The Ethics of Food Blogging
This post has been on my mind for a while. I started blogging for fun - as a way to release my inner monologue. Apparently, what's on my mind a lot is food. And people started reading... and following... and wanting to know about my latest learning to cook adventure and where I'd recommend they go for an important meal.
Once the PR people pick up that people are reading your blog, you start getting invited to media tastings and events. You get access or taste things in advance of the public for free. (I should know, I *am* a PR gal.)
What I didn't anticipate was that I felt a little weird about going to these events and then blogging about them to you. Would the fact that they are free influence me? Research says that even if I think it doesn't, it does. But I've been holding back interesting stories, creative menu concepts and fun experiences simply because it wasn't something I paid for on my own. But, I'm not made of money so I'd hate to limit what we share to my meager trying-to-buy-a-condo budget.
Even before blogging, I still got some gratis love. What if I just know the bartender? Or I chat up the manager and they send over a free dessert? They don't know I blog... they're just being nice... or trying to pick me up...
So, after a hot discussion in my Twitter community yesterday, here's where I stand...
I will start blogging about whatever I like, but I will disclose to you when I got it for free or if it's an experience you can't access on your own. I'd like to find a subtle way of doing it, like an icon next to freebies or something... if you have ideas, please let me know in the comments.
If it bothers you that I got it for free (and disclosed), let me know in the comments or tweet me. I'm happy to rethink it if you don't like it.
Either way, I vow to tell you what I loved and steer you away from what I don't. After all, honesty is the best policy. (Although, now you're gonna have to hear about all of my favorite bartenders in town, because, blog or not, I love me a gratis refill at the bar...)
Once the PR people pick up that people are reading your blog, you start getting invited to media tastings and events. You get access or taste things in advance of the public for free. (I should know, I *am* a PR gal.)
What I didn't anticipate was that I felt a little weird about going to these events and then blogging about them to you. Would the fact that they are free influence me? Research says that even if I think it doesn't, it does. But I've been holding back interesting stories, creative menu concepts and fun experiences simply because it wasn't something I paid for on my own. But, I'm not made of money so I'd hate to limit what we share to my meager trying-to-buy-a-condo budget.
Even before blogging, I still got some gratis love. What if I just know the bartender? Or I chat up the manager and they send over a free dessert? They don't know I blog... they're just being nice... or trying to pick me up...
I will start blogging about whatever I like, but I will disclose to you when I got it for free or if it's an experience you can't access on your own. I'd like to find a subtle way of doing it, like an icon next to freebies or something... if you have ideas, please let me know in the comments.
If it bothers you that I got it for free (and disclosed), let me know in the comments or tweet me. I'm happy to rethink it if you don't like it.
Either way, I vow to tell you what I loved and steer you away from what I don't. After all, honesty is the best policy. (Although, now you're gonna have to hear about all of my favorite bartenders in town, because, blog or not, I love me a gratis refill at the bar...)