There are rumblings in the blogosphere and twitterverse today. Questions have been raised over making profit from blogging.
Is it morally wrong? Will it lose you readers? Are reviews the devil’s work? Does any of this really matter?
After much sleeplessness (nothing new there then) and worry over what people might think of me I’ve decided to turn to the ‘dark side’ and have agreed to a couple of reviews.
If you would like to call in an exorcist to save my pure soul please contact me to arrange an appropriate window in my empty busy calendar.
Until then, I shall be inundating you with my usual brand of random utter nonsense, possibly thrice daily if you are really unlucky.
Roger, over and out.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Seriously, in the current climate I think you have to do whatever it takes to pay the bills (as long as it's legal, of course.) Don't let anyone make you feel bad. You're exploiting your own talent, not theirs!
Well that's terrible, I shall never visit again *huffs off*. Only joking of course. Nothing wrong with reviews at all. I've done one and that was for something really relevant for me (maternity trousers), will happily do any other really relevant ones which come my way. Yes there's quite a debate today. I read reviews if I'm interested in the product and I don't if I'm not, I'm sure most people are the same. Have fun doing them!
Admit it… it's diet coke isn't it? You've sold your soul for the elixar…
Haha seriously though, as long as it's not for something stupid like shoe polish or tupperware you're fine with me (and as long as you're honest if it's rubbish!!) All our blogs are different – we've all got to judge what will and won't work for us ourselves.
I'm the same as Whistlejacket – I would totally do it if it was really relevant to the blog. I just keep getting offered really crap stuff!!
xxx
Take everything that is offered (provided you want it), I really dont think it makes the blindest bit of difference if you write in your usual lovely way and remain honest. I like reading reviews personally
I don't have a problem with reviews. I've had opportunities and products I could not afford normally. And why not? It's our own personal blog to do what we want with. You are certainly not a devil woman, and if you are I am too! Keep up the good work!
We have reviewed numerous business books on our blog and they have become the basis of a business book library that we lend to the members of our networking group, so it has proved hugely beneficial. I think if the products are relevant to you, your family or the target audience for your blog then there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. In many ways, to be asked your opinion on something is a huge honour. Still waiting for someone to offer me a holiday though…..
I'm all for reviews if they are relevant
In fact I saw Sophie the Giraffe on 2 reviews and got one for Baby Belle and it is her fav teething toy so I am really grateful for those reviews.
I have done one on the Cushi Tush and really loved it and got some good feedback. So I will be doing another review soon of quite a cool new product.
Go on dip your toes in the deep dark murky waters, cross over to the dark side
I say yay for you. I tend to click away from reviews, but I'm quite happy for people to do them.
I have done a couple of reviews, for things that are relevant to me and the minimads. I dont care what people think or if it bothers my 2 readers!! I read your blog and reviews are unlikley to stop me. Enjoy what ever perks you can get. Being a mother is hard enough without anyone having a bitch!!
It's your blog, you write what you want.
Good for you. I'm sure you'll write beautiful reviews x
Don't have a problem with reading reviews or seeing ads on blogs. At the moment I think most of us need to make money where we can. With reviews I'd far rather read one from a mummy blogger it's a real opinion then. Your blog, put on it what you like xx
wow – as many raw nerves touched as Dan did – what an immotive issue. I'm with you but this one is really hard, there are so many people with different views about it. The breadth of the scale has amazed me.
xxxx
Review away – makes for good reading when a good author is writing them and , you are
glee 
more excuses to shop !
It's opened a can of worms hasn't it?
Thanks for the comments:)
I am feeling nervous about the review still but que sera sera and all that. One is relevant to my life and the other my blog and my life so I was happy to agree to both.
It is certainly interesting to have read everybodies take on it all today. I guess I just have to be confident enough in myself to not worry about pressure or what anyone else might think. The your blog, do what you like mentality is, I think the way to go.
I still think the main things I enjoy about bloging are writing and the community, and I hope always will be.
I really don't understand where the problem is with doing reviews. As long as they are honest and authentic and somewhat relevant to me, I read them. Zooarchaeologist does great reviews – I found little L's favourite teether through her review. As long as you don't appear to be bought and you enjoy doing them: why not?
I feel the same. I've only done a couple of campaign related promotions which I completely supported but I do have a couple of product ones which I'm thinking about doing soon. I don't think we're selling our souls to the devil!! I like 'A Modern Mother's approach to this where she states 'This is a sponsored post' at the end of any review type post(this then links to a separate statement about why she blogs and why she sometimes reviews). A great way to let your readers know why you may now be blogging about Fairy Liquid when you're usually blogging about John and Edward! Go for it and enjoy the perks! x
What's wrong with it, really? I think the only proviso is to declare which posts are being paid for. There was a big scandal here in Australia a couple of years ago involving talkback radio hosts being paid for their opinions but passing them off as unpaid, genuine comment. As long as bloggers still offer their actual opinion and are upfront about the fact it's a paid review, then go for it!