Dear Sony and Microsoft…
Some prominent bloggers have weighed in regarding the dilemma of whether or not to accept products or payment in exchange for reviews. At heart of the debate is the importance of being transparent to their readers. Many bloggers feel that it’s okay to accept payment, so long as you let your readers know that your review may be biased.
I agree.
Here at BloggerDad, I have resisted many marketers who have offered me free products in exchange for a review. I’d love to say this is a noble effort to remain above the influence of advertisers, but in reality, it’s mostly because they have yet to offer me anything I want.
A few weeks ago, I was offered a free home improvement product for use in… well, improving my home, I guess. All I had to do was agree to write a review of said product.
This is clearly a case of the company’s representative not knowing the blogger they’re pitching to.
Yeah, my name is BloggerDad and I realize that the word Dad might conjure images of a guy’s guy who is handy with tools, loves to hunt and fish, likes working on their car, taking out the trash and all the other cool, manly things that a lot of dads do. That is not me. Okay, I DO take out the trash, but I’ll be damned if I love it!
For future reference, I present the following:
Hi, my name is BloggerDad. I don’t enjoy working around the house. And for God’s sake, I don’t want free products which will lead to me working MORE around my house. Unless you are giving away the services of someone to do my house work for me, please save us both the embarrassment.
My pitch to Sony and Microsoft
However, if you are the fine folks at Sony or Microsoft and you’d like to send me either a PlayStation 3 or an X-Box 360 and a couple of games (like GTA 4, maybe), I am all yours! I’ll write whatever review you want. I will claim that your gaming system vastly improved my quality of life, removed stubborn grease stains and even cured the swine flu! Play your cards right and I might even name my next born after your company (*barring wife’s approval).
Of course, Sony might make for a cooler name than Microsoft.
Imagine having a son with the name Microsoft? The taunts almost write themselves.
So, the ball is in your courts, Sony and Microsoft. Whichever of you decides to contact me first, could be the lucky recipient of all kinds of BloggerDad love and glowing reviews which will reach my TENS MILLIONS OF READERS!
If you are a reader, please help me reach the good folks at Microsoft and Sony or tweet this like crazy!
Want BloggerDad delivered to your email every time I post? Well, you’re not alone. Join the literally tens of others who have already subscribed for free! Email not your thing? That’s okay, you can also subscribe via RSS.
Content is copyright 2009 BloggerDad.com. If you are reading this on any site other than www.Bloggerdad.com or your personal RSS reader, then you may be reading it on a site which steals content. And a site like that is probably up to all kinds of no good.
17 Responses to “Dear Sony and Microsoft…”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
Could have been worse. Could have sent you some cat products to review
Ha. Good tactic! My wife wants a Wii. Hmmm? Hey I got hit up to do a review for male enhancement products. I turned them down.
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..This Quite Frankly, Is Disturbing
Hahaha! You and my husband would get along quite well I think. You should really go for the gold and ask for the super huge flat screen to go with it so you can really get the full gaming experience.
Jens last blog post..shots of a random nature
I offered to change Max’s name to Mac, but that didn’t work. Then I suggested to change my daughter’s name to Apple, but they said that was taken. I for sure thought it would work when I asked if they wanted me to change my site to: Writer Dad, life’s – words are better when written on a Macbook. All I got was this.
Mr. Platt, after 517 emails we don’t know how much more clearly we can tell you. We are not interested in you or anything you have to say. Please do not contact us again.
Writer Dads last blog post..Deeper Roots For Longer Branches: Writer Dad 2.0
I got new and improved pickle pops to review! It was the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me.
Seriously considering changing my site to I Am A Mommy Who Loves Mommies and Her Mommy Board and Is Chubby But No So Much So That I am Unphotogenic in the hopes of getting a Wii.
Tracy O’Connors last blog post..This is how we learned to be writers
I have no scruples, so I’ve decided I’ll review anything just to get something in the post other than a bill.
Daves last blog post..How to survive marriage
I would write anything for free games. I have a PS3 but since becoming a Dad I don’t have money to buy games. Good thing I don’t have time to play the games I can’t buy.
Otters last blog post..Teething: Are Teeth Evil?
Marc – Maybe if it’s a Cat Straight Jacket.
CK Lunchbox – LOL, I WISH I had been offered that. It would have made for a more entertaining post.
Jen – Well if your husband has a PS3 or XBox 360, I’d love to meet him! As for the flat screen, I didn’t want to press my luck. Plus, I’d have to clean my office to make room for a large screen TV and we already know how I feel about housework.
Writer Dad – LOL! Awesome.
Tracy – New and “Improved” pickle pops? Who thought there was room for improvement? Love the new site name, but the url will be a bitch to type in.
Dave – Maybe you should email CK Lunchbox and ask him for his contacts.
Very funny – I simply had to tweet about this. What about in-laws – if you only had the power to right-click your mother in law and rename her. That I think will boost your chances at being offered by these companies.
jan geronimos last blog post..The Lost Art of Being Silly
I think adding an Xbox 360 or a PS3 to a home IS considered a “home improvement.”
Great stuff.
Jeff Duckworths last blog post..Roomingo
We older blogger parents with teenagers could send them over to you for their Florida hols, you could write about the experience and it would be a real win/win for everyone!
Also had a thought for how you could boost your subscription rate or comments; how about a quick cartoon gravatar for all subscribers who write a hundred or more sparklingly intelligent, witty and supportive comments? (Hey, Marc. I’m doing my best here to get you that cute wee Welsh dragon
)
janices last blog post..Silence for the Writing Soul
That’s hilarious. You and my hubby have a LOT in common. I’m going to share this article with him in my reader!
Nicki at Domestic Centss last blog post..What Has Impatience Cost You?
I LOVE it when I get goodies to review. So far, all I’ve had are books. Since I LOVE books it’s great to get freebies to review. The fantastic thing about getting goods for reviewing is I feel no obligation to actually LIKE the product or to review it favorably. The point of them giving me the product is so I can form an honest opinion for myself. If they feel their product is the best thing since sliced bread they can do that, and I can disagree in my review if I want to.
I don’t think I would feel the same way if I were paid cash for reviews.
While getting books to review is fantastic, I’d also join you in your invitation to Sony and Microsoft. I’ll add Canon, Apple, and any whitegoods company to the list too.
Rebecca Laffar-Smiths last blog post..Add Spark To Your Writing
My wife shared this post with me!! Cracks me up! You and I definitely could be pals! I take out the trash, and attempt to do stuff around the house. But honestly, please ask me to be your sniper in Halo before you ask me to nail up the baseboards in the living room (which haven’t been nailed up for quite awhile) …
Let me know if you ever get the XBox …
Thanks a bunch!