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Sunday, August 27, 2006

PR and Bloggers

Style Bites made some good points about receiving products for review from PR firms. And there are some great comments and responses from Julie on her blog about the subject. But honestly, I am not too sure about the whole thing.

Hollywood stars are always endorsing products. Meg Ryan and Nescafe, for example (I doubt she has ever tried it! And if anyone knows Meg, then ask her for me). I don't like the whole endorsment thing if it's just for cash or free products. I would prefer to see people or stars who actually use the product because they like it. This of course is not easy, as the PR firm must actively find a celebrity that uses the product. And time is money, so why bother? Just pay someone that the public loves and would be a good 'face' for the product.

Le Solei argues that the whole PR/Blogger thing is useless due to the lack of people that it reaches, and if it did become successful then it would just be another sales brochure leaving readers distrustful. However Julie believes bloggers will never fall into exploitating readers.

I think its great that Julie has faith in bloggers and I'm sure a lot of bloggers will stay faithful, however I can see, as a blog becomes popular and if there is enough money thrown at them, then he/she will just become another Meg Ryan. And that's my concern.

As readers become more trusting in a Blogger, then the more they are going to trust them about the product they are plugging or talking about. I for one, completly trust fiftyRX3 when it comes to product reviews.

I hope, as the PR/Blog thing evolves Bloggers will be responsible for what they choose the review in exchange for money or freebies. I would be very disappointed if it becomes another online advertisment.

Comments:
Thanks for the mention!

I was referring to the fact that if you get something for free in good faith from a PR firm then you shouldn't bash the product on a blog or forum. It's just counterproductive. I don't think that bloggers should become product whores but there needs to be a tit-for-tat. If you don't like something you just don't review it.

My review of the clear shoe boxes that showed up (http://stylebites.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-carrie-should-have-had-clear-shoe.html)
was honest. They aren't perfect but they are interesting and therefore I blogged about them.

Just my 2 cents! :-)
 
I agree with you. I will only write about a product if I like it myself. I don't think I would want to get a freebie. I would feel obligated to say something. I guess that's when I send it back and say thanks, but no thanks.

BTW. Love your blog!
 
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