What’s going on behind the screen?
Mar 4, 2010 Blogging
So it’s a little after midnight. I should be in bed. Since I’m not in bed, I should at least be loading the dishwasher and cleaning up from the late dinner I had with my husband. Since I’m not cleaning up, I should at least be posting things on SelfishMom.com that I’d promised this person or that person I’d post soon. And actually, that’s what I was doing when I decided to put my first post up on Behind the Screen.
The other day I was talking with someone about a product I had gotten recently in exchange for writing about it. I had to talk to this person about the product, but was trying to have this conversation without letting him know that I hadn’t actually purchased the product. But eventually he needed to see the receipt, and after avoiding it for as long as possible I finally had to tell him that I didn’t have one, and why.
I’m in no way ashamed of writing in exchange for products, but I really don’t like explaining it to near strangers. Because no matter how I phrase it, even if I explain that I don’t get much actual money for doing this, I always get the same reaction: “You got it for FREE? Just for writing about it? Man, I’m going to start a blog.” Yeah. Because it’s just that easy, dude. Well, actually it is that easy to start a blog. But making it successful, whatever your definition of that is, that’s not so easy.
When I worked at a law firm as a receptionist, nobody ever said “They give you MONEY for that? Just for sitting at a desk and answering phones?” But with blogging, well, somehow I’m expected to do it for nothing. I once had someone tell me that she seriously did not believe I was able to sell advertising for my blog, that I just put ads up there to look important. And while I do occasionally put up ads for free for friends, it’s not to look important, it’s to be nice.
But that’s really not why I’m writing this post – some bloggers proudly choose to work for nothing, and good for them. This post isn’t about whether or not you accept products or sponsored posts or advertising. It’s about the way some people automatically devalue blogs. Whether you get paid to blog or not, I’m guessing you at least want a basic respect and appreciation for the time that you put into it.
My point is that most people don’t understand how much goes into blogging. They look at a three paragraph post, figure it took me ten minutes to write, and then I spent the rest of my day playing tennis or watching TV. And I’m here to tell you: if that were true, I’d be asleep right now.
So, I started Behind the Screen as a place to talk about that kind of stuff – products, advertising, logistics, disclosure, the “in” crowd, swag, lists, conferences…the list goes on and on. I’ve tackled some of these on Selfish Mom, but never felt comfortable doing it. I didn’t want to talk about blogging on my blog, if that makes any sense. I needed another outlet. And while this is still part of SelfishMom.com (same disclosure, same “About” page, etc.) it’s its own space, all about blogging.
If you’ve got an issue you’d like me to write about, or if you’d like to guest post, please shoot me an email at Amy@selfishmom.com, I’d love to hear from you. And if you send it at one in the morning, there’s a good chance I’ll answer you right back, because I’m up blogging, “paying” for all that “free” stuff.
Originally posted on Behind the Screen, a part of SelfishMom.com. All opinions expressed on this website come straight from Amy unless otherwise noted. Please visit Amy’s Full Disclosure page for more information.
Thanks for this delightfully honest post… I am sure it will knock the winds off from all those people who think blogging is a cakewalk….. and that success will come flooding in, the moment they open their ‘blog doors’!
I love the fact that you are standing up & fighting for your ‘blogging’ pride. Every post is a piece of art and the blogger is no less than ‘Picasso’ b’se they breath life in the mundane words to create a memorable story.
You deserve all the appreciation & respect not because your bog is amazing
but simply because you are putting in some sincere effort to keep it alive. Cheers!!!!
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This is a great idea! I’m really looking forward to your future posts. I’ve had various websites since 1999, but I feel like I still have so much to learn about the blogging world.
Most people in my life don’t understand what goes into blogging (or full-time motherhood in general, but that’s another story), and it can be frustrating. I’ve got several friends who maintain personal or family blogs who think it’s offensive that I have advertising on my site. Unless ads are excessive or the blogger is trying to trick me into buying something, ads don’t phase me at all! I think everyone deserves to be rewarded for their hard work and creativity if they so choose. Blogging is something that I enjoy, but it is also work. A great deal of work sometimes. Since I quit my career to be a stay-at-home mom, my family needs any extra money we can get. I think it would be stupid for me to work for free! There are also the people who believe that virtually everything I write earns a profit somehow, despite the fact that I specifically state in each post whether or not that is the case. Most of my reviews are completely uncompensated, based on products I purchased with my own money, but I don’t see anything wrong with reviewing a product you have received for free, as long as you are honest.
It can be so hard to get past these dismissive attitudes when you’re first starting out, but in the end I know that I’m helping to provide for my family while also satisfying my own creative needs, and that’s more important than anyone else’s opinion.
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Love you girlie! I hear “You got it for FREE? Just for writing about it? Man, I’m going to start a blog” whenever I have to explain what I do. Sometimes “I’m a writer” suffices, but if I have to go deeper than that, that’s WORD for WORD what I hear back. A stranger isn’t familiar enough to recognize like a friend or neighbor that “Yeah, come to think of it, I have gotten some great recos from you on places to visit, things to do, products to pick up, etc.” Or, “I do learn something from you every now and again and I value and listen to what you have to say.” Sheesh.
Great idea to start this, so many aspects of blogging you could cover!
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I love that this topic is being written about. But, I particularly like that YOU are writing it. That’s ‘cuz you are honest and straightforward. You don’t sugarcoat and I love that. Most bloggers blog in “relative” isolation. Yes, we network as much as we can and some of us are fortunate to mingle at brand events and conferences but most of the time we sit at home behind our computer…working on our blog. And, we don’t realize what we got ourselves into until we do it; day in and day out. Thanks for covering this from the blogger’s perspective Amy!!
Myrna´s last blog ..You Tube and Teens
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@c2cmom – Is it wrong to feel a sense of satisfaction when those “Man, I’m going to start a blog” people do so, and then flame out in about a week?
Jennifer´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Artistic Endeavors
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Thank you so much for all of your welcoming comments! I’d been meaning to do this for a while so I’m glad I finally got off my butt.
Myrna, you’re right on – I had NO idea how much work went into this before I started it. I wasn’t reading any mommy blogs at the time, so at least I hadn’t set myself up with any silly “Well if SHE can do it…” ideas, but I was still shocked by what was involved to do it well.
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WOW!! I’m so glad you decided to do this. FINALLY you’ll answer the email I sent you about this very topic two months ago! Just kidding. (sorta) Anyway, I look forward to your future posts, maybe I can write a post for you about my quest to have a successful blog (but then my blog would have to be successful… >:P). Sigh… Guess I’ll just learn all I can and take it from there. Thanks!
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@Jennifer – Oh no! What email? I don’t remember getting one, but I’ve been very scatterbrained lately.
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