The debate between bloggers and PR rages on and I have a new gripe. I’ve written about the need for brands to evaluate their working relationship with bloggers, and for bloggers to closely examine what they are being asked to do, why and what’s in it for them.
At times it seems like no one is listening.
My latest complaint is the spate of “Call in Opportunities” and “Online Events” I have been invited to. To me these translate as “Cheap Date”. At the very least, if you want me to write about your product, feed me. Entertain me. Woo me a little, would you?
I do realize that conference calls are an accepted practice in the world of Journalism. People with paid writing jobs who are short on time to travel, do call in for the 411 on a new product. It makes sense. It’s expedient, they have an article to write, an assignment to finish.
Bloggers are not journalists (take that debate elsewhere, and go with the assumption here). Bloggers do not have a paid job, or an assignment to finish. If they take time out of their busy lives to learn about a product, service or project, there is no other incentive, award, reward, compensation, motivation etc for the time they spend listening to what is essentially a pitch. If they do choose to write about it, there will be no payday.
When bloggers attend a live event to learn about a new product, service or project they are usually fed, entertained and/or gifted with product. They get to spend time with friends. They have a pleasant day out. It’s not for everyone and there are bloggers who would spit in your eye before they attended a baby gizmo info session (Jessica Gottlieb, I am not linking to you because of anything specific, but I am thinking of you!). And good for them. We all have to decide what our time is worth.
What I cannot for the life of me understand, is why someone would spend an hour or more of their lives to sit (mostly) silent and alone in their own homes, and listen to a schpiel, so that they can then spend another silent and solitary hour writing about whatever they were just sold so that they can be free advertising for a brand. Call it an event, call it an opportunity. I call it getting screwed. Someone is being used terribly. Shame on the brands who request this and shame on the bloggers who go ahead do it. We know who you are. You cheapen yourself. Have a little self respect, people!
I’m sure there are notable exceptions - call ins with a celebrated author, call ins where you have a chance to win a $100 gift card if you sit there obediently, post diligently and win the lottery. Maybe you just are lonely and have nothing better to do than call in. Maybe you think you really are a journalist, if you do this stuff for free.
Check your tax returns though. You might be missing a paycheck.
If you want me on your conference call, you’d better make it worth my while. Entertain me. Feed me. Pay me. I’m not that cheap of a date. I wouldn’t advise my clients to hang out with anyone who is and I wouldn’t advise you to sell yourself that short either.
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