This week the university down the road returned to class and so we trusty evening librarians, sorry, information assistants returned to the library, sorry, Learning Resource Centre. Obviously assignments and stressful deadlines have not yet been distributed, giving us a certain amount of quiet time (wo)manning the Issue Desk.In the course of work related research, ahem, I decided to touch base with Normandy Life. We are supposed to be swapping magazines. Imagine my bemusement when I discovered that this very week sees a return to an alphabet meme. Now I have twice before Googled "meme" and still don't understand what it means! Answers in a comment only if you can be gentle!
Anyway, I was intrigued and thus here we go, Jenny Matlock!
"A" gives me an opportunity finally to discuss a worrysome bloggisme conundrum. Advertising. Coffee Lady has recently, and most sensitively, dealt with face cream. This interested me because shortly before I had received an email from someone called Digeus about something called Snap It Screen Capture 3.7. If I were to mention it on my blog I could receive a free download of this product.
I don't think I really want Snap It Screen Capture 3.7, as I have managed a little bit well hitherto, but it does claim to be a fabulously technological bloggisme thing! You can have the download if you want! Express interest and giveaway protocol, such as I understand it, will be observed! Here is the link anyway!
But what do we all think about this advertising phenomenon? I love the idea of bloggisme as a weapon of mass good. I have followed with interest Ann Voskamp's travels with Compassion. But I don't think the Land of the (sometimes) Tearful Strawberries will be promoting random products, despite the disquiet I now experience when I put in links to restaurants and coffee shops and other places I want to talk about that are ultimately commercial enterprises.
We will definitely not be subscribing to the giveaway scouts who sent me a link in a comment. This idea seems to be that I sign up and whenever I have a giveaway the link is advertised to anyone out there who wants free stuff. This seems very much not at all in the spirit of the world of bloggistes?
"A": angst!
12 comments:
Hi, MAGSMCC.....Thanks so much for stopping by my little spot in the blogosphere and commenting so positively on my A for Allergy post I have to look at the funny side of them because they really are a BIG PAIN! I’m glad I put a smile on your face.
I can certainly relate to your advertising angst. Our giveaways are really special and do not need to be contaminated by the likes of the Snap IT Screen Capture 3.7 person...I need to give him something....my allergies. I loved your writing and will be back soon.
Hugs,
Genie @ Buttons for Baga
I am not a big fan of advertising on my blog....just my take.
I agree. There is enough advertising going on all the time. I don't care if I miss out on new products. I have too many old products and I wish I didn't want a darn thing. Well, except books. I feel no guilt when it comes to books. I wish advertising would go away.
I agree. And have hopped over from the Alphebe-Thursdays blog hop! Love your blog! :)
Wish I could help you on the whole meme thing, but I have no idea. As for giveaway scouts, aren't they kind of like the blog world equivalent of the guys on the corner with trenches and watches for sale?
Dana
I think if you like the thing, or you think it is of interest, you can do it. I get approaches all the time and turn down most of them. If I do do anything, it has to be from a reputable company. The commenty spam people? Nah.
Food for thought, indeed.
Maggie
I am not keen on advertising on blogs, but I do put a giveaway for CSN every now and then, only because I think it's nice for someone to win!
I think that a meme is a written description of oneself, likes and dislikes etc. I stay away from them!
I'm glad I found your blog through Alphabe-Thursday - and equally glad that your blog seems to be an advertisement-free zone.
What's a meme? I think the word refers to the fact that, originally, such linked blog posts were all about 'me' - lists of questions about oneself that were passed along from blogger to blogger as new bloggers were tagged. Perhaps someone out there has a better explanation!
These are good questions and I certainly don't know the answer. I think everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to monetize their blog, or sponsor give-aways, or be given free product for mentioning said product in a post. I know some bloggers have a disclaimer in their side-bar that states whether they receive compensation for mentioning product.
I haven't monetized my blog because that's not my thing, but I do CSN giveaways whenever they ask because I love their stuff. The only mention they have on my blog is on the actual giveaway so I like that!
And, to your question about what is a meme. "A unit of cultural information that represents a basic idea that can be transferred from one individual to another, and subjected to crossover and adaptation.
So our basic idea is a letter of the Alphabet (this week A) and we all interpret and adapt it to our own thought process.
I really enjoyed your thought-provoking post this week.
You have such a unique way of writing that I really enjoy.
Thank you for linking.
A
There are so many sorts of blogs...I can't put my finger on what I like about the ones I read, but the ones with ads and giveaways and reader-generating activities don't seem to have the kind of content I want to read. I have been out of the loop for a week or more so I may not even know what you are talking about. Love you, fraises....
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