Know More Media is a blog network. We have several dozen blogs about various niche business topics, and we monetize our blogs in order to be a profitable business. So we naturally care about the following question:
When does blog monetization become excessive?
Recently, several bloggers have given their opinions about the increasing monetization of blogs. Tris Hussey wonders whether the blogosphere is ready for a potential spike in blog monetization attempts.
Every day, more companies are paying bloggers for ad space on their blogs, or are paying them to review their products. Tris advocates a "just because you pay me, doesn't mean you've bought me," impartial attitude for bloggers and envisions "a certain amount of self policing" among bloggers which will ultimately favor those who insist on "independence, objectivity, or at least fairness" in terms of readership and therefore potential value to sponsors. Along with that, Tris also supports "creative and innovative ways for bloggers to earn more."
In a comment at Tris's posts, Mark Evans says:
Mark also encourages more discourse between bloggers and traditional journalists regarding the rules about what should be considered ethical behavior for those who attempt to make money through their blogs.
Alec Saunders agrees with Tris that today's blogger often has "a fine line to tread" between blogging favorably about products and "being a corporate shill."
At Know More Media, we agree that it's important to be careful how you attempt to make money from blogging. We believe in holding to high ethical standards comparable to those espoused by traditional journalists. And while we think it's great to place appropriate ads on your blog to try to make some honest money, we don't support any efforts to cheapen the experience or the conversation by over-emphasizing the monetization aspect.
What do you think? At what point does blog advertising become excessive or unethical? What types of rules should bloggers adhere to in terms of disclosure and transparency? We welcome your thoughts.
When does blog monetization become excessive?
Recently, several bloggers have given their opinions about the increasing monetization of blogs. Tris Hussey wonders whether the blogosphere is ready for a potential spike in blog monetization attempts.
Every day, more companies are paying bloggers for ad space on their blogs, or are paying them to review their products. Tris advocates a "just because you pay me, doesn't mean you've bought me," impartial attitude for bloggers and envisions "a certain amount of self policing" among bloggers which will ultimately favor those who insist on "independence, objectivity, or at least fairness" in terms of readership and therefore potential value to sponsors. Along with that, Tris also supports "creative and innovative ways for bloggers to earn more."
In a comment at Tris's posts, Mark Evans says:
"One issue the blogosphere will have to address at some point soon is transparency (and i'm not talking a disclaimer buried somewhere). if you're getting paid by a company, you need to make it clear what's going on so that if you do get accused of being biased, at least everyone knows where you stand. i'm not against bloggers making money but we do need to be careful of the difference between getting paid and getting bought."
Mark also encourages more discourse between bloggers and traditional journalists regarding the rules about what should be considered ethical behavior for those who attempt to make money through their blogs.
Alec Saunders agrees with Tris that today's blogger often has "a fine line to tread" between blogging favorably about products and "being a corporate shill."
At Know More Media, we agree that it's important to be careful how you attempt to make money from blogging. We believe in holding to high ethical standards comparable to those espoused by traditional journalists. And while we think it's great to place appropriate ads on your blog to try to make some honest money, we don't support any efforts to cheapen the experience or the conversation by over-emphasizing the monetization aspect.
What do you think? At what point does blog advertising become excessive or unethical? What types of rules should bloggers adhere to in terms of disclosure and transparency? We welcome your thoughts.
Posted by: Tris Hussey | May 20, 2006 5:22 PM | Permalink to Comment