I’m not exactly sure how to start this post.
One of the sub-topics, Advertisers and Blogging for $$$, has controversy written all over it (although not as much as two of the other controversial topics I mentioned yesterday). But I just can’t stay away. I know a lot of y’all will have different opinions from mine on the subject; that’s ok! I want to hear your thoughts even if they’re not congruous with mine. So please don’t shy away from leaving your honest opinions. And my aim at writing this post is not to have a go at the bloggers with Open Sky accounts; it’s simply to try and get a good discussion going.
Open Sky, Amazon stores, endless giveaways…
The advertisers are taking over the blogs!
I have no problem with bloggers who have Open Sky or Amazon stores. After all, it’s a completely-legal (and harmless) way to make some extra money. It’s only when a blogger tailors every post to mention his or her store, that I start to wonder “What exactly is the reason he/she blogs: A genuine love of blogging? Or simply a desire to make money?” If a blogger wants to continuously promote his/her Open Sky or Amazon store, that’s fine. But I don’t read those blogs very often; I just get bored. If I read blogs for the sole purpose of seeing advertisements, I could just watch tv!
To be completely honest with y’all, the advertisers hooked me into their trap, at first, too. You see, about a year or so ago, when my blog started to get a lot of traffic, companies suddenly began contacting me left and right—dangling all sorts of yummy/exciting/expensive products at me, with the hopes that I’d mention such yumminess on my blog. In the beginning, I said yes to it all. My blog became bogged down with giveaway after giveaway; sometimes two at once! But I wasn’t having fun writing my posts anymore, because I wasn’t using my blog for its originally-intended purpose: to share fun, creative, and crazy ideas with the world and meet other fun, creative, and crazy individuals. Hopefully, you’ve noticed that—in the past few months—I’ve been getting back to writing posts that make me happy, with much less of a focus on giveaways/product reviews. And when the Open Sky Project contacted me, I turned them down. I am so grateful for you all—loyal friends, and fellow crazy souls—therefore I will not sell myself—or you all—out for free products, compromising the content of my blog, ever again. In light of my new blog, I thought it’d be a fitting time to highlight just exactly what that promise means:
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First, what my new blog won’t be:
1. It’s not going to turn into a sales pitch.
For me, one of the best parts of blogging is the creativity involved. I don’t want to tailor my posts to push a certain product. Instead, I will mention the foodie products that are making me happy at the moment, not the ones I want to sell. (For the record, I’ve never received a penny from Artisana for the thousands of people I’ve turned on to their coconut butter!)
2. It won’t be all giveaways all the time.
Y’all, I receive offers for giveaways/product reviews at least once a week. At first, I wanted to accept all of them. (Who can say no to free products?) But I got tired of just writing giveaway posts; as I mentioned above, my blog was becoming very boring! So now I only accept the ones I get really excited about and think you all want to hear about too. As fun as new products are, does anyone else ever feel like companies are taking over our personal blogs?
How does this sound: I’ll continue with giveaways every now and then, but instead of highlighting big companies, I’ll focus more on recognizing some truly-worthy little guys whom I know personally and who deserve attention even though they might not have the same exorbitant amount of funds at their disposal as the big companies. For example, I am privileged to be friends with the owner of a 100%-vegan cookie company! Stay tuned…
Also, to make my giveaways less “we’ve seen this before!” maybe I could throw in some of my own products, such as fudge babies, Afri-cards, or even photoshop creations, like my personalized money… what’dya think about all of this?
3. No play-by-play of my workouts and daily eating.
Many bloggers do treat their blogs as food diaries. But it’s just not my style. It’s not how I started my blog, and it’s not the purpose of my blog. So if that’s what you want in a blog, there are many others (many good ones!) you can read. I don’t have the time nor the interest to write out/photograph everything I eat and do. (You don’t want to see it all. I don’t usually bother making all my food look as gorgeous as my raw Carrot Cake.)
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Now, what my blog will be:
1. Healthy Vegan Recipes for Everyone! (vegan or not)
It will continue to be a space where I share my crazy vegan recipes, dispelling the myth that you have to sacrifice taste for health. I know a lot of you are disciples of Clean-Eating-type philosophies, and while I agree with parts of those philosophies, they just seem a little monotonous to me.
Why eat plain oatmeal for breakfast when you can have Chocolate-Chip Cookie Oatmeal and still be just as healthy (if not more so, thanks to the fact that eating yummy foods, as opposed to boring ones, will give you happiness, which in turn contributes to your overall health and well-being)?
2. Product Reviews of foods I genuinely love (many of which I don’t receive for free)
I said before that I’m through selling out my blog for free products. But I think that doing some product reviews can be a good thing. Personally, I’ve learned about a few cool new products thanks to others’ reviews. So there’s something to be said for product reviews, as long as they’re only for products you are over-the-moon in love with. (You couldn’t pay me to not talk about my beloved coconut butter!) However, as I stated earlier, you won’t find me saying, “I just had the most amazing coconut butter for breakfast and it’s available in my online shop on sale this week for only __ dollars.” Instead, I’ll be saying, “Get thee to a store—I don’ care what store—and pick up some coconut butter. Now! Don’t make me come down there…)
Yikes, I hope the above doesn’t make me sound preachy.
As I wrote, I’m not against bloggers who have Open Sky accounts or Amazon stores. It’s just not my thing. Although the money is nice, my main enjoyment from blogging is still what it’s always been: connecting with others, as well as sharing ideas and a love of life! The fact that someone wants to pay me to do something I love and would be doing anyway… well, heck I’m not complainin’ ;)! But if it ever turns out that, in order to get paid, I have to compromise the content of my posts, I won’t do it. There are more important things in life than money. If, in the future, you ever think I’m going against my promise, feel free to call me out on it, reminding me of why I blog. But please do it in a nice way. After all, I’m only human, and I’m not perfect by any means.
What are your thoughts? Also: why do you blog?
Is it to hold yourself accountable to diet or fitness goals? To have an online scrapbook? Or maybe to be a part of a community?
Jos says
I first started to blog so I could get into the community and also share my stuff to others (maybe not that successful yet since I still don’t get much traffic). At one point I did get interested to receive free sample products to review (who doesn’t like receiving free samples?LOL – so would be interested if you can let me know how did you start it hehe. you can email me directly hattorizen at gmail dot com.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Jos,
I started getting emails from companies as my blog grew. I’m really not sure how they found me. But I know some others email the companies directly.
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I just started my blog because I needed a creative outlet 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
amazing post, Katie!!! This took guts to put it all out there and be 100% straightup about it all and I commend you, big time!!!
“No play-by-play of my workouts and daily eating.”– me neither, it’s not a food diary or workout diary on my blog either
Opensky, stores, etc and continual linking to these…I know. I have an Opensky store and honestly have plenty of info I could give about them and really don’t mention my store much b/c it’s more trouble than it’s been worth for me. I could give you an earful about it but wont 🙂
Give aways…I used to do tons too, but w/ the 2nd ad unit, they are not allowed unless they are precleared and even though I probably could get clearance, I have moved away from them too.
Wonderful post…thank you for being honest with us all 🙂 A rare trait lately it seems 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Love ya, Averie. I’ll email you soon! 🙂
kaila says
i blog because i genuinely have a passion for healthy living! i am a teen and most of the people around me do not share my same values and love of health food….so blogging for me became a great way to meet others (especially other teens!) like me. I love the comraderie of the blog world and the talented people i have had the chance to get to know!
whitney says
Good for you Katie! I’m glad to see you are being true to yourself. Sometimes I wish companies would send me free stuff to review every now just to try new things and give them an honest review but, I wouldn’t want that all the time. I really look forward to your giveaways however, I would still want you to blog about the usual. I don’t really have any complaints about your blog though, I read it weekly for sure. 🙂
Whitney
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I know that some bloggers write directly to the companies, asking for samples. Some companies are happy to comply; it’s worth a shot :).
Allison says
Katie, you rock! I am with you 100% in your feelings about advertising through blogging. Do you ever read Bonzaiaphrodite.com? Her about me page has an excellent response regarding companies wanting to give her products to try. I love the idea of giving away lesser known products and/or homemade items.
As for why I blog, I started out to have a journal where I could show my friends and family that eating vegan could be just as delicious as eating omni but it quickly moved into the realm of being here for community. Ironically, you were one of the first bloggers I ever commented to and you made me feel so welcome. So I have you to thank for getting me involved in the blogging community.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw I’m so glad I inspired you to get involved, because the blogging community is definitely enriched by your presence in it!
I’ve never seen that website, but I’ll be sure to check it out now :).
Namaste Gurl says
Wow miss Katie, very well- thought out, genuine, and overall lovely post. You really put some work into testifying your main core values for your blog. You did great in clearly simplifying them. I am in complete agreement and couldn’t say it better 🙂
Hope my blog one day attracts people as yours does. I guess it’s just cuz’ your one amazing, crazy girl who attracts 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww girl, you are such a sweetheart. Seriously.
(P.S. when my blog was first starting out, I barely got any visitors… my first post had four comments hehe. But those four comments meant the world to me!)
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
Yay for you Katie! I’ve often thought this, especially about Open Sky! I get a little annoyed when bloggers that I love go on about their Open Sky/Amazon stores on their posts! I don’t mind when they mention them now and again, but when they constantly go on about it, it defnitely makes me think that they are blogging for money, and not for love or enjoyment! Anyway, I think your ideas and suggestions (especially for giveaways) are great! 🙂
I blog because I have a passion for what I write about (food, life, etc) and I love sharing that passion with others with similar interests! I love reading other blogs (like yours!) which have similar loves and getting ideas and inspiration.
Thanks for being so honest Katie! 😀
Susan says
I love that you keep it real Katie. Your blog is a huge success but I don’t feel you’ve “sold out” in any way. Congratulations on being you – fabulous!
I blog to express myself creatively. Sometimes it has to do with food, sometimes it’s just a forum for rambling. Either way, I view blogging as a gift, not a job or a platform for other things.
Have a great weekend love!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I think YOU are the gift. Truly, meeting sweethearts like you are the reason I blog :).
Kayla @ Little Miss Healthify says
Wow, I’m so happy that you posted this! Some bloggers could learn a lot from you! I did realize that you were gravitating away from giveaways, and I thought it was great! I get tired of blogs that are only about product reviews and giveaways, thanks for being real with us! I am addicted to your fun personality and that’s what I love about your blog, you keep it real and true!
Jennifer I. says
Katie, I respect you for being so true to yourself and for your willingness to make a clear statement that.
Missy Miller says
Ah, thankyou.
I hope many many people read this and are hit with the a sudden flash of realization…
cause there are a few bloggers who I ADORE and then all the sudden my reader feed is like….give-a-way, give-away-give-a-way….blah, blah, BORING.
I’m like, “where did she go?”
I enjoy the balance, like you appear to have grasped.
I have a blog, it’s small and ridiculous and about ED recovery mostly so this is not an issue for me. But I am glad you have liberated yourself from the rabbit hole you almost got sucked into and reclaimed your space. Because we love YOU!
Hi, by the way….I am not sure I ever dropped a line. Usually I shy away when someone receives so much traffic and comments.
Anyways. AMEN SISTAH FRIEND.
Please take every opportunity to promote this post of your so many bloggers read.
~Missy
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thank you so much, Missy!! And I’m so glad you commented, because I love “meeting” new bloggers :). (But I do hear you about shying away from commenting on big sites. I don’t do it much either, just because sometimes I feel like they don’t even read my comments. Not that I blame them… I mean, if you get 300, who can read them all? But for me, comments from sweet readers are one of the highlights of blogging!)
Cat says
Thanks you, thank you, thank you!! One of the reasons I read your blog is because it feels so genuine. I love that you make it about you and not a business (no that there’s anything wrong with that!). I like hearing your recipes, you inspiration and little interjections of genuine chocolate-covered sweetness! 🙂 Be true to who you are and what you want to write about and we’ll all be here reading.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww, thanks Cat! LOL sometimes I worry I’m making the blog too MUCH about me! So your kind words are much appreciated :).
Baking N Books says
Very, very honest – and refreshing. Yes…do you read many of those blogs out of curiosity Katie? …some that post like 3x/day and definitely are “marketing” their site to say the least…those blogs give me anxiety to be honest with you and not sure how I feel about them. But then I think it’s just my own stupid insecurities making me feel that way – jealously – and I know it’s my own problem…:(
Is blogging your dream job thought?! What is?! Would love to know your thoughts…too bad we live in different countries – it’d be easier to chat over tea…and a fudge baby of course 😉
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
To be honest, I don’t read many blogs, period. I just am not interested in other peoples’ eating habits. I’d much rather spend my computer time browsing sites like foodgawker, looking for creative dessert recipes I can recreate with my own vegan spin. But even that is not much time… I spend so much time writing my OWN posts and responding to comments and emails that when I’m done, I really don’t want to spend time on the computer! 😉
Baking N Books says
Thank you Katie. Yes, I guess that’s the fortunate part though – you’ve built up a great following and success!! For myself with very little, people say that commenting and getting your name out there is needed for exposure…it makes me second-guess it though…:(
Me! says
Plain and simple. You and your blog are just awesome! : O ( :
Misty says
Wow ya know when they say people enter your life for a reason, well I saw your blog today for a reason… See I had joined a blogging network and really started to learn about people making money off their blogs. I mean I knew people did but when I started writing my first blog i am not a fat girl it was with a mission I wanted to just talk about my weight loss struggles, a place to be me and honestly didn’t expect a soul to listen. It’s been 4 months and I have over 200 followers now and right now about 3500 hits on the blog while I know this is nothing compared to yours, I was shocked, proud and amazed people actual read! I didn’t even expect them to…
I then made another blog about my daily family stuff, I wanted this blog to be a bit more witty about my kids and such and how the pressures of being like other mom’s can be a bit much and I just wanted to be me so the not your crafty mom came into play and I am starting to enjoy that blog as well.
I started to get sucked into the money side of it though the past few weeks, but what kept pulling my heart was simple I didn’t want my blogs to be advertisement blogs with tons of give aways and such (which is okay just not me)…… I didnt mind if in the future and opportunity came along but I still wanted to be true to my blog and I want to say thank you because you have shown me that if there is that same future for me that I can have that possibility AND still be true to what my blogs are really about.
Erica @ Cult of Kale says
This is a great post! I agree with much of what you’re saying about advertisements. I feel really uncomfortable as a new blogger posting anything at all, because I don’t want people to feel like I’m only doing it to make money.
I blog because I love gardening and I love eating vegan foods. I really want to get the vegan community more excited about growing their own greens, even if all they have is a window ledge!
Maria says
I love your recipes and always look forward to you e-mails. Even as your creations are healthy, I don’t make them as often as I want to. I am looking for a Carrot Brand Muffin simular to the ones La Madeline’s make, only healthier. I think theirs have around 500+ calories to each.
I you could find time to find something similar I would be very grateful. Thanks for your help.
Angela says
Hi Katie, do you block non-vegetarian friendly ads on your site? If so, would you be willing to share a list of blocked sites for other veggie bloggers?
bee says
I think it’s great that you blog for the reasons you love it, not because everyone else is doing it. I also appreciate that your blog is not a food and/or exercise diary (I get so bored and guilty reading those type of posts) … so thank you!
I hope you continue to enjoy blogging for many years, because I really enjoy reading your posts, and the recipes are such a great resource for my food choices and intolerances.