Confessions of a Six Figure Professional Blogger

Bloggers, Don’t Lose Your Soul

August 3, 2009 | Blogging

A couple of posts I’ve seen in the last week or so have raised a little bit of alarm. Both posts are shedding light on what appears to be a growing attitude of “gimme gimme” among the blogosphere.

Is it all about getting free stuff?

First, we have an incident which took place at BlogHer. George Smith was at the women bloggers conference representing Crocs (those little plastic shoes). A blogger essentially demands a pair of free Crocs. He didn’t have anymore, so she threatened to publish negative things about Crocs on her blog unless she got a free pair of Crocs. According to the post, this lady blogger said:

Ya know, if you don’t give me shoes – I could totally write something bad about you on my blog.

Bold. Rash. And an insanely idiotic and conceited thing to say or even attempt. Shame on that blogger – whoever she is.

Second, the good folks over at BlogWorld asked the question “Are Bloggers Going Swag Crazy?” He mentions an encounter at SXSW where the person was saying, “What’s the use in coming if no one’s giving out any good stuff?”

Jeez….

Bloggers can be influential. There are some bloggers out there who have more influence than some newspapers. But, you have to EARN that influence.

It bothers me a bit because a major point of this blog is to help bloggers make money. In other words, see some return for your time. But, it is important not to make that your #1 goal as a blogger. Don’t get greedy and most certainly don’t become an asshole about it. I would hate for efforts like mine to show people how to see return from their blog would in any way lead to people like the one at BlogHer.

There is such a thing as karma in this world. You can refer to it with any word you want, but it is there. If you do good things and be worthy of respect, you’ll gain that respect and good things will happen to you. On the other hand, if you end up being the kind of person who will do anything for “swag”, it will come back to bite you in the ass.

At the end of the day, blog to share. Blog to help. Don’t blog for swag.

The swag comes when you’re doing a good job.

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  • HollyMann
    Great Post David. That lady demanding shoes - threatening to post something negative is insanely rude and immature. She doesn't understand what you wrote about here - that it's not all about "gimme gimme" in life - it's about the people, how you treat others and impact the world. People might just be too spoiled or too used to getting too much for free nowadays. I'm guessing you may have received some emails like this - "Dear David, I want to buy your book but I am not going to. I need you to give it to me - because you say it will help me make money. If you're right, I will pay you for the book with the first profits I receive." - Those emails bother me a lot too - they are usually much more abrasive than my example. If the person was genuine or sincere - not so obnoxious about it - I would give it them for free...anyway, just my thoughts...
  • As more and more people enter the internet space and start learning to use these tools, it's not surprising to hear these stories. Disturbing, yes. But I have faith that someone with an attitude like that has low chances of actually being as influential as she thinks she is.
  • carsonsl
    Hey David,

    Just back from the Texas coast and read this post. What balls! I do not prefer country music but recently heard a song on NPR called, "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be a Women". Well, as you said she will get hers or she could just do what the politicians and stars do and publically apologize. I've heard many uses for this acronym but this one's for her - SWAG - She's one Wild Ass Girl.

    Scott
  • It seems everything is getting depressing and mean spirited these days. I guess it's easy to be a nice person in a nice world, but as people get more nervous, more stressed out, etc, and being a good person is not the path of least resistance, peoples true colors start coming out. Sad :(
  • robtjones
    Yea but look at all the blogs about her, i know its bad but it is spreading!
  • I also write about food & wine for traditional media where this kind of thing is fairly common "under the table" although very much frowned upon. We should be reviewing based on the quality of the product and the experience that a regular consumer might expect, not on whether or not the owner/producer/supplier was willing to provide juicy perks!
    When someone boldly demands perks in exchange for good reviews (or threatens a bad review if not forthcoming) then it puts everyone else's credibility in doubt.
  • It's pretty awful when people think great content isn't enough. Bloggers don't charge us to learn from them or to be inspired, What more do we want? It's selfish and greedy.
  • This women's attitude is so undesirable. Eventually the readers of her blog will realized the "true" her over a period of time.

    A Blogger's influential and responsibility are proportional. The more influential you the more responsibility you need to take.
  • redendenal
    I definitely agree, greediness shouldn't be tolerated on blogging.
  • It is indicative of society in nature to want to get 'something' for nothing and it is a real shame.
  • Great post David...!

    Hopefully they were just a couple of isolated incidents because there is always going to be people that have nothing better to do than be an asshole....

    Hope everyone has a great weekend!

    Robert
  • Shame on that blogger. That was REALLY rude, to try and use blogging as a blackmail. Makes me sick :(
  • BobHereYo
    Dave, I agree that some bloggers think that because they have this page with great SEO power that they can do whatever they want or write about whatever they want regarding other businesses.

    I used to follow a blogger who is a long term famous copywriting author (muliple books) and speaker, a real icon in the field of copywriting and marketing until he put up a post that struck me as just plain wrong.

    Basically he put up a post that was SEO intended to badmouth a pellet gun company with a bad return policy that his son had dealt with and was having difficulties with. Needless to say he got their attention and got the exchange that he was looking for but in my mind that is not what blogs are for to do your personal bidding.

    To me he abused his power and I let him know that and I told them that they were engaging in Revenge Blogging and that is not the purpose of the blog (a copywriting blog). But he commented back to me that this was in fact the purpose of a blog and all the Koolaid drinkers on this blog bashed me as well which I found hard to believe.

    This was a big big name long term guy in the industry (Bob Bly) which I have bought many of his books, audio programs, etc. and he blew all my trust and following on a stupid personal vendetta against a company he was having trouble with.

    Oh I notice now that he took the article down, probably because he would have been sued for keeping up his slanderous post.

    Bloggers have responsibilities too! But more importantly, readers of blogs can tune out as well which I did, followed his blog for two years but no more.
  • What are people thinking when they act that way? I would never think of hurting someone else's reputation over something like that!
  • Great post David! I always enjoy reading your stuff, and today's message is no different. If anyone in your reading audience has started to feel "entitled" to goodies, I hope they see themselves here and stop immediately.

    After being around too many people for too long who only did what they did for the rewards, I think maybe I can recognize the lady who wanted a pair of Crocs. Maybe she worked for me once?

    When I was in the grocery business and attended trade shows I thought it was fun when vendors handed out little "goodies" here and there. But I can't imagine even asking for them, let alone demanding them.

    One thing about it. If that gal carries out her threat and if any of your readers happen to spot it, they'll know exactly why she wrote it!

    Keep up the good work, and thanks!
    Marte Cliff
  • This goes to illustrate how self-centered some people are. Sure, we bloggers want to garner respect and be accepted and looked upon as decent folks with a level of humanity, but to sell your soul is just flat out phony.

    If you're not willing to help someone without something being given in return, you'll end up with diddly-squat because that facade always crumbles, revealing the entire misrepresentation.

    Trying to shake-down someone with a keyboard sinks to a new low.
  • I think that is an extreme case. Howver, I think that many bloggers didn't realize how much work is to keep a blog updated and are frustrated by the small results and long hours. Of course, this is not an excuse for the women's attitude but I think it's what many newbies are experiencing.
  • That women was being very bold to demand the shoes. I can't believe that. I think it is common practice now a days to demand free things. No one wants to work for it. Greg Ellison
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