Extract from Tarek’s post
Ever since we started BlogBaladi, we’ve always had this golden rule that we don’t do adverts, sponsored posts or whatever you may call them. I honestly didn’t have much experience on how to deal with agencies but Mark would always advise me on what’s wrong or right for the blog and its credibility, given that he had experience with his original blog back in Kuwait. I had specific guidelines that I’ve been following since Day1, that consisted of never posting stuff in exchange for money or a freebie, avoid reviewing a restaurant or a venue following an invite, and always being honest with our readers and I’ve never faded from these 3 points. I don’t do sponsored stories and I NEVER GOT PAID to post anything whether some people wish to believe it or not.
In fact, I’ve had to turn down in the last couple of years a bunch of awesome freebies (which included a $1000 TV and half a dozen smart phones) because I wanted to keep the blog’s reputation intact, and what I would usually do is suggest that I give away the item or service (If I believe it’s worth blogging about) to the blog’s readers instead of giving it back, or just give it back. As far as giveaways are concerned, and I’ve been advised many times to stay away from them as they sound out the wrong message, I like doing them because it makes the blog more engaged with its readers and I get to know the readers better and meet them in real life. It gives me personal satisfaction to let them share the same experience I’ve had and have their feedback on the matter, plus it’s a fun and harmless activity for everyone.
Now you may wonder why I am writing all this. It’s because a fellow Lebanese Blogger, Tarek Chemali, found it necessary to write a whole post on the Valentine dinner I am giving away, to try and say that it can’t be just a give away and that I am getting something in return for it. Well I hate to break it to you Tarek but it is a simple giveaway and I was the one who approached Le Gray’s PR and asked them to organize this as I wanted to do something for Valentine and I’ve enjoyed in the past year my visits to Le Gray, which by the way were personal visits, as well as a book signing and Ivy’s big reveal event. Come to think of it, most if not all of the giveaways I’ve run on this blog were initiated by me and not the business in question, just because I thought the readers would be interested in such things and because I love doing them.
Having said that, and this is addressed to you Tarek: I’ve been a keen follower of your blog for years now and shared your posts on several occasions [1] [2] [3] [4] because I liked what I saw not because you asked me to. I look for appealing and interesting material (For me at least) and I share it or write my comments on it. It’s as simple as that for me and it will never change.
I still need the TV that I could have gotten for free, I am NOT going to Le Gray on Valentine but ironically to another hotel which I fully paid for, I’ve paid for every smartphone I’ve ever had, I rarely make it to most of the events I get invited to, I avoid invites to newly open restaurants or pubs and usually go alone at least two or three times before reviewing it and most of the freebies bloggers get in Lebanon are crap.
Of course not everyone agrees with my approach, and obviously you are one of them, but I don’t find it justifiable that you bad-mouth and disrespect me and the blog without having any proof to back your theory. Of course you are free to do and post whatever you want, but please don’t speak to me about blog ethics when you’re labeling me as a #sharmoutAD. The same way you believe some of your ads, such as the Exotica Dubai one, is better than the original one, try to have some faith in Lebanese bloggers and believe that they are not for sale and have some dignity after all. Nothing is for free indeed but nothing is more important than being respected and respectful and that is earned with time and is priceless. Moreover, earning such a reputation changes the way agencies and businesses deal with you as you start building friendships and have the upper hand when it comes to posting about a certain brand or product or service.
If you believe you have some tips to offer on how to enhance my blogging skills, and I’ve already taken into consideration ur comments in previous posts, feel free to drop me an email (since we do exchange emails from time to time) and I will be glad to discuss this anywhere you want. We could even hold a tweetup (without freebies or sponsors) and discuss this live because I have nothing to hide or disclose from BlogBaladi’s readers.
Thank you for clarifying. If things were transparent why did you not say so in first place. ETHICALLY every blogger needs to come clean with his/her relationship to brands he is endorsing/commenting upon – Najib please understand that I have no personal beef with you (or anyone else in the blogging community). What I do have, is serious concern as to the fact that no one is mentioning what he/she got for free, what terms are brands are mentioned in, what are the terms and conditions one was given an item to review (ex: the Mercedes you reviewed, I had no idea how this came about – you are not a mechanical engineer, you are not an automobile blog, so how come?). I am saying all of this because NO ONE in the blogging community is giving details as to how come they were picked, chosen (or as you said initiated a certain initiative with brands).
Until we (and yes, this includes me if I ever go down that line) come clean, I would still doubt everything I read.
Tarek,
Things are very transparent to everyone reading the blog except for you maybe. Ethically you need to check your facts and ask a fellow blogger that you’re in contact with about something before disrespecting and badmouthing him. Your posts show that you have personal issues with me (even though I know you dont) and even if you don’t mean it that way, and that’s what every single person who read your post told me. A serious concern such as yours can be addressed in a more constructive and polite way not by coming up with a demeaning hashtag.
It is neither my or your business to question bloggers on under which terms or conditions they were chosen to review a car or a device or a hotel or whatsoever. This goes back to how ethical this blogger is and the readers and online community will be the ones to judge and not you or me. This is how social media works and sometimes companies appreciate bloggers and ask them if they r interested in reviewing some of their products or not. I was invited to a bridal event which I declined because I had no business there but I was more than happy to review the Mercedes because I love cars. I didn’t review a Renault I got as well because I didn’t think it was worth a post. As long as companies don’t set pre-conditions on me, I choose whether to post or not. You don’t have to explain to your readers how you decided to come up with a giveaway. Its a fun thing that everyone likes doing so either join the fun or ignore the whole thing, but no need to ruin it for everyone.
You have the right to doubt whatever you want, but it’s not acceptable to lash out at the blog and myself the way you did and then preach about blog ethics and I think the responses you are getting on twitter speak for themselves.
Well… i have been reading this blog for 2 or 3 years i don’t remember … it has a big influence on its reader … especially Najib in this last year i think … I know that he gives away all the stuff … but if something he liked i don’t see any harm in having it … he is not Red Cross or something … he is giving time and energy on it …
as for Tarek, I liked that he replied on the post … but we wish if he would ask and get some information before insulting people ….
Seems like some bloggers are sick jealous to the extent they start bitching and whining about it…
Although Blog Baladi doesn’t reflect my political views but it remains much more respectable than some junk pages out there.
I didn’t know blogbaladi had political views
Same here 🙂
Fact: Blog of the year: BlogBaladi
Najib; I would not pay too much heed to personal attacks borne out of jealousy and despair. You have always been a straight shooter. No one has the right to judge another and besmirch one’s reputation by mudslinging and unsubstantiated junk.
Remember this…The bigger and more recognized and respected your blog gets; the more you will have little minnows (…or chiwawas) biting at your heals.
Keep it up and let me know when you are coming to the Great White North. 😀
Lakhayem
Wow, the only wrong thing you made is write this post and give this man some attention. It’s your blog and you’re free to do whatever you want with it. Even if you had (although I don’t believe you do) sponsored posts, I wouldn’t mind. You’re doing this for fun and for free and you have no ethical obligations towards any of your readers. If anything, the only netiquette I know of, is not name calling other people. I wonder if he would’ve said that to your face instead of cowarding behind his screen.
If your talking to all people you can’t ignore them too so no Rami it’s good that he replied knowing that Tarek is not just a regular Lebanese blogger (he’s a walking encyclopedia by the way), and I appreciate the good intentions among bloggers.
After all they are giving colors to the news and hitting subjects that big media might not look at.
lets not start taking sides here…
and @josef, this blog doesn’t have any political views and thats why i like it.
Wayniye el dawle !!
Najib… I suggest you stop wasting your time on this post 😉