Pissing Off PayPerPost People
Well, it is not like it is an uncommon thing for me to do. And in reality it has been some since I did it last, probably because I opted to stay on the sidelines after BlogHer fed this fire a bit earlier this year. To be certain, I really don’t want to annoy or anger anybody, and for the most part, this has had little effect on me, as most of the sites I read are good enough for full disclosure, or don’t bother with things like PayPerPost.
Since, my most recent faux pas of antagonizing a poor PayPerPoster brought up the same old points, and questions, I thought it was worth the time once again to cover these issues.
PayPerPost sounds good… on paper. Companies pay people to write reviews and commentary on their products and services, and hope to generate some sort of “buzz” out of it. Sounds good. And I have seen a couple of people actually use the product in this way. (Maybe 2 of them) But by and far this is simply not the case. It seems that what most people do is look to see what is the highest revenue product they are eligible to write for, and write about that. Regardless of what experience they have …often none, other than maybe… MAYBE taking a peek at the website before they write up a post on the subject.
What, really however gets my goat about this whole scheme, are the people that try to mask this in their regular posts. Now in theory, I guess PayPerPost originally sort of encouraged this sort of misleading practice because the whole “point” was to create buzz, and to appear less like advertising. There is no telltale affiliate code in the link, you just directly link to the website in your post. I have heard that PayPerPost is going to change this policy, in an effort to clean up their image (presumably at least in part to the backlash that they saw at BlogHer, and presumably other events), and start requiring people to disclose this. I think it is a step in the right direction. But I am biased. Because where I seem to most often put my foot in my mouth is when I have called bloggers on a post being a PayPerPost posting. Those that don’t currently disclose, are more often the same ones that get quite indignant about being called on their practices.
I have seen and heard things like, “You have GoogleAds and Affiliate Link.” Yes. Yes, I do. And everything about them is above board. Every single product or company I link to via an affiliate code, is because I believe in or like the product, service and/or Company. (I also have a Policy and Disclosure Page, explaining just that). There is nothing here that I promote, without it being something I believe in. If you happen to pick up a DVD from Amazon, based on my recommendation of it, then I think I have earned the few cents I make on an affiliate link. I am putting my opinons and my credibility on the line in doing so. If I tell you about a bunch of films you don’t like, well then you are not likely to buy them, and I am not going to get paid for them. If you can’t tell the difference between that, and writing a quick couple of paragraphs about Fly-By-Night.com (Not saying that all PayPerPost website are Fly by Night, but…) because that is the one that will pay you the most money to sell your credibility this week, well then there really is no reason to carry on the conversation any longer.
But please. Don’t stand there defiantly, and get all high and mighty. You are right, I am free to go my own way and not read it. That is true. And on many many blogs that is simply the case. I will just click next and move on. If I have commented to you on it. One. You are hiding your true intentions. And (more importantly in this case), you have sold your credibility and disappointed me in the process, because you had some credibility in my eyes. I thought you were worth reading. I thought your opinion was worth something, I thought it mattered. But since your credibility was worth $2.5o (or whatever you got for that post), I guess I felt bad that I had so misjudged you in this regard.
Blogging has for the most part moved past the days of having “donation buttons” and “wish lists” and for that I am sad. Heck, I would donate something to a blog I like (and have). I have used the wish list. I don’t begrudge anybody for trying to make a dollar. I applaud you if you can find a way to make a career out of this. When the day is done however, in the written world like this, all you have is your credibility. Think twice before you pawn it off for such measly sums.
Corrections: I was corrected by the people at Wirefly.com for an incorrect view of the company. Wirefly is not an affiliate front as I believed it to be at first pass, and I apologize for this misunderstanding. The incorrect information has be removed from this post. I will be taking them up on their request to take a closer look, and will (without PayPerPost compensation) be reviewing them properly when I get an opportunity.
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4 Responses to “Pissing Off PayPerPost People”
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I’ve used pay per post a few times (I think three at most)… and I came away thinking more or less the same thing you did - far too many of the offers were for things/sites I would never use or like. I personally made sure that everyone who read those posts knew that they were “paid for” posts, but that’s because I, like you, understand that the people that come to my site time and time again are there to learn more about ME… not to be my own personal walking cash cows.
It’s sad, really, because the service has so much potential - but when you look at the things you are asked to advertise (and the people who are willing to advertise them), it feels less like I’m making money for doing something I already do and more like being paid off with dirty money in exchange for my soul. Thanks but no thanks.
I totally understand the criticisms people have against PPP bloggers who tout a service as if they used it themselves. But that’s something they choose to do (perhaps to make the post more believable?), not something they are told to lie about.
I think you unfairly single out Wirefly as an example, especially since what you say about the company is not entirely accurate. Yes, InPhonic the parent company (where I work - full disclosure) is undergoing a financial reorg. But Wirefly continues going strong. Wirefly is NOT just a price comparison site.
Yes, we have tools that allow you to compare rate plans across carriers, but we also offer better pricing and selection than any carrier can, as well as some unique services. We process and fulfill the orders out of our own warehouse and don’t just “ship you off to the carrier”.
I could talk more about how InPhonic worked, but I know that wasn’t the point of your post. Just felt the need to clarify lest people get the wrong impression of Wirefly.com (regardless of what you think of PayPerPost). We hope you’ll stop by Wirefly.com to check out some of our holiday deals (which have nothing to do with the Chapt 11 reorg) - the site’s still open for business and we’re not going anywhere!
Thank you Dennis!
I’m guilty of masking some reviews with other stories to try to make the post a little more interesting. I’ve never really done a pay per post though–I actually get sent the things that I review (only if I’m really interested in it and it has at least some remote connection to my blog) but don’t get paid anything. I’ve pretty much only done books, the candy and a game that I can remember.