I am a avid follower and really enjoyed this post about products in 2009. I work for a marketing and PR firm and we are really trying to get the social media aspect of our firm up and running in an efficient way. Which is what turned be onto your blog.

In your post you mentioned that you are looking for some travel products in 2009 and I might have something that would interest you.

Periscope Book Light makes book lights that are within a leather book cover that stays with the book. They have also created one for the online sensation, Amazon Kindle.

We have had several blogs review our products and think that it is a great way to get directly in touch with potential customers. If you would like to review a unit please let me know or visit http://www.periscopelight.com.

Chris

I am a avid follower and really enjoyed this post about products in 2009. I work for a marketing and PR firm and we are really trying to get the social media aspect of our firm up and running in an efficient way. Which is what turned be onto your blog.

In your post you mentioned that you are looking for some travel products in 2009 and I might have something that would interest you.

Periscope Book Light makes book lights that are within a leather book cover that stays with the book. They have also created one for the online sensation, Amazon Kindle.

We have had several blogs review our products and think that it is a great way to get directly in touch with potential customers. If you would like to review a unit please let me know or visit http://www.periscopelight.com.

Chris

Ah, we traded a few barbs over Kmart, and I still think paid posts go too far — beyond ad placement to manipulating opinion. The only *motive* Panasonic has for paying for your CES trip is to get your 165,000 monthly readers to hear favorable things about Panasonic. Mission accomplished.

However you are correct that blogs are not churches, and I can see how the topics you write about for payment are often related to your core mission of exploring new social media business models. Perhaps the way out is for you to not only review the product being sponsored, but also 2-3 competitors’ products in the same post. That way when you talk about how cool a GPS system or camera is, you balance it with information about its competitors — providing MORE value to your readers while reducing any perception that you’re just a paid spokesman. “Panasonic did X, and it compares to competitors Y and Z like this.”

Worth considering in 2009?

Ben

Ah, we traded a few barbs over Kmart, and I still think paid posts go too far — beyond ad placement to manipulating opinion. The only *motive* Panasonic has for paying for your CES trip is to get your 165,000 monthly readers to hear favorable things about Panasonic. Mission accomplished.

However you are correct that blogs are not churches, and I can see how the topics you write about for payment are often related to your core mission of exploring new social media business models. Perhaps the way out is for you to not only review the product being sponsored, but also 2-3 competitors’ products in the same post. That way when you talk about how cool a GPS system or camera is, you balance it with information about its competitors — providing MORE value to your readers while reducing any perception that you’re just a paid spokesman. “Panasonic did X, and it compares to competitors Y and Z like this.”

Worth considering in 2009?

Ben

Thanks for all your advice!
Karen

Thanks for all your advice!
Karen

~Nicole

~Nicole

Really enjoyed this post. My belief is that the way products will gain popularity moving forward is to have influencers like yourself try them out. The really good products will grow in popularity due to the viral nature of social media and those with a large following have the best chance to spread the word quickly.

I look forward to reading more reviews and trying out the products that apply to my business and personal life.

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!