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May 24, 2006
Advertorial and Prostitutes
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
Am I the only one who's really bothered by the latest "Advertorial" initiative from Ty Tribble's MLM Blog? I dunno, it just seems rather... uh... how do I say this? Whorish?
Maybe that's too strong a word. I mean, it's clearly labeled as "advertorial" at the beginning of the post but still... it just feels wrong.
Of course he's free to do what he wants with his blog but where does one draw the line? And how does running "advertorial" in the same space as the unpaid content impact the blog's integrity? I don't know but I have a hunch it's not increasing it much.
But It's Advertising, Right?
Many blogs, including this one, run a variety of ads to generate a little cash that often helps cover hosting fees and maintenance costs. But those ads are clearly labeled as advertising and they don't look at all like actual blog content.
So, there's clearly a difference between running traditional web ads and posting "advertorial" as a blog post right? I think so.
As a journalist I struggle with "advertorial." I find it in my favorite magazine. I find it in some online reviews. It's in the newspaper and on television. It's practically everywhere. It just feels uncomfortable seeing it in a blog, especially one that uses a lot of space criticizing a competitor.
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
But who am I to judge? I'm just really expressing some of my thoughts on the matter. What do you think?
Comments
I struggled to comment or not, as I really don't understand what was wrong with that post. Maybe I don't understand editorial.
To me it's just another blog post, no matter what u call it.
I think it's about site traffic and controversy, not so much the advertorial.
QBlog recommends a site that features regular advertorials.
Here is my response:
http://mlmblog.typepad.com/blog/2006/05/hos_controversy.html
Ah!
Read his new post. He lets other ppl to post on his blog paying him $1, which happens to be an IBO.
Well...it gonna generate some good Dialogue.
Lets see!
John Crowe:
and they do nothing but parrot back what some other people have heard. They have the confidence that always goes with ignorance.
Sounds like a lot of IBOs to me.
I would say so that it is about stirring up some traffic with some controversy. If it was about "advertorials" being "whorish", why no comment against Dane Carlson's Business Opportunities Weblog? Where Dane charges upwards of hundreds of dollars for his brand of popular "advertorials"? Hmmm... $300 vs $1...??? Are you telling me for a year or more, Eric had no idead that Dane charged handsome fees for his "advertorials" ranging in the hundreds of dollars? Oh, I see everything clearly now.
Johny,
Go to the forum and debate with StillNotBelievin' first. He's not very nice to Ty. After many levels up (way up), there's me. Fight with me. Then you may be Qualified to comment against Q the greyham Blog.
Seriously, Dane blog is very neutral. He's not taking a side of an issue on any thing. It is educational. (well, so is this but.....)
Ty tribble is quite critical of Quixtar, and now he's letting IBO to blog on his blog. That's what trigger QBlog to write this post. It's like me selling my quixtarsucks blog to some one who reminds me a lot of my fraud smooth talker upline e.g. Insider etc.
QBlog won't call it "Whorish" if it was some generic MLM Guru etc. writing that. I dunno.
Now now kids, play nice. If Ty wants to let IBO's place advetorials on his blog then so be it. In a way it can help balance out things and make it a little less biased so people can get both sides of a story. I mean after Qblog has the Backbone Project right? It's not a money making venture but still. And also there are all the Google ads and such on Quixtar Blog that that sometimes lead people to Pro-MLM sites. In any case, my main point is I don't think Ty's advetorial posts are wrong or "whorish". Perhaps a bit odd, but all it is really, is just another way to earn a little money to run the site with.
I find it interesting that you are having issues with Ty and his blog at this time.
It hasn't been too long in the past that Ty was closely tied to Bo, thus he was "in" with you and your site.
Your site is fun because it address some good issues within MLM, but it may be time to stop saying your trying to provide a neutral site regarding MLM. As the wind blows so does your neutrality to people who do or don't support your views and how you would have them approach or not approach MLM.
Who said I'm having issues with Ty?
Qblog,
Ty is just doing what Ty does best- Networking. After all he is considered the greatest "networker". I mean cmon, advertize on the blog of the greatest "networker" in the world for just a buck? Hell of an opportunity if you ask me. I don't even think whores give anything for a dollar these days(not that I've ever asked one). I must say though if you're going to have an anti Quixtar blog, you shouldn't be running Quixtar IBO ads. It's a bit hypocritical-not whoreish IMHO. It defeats the "purpose" of your blog.
Wow, I didn't know that I was considered the "greatest networker".
Cool.
Anyways, I have a question.
What is the purpose of my blog?
What is the purpose of this blog?
What is the purpose of any blog?
OK, that was three questions...sorry.
The title basically says, advertorials = prostitution thus whorish. Is there any other way to interpret that? And what exactly is a "neutral advertorial"? Qblog doesn't attack what is neutral or biased, he simply states that advertorials are whorish. Duh. But only directs it to Ty. That I find supremely hilarious and anyone defending that I'll have to fall off my chair laughing because there is no way to defend his position. Imran's challenge is also hilarious. "fight me" he says. haha. I mean... go back and re-read the title of this particular thread. Look what it says. Illiteracy and lack of comprehension must run rampant in America.
Lee,
I just find it funny the guy will adamantly oppose our pro Quixtar views in his comments, yet he'll take a dollar and write an advertorial about the benefits of the business. You're right, it does seem "whorish" now that I think about it.
Michael,
I did not write any advertorial about Quixtar.
Quixtar Sucks today and Quixtar will suck tomorrow with or without the kingpins.
However, I am not afraid to allow an opposing view "face time" on my blog.
(Are you forgetting that I offered you the opportunity to post your opinion?)
Don't you find it curious that 3 out of the 3 new "Quixtar Blog" bloggers are anti-Quixtar?
As a "journalist" you struggle with a lot of things.
For example, placing this post under the heading of Oasis LifeSciences when it is clearly a post about the MLM Blog.
Posted by: Ty | May 24, 2006 3:56 PM