Why Bloggers Deserve to Be Deserving

I love it when people try to sound "smart" and so intellectual about something that they obviously know very little to nothing about. This is certainly the case for this "Sarah". Her opinions regarding what you "deserve" are based off of her experience as never working from home, never having to juggle a home business and children, never having to control her own destiny and never having to find the determination to get in a full days work when the dishes are piling up, the phone is ringing off the hook and your mother is calling for the 20th time wondering why you won't answer the phone. Ok, so maybe that is my life as a work from home mom, but either way, those are things that this woman will never understand.

If she is so passionate about this topic, which it sounds like she is. I mean she took the time to write the article and have it posted. Why is she being "Sarah" and not who she really is? Why is she not mentioning the company she works for? I'm sure she is worried about how the "transient" bloggers might ban together against her or her company. Oh no wait never mind, my Uncle Vinny just called - gotta go.

Danielle and Danny,

So glad you decided to post this as I am with you and instead of smartly writing a blog post I left a comment on the said blog post. (whether it gets past moderation is another story).

What I have expereinced in business, especially new leading edge ones (yes, to the world we are still new and leading edge) is that it brings out people's fears. This is a classic case of asking "What are you so afraid of?"

Now, for saying we are not deserving ppppfffhhhh, show me how many poeple have as strong a passion for being conscious entreprenuers like bloggers. MOST of us do this because we CARE and are aligned with the core values of "Integrity, Embracing Change, Freedom from Limitied Thinking AND we plain ole care about people as well as makeing a difference.

Even in our own social media world we have folks who go into fear based modes around making money.

Deserving? So how is giving reviews make us less likely to give the good, bad and ugly? Have you read bloogers reviews really? We can be brutal sometimes.

My blog is a world changing event. WHY because my clients and readers tell me so. It has changed their world, it has changed how they think about conecting with prospects and clients. It has changed where they participate in the conversation and allowing themselves to have conversations directly with their target market (VS paying traditional media to do it for them).

Did we maybe hit a nerve because companies are wise enough to see the effect bloggers have with consumers? Do consumers trust us because we are like them and they value our feedback? DO we deserve to be creating a business around our expertise?

^&*(*&^ A we do!

I never realized there were such battle lines between the two groups of folks. I hope this does not speak to the majority of PR folks vs Bloggers. At the same time to your thoughts on deserving, I do agree that what we individually do speaks volumes for the overall outcome. My grandfather was one who taught me that if you want something, just go and get it. At the same time I have a real hard time with anyone that would discredit another group whatsoever. Bloggers may work to a different tempo than what has been coined as traditional, but what in the world is staying the same anyway? The speed in how any industry is changing is simply amazing. Those who don't keep pace with go the way of the Doe-Doe bird anyway.

I deeply appreciated your sense of passion you demonstrate here for what you do Danielle. I highly doubt anyones anonymous words will ever sway what you are determined to accomplish. Thanks for the enlightening post.

My blood STILL boils over this! And now you have me going all over again.

I began as a PR professional. I worked at "an actual PR company; one you have heard of if youu00e2u0080u0099ve heard of any." I was a smarty pants (OK, maybe still am) who wore suits every day and sat in "big" meetings. But I still treated reporters with the utmost respect. Because I knew, even as a junior level professional, that I couldn't do my job without them.

Now I own my own PR company, one you've probably never heard of AND I'm a blogger. I don't make money blogging. I do it because I enjoy writing, because of the insane amount of credibility it gives us, and because PR PEOPLE SUCK (hence the name - Spin Sucks). And I believe bloggers are as important, if not more, than the traditional media. Bloggers are highly influential and this baloney that any of us are fly-by-night or not working is complete bullshit.

And...I'm with you. The entire blog post written by "Sarah" smacks of judgy, judge. All I can say is...karma.

Great post, Danielle! "Sarah's" words were very offensive and needed a sound rebuttal like this one. Those of us who chose to be stay at home moms have every much a right to earn income as those who chose to go to work outside the home. The online medium is a gigantic blessing for many who are either home by choice or because they have to be. And we work hard. I don't sit in front of my computer screen all day long eating bon bons and reading blogs and writing quippy little posts and expect to be paid for doing nothing at all. I rise before the sun and go to sleep long after everyone else because those are the hours in which I am able to work.

In other words, as you said, I work hard. And I'm good at what I do. So why, precisely, don't I deserve to be paid again? The logic doesn't make sense. You really did a great job at refuting what was obviously a poorly thought out argument. And you did it with grace. Great job! :)

THANK YOU for this wise, well constructed rebuttal to a post that had me shaking my head!

Like you, I usually stay on the sidelines. I am not easily offended and I try to avoid controversy online. Often it is just nasty and not the kind of thing I want to be a part of.

But I was really bothered by "Sarah's" post - and the fact that it was on a site I so respect so much!

I think "Sarah" would have to be anonymous or she may have been fired after talking so disrespecfully to an entire community of valuable, working women. I am sure her firm would not be happy with that kind of public relations!

I recognize that she may NOT have been addressing her condescending tone to ALL bloggers, incl "Annie A-List" as she calls her, but to some stereotype of an "entitled blogger" who has an "ugly" blog and who hasn't achieved the level of traffic and achievement of "Annie A-List." However, that doesn't make her post any less tactless and judgemental.

If she wanted to speak to the problem of inexperienced bloggers who do not yet have an established product or service, (eg traffic and influence,) being "entitled" then she should have done so more clearly and less rudely.

Like it has been said in the comments, I "earn" my money. I offer a product and a service and I negotiate compensation according to my own ROI for my business.

Great post Danielle and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Darn right I deserve to get paid. I deserve a lot more than people are actually paying us. We offer a value that is not imagined. We advertise - quite remarkably I might add (Zhu Zhu pets anyone?) and we create a buzz. We also create content, we question products,we create communities, we manage communities, we educate brands on what works with communities and what doesn't, we constantly and tirelessly engage our readers, we fight for social causes. Do you know anyone working such late hours and constantly "available". Yes we barely have vacations or holidays and we hold ourselves accountable - I just wish Sarah would have the guts put a face to her words.I really do believe that it is cowardly to give a holier-than-thou attitude from behind a curtain.

Hi Danielle,

Just wanted to say thanks for offering an excellent viewpoint, and for starting a great conversation in the comments. It's been really interesting seeing everyone's take - after all, open discussion is how we all learn. :)

Thanks again, miss, you rock!

Hi All,

I don't know that I even consider myself a blogger. I simply do what I do.

My first thought is that I don't really care what some anonymous somebody/nobody/wanna-be has to say. Cowards can only fight one way, it seems, so there is no real defense against such tactics.

My second thought is that since these cretins continually attack bloggers they must be afraid of something, or else they would simply ignore us.

And that's all I have to say on the subject; I'm bored now. I think I'll abandon blogging and take a real job with my Uncle Vinny. At least I can work off my debt.

Rick

Danielle, Like Mark I'll play contrarian but a little differently. My problem with both pieces are the use of the term "deserve." It's the entitlement, like compensation is something to be given or gifted. I don't feel deserving because of a blog post, or entitled to compension because I gave something of value. I EARN my paycheck by doing the work; it's about MERIT and getting the job done.

Which is to say that I think bloggers like you absolutely 1) work your asses off and 2) have EARNED appropriate compensation. Maybe it's the ad revenue or comps, maybe it is payment or being hired (with requisite disclosure) but IMO it's more than just deserving your props, you've worked for and EARNED them. FWIW.

Gonna go contrarian here. I think there's an important point that "Sarah"'s post brought up that got lost in the execution and the reaction. There's been a huge number of opinions shared on the whole concept of "deserving", whether it's being deserving of being paid for working with a PR agency to promote a product, to getting free samples, to... whatever type of award that people are looking for.

Yes, some people seem to be showered with gifts, perks, even $$$$ to promote stuff. I think that "Sarah" was right in noting that there isn't always going to be a budget to reward the bloggers who promote stuff for them. As long as that is known up front, it's fair game.

As flawed as metrics may be, a PR firm is only going to want to invest time and money into someone who will (and can) do a good job of spreading the word to the desired audience. Many bloggers won't have been able to build this kind of audience. I know that in my case, my book reviews won't have the same reach as Chris Brogan's and I don't expect anyone to shower me free books (although there are a few people out there who do send me books for review, for which I'm grateful).

The real audience of "Sarah's" article, I think, was the (possibly) growing group of bloggers who are practically demanding compensation and perks, yet they haven't put in the time, created the content, built the relationships or the audience to be the type of person that a PR firm would target to help spread the word. I realize that this is a polarizing example, but there have been stories (largely apocryphal? I don't know) of various bloggers who have been "caught" demanding extravagant perks just because they see other people getting them. Some of the stories that stick in my mind have to do with the "mommy bloggers" segment, but I personally think that there might be a vocal, very small number of people who may be suffering from an enlarged sense of entitlement. I'm sure it happens in other segments, too. Most bloggers, I think, are pretty reasonable about most things, but there are always people who are more concerned about personal gain than serving their audiences.

Also, there's the whole pay issue that both "Sarah" and Danielle have referenced. My feeling? If you are a professional (blogger, consultant, etc.) then you need to be running things like a business and ensuring that compensation is a negotiated, agreed upon item. If money has to be involved, sort that out as a part of the due diligence. If you're not happy with the deal that's being offered, if any, then you always have the option to walk away.

I'm sorry if Danielle and other folks felt that they were being slighted by "Sarah"'s post, but if you've got your shit together, then I don't think "Sarah" was talking to you. "Sarah" could have done a better job at making her point, but I don't think she was entirely wrong.

I think careful analysis needs to be done on both sides. Is company just trying to get impressions to fuel the sales side (if they did the analysis how correct trackable marketing and advertising can do this). Has the blogger looked at their schedule and work items to do and can give the proper engagement to the company. These are B2B relations and should be treated as such. Both companies leveraging each other to make money! Well some cases raise awareness, but I don't think this is the point Sarah and Danielle are making.

I have seen this tactic as a "poke the tiger" and generate visibility to fuel the other side of the house of making money. Not bad, but it has to be skillfully and artistically pulled off. Danielle you may be right funny when it needs to be serious this is not pulling off the "poke the tiger" tactic. Now there is a discussion here that within the B2B relation operates differently than the B2C relationship and some bloggers need to be educated to the fact that B2B hopefully both parties win. Where if the blogger is in it for free stuff and does not give in return it is a win lose and the B2B is doomed. Now that is the serious discussion that needs to happen. I do believe some bloggers or influencers come into the ring wanting theirs! Wrong approach by them.

Danielle way to present a constructive discussion approach! New follower as of this post, so I am looking forward to more stuff!!!

you may be deserving, it is very possible, i dont know you or your work so cant really comment on that. what i can comment on though is your response to this other person. you've lowered yourself to a level i dont think you should have gone to by responding in such a way. rise above it, keep calm and carry on doing what you are doing, if someone doesn't have time for what you do, fine, let them pass and carry on with whatever they were doing. we only have so much energy to expend on activities in our life. choose those that bring the most amount of positivity to what you do. i do not believe this is one of them. in all honesty, this post comes across as very "woe is me" and "self pitying" and i bet that's now what you intended at all.

Hi Danielle,

You, and every blogger, that shares insight, knowledge, and opinion "deserves." I remember when knowledge and information was only available for a price. Whether it was currency, trade, or social capital at the lunch counter, there was a price. Now, via the blogosphere, I have access to what feels like unlimited information and analysis. It's my responsibility to decide what's useful, valid, and I should pursue but that's a different type of price (and that overhead has always existed.)

So what once had a price, is now available on my schedule whenever I want it via yours and other bloggers hard work. You deserve to be compensated for your contribution to that value. Regardless of whether you choose to do something else tomorrow or decide to do it from office.

Oh, and by the way, thank you :)

Danielle..I will to say join the band wagon, because sometimes we all fill like we are not deserving enough. Personally I think its just an way of life. People get caught up and their own troubles and just forget about you and your hard work...but its always going be brighter days..

"Black Seo Guy "Signing Off"

I understand your need to respond to an attack. Sarah has some envy going on. Nothing gets to someone more than just ignoring them though. Almost like flicking a fly off your shoulder. Insignificant. The fact that you have been singled out, makes you VERY significant. All can get along much better if we remember the adage, "Be slow to critisize and quick to praise."