Badge of honor

During all these FTC rumblings, PR Blackouts, and ridiculous bullshit that really makes the blogosphere look more like a soap opera that a community, I've kept my mouth shut.

Well, mostly.

But I can only be inundated with articles on mommy blogger money making schemes for so long before I have to say something.

I started this blog back in November 2005 as a way to tell stories about my own experiences with motherhood. It's actually evolved into more of a "mom blog" over the years, much to my own surprise, but never did I ever plan on it being a money maker.

And guess what. It's really not.

For the few early months with BlogHerAds, I could pay my car payment. But aside from that, the ads that you see on this site pay for a week's worth of groceries. I rarely write up any products, and if I do, I filter them over into my review blog. And while I can't complain about some of the freebies I've received, I never really write about them here.

This blog is like my Ketel One martini that shall not be tainted by the cheap crap no matter how much you try to bribe me with it or send me cases for free.

No, no, HELL NO.

What this blog has done is provide a springboard for other projects, like Cool Mom Picks, and Parent Bloggers Network, and the Mominatrix, so I'm afforded the luxury of separating professional from personal, for the most part.

But with all the FTC and the blackouts and brownouts and everything else that sounds oddly close to people having shit issues, I've felt the need to disclose that the things I talk about (unless otherwise specified) are not paid for. That when I link to a product, I really do like it. And if I don't like it, then I make fun of it and drink out of it.

And honestly, I think that sucks.

It sucks that you can't go to a blog and know automatically whether the person is legitimately loving something or whether they got paid to love it.

That doesn't mean I'm hating on all the people that write sponsored posts or PR regurgitations or whatever other things people do to make money from their blog.

But when the lines get blurry, it bothers me. When I see people swipe stuff from another blogger and change one word without giving so much as a credit or a link, it pisses me off. Whether it's a line from their "submit" page or a part of an entire post or a blog name that someone already came up with in a  post and you decide "Hey, I think that would make a great blog," it still matters.

No, there are no laws that state that you can't do that. But it takes away the community. And it's disrespectful.

We shouldn't need buttons or badges to tell people we've got integrity. And many bloggers, particularly those who absolutely don't do any posts about products or reviews or giveaways or all of that stuff and who treat people, bloggers, and their writing with respect, probably don't.

But since I've got my foot in a few places, I want people to be perfectly clear that when they come here, they know what they're getting.

Whether you happened to find my blog on a random google search for "Tuna Helper" or whether you've been reading this blog since I first started writing.

Which is to say I talk about unabashedly about vaginas, cock rings,and ass issues, almost as much as I talk about my three beautiful children.

And while I blog with a sailor's mouth, I also blog with integrity.

Abso-fucking-lutely.

Comments

[Jennifer]

I hear about people making money from their blogs, but honestly...I don't get it. I started my blog to connect with people (Well, that and to flex my writing muscle a little.). And, yeah, I've got some Google ads and some Amazon ads and how much do I make from that? PENNIES. Seriously. That shouldn't really be the point.

[Heather]

Great post. Thank you.

[Christy]

I heard Liz speak about it on NPR yesterday and now I just read about it here. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111083779&sc=fb&cc=fp

The ball is rolling. People are listening, and you ladies have has some fantastic exposure. I hope the momentum continues!

[Zozo's Mom]

Ahhhhh! You continue to be my hero!

[The Bossy Yankee]

I have just started reading and I will be back. I love honest open people. Sometimes even bloggers aren't honest.

Have a great week!

[Jen]

How timely that you posted this. I just started my little blog, mainly for kicks and to entertain myself and my friends. So far I clearly don't fit into the standard mom blog and it feels icky to me right now to peddle goods. Mine is pretty much a blank slate except for my nonsensical ramblings and that to me is pretty fun. I'm a big fan of your blog, love your honesty.

[Motherhood Uncensored]

@Danielle -- You're right. I'm glad that the Alice post was right below this one because it makes my point. Nothing wrong with sponsors and even better when you completely believe in what they do.

You can bet that I'd never be sponsored by Crocs, no matter how much money they through my way.

And Alice asked specifically that I try and test out their service before deciding to work with them. That's a sign of an awesome sponsor.

[Juli Ryan]

I know it's a hot button topic, but I just don't read blogs that seem too commercial. I haven't been blogging long, but so far I'm blogging it old school. No ads. And I definitely try to cite my sources. I'm all for Creative Commons. For me, attribution is enough.

[prescott]

I'm hoping all of you will also join me in signing the pledge over at my site, BloggingWithSincerity.com.

[Danielle Miller]

Just an observation, . . . you do realize that you posted that you wouldn't send us over to the Alice site unless you believed in it, right?

[Melanie]

Great post ... and I think I should say here that yeah, you gave me the idea for my blog title. Either you or the writer of Punditmom, in an interview you did with her. And I give you both credit in my very first post :)

It hadn't really even occurred to me that someone might see my blog posts about things I do, places I go, things I use, and think I'm just being a paid advertiser for that thing/place/product.

[julie]

I don't really fit into this conversation, which is why I've also kept my trap shut on the subject. But I'll say this - we're living in a trust economy right now. Bloggers need to keep that fact forefront in their minds. The minute that trust is compromised, it's game over. Is that really worth the free case of yogurt?

[MommyNamedApril]

well put. i hate guessing whether someone is paid to like something or whether they REALLY do like something.

[patois]

I saw this on Julie's blog yesterday and I think you all have come up with a brilliant idea. Here's hoping no one steals it and claims it as their own.

[MDTaz]

So much fuss about bloggers, and all we're doing is writing, from our hearts and from our hips.

When it comes to reading, geez, if it doesn't feel authentic, then simply click through and read something else.

The blogosphere gives us a ton of choice, and we can choose to read what we like and not to read what we don't like. Maybe I'm crazy to think that it's this simple: If it feels too commercial, don't read it. If you don't mind the endorsement, then go ahead and read it.

And yet what so many people choose to do is kvetch. I say hit delete or back-space or whatever, and move on...

[Mitch McDad]

You had me at cock ring. Awesome.

[Kelly]

I'm sorry, I totally got sidetracked by the make fun of it and drink out of it linkiepo. That is some seriously funny stuff!!! Do you go on comedy tours? I'd pay some serious money to come see your show. You are one very funny lady!!!

By the way, when I read your blog and you talk about products that have somehow fallen into your possession, I never feel your pushing a product on me. Your just giving your opinion of it. In the case of the Diva cup I thank you for saving my money! Thank you for such a SUPERB blog.

[Keyona]

This shit is getting a little out of hand isn't it. I write with integrity because I'm too damn tired to make shit up. Just sayin'.

[Jaye]

Great post.

[Suburban Turmoil]

Ditto to everything you said!

Seriously, I can't believe how parallel our blogging trajectories have been from the very start. I just can't quit you. :)

See you TOMORROW!

[Julie @ The Mom Slant]

That part about how bloggers feel compelled to note "this is NOT a sponsored post" when they happen to mention something they genuinely like and actually paid out of pocket to own? You read my mind.

Also, that part about taking ideas or words or verbatim copy? You read my mind there too.

But most of all, I want us to do shots of Ketel One out of your diva cup when I finally get my ass down to visit you.