comfortable place (once he's done with probation at his new job, and once my promotion kicks in).
I don't have tags set up for my posts, but if someone can help me figure that out, I'll gladly take Pam's suggestion and categorize the posts so that my readers know if it is or isn't, even if not stated in the post. I don't want to lose my readers because half the time I'm blogging for money, but at the same time, it is helping us right now, and making sure my bills are paid is just as important.
Thoughts?
I agree that as long as you try to personalize, what does it matter. I loved reading your little stories and don't really care if it has a couple of paid links involved. I hope we all keep up the paid posts. Who can't use the extra $$. You have to do what it takes and have fun doing it.
Posted by: Lukie at August 25, 2007 7:04 PMYou do a great job of incorporating your posts into your blog, Amanda. :)
I'm seriously considering Teresa's suggestion of 'Fluffy Stuff' or just 'Fluffy'. It's not suggestive of anything negative that I can think of... ;)
Posted by: pam at August 25, 2007 8:05 PMI had a lot to say on this subject on my own site.
Posted by: wRitErsblock at August 25, 2007 10:02 PMAmanda, you´ve been more than upfront that some of your posts are paid. I assume anyone reading your blog, like me, knows you, and knows you have great integrity. Keep posting whatever you want, and if there´s a way for us readers to boost what you´re doing let us know.
Posted by: Ziva at August 27, 2007 4:40 AM