I’ve had the sponsored review survey up on this site for so long that I had completely forgotten about it. It’s well past time to take it down and put up another one. Here is a picture of the results:

It looks like there’s quite a split between what readers want and expect from this blog. However, it’s clear that the majority have no problem with sponsored posts.

There are a variety of opinions on this issue in the blogging world. Time and time again I read and hear bloggers saying that blogging shouldn’t be about money. I understand that blogging can be a more personalized approach to sharing your thoughts, ideas, and feelings with the world. At the same time, though, the purist approach is incredibly naive.

I’m sure some of you will be up in arms about this, but there is truly no reason why blogging can’t be just like any other business or hobby turned part-time business. The key word here is business. If you run it like a business, then it should be expected to make money.

Let’s put things this way: Are you disgusted and turned off by the fact that those hot chicks in the beer commercials may not even like that beer? Does it bother you if the people in the herpes commercials don’t really have herpes? Give me a break!

Guys, it’s OK to make money. And it’s OK to make money with blogging. Whether you’re blogging just for the money or you blog because you love it. It’s OK. If your readers are getting some value from whatever you’re writing, then what’s the problem? Your motive in writing it doesn’t really mean anything.

Back to the subject of sponsored posts. If someone pays you for a review, an honest review, then I don’t see that there’s an issue. If you don’t like the product or service, say so. If you’re getting paid to review it, say so. Is this topic really that controversial? I’d love to hear what you think about it.