I’m reading this book right now for a class. It’s about start-up businesses. In an early chapter, the author describes the difference between slogans and mantras. The title of this post ought to be the mantra for all bloggers from now on. Because it’s true.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an article about candidates buying up ads on political blogs. Or strategically placing them, depending on how you choose to view it. It’s an important development in blogging. It seems like I say this every election cycle now, but the next one (2008, in case you didn’t know) will be the biggest ever for blogging (obviously). And in Nevada, we have the wonderful situation handed to us by the DNC — the February Caucus. As a result, Nevada political blogs will be making a bit of scratch from the candidates as they prepare to woo Nevada voters to sway their way and give them a boost into the primaries.
Also as a result, a disturbing trend has developed in the world of Nevada blogs. It seems like some people view this caucus business as some sort of entitlement or something. It became like a mini-theme here for a while. It started when Taylor Marsh got all annoyed because Hillary didn’t buy an ad. Then Myrna decided that she, too, was too cool not to have one. It finally subsided when Taylor got hers and Myrna conceded her status as not top tier. Except it didn’t stop there entirely. The WSJ picked up on the whining and quoted Taylor Marsh in that article linked above as being “a little annoyed” about not getting an ad. Hold on a second.
Let me get this straight. Bloggers should be taken seriously as a form of media and a legitimate contributor to the conversation, right? I think so. But to complain because a political candidate neglects to buy an ad to support you is a ludicrous stand to take. It really is. Look at the questions it raises. If they buy the ad, are you going to cover them more favorably? If they don’t, will you cover them less favorably? If they buy the ad after you complain, how will that look? Newspapers take heat from people because of the cozy relationships they seem to have with advertisers. But that’s also because they are considered corporate media. As a corporation, it’s their duty to their stockholders to make a profit, so it is only natural (unfortunately) that compromises must be made at the expense of the best news coverage possible. I’m not saying that it happens regularly, but that the possibility exists. If blogs are the foil for newspapers — the independent media, if you will — why would anyone even begin to complain that they aren’t getting theirs?
Frankly, I think it’s an ugly moment in Nevada blogs. I’ve seen what they charge, and if they’re willing to either sell themselves for $65 (or less) or roll out the “no respect” card, then they stop being an important part of this new media movement and they become an outsider to the establishment desperate to get in the door. That’s pretty embarrassing. Maybe they’re fine with it, but I’m not. Of course, it did get one of them into the Wall Street Journal. Maybe that ad will be worth more now with all those hits. Delusion wins.
Comments
Eric Odom wrote:
I didn’t even know this crap was going on. Taylor Marsh is a new name to me, but one I won’t really take seriously.
As quoted from her web site.
“Dear Hillary,
Blogs are small businesses, too.”
Are we all ENTITLED to handouts via the blogosphere as well?
And Myrna…
“I am a cranky minx today, because I finally have to face reality. After noticing a Hillary Clinton campaign ad on The Las Vegas Gleaner, it became clear that Northern Nevadan faces a long year of being largely ignored by our southern compatriots and by the mainstream media in spite of our role as an important part of one of the newest states to hold a Democratic Caucus in 2008. Yes, I’m afraid the “big ignore†has begun.”
Sounds like the Liberal blogosphere is out of tissue. What a shame.
Feb 21, 01:49 PM
Dave2 wrote:
This has got to be the funniest thing I’ve read all day… so thanks for that!
Any plans to whore out your blog for $65 any time soon?
Feb 22, 12:27 AM
Eric wrote:
I guess the days of supporting a candidate you believed in for free are over. Hilary called me yesterday to let me know that she was in town. I am thrilled that my union gives out my phone number. I am looking forward to messges from the rest of the crew when they come to Vegas. And speaking of “big ignore”, it sounds like a perfect thing to do to Taylor’s blog.
Feb 22, 01:28 AM
Ryan Jerz wrote:
EO, Taylor, while I don’t read her, is apparently important here. Take that for what it’s worth.
Dave, of course. I’ve been looking for advertisers, and perhaps Artificial Duck would like to make a buy.
Eric, of course those days are. Apparently, since the advent of Blogads, we’re all in it for certain reasons.
Feb 23, 04:11 AM
Nevada Blogger JWH wrote:
I think someones butt hurt for not making the Wall Street Journal.
All I can say to Myrna and Taylor is… Keep up the hustle. Good work.
Feb 23, 07:38 PM
Ryan Jerz wrote:
JWH, what does that even mean? If you’re serious, then you might want to check out my position on getting national recognition. I state it very clearly in the News and Review article. Shortly, I could not care less. And I’m laughing because the national recognition she got was 1) for whining about getting no respect, and 2) not even noticed by ANYONE in Nevada except me, and I got it on a tip.
Hustling is a great word for what they do, too.
Feb 23, 09:01 PM
Nevada Blogger JWH wrote:
None of us are pros at this blogging thing and I don’t really see the big deal with bloggers trying different tactics to bring attention to their blogs. We all do it.
I’m sure we all make decent enough money to not have to rely on a $65 ad buy to survive. Y’all make them sound like impoverished panhandlers who would do anything for a buck.
Dave2 says: “Any plans to whore out your blog for $65 any time soon?”
EO says: “Are we all ENTITLED to handouts via the blogosphere as well?”
Jerz says: “...if they’re willing to either sell themselves for $65 (or less)”
Feb 23, 09:30 PM
Nevada Blogger JWH wrote:
“JWH, what does that even mean?”
It should of read: Someone is butt-hurt.
Feb 23, 09:43 PM
Ryan Jerz wrote:
“Y’all make them sound like impoverished panhandlers who would do anything for a buck.”
That’s just it. I didn’t say that I am also a small business that deserves to be kicked down some cash. Taylor Marsh said it. Her own words and the multiple posts by Myrna talking about it show that they care a great deal about getting those ads. If that was a ploy to get attention, then I guess it worked. I gave it to them. But I don’t think it was a ploy for attention. I think it was a ploy for money. And as I said in the post, I think it’s pretty pathetic that a media outlet is taking a beef about advertising dollars public. Can I trust a damn thing they say about Hillary Clinton now?
Feb 23, 09:44 PM
Commenting is closed for this article.
Ryan Jerz is an all-around good guy who shoots photos and video, builds websites, and works in athletics at the University of Nevada, Reno. He received a Masters Degree in 2007 from the University of Nevada, Reno's Reynolds School of Journalism.