Lots of folks are talking about Sponsored Posts. I won’t even bother with a roundup, as doing a search of Bloglines turns up enough results.

Vinnie, a great friend (btw Vinnie, give me a call sometime… we need to chat urgently…) had a quick discussion on his blog about sponsored posts.

Paul Scrivens:

Sponsored entries

One part has to do with your Permanent Ad the other option is slightly different. Ads work if done right and of course you need traffic. Some people think just putting them up that everyone will click them out of the kindness of their hearts. If the world worked that way I wouldn’t have to write anymore, even though I still would since I love it.

Vinnie’s response:

As for the Sponsored Entries, you need “street cred” in addition to traffic. You still have to prove your ability to bring home the money for that advertiser, but now you have to weigh the subject of discussion/advertisment with your reputation and style as well as the product or service being offered. I’m wary of the Sponsored Entry approach because it becomes very easy to turn into a shill if there are enough zeroes on the check. This can damage your credibility, making your profits diminish over time. If you can somehow remain above being a shill, you have to very carefully choose your sponsors and entries, which can mean turning some good money away. It’s a fine line to walk, and one that I personally would stay away from, but I can see how some people would do well and thrive under those circumstances.

The bolded bits jumped out at me. I’m new to this. I’m not sure I have “street cred”, though I do have decent traffic (I guess). I try to weight the subject matter to something I’d normally talk about, I have no problem turning down advertisers (truth be told there are more requests than I can handle). I truly hope I don’t “become a shill”, but realistically is that likely to happen?

I refer to my earlier post: Blog Advertising Isn’t Evil:

But, earlier he also makes the point that he feels all advertising corrupts in some imperceptible way. To that, I disagree. Because to corrupt implies that you are changing what was never meant to be changed in what is obviously a way that was never intended. If you’re trying to be a “Free Writer”, advertising would quite obviously corrupt that.

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To me, what you put into something is what defines the value of it. The only time advertising will reduce the value, corrupt or otherwise “put an end to something”, in my opinion, is when it stops you from putting you into the post.

Am I doing sponsored posts right? No idea. You tell me. Ultimately it’s hard to do “checks and balances” on yourself which is why I love my readers. You’ve called “Bullshit!” on me several times and I hope you do again if advertising gets out of control. I’m not perfect (as anyone who reads this will know) but I’d like to think I know how to listen.