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The Wall Street Journal, Blogging, and the Subject of Free.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal yesterday! And because, like many of you, I do not have a WSJ subscription to read the online version, I’ve scanned a really really crappy version of the article, from the Marketplace section, above.

While I’m thrilled to have been included, I feel a need to put my quote into context. I end the article, and it goes like this (typing directly because again, I know that scan stinks):

“Rachel Cothran, a 27-year-old blogger in Washington, D.C., used her card to purchase a pair of Wolford tights for around $60. Ms. Cothran said she typically buys hosiery at discount stores and never would have thought to splurge on a luxury version – until the gift card.

“People want things to be free,” she said. Ms. Cothran said she loves her purchase and is considering going back to the store to pick up another pair.

Needing to set a few things straight here. First, I, ahem, most certainly do think to splurge on luxury hosiery. I think about it A LOT, actually. I have just learned to physically restrain myself and make do with the Target and “irregular” TJMaxx varieties.

But what I really want to clear up is the quote, which feels to me that it was published in a way that was out of context with the discussion I was having with the writer, Elizabeth Holmes. I had just mentioned Chris Anderson’s recently published and much-debated book, Free, where he addresses moneymaking in the digital marketplace, and how, basically, people want and expect information to be free. He then talks about how powerful the idea of “free” is when it comes to consumer buying patterns generally. Holmes asked me if I thought people came to the Neiman Marcus event because of all of the events going on within the store, or if I thought the free $50 gift card was the draw. To my mind? The gift card, hands down. Referencing Anderson’s ideas, I said that “people want things to be free.”

It’s hard to say how people read that last bit of the article quoting me, but for what typing it out here is worth, I feel that it’s important to address the act of blogging and the standards bloggers hold themselves to. Especially as a writer who goes about the act of blogging as an exercise in journalism, I’m naturally a bit protective of how I’m perceived as “a blogger.” I try to hold myself to a set of unwritten rules, even though I didn’t have to until now (you may have read about the FTC’s new rules and this one on fashion blogs is interesting). I don’t have a blog to promote clients or partners or events, much less advertisers. Not that I’m against advertisers or any of it really. It just isn’t the point of my blog and I wouldn’t want it to be. Maybe one day I’ll accept ads and etc and etc. If the content’s there, the readers will be there and then the relevant ads and promotions that benefit your readers will be there, and then we can all retire to the country or Spain with our hot, smart, interesting, insatiably lusty boyfriends.

If I ever get something for free (and honestly, it’s not like I’m getting Louboutins in the mail), and if, like any other journalist, it makes its way into a post about a larger idea or concept I’ve been thinking about for a story, then that publicist has done his or her job – having provided relevant, interesting and timely information to me as a writer with readers who trust me and my opinion. Companies want bloggers to write about their products because their readers trust them as an independent voice. The minute you compromise that, you’re no longer valid. I don’t find it compelling to read a blog that consistently shills products or events, especially overpriced luxury goods. Leave that to the magazines! Honestly, even I, a self-professed magazine junkie…no, whore, have a hard time enjoying magazines for this reason. Say something about yourself, trends taking place locally, and offer original content. Ultimately, your readership will grow and other writers – both print and new media – will respect you.

OK, that is all. Back to the pretty clothes and lip gloss!

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