it’s come to this …

Have you ever written a bad review? Did you publish it? Or have you ever read a bad review on someone else’s blog? Have you ever been invited to a blog event hosted by a company (what’s it called Junket, or something like that – new to me!)  and written poorly of the company? Did you publish it?

I received my college degree in Marketing.  The time I spent in the work force after graduating until I left after becoming pregnant with our 2nd child was brief.  It was all of six years.  So I am by no means coming at this as some Marketing Expert and not even as a Marketing Expert wanna-be, but rather just thinking out-loud … (and maybe with my marketing “cap” on – not brain, just cap!).

I spent those six years with a User Research / Market Research Company.  We evaluated websites, software programs, hand-held devices etc. to determine their usability or in most cases lack of it.  Most of our research was done through one-on-one studies with participants, focus group studies or observed interactions.  Our primary selling points to our clients were:

1) we were a third party.  While you likely would have never heard of the company I worked for, you very likely have heard of all our clients – Fortune 50,100 & 500 clients.  So we sold the fact (to our clients) that we were a third party & therefore they stood a much better chance of getting honest, real opinions because the participants weren’t talking with the person that created the product or idea but a third person that was not biased & was impartial either way. Also related to this, we sold our location - studies & interviews were conducted in a neutral location – not specific to the client or brand … i.e. you didn’t walk through the Coca-Cola doors & drink a Sprite during our study.

And 2) that we screened for qualified participants. We had to find a range of individuals that fit the client’s target market through surveys & background information.  While we kept a database of potential participants we shuffled through them & would not use them repeatedly (within reason) .  We would even throw participants out of the database or pool for future studies if they weren’t ” good”.  For example – there is such thing as a “Professional Participant” – they “know” what to say & how to act & what they think you want to hear; however, they don’t know that you can pick up on that and see that they’re being fake in their answers.  And then there’s just the bump on a log that can’t communicate enough so you have to remove them because it’s like pulling teeth to get any kind of feedback what so ever.

So maybe much of this is just because it was drilled into my head for six years that this is how it should be but I seem to struggle when I read a product review on a blog … and maybe that’s because the majority (not all, but definitely the majority) of the ones I read are all good! How is that? Is it because they’ve only been given awesome products and there’s nothing bad to say about them?  Is it because even if they weren’t great, they’d still write a great review because they don’t want to ruin any PR relationships?  Is it because the only reason someone would want to enter a giveaway is if the reviewer likes what they’re giving away?  Is it because they reviewed bad products dozens of times but just never wrote the post so all you see are the good ones?

I’ve only written one review & I took the “nice” approach.  The product was fine – not exceptionally wonderful, but not even as bad as average, so I picked out the things I liked I focused on them.  I didn’t play up on them but I didn’t harp on the little things.  I’ve heard & read articles that it’s pretty common for bloggers to write a review if they like it & simply not write a review if they don’t (as opposed to writing an honest review).  But that’s not right.  Or is it?  Shouldn’t we be honest with our readers in both the good & the bad – giving them the whole truth? Or do we need to protect our PR relationships?

I actually read a bad review today here, courtesy of Momdot.  I was so happy to read a bad review!!  An honest review – it was almost all bad actually, not just a point or two.  It was actually very re-assuring.  And just yesterday the FTC made new rulings that bloggers (and others) must provide better disclosure.  I think that’s wonderful!!

The third aspect that’s totally different for me IRL as opposed to blog-world, is payment. I’m not about to pretend that I know who gets paid, what they get paid, etc. And I don’t believe that’s anybody’s concern but the two involved!  But in my opinion I think anyone asked to write a review, attend a junket (again – is that the right word!?!), or endorse a product (again, asked is the key word) in any way should be paid money – cold, hard cash. When a company pays an individual the playing field (in my opinion) is level again.  If a company thinks highly enough of an individual to ask for their opinions, then I think they should think highly enough of an individual to pay them.  Then it’s not about getting a “free*” product or a “free*” trip for writing a review it’s instead about a job – a consulting job for a company – either about the company or their product.

* Free – please note, that by free – I know it’s not really free.  I know reviewers will put alot of time into using the product or going on the event, writing the review, handling the giveaway (if applicable), etc. I just mean “free” in the terms of cash not being exchanged … and that’s why I think cash should be exchanged:)

Or I think of it this way – we would have been absolutely crazy if we asked participants to get off work or arrange for someone to keep their children, drive through Atlanta traffic, come and sit with us for an hour or more of their time & then the only compensation we provided was their gas reimbursement & a meal.  We would have NEVER found anyone.  Yet, people will travel across the country for some events.  And frankly, I would be one of those people if it was a cool enough opportunity.  I love the behind the scenes stuff!!  But typically, people participated in our studies for two reasons – 1) they enjoyed it AND 2) they received something for it (money).   I would venture to say that the reasons bloggers review products, hosts  giveaways or attend junkets  (there it is again) is for those same reasons – 1) they enjoy it & 2) they receive something for it – although in these cases the compensation may or may not be money – but maybe it looks good on the resume, opens up more opportunities, etc.

Now I also think you (even I) could play devil’s advocate & say if bloggers get paid then they’ll become that “professional participant” because who wouldn’t want to get paid for these opportunities & do more & more of them?  And I can definitely see some validity to that point.

So – that’s where I’m coming from? Do you agree?  Do you see it different? This whole concept is just something that’s new to me … it’s opposite of my way of thinking. I by NO MEANS think my way is the only way, I’m just curious if there are others out there that think similar to me.

That is so the question.

I started this blog & wrote my very first post in May of 2007.  I honestly didn’t read that many blogs or knew about too many that were out there before I started mine.  All my Sisterchicks had one and as described in that first post, I was beginning to miss out on things.  They weren’t emailing me their stories any more.  Instead they were blogging their stories to the rest of the world!  Not that the whole world was reading, but they could if they wanted to!!  So not being one to be left out, I started this.  I didn’t even think it through – obviously not because the address is silly (mlbh.wordpress.com) and it doesn’t even match the name of my blog (It’s come to this) – which is silly also!  As I say in the side-bar “in order to keep up with my friends & family & have them keep up with me, it’s come to this – this blog” … see – silly!

I think the thing I’ve enjoyed most about starting my blog is that through it, I’ve read other blogs more.  I’ve learned practical things through money saving sites like MommySnacks, DealSeekingMom and Keeping the Kingdom First.  I’ve seen super wonderful crafty things & tips through sites like Living Locurto, Sweet Designs, Hostess with the Mostess & Cookie Monday.  Of course there’s dozens that I just enjoy keeping up with on a personal level – what’s going on in their lives, etc.  And then there’s a few that I’m just truly inspired by their personal stories & strength like The Williams Family Blog, The Macs & Bring The Rain.

But then there’s a few things like the very recent #Nestlefamily drama that became a firestorm through twitter, similar to the BlogHer drama over swag.  And yes, I know alot of that drama is more through Twitter, but still – the majority of those participating in the Twitter drama were bloggers  just acting down right mean & nasty!!  And I can’t forget about “B” or “April’s Mom” - which ended up to all just be a lie.

I’m debating about going to Blissdom 10 (must make that decision really fast!!)  with my Sisterchicks  – it could be a blog make or break.  I’ll either be sparked or I’ll be content otherwise.

I don’t really know where I’m going with this post and maybe that’s the whole point.  I don’t know where I want to go with my blog in general and depending on what I come across and read from someone else I’m either excited about blogging or absolutely disgusted.

The twitter & blog worlds are all a buzz about BlogHer ‘09.  If you’re here, visiting my blog, then you probably weren’t there.  My guess is that those folks are sifting through their bags of swag, updating their return home travel statuses or tweeting about how they already miss their new best friends!!  And if you have no idea what BlogHer ‘09 is even about, that’s ok.  It actually might work in my favor because other wise, you’d probably be reading recaps of anyone that went!!  So with all, I’m glad you’re here!  Thanks for hopping by!

Pensieve … magically delicious has put together this little hop to meet new bloggers.  So, I should technically be giving a little bio of myself so you’ll hopefully come back to visit again.  That’s so hard to do.  I hate bios.  Does anyone actually like writing them???  I think it’s because I honestly think I’m too boring for any of it – twitter, blogs, you name it!  But I just enjoy keeping up with it all … or at least trying my best to keep up with it all!!  I am a stay-at-home-mom to a 3 year old son, Evan and an 11 month old daughter Megan.  We’re heading into August & that’s an exciting time around our household.  We’ll be celebrating Evan’s 4th Birthday, Megan’s 1st Birthday & our 10 year anniversary!!  So, it’s exciting & also very expensive!!

I typically write about family, friends, the little ones, and anything else that might come up … hopefully it’s interesting but I can’t guarantee that!!  I participate in my IRL BFF’s Top Ten Tuesday Carnival each week, I have also just recently started linking up to the Diaper Diaries’ Things I Love Thursday.  So that leaves Monday, Wednesdays, & Fridays for just some good old happenings, Conversations with Three Year Olds, or some Quick Questions.  I just got back in town from a week at the beach, so rather than getting my brain & my fingers to type properly, it may be best if you just read here –   This is how it all got started. 

I love finding new blogs, so leave me a comment so I’ll know where to find you!! 

Thanks for hopping by!

Days that is.  I know I’m not a very consistent blogger, but I am a very, very, very, and very – way too very – consistent online user.  Whether it’s checking one of my too many email addresses, catching up on blogs from family, my best friends or people I’ve never met but enjoy keeping up with their lives, reading the latest in news or entertainment, finding good deals on eBay or super cute things on Etsy, paying the bills online, checking status updates on Facebook, or just flat out “surfin’ the net”, I am online WAY too much!!

Don’t think I’m crazy, I don’t think the internet is a bad thing – I don’t think all the previously mentioned are bad things, but I do think it’s a bad thing when I’m on here way too much.   I am truly addicted to the being online!!  So I’m going to take five – days that is, and see how much more enriched my life can be when I cut this tie for a week!!  And if it’s not any more enriched – then hopefully I’ll at least get a lot of stuff done!!  I used to take walks at night, watch TV with Pep, clean the house … I don’t even remember what I used to do at night, I just know that now I put the kids in bed & somehow end up sitting in front of the computer until I realize I’m up too late & I need to go to bed!!  Not to mention the fact that I feel Yahoo just calling me in to check messages on a hourly basis during the day!  Forget the fact that I don’t even get important emails anymore!!

I had been thinking about doing this for a while now, but now my chuch is currently on series called “Christmas Rebellion” – taking Christmas Back!  This series has had me thinking more about it, so I figured this is a great way to kick of the Christmas Season – spending more time with my family & for myself … and not Al Gore’s genious invention (haha!).

I’m actually very nervous about doing this.  My will power is not good – it never has been.  So that’s the primary reason for posting about it here.  I’m not looking for cheers & certainly not any jeers!!!  I just figured I’d stand a better chance of holding myself accountable if I told ”someone” about it!

So, I’ve got all my bills paid, emails checked, facebook status has been updated – I feel like I’m going on vacation – you know all the “work” you do before you go?!?  I am giving myself one addendum to the rules … I have a few things currently listed on eBay, so I will check those once a day just to make sure there aren’t any questions I need to answer – I need to keep my Christmas shopping money up:).

SO – if you need me between now & Saturday, here’s a few ways you can get in touch with me:  1) Call, 2) Mail me a letter, 3) Send me a telegram or 4) Wait until next week.