My Sponsored Post and Review Policies

In the interest of full disclosure, I have accepted paid reviews at The Write Spot, LLC in the past and occasionally still do them at other blogs I run. I also except free products and services for review.

My Philosophy Behind Sponsored Posting:

1. This is my blog and I set my own rules and ethics policies – not the PR firms I work with, my clients, or my peers. I believe in full disclose and let my readers know that it's a sponsored post or if I got a freebie.
2. If you don't like sponsored postings/reviews, would never do it at your blog or won't read blogs that have it, that's fine with me because it's your right to choose what blogs you give your readership to.
3. While I have a degree in journalism, my degree's emphasis was advertising and public relations with a minor in marketing. I help people with marketing communications with my freelance writing and social media expertise. Bottom line, I'm pro marketing and feel that being paid to post to create Internet buzz for a client, company or product is what I've been trained to do. That's why I'm comfortable doing sponsored posting on my blogs.
4. As far as journalistic integrity goes, newspapers and magazines run print and online advertising with the goal of making money. If you don't think their advertisers influence their editorial, you're naive. If you look many magazines, isn't funny how they'll run a recipe followed by an ad for one of the food products mentioned in the article? You bet publicists are giving them freebie samples in hopes that they'll feature those products in an article or photo spread, too. Don't believe me? See this article at Salon.com - Mom Sells Out.
5. Paid posting, like blogging, is a great income source for WAHMs like me. It’s also a good source of income for any stay at home parent, those taking care of an elderly or sick relative, those who cannot work a regular job due to illness or a disability, or furloughed or laid off workers.

My Paid Posting and Product Reviewing Policies:

1. My sponsored posts are disclosed and labeled accordingly. If you do not want your paid review labeled as "sponsored" don't even bother asking me to write it.
2. If I am paid in addition to be given a sample, I will label the review as a "sponsored post."
3. If I get a freebie sample, I thank the company that sent it right in the post. (See my review of High School Musical 2 at my mommy blog, A Mama's Rant.) It's my way of letting my readers know about why I'm reviewing a product, book, or DVD.
4. Just because a company or publicist has sent me a freebie, doesn't mean I'll review it. I only feel obligated to review the products I have promised to review and not the ones that are randomly sent to me.
5. I say no to a lot of review offers and usually accept items that I’m curious about or already like.
6. I won't take sponsored posts from companies that I feel are dishonest or that are selling something I don't believe in. That's why you don't see any reviews of online casinos or fast cash businesses on my blogs.
7. Just because I'm paid doesn't mean that the post will be positive. I believe in writing constructive criticism, and try to point out the good and bad about the product or website I'm asked to review. Don't believe me, then read my review of the Dodge Caravan I was given to test drive for a week. Or my review of iFitandHealthy.com that pointed out a lot of problems I had with the blog.

Email me to pitch your product and I'll respond if I'm interested.

Updated 7/17/09