I always thought I had a great working relationship with the companies I blog for. I follow the TOS, complete the assignments and opportunities while trying to go above and beyond the advertisers expectations, and I give them kudos when it is due to them.
I regularly divulge how much money I make blogging, including where I made my money and encouraging my readers to join in on the action, recommending a wide range of companies and giving advice on how to join and complete assignments in each system.
Two companies I’ve been blogging for during the past two years are Izea (which includes PayPerPost and SocialSpark) and PayU2Blog. Both have different TOS and paid blogging philosophies, but they meshed well and I was quite successful at blogging for both simultaneously.
This year, I applied and was chosen as an Izea Insider, which is a great opportunity to endorse a paid blogging system that has worked for me and promote myself and my primary blog, Oh hey. There are obviously perks to this new position, but it is not a paid position and it is not a glamorous position.
Unfortunately, PayU2Blog views my affiliation with Izea as a threat to their business and a conflict of interest. Without warning, they revoked my access to my account and banned me from their member forums.
Recently, I removed my main blog from PayU2Blog because I wanted to try advertising options that didn’t meet their TOS. This means that the blog that Izea is endorsing through the Izea Insider program, the one that may have a conflict of interest, isn’t even part of PayU2Blog, but that didn’t stop them from banning my three other blogs which have the same amount of affiliation with Izea as they always have (meaning I take opportunities when they fit my blog and are available).
I wasn’t the only one removed from PayU2Blog. Izea Insiders, Lisa, Heather, Julie, Brett, and (related to a previous incident) Drew were also purged from the system and I think we all agree that the conflict of interest is non-existent. I feel like a company I have done a great job working for and with over the past two years has made a rash decision and a false character judgment and identified me as an enemy.
As recently as last week I encouraged readers to sign up for PayU2Blog, but now I have to urge those same readers to do their homework, and really consider the personal scrutiny they may be putting themselves through. It’s not enough to do your job and do it well, you now have to pick sides and apparently take a vow of solidarity if you choose to blog for PayU2Blog.
Wow. The fact that they would do this to good bloggers is sad. There are a lot of very sketchy bloggers out there getting ridiculous amounts of assignments from them. That’s just not good business at all.
Erica – It’s disappointing, especially 2 years in, but I think in the long run, I’d rather not partner with a company that runs the way PU2B does. It’s just not acceptable.
I used to endorse PU2B too, I thought they were great, but unfortunately, this recent incident has opened me eyes. I didn’t know mucha bout their forums or anything else, and I’m disappointed that they chose to go this route with the Izea Insiders.
I’ve linked you in my own blog.
Thanks, Kat. I find it very peculiar how protective they are of their forums. I’ve heard a few PU2B bloggers say that they cannot access the forums, even after attempting to contact someone for admission.
I haven’t gotten work with Izea for some months now, so probably am going to drop Izea from my blogging work. However, I do wish I could get to the PU2B forums, I’m not sure why they won’t approve accounts. I had one, changed my email, and cannot get back in since.
Cynthia – There are some great things happening for bloggers at Izea. PayPerPost has increased the number of posts per day and done away with interim posts. SocialSpark is seeing more and more advertisers, including affiliates and sponsors. Plus, they are super responsive whenever you have a question or problem, and being an Izea Insider, I can get just about anything answered for you.
PU2B has recently decided to make members choose between them and Izea and their lack of communication with their bloggers would lead me to choose Izea if they had given me the choice.
[...] Unfortunately, I am no longer blogging with PayU2Blog due to circumstances out of my control, but Izea has made some really great improvements, and I’m confident those upgrades are going to be reflected in my PayPerPost and SocialSpark earnings. [...]