From Mediacrity via Instapundit, we learn that Romenesko’s media column earns him $150K from the not-for-profit which sponsors him. That’s not too shabby (the money, I mean, not the column). We see in the Boston Globe that one poor guy settled for $5 to say nice things about an on-line florist.
Let me assure potential advertisers that as ardent capitalists, we Chicago Boyz can be bought. Any Dodge/Chrysler dealer with an extra one of these hanging around the lot can expect to read many favorable things about their product in exchange for one of them. That other guy would probably settle for a couple of chrome lug nuts, but sometimes quality costs more.
Two more things noted:
The bloggers mentioned have a rather cavalier attitude to disclosing their pay-for-play arrangements. We don’t do that; hence no links to the bloggers in the story.
And once again, the on-line version of a print media story on blogging appears with no hyperlinks, although they give some URLs. Sigh.
Will a Neon get me ‘praise with faint damns’?
What will you do for a PT Cruser?
That’s the problem: The day when you’re ready to sell your soul, there’s a glut of souls on the market.
For a share in your Viper I’ll consider switching my personal endorsement from Foochi-Manooli to Chrysler! (Actually, anyone who wants to advertise here can do so openly and inexpensively by taking out a BlogAd.)
I wonder if the people who are paying Romenesko all that coin are getting their money’s worth. Maybe I’m just envious of his marketing ability.
There’s the issue in ‘trusted advice’ advertising: Do you accept the advice the advocate gives you, or do you say “What do I actually know about this person’s motivation?”
I dismiss the advice I get from some people that I’ve known for years because frankly, I KNOW what the motivation is. But then, some people don’t know that many salesmen. Or maybe realize it.
Blogging is a classic pyramid, only a few guys on the top make a living doing it, everyone else is lucky to make enough money to buy lunch.
(For $150K/year, I’d write anything.)
I sent this as an e-mail response to the third comment, but I guess I’d better put it out here:
I guess the point was that these relationships should be disclosed fully and promptly. I recall there was an attempt to buy “buzz” a few years ago by paying young people identified as opinion-leaders to talk up a product. I doubt it worked. Neither will this.
Other than that, value for value is fine with me. Maybe I’d settle for a discount on the exhaust work our Caravan needs, but I’d disclose it.
To be open about it, I’ve given away ad space here — to Jim Bennett currently, and previously to Spirit of America and one or two other advertisers. It’s always been to benefit (in a very small way) causes or businesses that I favor. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
OTOH, I think that for a blogger to accept money to promote a position or product, without being open about the quid pro quo, would be corrupt.